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01/29/2001PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 29, 2001 Present: Steve Swanberg Chair Sarah Wiand Vice Chair Larry Lindner Board Member Kim Cashman Board Member Dick Ruben Board Member Ric Ortega Board Member Absent: Geri Shriver Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director Steve Miller Recreation Programming Superintendent Melanie Hasburgh Public Information Coordinator Steve Bigley Recreation Supervisor Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II 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 6:35 p.m. at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. ITEM #2 Introduction of Melanie Hasburgh, Public Information Coordinator – Mr. Dubar said Ms. Hasburgh was formerly Public Affairs Director for the City of Pinellas Park. In the past month, she has already expanded the department’s favorable exposure particularly during Super Bowl week. She will attend some of the board meetings to become familiar with their work. Ms. Hasburgh said she was glad to be here and looked forward to meeting board members and getting their message out to the public. ITEM #3 Recognition of Geri Shriver’s Service to the Board – Mr. Dunbar said Ms. Shriver had chosen not to seek reappointment. Mr. Dunbar said she served four very good years, serving as chair for one year, and she will be missed. Mr. Dunbar said the City Commission has appointed Mr. Jonathan Wade Sr. to fill the vacant position. His term begins February 1. ITEM #4 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of November 27, 2000 – Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #5 Correspondence – None ITEM #6 Old Business – Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar discussed highlights of the following: Ray Green Park Expansion – Mr. Dunbar said he will ask the City Commission on March 1 to authorize the Board to name the center now known as the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center. It would be appropriate to name the center before construction starts. Since North Greenwood would be just one of communities in the region to use the facility, it may be more appropriate to name it the Northwest Clearwater Recreation and Aquatic Center. Feedback will be sought from homeowners groups in that region. Mr. Dunbar passed around a drawing of the basic floor plan. In developing the floor plan, input was provided by staff and a citizens committee of which Mr. Jonathan Wade is a member. Member Cashman asked if a park could be named for a corporation if the corporation provided funds for it. Mr. Dunbar said the Commission would make that determination. A teen area in the center will receive significant funding from the Pinellas County School Board. Recreation Path – Moving forward with enhancements. City-Wide P&R Master Plan – On schedule, moving forward. Long Center – Long Center looking at adding 12,000 square feet on the west side including a 5,000 square-foot-multi-purpose space. Construction expected to start in November. Countryside Infrastructure Improvement – On schedule with all except fitness space. Wall conflict has been resolved and completion is expected February 12. Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Engineer and architect are coming on board to design a new clubhouse and improve drainage. b) Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Miller pointed out the new format of the flier and introduced Ms. Hasburgh who highlighted 10 different Valentine events for the month of February including a one-mile walk/run for couples at Morningside Recreation Center, Daddy & Daughter/Mother & Son Dance at Countryside Recreation Center, and Hearts ‘n’ Hugs Tea Party for pre-schoolers at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. Member Wiand asked if the information could be used on the Clearwater Beach homeowners web site; Ms. Hasburgh said she would provide it in electronic form. ITEM #7 New Business - a) Discussion of Non-resident Use Charges – Mr. Dunbar said the increase in non-resident user fees has prompted concern and he wanted to make sure board members were aware of the issues if they receive inquires about it. Discussion also was prompted by an e-mail Chair Swanberg received from Clearwater Lady Bombers whose fees were raised to $6,000. Mr. Dunbar said the Lady Bombers are one of three users of Bomber Stadium, which costs the city $25,000 a year to maintain. The other two are Clearwater High School girl’s softball and St. Petersburg Junior College women’s softball. Even with the Lady Bombers increased fees, the city is funding $19,000 of that usage. Mr. Dunbar said the agreement with the school system is to offer co-use-agreements of facilities rather than exchange money. Similar situations exist in youth sports where teams comprised mainly of non-residents are concerned about the increase. Mr. Dunbar pointed out that many neighboring cities also have raised non-resident fees. He said some county commissioners are amendable to partially funding municipality recreation programs with county funds. Mr. Dunbar said the city also is moving toward providing fields to accommodate advanced play in youth sports. b) Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex Presentation – Mr. Bigley led members on a tour of the complex including the site of the proposed skate park. Not on the Agenda – Responding to a question, Mr. Miller said McMullen fees will be reviewed after the first quarter. It was suggested that swimming pool fees also should be reviewed. Commenting on publicity about the tennis tournament at McMullen, Ms. Hasburgh said more than 100 fliers were distributed to tennis clubs throughout the county. Also, press kits were given to the media including Bay News 9, which had indicated interest in filming after the facility was renovated. Responding to a question, Mr. Miller said defibrillators are located at MSB and the city’s swimming pools. It is a Fire Department initiative to have them placed at all city facilities. Mr. Dunbar praised the staff for producing six highly successful events sanctioned by the Super Bowl Committee. He credited Terry Schmidt and his section as well as other city departments who cooperated to put on events of that magnitude. Member Wiand commented that two Parks and Recreation facilities were featured in the FRPA Facility Showcase. The Board will meet February 26 at the Municipal Services Building, March 26 at Chi Chi McMullen, and April 23 at Municipal Services Building when Ms. Birgitt Dowd, Volunteer Coordinator, will be speaker. ITEM #8 Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.