08/27/2001PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 27, 2001
Present: Steve Swanberg Chair
Sarah Wiand Vice Chair
Jonathan Wade Sr. Board Member
Thomas Fletcher Board Member
Kim Cashman Board Member
Larry Lindner Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II
Absent: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director
Vacant Board Member
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 Chair Swanberg called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130. Mr. Kader attended as board liaison in Mr. Dunbar’s absence.
ITEM #2 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of June 25, 2001 – Member Cashman moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
ITEM #3 Correspondence – A letter was received from Mr. Phillip G. Thornburg, Superintendent of Parks at the City of Fort Lauderdale, inviting members to participate in a Florida Recreation
and Park Association (FRPA) session for advisory board members August 29 at Saddlebrook.
ITEM #4 Old Business –
Capital Project Update – Mr. Kader discussed the status of the following:
Ray Green Park Expansion – City has contracted to buy the lot on Pennsylvania Avenue; one homeowner does not want to sell.
Softball Complex Development – Two fields at Eddie C. Moore Complex will be completed next month. Games will be scheduled at other locations until then. Deliveries of light fixtures
from suppliers have caused the delay.
City-wide P&R Master Plan – Members were given copies of time frames used by master plan consultants, Glatting Jackson. Mr. Kader said members would be invited to the Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board workshop as well as public meetings to gain their input.
North Greenwood Recreation Complex – City Commission is expected to consider naming the complex September 20. Project is out to bid for separate contractors for center and pool. The
city expects to save approximately $80,000 on taxes by purchasing some items itself. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the general contractor or sub will sign off on deliveries.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the recreation complex, library and road improvements will be held simultaneously.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Tribute to Jimmy Buffett on August 30 is expected to draw a large crowd. Events for September include HubbaDaHula concert September 8 with Kenny Rogers,
and recreation programming including athletic leagues and weekend programs for Hispanic youth at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. No further negotiations are scheduled with St. Petersburg
College on the Joe DiMaggio property; three years are left on current lease. Will know more after next Legislative session. Skate park is on hold. No alternative site is planned.
It was noted the events schedule did not mention youth tennis lessons at McMullen Tennis Complex or Clearwater National Little League. Mr. Kader said staff is working closely on co-sponsored
groups. It was noted information on Channel 15 is not current.
ITEM #5 New Business –
Proposal to Create Sub-Committees –
Mr. Kader said sub-committee members would work as liaison with staff on particular areas and become “experts” for the board. Staff involvement would be Mr. Dunbar for Budget/Finance;
Melanie Hasburgh, Public Relations; Mr. Kader or Leroy Chin, Capital/Facilities; and Steve Miller, Programming. Mr. Wade said one issue to consider is the possibility of JWB not funding
middle school camp next fiscal year. Mr. Swanberg said it is hoped this is a positive move to get the board involved in department decisions. He suggested a new park on Courtney Campbell
Causeway.
Volunteering for assignments were: Mr. Swanberg and Mr. Lindner, Budget/Finance; Ms. Cashman and Ms. Wiand, Public Relations; Mr. Wade and Ms. Cashman, Programming, and Mr. Swanberg
and Mr. Fletcher, Capital/Facilities. A meeting schedule will be distributed at the next meeting.
ITEM #8 Adjournment -
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The next meeting will be September 24 at Martin Luther King Recreation Center.