08/26/2002CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
August 26, 2002
Present: Jonathan Wade Sr. Vice Chair
Kim Cashman Board Member
Thomas Fletcher Board Member
Larry Lindner Board Member
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: Sarah Wiand Chair
James Appelt Board Member
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 Call to Order – Vice Chair Wade called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at Municipal Services Building conference room 130.
ITEM #2 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of July 22, 2002 – Motion to approve was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 Correspondence – None.
ITEM #4 Old Business
Capital Project Update – Mr. Kader updated the following projects:
Clearwater East/West Trail: Cliff Stephens section – Completed. Need to close out $150,000 FRDAP grant this week so can apply for another grant next week.
McKay Park – Project awaiting critical path schedule because of backlog of projects.
Allen’s Creek Park (Maple Swamp) – Project 90% complete; playground installed, with completion expected September 2002.
North Greenwood Recreation Center – Project on schedule with a projected opening for sometime in December. Board members expressed their preference to meet at the center in October instead
of at MSB.
Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – Mr. Kader said a public meeting will be held August 27 at the golf course to discuss future plans for the land. Because the land is needed for storm
water drainage/retention, it is proposed that the golf course be replaced with two soccer fields, and a passive park area, playground, picnic area and restrooms. It would serve as trail
head for the East-West Trail. David Martin Soccer Field behind St. Cecelia School would be used as an additional storm water retention area but the name would continue at the new fields.
Owners of three lots on the interior side of Glen Oaks have been asked if they would be interested in selling their land to the City. However, the project would proceed without those
properties.
Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Kader noted the City and Pinellas County are observing “A Service of Remembrance to Honor Heroes of 9/11” at the Harborview Center on September 11 at
9:45 a.m. The public is invited to attend.
ITEM #5 New Business
Board Discount for NRPA Congress in Tampa – Mr. Kader advised board members they could receive a 50% discount to participate in the NRPA Congress in Tampa on October 15-19. Clearwater
Parks and Recreation will host a social for NRPA at Sand Key on October 20.
Discussion
Other storm water projects that will be converted to parks in the future include the Town Pond and Kapok Mobile Home Park east of Cliff Stephens Park.
Visa and MasterCard may be accepted on a trial basis at selected recreation center sites and MSB after October 1.
Jim Halios is new recreation supervisor at McMullen Tennis Complex. The Summer Tennis Camp did well. A reservation system will go into effect at Clearwater Beach courts starting October
1.
Mr. Kader said the department would try to get JWB grant money for the teen room at North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex.
Mr. Fletcher asked why Sid Lickton Field would be available only six weeks in the fall. Staff will investigate.
An economic study is under way to determine the future of Jack Russell Stadium and its impact on the community.
ITEM #6 Adjournment – Members adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Next meeting is September 23 at Clearwater Country Club.