01/28/2002CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
January 28, 2002
Present: Sarah Wiand Chair
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Thomas Fletcher Board Member
Kim Cashman Board Member
Larry Lindner Board Member
James Appelt Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: Jonathan Wade Sr. Vice Chair
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 Call to Order – Chair Wiand called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
ITEM #2 Introduction of New Member James Appelt – Mr. Kader introduced Mr. Appelt who helped the city launch the Countryside project and is past president and a member of the Long Center
Board.
ITEM #3 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of November 26, 2001 – Members expressed concern the “slash” mark should be the word “and” in referring to the North
Greenwood Recreation /Aquatics Complex. Mr. Kader said the word “and” will be used. With that clarification, member Cashman moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 – Correspondence – None.
ITEM #5 Old Business –
Update Commission Action on Naming Center/Aquatics Complex – Mr. Kader reported the Ciy Commission accepted the board’s recommendations in naming the North Greenwood Recreation/Aquatics
Complex, Dr. Joseph L. Carwise Recreation Center and Ray E. Green Aquatics Center.
Capital Project Update – Mr. Kader said a Landscape Architect, Ms. Rhonda Gracie of Tampa, has been hired to assist Mr. Leroy Chin. Ms. Gracie will assist with Allen’s Creek Park, the
Dog Park at Crest Lake Park and playground renovations among other projects.
Mr. Kader reported updates on the following projects:
Ray Green Park Expansion – City is negotiating to purchase one remaining house on property. Construction has begun on the recreation center and pool and work is on schedule. The city
is saving money by purchasing construction goods tax-free.
Skate Park – On hold at Joe DiMaggio until college decision on lease in April. Alternative location is a partnership with the YMCA.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Members complimented staff on the new recreation calendar format.
ITEM #6 New Business –
Sub-Committee Reports –
Member Cashman said Public Relations met with Ms. Melanie Cornwell and discussed the program guide as well as promotions and fundraising techniques, including selling memorial bricks
as fundraisers. They suggested recruiting volunteers to distribute the program guide. Members suggested producing three issues per year with complete information contained in each rather
than two issues and a supplementary swimming lessons issue.
Budget/Finance members will review the next budget with Mr. Dunbar. Programming met with Mr. Steve Miller for an overview of that division. Capital/Facilities members met with Mr.
Kader for update on capital projects. Members decided each sub-committee will meet again in March.
Tennis/McMullen: Is There a Need for a Business Plan? – Member Lindner suggested preparing a business plan for McMullen Tennis Complex which would include: identifying facilities, demographics
of players, membership numbers, court usage, programs offered, pay structure compared to other facilities, income/expenses, plans for coming year, membership growth, fees, planning budgets,
and publicity to promote the complex. Mr. Kader said the current business plan is being updated. Members requested input before changes are implemented.
Lake Chautauqua – Further Plans for Park – Responding to questions, Mr. Kader said the dock is not a good area from which to launch a canoe at this time because of heavy weed growth
and low water level. Also, members said trails at the park need to be marked and cleared.
Not on the Agenda
In response to a request, Mr. Kader said members would be supplied with a list of all grants for which the department applies. He said Florida Communities Trust grants have been accepted
for both Bayview Park and Friendly Village of Kapok properties.
Member Cashman said AAU baseball is having difficulty scheduling fields and asked if that could be improved. Mr. Kader will look into field availability but indicated that recreational
co-sponsor groups already established have first priority. He also pointed out that there are strict regulations on getting new groups approved as a new co-sponsor group.
ITEM #7 Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.