07/22/2002CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
July 22, 2002
Present: James Appelt Board Member
Thomas Fletcher Board Member
Larry Lindner Board Member
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Department Director
Larry Dowd Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
` Brian Murphree Landscape Maintenance Coordinator
Howard Selig Parks Maintenance Coordinator
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: Sarah Wiand Chair
Jonathan Wade Sr. Vice Chair
Kim Cashman Board Member
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 Call to Order – Former Chair Swanberg called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at PBI West, 507 Vine Ave.
ITEM #2 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of June 24, 2002 – Motion to approve was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 PBI Overview and Tour with Larry Dowd, Assistant Director; Brian Murphree, Landscape Maintenance Coordinator; Howard Selig, Parks Maintenance Coordinator – Mr. Dunbar said the
Parks and Beautification Division is comprised of four sections employing 109 FTEs, headed by Larry Dowd, assistant director. The division care for almost 1,500 acres of parkland and
is charged with maintaining over 600 properties. Mr. Dowd said the division was re-engineered about three years ago to a team concept to more efficiently maintain sites. Also developed
was an 11-part apprentice program, which resulted in better training and advancement opportunities. Mr. Selig supervises trades workers, playgrounds and electricians, to name a few.
He said the City’s 5 electricians have a broad range of responsibility such as lighting at bridges, parking lots, ballfields and setting up special events. Trades workers maintain and
inspect more than 30 playgrounds. The teams are charged with such tasks as signage, park amenities, purchasing, and inventory. It was stressed that safety concerns are addressed immediately,
taking employees off other jobs to do so. Mr. Murphree pointed out the Landscape Maintenance section takes care of parklands and recreation facilities from Courtney Campbell Causeway
to Clearwater Beach, and east and west Clearwater.
Mr. Dunbar said in Pennies for Pinellas 2009 there is an item for an Infrastructure Facility, which would consolidate operations. One possible location is the old tree farm located
on north end of Clearwater Executive Golf Course.
ITEM #4 Correspondence – Members received copies of Mr. Dunbar’s reply to a member Lindner’s inquiry regarding tennis courts at Old Coachman Park.
ITEM #5 Old Business
Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
Community Sports Complex – Design of stadium moving forward; expect to remove the Home Depot in October and start constructing new stadium in November. Mr. Selig’s staff will strip
the Bomber site to salvage anything re-usable. Bomber Stadium will be relocated to the property that the City land swapped with Calvary Baptist Church in 2000.
Skate Park/Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex – Looking at college appraisal of $2.4 million; land value appraisal $1.4 million. History of ownership is being traced to determine if City donated
any of the land to the college. Member Appelt questioned value of constructing a skatepark. Mr. Dunbar said Police Department has encouraged a public skatepark because youths use city
streets, plus there was wide interest expressed during public meetings.
Clearwater East/West Trail: Cliff Stephens section – Construction moving forward; have to complete soon because of FRDAP grant.
Crest Lake Park – New playground expected to open this week. Water fountains installed near restrooms and at dog park site. Contract sought to buy Park Lake Motel and house next door;
owners want $495,000. Mr. Kader is talking to Skycrest residents about creating cul-de-sac on South Glenwood Avenue.
Master Plan – Plan accepted by Commission with understanding that individual items would be brought to commission attention as they occur. County administrator has asked input from
city managers regarding county financial commitment for recreation.
Long Center – Building fitness facility and meeting space, and moving entry to west side. City committed $1 million to expansion of the facility.
Allen’s Creek Park (Maple Swamp) – Most playground equipment on hand but not installed; completion expected September 2002.
North Greenwood Recreation Center – On schedule to open in November.
Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Will not be able to retain as golf facility because of drainage needs. May build two soccer fields and passive park area.
Ross Norton Complex – Contract with architect being negotiated. Expect new facility to open in spring of 2004.
Recreation Trails, Bridges – In Permitting and design; construction expected end of calendar year.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar noted response has been positive for Friday night concerts being held at various recreation locations instead of Coachman Park. Mr. Fletcher
pointed out the economic impact of baseball tournaments.
Not on Agenda - Mr. Dunbar said Jim Halios has been hired at as Recreation Supervisor at McMullen Tennis Complex. Other facilities are creating business plans such as that produced
by McMullen.
ITEM #6 Adjournment – Members adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Next meeting is August 26 at MSB Conference Room 130.