02/26/2001PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 26, 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
Jonathan Wade Sr. Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Director
Kim Staggs Personnel/Payroll Technician
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 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
ITEM #2 Introduction of New Board Member Jonathan R. Wade Sr. – Mr. Dunbar said Mr. Wade is involved in the North Greenwood Avenue Design Committee for the new recreation complex. Mr.
Dunbar also introduced Ms. Staggs of the department’s administrative staff who is training in board support procedures.
ITEM #3 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of January 29, 2001 – Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
ITEM #4 Correspondence – None
ITEM #5 Old Business –
Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar discussed the following:
Ray Green Park Expansion – Negotiations are under way for one other lot on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Skate Park – Staff has been hired to set up a roller hockey rink and hold community meetings to provide input in skate park design.
Recreation Path – East-West Trail project is being designed by city staff.
McMullen Tennis Complex – Parking lot area is being redesigned to a defined, permanent parking format; trash containers are being added.
Tennis Court Resurfacing – Bids to open for resurfacing of courts at Valencia Park, Wood Valley Park, Del Oro Park and Martin Luther King Complex.
Playground and Fitness Equipment Purchase and Replacement – Awaiting master plan before replacing equipment at Crest Lake Park.
Long Center – Work expected to begin in November; completion in nine months. Changing entrance to face west (Belcher Road). Lobby would become fitness facility.
Countryside Infrastructure Improvement – New fitness facility opened Thursday; completion of multi-purpose room expected in April.
Allen’s Creek Park – Recently annexed into city; city in process of changing land use and zoning to develop a park. A public meeting on the park is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 6 at Plumb
Elementary School.
Ruth Eckerd Hall – Education Center in design process. Hall is ready to retire its bonds then center reverts to city which will lease it back to PACT, Inc. Part of the lease agreement
is to provide the hall rent-free for city use such as performing arts groups and the community chorus.
North Greenwood Recreation Complex – Construction to begin this summer; opening expected October 1.
Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Engineer/architect has been hired. Construction to begin this summer on new clubhouse. Soccer fields are to be built north of the David Martin
Field and at the east side of Glen Oaks.
Jack Russell Stadium/Carpenter Complex – Development plan presented to City Commission today.
b) Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar highlighted two weekends of concerts at Coachman Park: March 2, Mickey Finn Dixieland; March 3, Vet Music Fest; and March 10, concert designed
for Spring Break with headliners Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
ITEM #6 New Business –
a) McMullen Tennis Complex – Member Lindner complimented the new physical plant but expressed concern that no one knowledgeable in tennis is on staff now that the tennis pro has left.
He suggested the city examine whether to hire a director, a pro, or combination of the two. Mr. Dunbar said resumes from tennis pros are being accepted until March 9 to see what kind
of talent is available to bring the program to the desired high level. Members said currently a tennis pro may be renting courts there and giving private lessons; Mr. Dunbar will check
on that. Concerning fee schedules, staff wants to complete another three-month review before making decisions to adjust fees. Member Lindner said court times of 6 to 8 p.m. and 8 to
10 p.m. are not consistent with the hours people desire to play. Also, members used to be allowed to make court reservations seven days in advance; now it is six days. In response
to concerns about trash and unkempt restrooms, Mr. Dunbar said maintenance hours will be doubled in next year’s budget.
b) Involvement in City Projects – It was decided that staff would provide copies of grant applications, where appropriate, to board members for their comments. Board members also
will be asked to assist the department this summer in facilitating public meetings on the master plan, adding their input, and in proofreading documents.
c) Next Meeting Date – Mr. Dunbar will not be able to attend the next board meeting March 26 at Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation on McMullen-Booth Road. Mr. Art Kader, Assistant
Director - Projects, Planning and Programming, will be liaison that evening.
Not on the Agenda –
Mr. Dunbar said design money will be allocated next fiscal year for the South Greenwood recreation complex; construction money will be available the following year.
Mr. Dunbar invited members to attend the FRPA District IV meeting at University Area Community Center Complex, Tampa, on April 5. The district newsletter recognized several Clearwater
staff members and events. Responding to a question, Mr. Dunbar said Marketing is exploring ways to finance a return of Clearwater Magazine.
Ms. Wiand suggested modifying the board agenda to get feedback from the master plan community meetings; comments could be sent to members prior to board meetings.
Member Lindner discussed cable TV systems for the city and county relative to the franchise access agreements. He suggested some city events could be televised on county channels which
give wider viewer access. Mr. Dunbar said the department is exploring hiring its own production specialist.
In response to a question about charging fees for tournaments, Mr. Dunbar said charity tournament fee is $3.25 per person to participate. Other fees vary, some paid by national sponsoring
organizations.
Chair Swanberg asked for progress of the Connolly property zoning issue. Mr. Dunbar said the zoning issue was to come up at the next commission meeting.
Member Lindner requested that time for members’ comments appear on agendas after Old Business and New Business. Mr. Dunbar asked members to inform him of concerns in advance so he could
place them on the agenda and/or do research and provide answers at meetings.
Responding to a request for the status of McKay Field, Mr. Dunbar said community and staff input had indicated $125,000-$150,000 funding was needed to provide an informal play area of
green space, a portion of lighting at night, and a small playground. Member Wiand said her feedback is that it be an open play area, with a facelift. Mr. Dunbar said a correct lighting
system would cost $60,000.
Member Ortega suggested the board ask the City Commission to fine people for trashing or throwing cigarette butts in the city, such as at parks and along medians. Mr. Dunbar said smoking
is banned at athletic fields, where voluntary compliance is desired. A decal to that effect is posted at ballfields.
ITEM #7 Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.