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11/26/2001CITY OF CLEARWATER PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING November 26, 2001 Present: Steve Swanberg Chair Sarah Wiand Vice Chair Jonathan Wade Sr. Board Member (left 7:20 p.m.) Thomas Fletcher Board Member Kim Cashman Board Member Larry Lindner Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director Steve Miller Recreation Programming Superintendent Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II Absent: James Appelt Board Member To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 Call to Order – Chair Swanberg called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. ITEM #2 Introduction of Visitors and New Member James Appelt – Mr. Dunbar introduced visitors Vice Mayor-Commissioner Ed Hart, Commissioner Bill Jonson and Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton. Mr. Dunbar said Mr. Appelt was unable to attend due to a conflicting commitment. ITEM #3 Public Hearing – Recommend Name for Facility at 900 North Greenwood Avenue – Mr. Dunbar said the item was returned to the board by the Commission because North Greenwood Avenue may be renamed and because Terry Griggley’s name was withdrawn by the Griggley family. Those factors may or may not prompt the board to reconsider previous decisions. The original names considered by the board were: Dr. Joseph Carwise Recreation and Aquatics Complex, James A. LaFayette Recreation and Aquatics Complex, Judge Joseph Hatchett Recreation and Aquatics Complex, North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatics Complex, and Ray E. Green Recreation and Aquatics Complex. At that time, the board selected North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatics Complex as first choice, followed by the Dr. Joseph Carwise Recreation and Aquatics Complex as second choice. Prior to today’s meeting, the board received “Proposals for Park Name” for the following: Ray E. Green Recreation and Aquatics Complex, Thelma V. McKahand Recreation and Aquatics Complex, and Northwest Clearwater Recreation and Aquatics Complex. Proposals on behalf of the names Ray E. Green and Dr. Joseph Carwise were brought to the public hearing. Mr. Dunbar said board recommendations would be considered by City Commission January 10. The public may speak at that time. Audience members spoke on behalf of some nominees. Speaking for the name “Ray E. Green” was Bill Wallace of Clearwater Historical Society. He said the society was concerned with preserving a historical name. Mr. Wallace also spoke in favor of “Northwest Clearwater Recreation Complex” as representing a wider area of the community. Speaking for the name “Thelma McKahand” was James Lightfoot, Recreation Programmer of Martin Luther King Recreation Center. The MLK staff submitted the name to honor Ms. McKahand who was a city employee for 39 years and was MLK’s first center supervisor as well as a North Greenwood community supporter. Speaking for the name “Dr. Joseph Carwise,” was Gabe Cazares who said Dr. Joseph Carwise served the City and Pinellas Schools during early desegregation years as well as inspired Clearwater Neighbors, and was instrumental in creating the Community Relations Board while serving on Clearwater City Commission. Mary Dresser said “James A. LaFayette” was an important African-American in history and served as a spy during the American Revolution. Dr. Jim Goss spoke in favor of “North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatics Complex.” He said the name reflects the entire segment of the community, and was concerned about hurt feelings if names of individuals are not selected. He said the center will attract people from all over the community and the street name has nothing to do with the community. Discussion ensued. The board decided to suggest an overall name and two components. Prior to the meeting, “Proposals for Park Name” were submitted as follows: Ray E. Green Recreation Complex, 3; Thelma V. McKahand Sports Complex, 1. At the meeting, “Proposals for Park Name” were submitted as follows: Dr. Joseph Carwise, 35; North Greenwood Recreation Complex, 20. Member Wade asked for an informal show of hands from the audience. Results were: North Greenwood, 4; Dr. Carwise, 11; Mr. LaFayette, 1; Judge Hatchett, 2; Ray Green, 0; Northwest, 0; and Ms. McKahand, 1. Member Lindner moved to select “Northwest Clearwater Recreation/Aquatics Complex” as first choice name. The motion was duly seconded. Members Lindner and Cashman voted yes. Members Swanberg, Wade, Fletcher and Wiand voted no. Motion failed. Member Wade moved to select “North Greenwood Recreation/Aquatics Complex” as first choice. The motion was duly seconded. Members Wade, Cashman, Swanberg, and Wiand voted yes. Members Lindner and Fletcher voted no. Motion passed. For second choice, Member Lindner moved to select “Northwest Clearwater Recreation/Aquatics Complex.” The motion was duly seconded. Members Swanberg, Lindner, Cashman and Wiand voted yes. Member Fletcher voted no. Motion passed. For third choice, member Wiand moved the name “Dr. Joseph Carwise Recreation/Aquatics Complex.” The motion was duly seconded. Members Wiand, Fletcher, Cashman, and Lindner voted yes. Motion passed unanimously. For first choice for naming the pool area, member Lindner moved the name “Ray E. Green Aquatics Center.” The motion was duly seconded. Members Lindner, Fletcher and Swanberg voted yes. Member Cashman voted no. Motion passed. For second choice naming the pool area, member Lindner moved to name it “Dr. Joseph Carwise Aquatics Center.” The motion was duly seconded. Members Lindner, Cashman, Wiand and Fletcher voted yes; Member Swanberg voted no. Motion passed. For third choice in naming the pool area, Member Cashman moved to name it “Thelma McKahand Aquatics Center.” The motion was duly seconded. Members Cashman, Lindner, Swanberg and Fletcher voted yes. Member Wiand voted no. Motion passed. Members voted on three choices for names for the recreation center. For first choice, member Lindner moved to name it “Dr. Joseph Carwise Recreation Center.” The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously. For second choice, member Lindner moved to name it “Ray E. Green Recreation Center.” The motion was duly seconded. Members Lindner, Fletcher, Cashman, and Wiand voted yes. Member Swanberg abstained. Motion passed. For third choice, Member Wiand moved to name it “Judge Joseph Hatchett Recreation Center.” The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously. ITEM #4 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of October 22, 2001 – Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #5 – Correspondence – “Proposals for Park Name” mentioned above. ITEM #6 Old Business – Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar discussed the status of the following: Community Sports Complex – City and Phillies are researching alternate locations for facility. Ray Green Park Expansion – Construction has begun; project on schedule. Skate Park – On hold until college decision in spring. Softball Complex Development – Eddie C. Moore East field renovation is completed. Recreation Path – Project out to bid. Park Amenity Purchase and Replacement – Ongoing miscellaneous park improvements. City-Wide Master Plan – Project underway; to be completed by February 2002. McKay Park – Project on hold. Will maintain green space, clean and replace some existing facilities. Long Center – Long Center reviewing proposed architects. Allen’s Creek Park (Maple Swamp) – Playground design in progress. Project to commence in 2002. Ruth Eckerd Hall – Building project under way. Northwest Recreation Center and Aquatics Complex — Work under way; project completion target date October 2002. Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Architect being selected to design clubhouse; planning for stormwater and golf course under way. Ross Norton Complex – Next major building project. Project on hold until architect selected. Recreation Trails – Project on hold until state funding approved. Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Miller highlighted the “Next Big Thing Concert”, Holiday Parade and holiday activities, swim meet, and activities at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. Sub-Committee Discussion – Postponed until January meeting. ITEM #7 New Business – Election of Officers – Member Cashman moved to elect Member Wiand as Chair for 2002. The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously. Member Cashman moved to elect Member Wade as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously. Moccasin Lake Nature Park Presentation – Recreation Supervisor Clifford Norris advised that cuts in Pinellas Schools budget have jeopardized the position of MLNP’s environmental research teacher who has instructed the program 17 years. Members were asked to write letters to the Associate Superintendent in support of the program. ITEM #8 Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. then members toured MLNP grounds. The next meeting will be January 28 at Municipal Services Building.