06/24/2002CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
June 24, 2002
Present: Sarah Wiand Chair
Jonathan Wade Sr. Vice Chair
James Appelt Board Member
Larry Lindner Board Member
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Kim Cashman Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Department Director
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: Thomas Fletcher 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 Wiand called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130.
ITEM #2 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of March 18, 2002 – Member Lindner corrected the item “Not on Agenda” on page 2 to read: “Member Lindner noted fee
changes were going into effect at McMullen without having been brought before the advisory board again.” With that notation, Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes as corrected.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 Correspondence – None
ITEM #4 Old Business –
Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
Community Sports Complex – Expect to have renderings of proposed complex at next meeting. Home Depot property under contract; finalizing with Target.
Skate Park/Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex – Discussions ongoing with college; will meet July 1 with college officials. Until City takes ownership, it cannot get grant dollars to go forward
with a skate park, or make capital improvements.
Clearwater East/West Trail: Cliff Stephens section – Construction contract in place; moving forward.
Crest Lake Park – Fitness equipment has been consolidated into one area at Crest Lake Park; currently installing sidewalk network; ordered new playground, which is expected to be completed
end of August. Once playground is moved, dog park placement can begin. Looking at acquiring motel across street. May install cul de sac on Glenwood at Gulf-to-Bay to eliminate traffic
cut-through. Appraisal is in process.
Master Plan – Five items from the plan are being submitted in this year’s budget.
Tennis Court Resurfacing – Member Lindner said Coachman Ridge was to be a model for future parks, with fencing separating courts, and inquired as to feasibility of upgrading other courts
to fit that model. Mr. Dunbar said additional dollars would have to be obtained; would have to redo the CIP project. Staff will look into the project.
North Greenwood Recreation Center –Three weeks ahead of schedule; on pace to complete in October; opens in November.
Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Meeting scheduled with Engineering to discuss compatibility of some kind of golf amenity with the drainage; will make recommendations to August 22
Commission. One concept might be to
build a 9-hole course with water hazards. Another might be a driving range with a teaching facility. Department will bring a golf course representative to assist in planning. Ms. Cashman
said she would like to see that property stay an active facility. It was stated that a 9-hole course probably would be a safer facility than 18 holes.
Ross Norton Complex – Architect expected to be approved at July 18 Commission meeting.
Recreation Trails, Bridges – In Permitting and design; construction expected end of calendar year.
In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said the only grant applied for recently is from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for new comfort stations at Pier 60, and that wasn’t successful.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar noted July is Parks and Recreation Month. Clearwater’s biggest event during that month will be Clearwater Celebrates America on July 3rd and July
4th. Board members are invited. Groups from ‘60s and ‘70s will perform July 3rd; fireworks and music highlights July 4th. Summer camps are full; volume is up in all programs. Holt
Pool closes this year with the opening of the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex.
Response to Letter from Mayor Aungst – Comments about the issue of no-shows and poor attendance at the Advisory Board Dinner included: City could use the money elsewhere; dinners are
valuable since can meet other board members; family obligations prevent some from attending; suggest someone call those who didn't attend and ask them why they didn't, and adjust the
next event accordingly; $887 not very much to lose, and how many attended the function?
Master Plan – Members have received copies.
ITEM #5 New Business –
Policy on Board Attendance – Mr. Dunbar said a policy is in place for removal of members who are absent more than four times. He has talked with the member in question who has some health
issues but would make an effort to improve his attendance. A discussion ensued about changing the time of meetings. Mr. Dunbar said this is the only board that meets in the evening;
others meet earlier in the day. Members decided to continue meeting at 6:30 p.m.
ITEM #6 Budget Sub-committee Report – PR sub-committee did not meet in May. Staff will set up a meeting with Budget sub-committee members and Mr. Dunbar.
ITEM #7 Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
The August 26 meeting will be at the PBI West maintenance facility at 507 Vine Avenue.