09/25/2000PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 25, 2000
Present: Kim Cashman Chair
Steve Swanberg Vice Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
Geri Shriver Board Member
Dick Ruben Board Member
Absent: Ric Ortega Board Member
Sarah Wiand Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director
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 August 28, 2000 - Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes as amended on page 2 paragraph 7 to read “a changing
bench in the women’s locker room can be observed from the outside” in place of “no privacy bench.” The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Correspondence – None. Mr. Dunbar shared experiences from the FRPA meeting in Orlando. A year ago three citizen boards were members of FRPA; this year there are 300. Citizen
input is critical to long-term success. Next year’s conference is at Saddlebrook; board members are encouraged to attend.
ITEM #4 – Old Business -
a) Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar discussed highlights of the following:
Ray Green Park Expansion – City has acquired another lot; three addition lots are needed. One is available; two purchases may or may not happen. The engineer/architect for project may
be selected at October 5 commission meeting. Department is asking the commission to endorse idea that the library won’t be built on that site. Playground on north end of property will
remain; it is one of two FRDAP grants being sought.
SPJC/Skate Park – Staff will be located in the field house building by October 9. Then will explore skate park issue. Cannot get a grant because city does not have long-term control
of the parcel.
Recreation Path – FRDAP grant has been awarded for design of Cliff Stephen’s East-West trail.
City-wide P&R Master Plan – Community meetings are scheduled at eight locations between the last two weeks in October and first three weeks in November. Locations are Countryside Recreation
Center, Eisenhower Elementary, Oak Grove Middle, Long Center, Clearwater High School, Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Norton Park, and Harborview Center. Board members will be
asked to attend at least two meetings; two members will be needed at each location.
McMullen Tennis Complex – Court Renovation – New courts open this Sunday although landscaping and lights are not complete. Grand opening is planned for second week in November.
Long Center – City is working with Pennies I money under Vision 2000 program to expand Long Center. P&R would like to add a senior facility and community cultural facility.
Countryside Infrastructure Improvement - Out to bid on 4,400 square-foot- expansion of the recreation center. Will go to commission November 16 to award contract; hope to be operational
by April 25, 2001.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar pointed out the UNO Latin Festival and Jazz Holiday as major events in October.
ITEM #5 – New Business -
a) Capital Budget FY 2000-2001 – Mr. Dunbar reviewed highlights of the proposed Department budget of $13.1 million budget, a 6% increase. FTE total is over 210. There are seven
infrastructure programs with funding from the General Fund including a parking lot/bike path resurfacing and improvement fund to provide maintenance for trails. Department is working
with the county to build an amphitheater at Coachman Park for $2 million. City funding of $2 million is going toward construction of an education wing at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Other projects:
North Greenwood Complex, $4.8 million for the complex and $500,000 for the library; Ross Norton Complex, $2.5 million for recreation center and pools; Glen Oaks Golf Course, $300,000
to build a new clubhouse.
Not on Agenda –
Mr. Ruben asked if there were plans to combine the Board and the Beautification Committee. Mr. Dunbar said that is being explored since there have been two vacancies on the committee
for some time. One drawback to increasing members to the committee seems to be the early morning time of meetings. It was mentioned a larger board, however, would mean expanding the
time allotted for meetings.
Member Swanberg asked if consideration was given to marketing recreation cards to condos. Mr. Dunbar said the person chosen for the new marketing position would explore such proposals.
Also being considered is reviving the department’s program on C-VIEW and offering printed program guides for citizens.
Mr. Dunbar said a no smoking policy was implemented by the Department a month ago, particularly relative to athletic fields and facilities.
ITEM #6 Adjournment -
The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.