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11/25/2002CITY OF CLEARWATER PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING November 25, 2002 Present: Sarah Wiand Chair Jonathan Wade Sr. Vice Chair Larry Lindner Board Member Thomas Fletcher Board Member James Appelt Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept. Frances Pheeny Staff Assistant Absent: Kim Cashman Board Member Stephen Swanberg 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, 100 S. Myrtle St. ITEM #2 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of October 28, 2002 – Motion to approve 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 – Home Depot has been demolished and removed, project is on schedule for occupancy in Jan 2004. First Spring game in March 04. Skate Park – The location to move to the Ross Norton complex is being considered. Ross Norton Complex – The design committee recommended adding the skate park to the Ross Norton complex, and making application for FRDAP funding for the skate park. The skate park would be 30,000 square feet. This would bring the total cost of construction to approximately $3.5 million. Mr. Dunbar reviewed the “bubble drawing” of the Ross Norton complex with the committee. McKay Park – The project is estimated to commence design in the Spring of ’03. Crest Lake Dog Park – The dedication for the dog park will be at the beginning of February 2003. The Park Lane Motel next to the park has been demolished. The intersection near the park may be the site of a public art piece. North Greenwood Recreation Center – The final walk through will be done tomorrow. The “soft” opening is scheduled for Dec. 21st. Staff will start to move in to the facility tomorrow. Ms. Wiand asked about the “Wall of Fame” in the North Greenwood complex. Mr. Dunbar said that the staff would work on it once the facility has opened and has an opportunity to focus on it. Mr. Appelt asked about the FTEs in the new centers; will the new centers dilute the staff at the existing centers? Mr. Dunbar said that presently the Parks and Recreation Dept. has 220 FTEs and each facility has its own business plan. Although some staff has been shifted from existing centers, the staff levels are being maintained. At the next Board meeting Mr. Dunbar will be requesting members to schedule budget meetings for the next fiscal year. Mr. Dunbar explained that one piece of the funding anticipated in the Master Plan is from the County. There has been correspondence with the County for over a year and the City has not received a response. The County has $2 Million available and has received applications for $18 Million. If the City does not receive some support from the County, during the ’04 budget for the Joe DiMaggio Complex next year soccer programs will have to be limited in size and preference will be given to residents. Mr. Dunbar will be meeting with the County Parks Administrator to discuss the issue. In the spring, Art Kader will commence with the bond aspect of the Master Plan. Mr. Dunbar reported that there is a possible partnership with the City of Safety Harbor. The Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Course is interested in moving the driving range next to the golf course where the Plex currently is. The space that is now the driving range could be made into soccer/football fields. Mr. Lindner asked about the light replacement at the Clearwater High Basketball courts. The courts are very difficult to get into after school hours and people are reluctant to use them. Mr. Dunbar will look into this issue. Mr. Wade reported that a playground sign is down at Plaza Park. Mr. Dunbar will have staff look into this. b) Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar reported that the Turkey Trot is on Thanksgiving Day. On Dec 6th is the Holiday Christian Rock Concert with Jaci Velasquez. The Next Big Thing 2 is on Dec 8th; it is an all day event. The Holiday Parade is on Dec. 13th; it ends at East Ave. this year due to the bridge construction. Dec. 14th is the Holiday Sights and Sounds in Coachman Park. ITEM # 5 New Business – Items Not On the Agenda: Ms. Wiand asked about fees at the tennis facility at Clearwater Beach. Mr. Dunbar stated that McMullen Tennis facility also charges fees for the courts and Morningside Recreation complex will be next. Clearwater Beach is staffed during the peak times. Mr. Lindner asked if there should be time limits on the comments from the public at Board meetings. Mr. Dunbar responded that he would recommend making public comment an agenda item. The public would be able to discuss their concerns during the comment period and then the board could comment. The public portion would then be closed and the chair could move onto the next agenda item. Mr. Lindner commented that in the recent heavy rain he noticed that the sprinklers were on at one of the parks. Mr. Dunbar stated that the rain sensor on the sprinkler must have been broken and that all of the sprinklers in the parks meet Swiftmud standards. Election of Officers: Mr. Lindner nominated Mr. Wade as Chair. Ms. Wiand seconded. Upon the vote being taken, the motion was carried unanimously, with Mr. Wade abstaining. For the position of Vice Chair, Mr. Lindner nominated Mr. Fletcher. Ms. Wiand seconded. Upon the vote being taken, the motion was carried unanimously, with Mr. Fletcher abstaining. ITEM #6 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Next meeting is January 27 at Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130.