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01/24/2000PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER JANUARY 24, 2000 Present: Kim Cashman Chair Steve Swanberg Vice Chair Geri Shriver Board Member Larry Lindner Board Member Donald Harris Board Member Sarah Wiand Board Member Dick Ruben Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director of Parks and Recreation Leroy Chin Parks, Planning & Projects Manager Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building. ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of November 22, 1999 - Member Ruben pointed out his name was misspelled in minutes of the regular meeting of November 22, 1999. Member Swanberg moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Correspondence - None ITEM #4 – Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Leroy Chin, Parks, Planning and Projects Manager – Mr. Chin provided to members an outline of the master plan, suggestions from Member Swanberg, a list of Clearwater parks, and a map of parks/recreation facilities. He said inventory of all sites is now taking place. Mr. Chin recognized Member Swanberg for submitting “Points to Consider.” Mr. Chin asked board members for their input. Mr. Dunbar invited members to send suggestions to him or Mr. Chin via e-mail. Mr. Chin said funding options would be part of the plan. Mr. Dunbar said strong board participation will be desired in community presentations explaining the plan. A minimum of two board members may be asked to act as facilitators at public meetings. He said support is being sought from other departments within the City, the CWA, and others, so they may participate in the process. Mr. Chin said he is talking to the Florida Game and Wildlife Commission to seek support and possible funding for the Allen’s Creek project. Also, Swiftmud and private companies may be sources for funding or assistance. Mr. Dunbar said money will be available in October to fund the new North Greenwood Recreation Center. The community will be engaged to provide input in that project. Mr. Dunbar said the master plan will address the major issue of whether the city will be the recreation provider for North Pinellas unincorporated areas. Within the next month he and the City Manager will meet with the County Administrator to seek capital and operating money to provide facilities for non-residents. Member Wiand suggested adding more dock accesses. Member Swanberg asked if docks for a canoe trail could be installed at Cooper’s Point. Mr. Chin said docks could be considered for any parkways located on water. Mr. Chin said he is looking at options for Clearwater Beach Recreation Center property, such expanding the building closer to the boating dock. Mr. Dunbar said upgrading the level of the fitness facility is being considered. Mr. Dunbar said affordable after-school day care programs are being considered for this fall at three recreation centers: Countryside, St. Petersburg Junior College, and Kings Highway. Conceptually, staff would pick up children after school and transport them to the center of parents’ choice. In response to a question from Member Ruben regarding the master plan timetable, Mr. Dunbar said the final plan will go before City Commission before the end of the calendar year. Mr. Chin said first draft will be available in October. ITEM #5 –Old Business Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar reviewed progress on a skate park at SPJC. It is expected the outside facilities will be quit-claimed deeded to the City, then a 20- to 30-year lease for the field house will be executed. Target date to take over operation is April 1or May1. Operation will be made up of reallocation of existing resources, mostly staff, and new revenues that will be generated from program fees. In response to a question from Member Wiand regarding grant money for the skate park, Mr. Dunbar said the city could not apply for a grant at this time because it did not own the land or have a long-term lease. The matching $200,000 allocated for that project is still available. Mr. Dunbar said Countryside Infrastructure Improvement was a Pennies II initiative to provide improvements requested by the community. Staff is recommending adding a multi-purpose space on north side of building which would provide the opportunity to operate 4 to 7 programs there simultaneously plus expand the fitness room. This item will be presented to the City Commission on April 6, 2000. The contract is expected to be awarded by July 1 and completed by the end of this year. Mr. Dunbar said the department is seeking $2 million for Parks & Recreation initiatives, including the North Greenwood Recreation Center, increased funding for Ross Norton Recreation Center, and a dedicated senior citizens center, possibly constructed near the Lawn Bowls club. Potential revenue source is through Pennies II monies available from the $12 million federal grant for the Memorial Causeway Bridge. In response to a question from Mr. Lindner regarding progress at the McMullen Tennis Complex, Mr. Chin said he is studying the possibilities for that location relative to environmental issues. Replacing trees and providing retention areas within budget are concerns. In response to a question by Member Lindner regarding status of the Bayfront Tennis Courts, Mr. Chin anticipates the facility will be open for day play in February and night play in March. In response to a question from Member Lindner regarding sales tax on recreation programs, Mr. Dunbar said informal recreation activity is taxable; instructional classes are not taxable. b) Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar distributed the February Calendar of Recreation Activities and invited comment. He said Mr. Miller would not attend all future board meetings, only those taking place at recreation centers. ITEM #6 – New Business a) FRPA District IV Meeting in Pasco County Mr. Dunbar invited members to attend the Citizen Board Member Discussion Group at the February 29 meeting of FRPA District IV in Hudson. Not on the Agenda – Mr. Dunbar said he met with Chair Cashman to discuss a new format for board meetings, making them a more interactive process. Mr. Dunbar said the board would have an active role in preparing the master plan, particularly recreation facilities and recreation programming. He invited members to contact him via e-mail or phone regarding concerns previously addressed in meetings so those issues could be addressed immediately rather than wait for meetings. Discussion ensued, and members were favorable to the new format. In response to a question from Member Harris regarding paving at Frank Tack Field, Mr. Chin said the contract was recently awarded and a pre-construction meeting has been held. Member Swanberg asked if an area could be set aside on the Pinellas Trail for wildflowers. Mr. Chin said the natural atmosphere is desirable and would be studied. ITEM #7 Adjournment The business meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. The next board meeting is February 28 at Countryside Recreation Center.