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02/24/2003CITY OF CLEARWATER PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING February 24, 2003 Present: Jonathan Wade Sr. Chair Thomas Fletcher Vice Chair Larry Lindner Board Member Steve Swanberg Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept. Dawn Jenkins Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor Mark Abdo Executive Director, Long Center Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant Absent: Sarah Wiand Board Member James Appelt Board Member Vacancy 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 Wade called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road. ITEM #2 Recreation Programming at the Long Center - Ms. Dawn Jenkins, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor. Mr. Dunbar said the Department's goal in therapeutic recreation is to exceed expectations in that field and develop a model program. Ms. Jenkins estimated some 30,000 mentally or physically challenged children and young adults in upper Pinellas County are without extended programming. She plans the following programs at the Long Center: UPARC water exercise classes, water aerobics, karate (starts March 6), summer camps including Camp Freedom and Camp WeCanDo, basketball, and the Make A Difference Fishing Tournament. She hopes the two summer camps can be extended through the entire summer. Special events include table tennis tournament, Goodlife Games Table Tennis, Goodlife Games Swim Meet, and Special Olympics Swim Meet. Mr. Dunbar emphasized Ms. Jenkins is the Department's Inclusion Officer, and all concerns and suggestions on therapeutic programming should be directed to her. Mr. Abdo related the growth of the Long Center as it developed partnerships with cities and agencies. Mr. Lindner said he had heard complaints the water was too cold during a recent swim meet. Mr. Abdo said he had not heard that comment and asked Mr. Lindner to have the citizens contact him. Mr. Lindner also asked if there is anything further is being done about arsenic content in the playground equipment. Mr. Abdo said there is a small amount of CCA in that wood. He said the playground is constantly maintained including being shut down twice a year for sealant. Although the equipment is considered safe, the board decided to replace it when and if those funds are raised. Mr. Lindner asked why the pool was not designed to accommodate long and short course meters. Mr. Abdo said the pool was originally built for instructional purposes, not competition. ITEM #3 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of January 27, 2003 – Member Linder noted under Item #5, New Business, paragraph a, second bullet item should read: "Member Lindner asked if major policy issues should be run by the Board for its comments. Mr. Dunbar stated that would be too cumbersome in light of the number of decisions that are made. However, it is within the scope of the board to advise or make recommendations on policy." With that correction, Member Fletcher moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 Correspondence - None ITEM #5 Old Business Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects: Community Sports Complex - Project moving forward. City, County, State, and Phillies share the cost of the $27-30 million project. Almost $22 million is grant monies. Park Amenity Purchase and Replacement - Projects under way to purchase, repair and replace items at various sites. Tennis Court Resurfacing - Resurfacing of tennis courts including Bay Park at Sand Key, CBRC, Forest Run and Ed Wright Park expected to be completed this month. Mr. Wade asked if Plaza Park sign will be replaced; Mr. Dunbar said it would be. McKay Park - Playground equipment purchased from trade floor at NRPA meeting in Tampa. Equipment to be divided with Morningside Recreation Complex. Long Center - Conceptual design of project complete; fund raising to begin soon. Ross Norton Complex - Money spent so far is in design area. Breaking ground in late summer with opening expected October '04. Skate Park project included. In response to a question from Mr. Wade regarding the bidding process, Mr. Dunbar said each project goes out to bid individually. People who would want to sub-contract would need to contract the general contractor for each project. Fencing Replacement Program - Includes Carpenter Complex, Countryside Community Park and others as needed. Light Repair and Replacement - Timers for lighting are being removed at facilities because frequent "power spikes" have resulted in high maintenance. There is heavy use at night at Clearwater High School basketball courts. Mr. Wade noted there are crowds at night at Marymont Park basketball courts as well. Recreation Trails: McMullen-Booth Pedestrian Bridge; Clearwater East-West Trail - Drawings 90% complete. Construction starts in August; completion set by end of year. Recreation Trails: Mandalay Channel Pedestrian bridge, Clearwater East-West Trail - On south side of Causeway; will connect Causeway to Clearwater Marina. Can be driven over by emergency vehicles. Construction is expected to take one year; it is funded with federal dollars. Recreation Trails: Bayshore Drive Section of Clearwater East-West Recreation Trail - Awaiting funding and small change of project scope to include 92 yards of 4' wide sidewalk in Safety Harbor. Crest Lake Dog Park - Project completed. Park is highly successful with users. E. C. Moore Softball Complex Fields 8 & 9 - Clearing under way; this is land swap piece with Calvary Baptist Church. Restroom building and parking lot under design by architect with completion expected by December this year. Bayview Park - Cleanup of property under way. Work is being performed by City crews. Glen Oaks Park - Golf course will close the end of March to make way for the stormwater drainage project. Public Hearing will be held March 12 at St. Cecelia Interparochial School to address concerns neighbors have over locations of soccer fields. Mr. Swanberg said there is a group that clears bodies of water for fishing and asked if that group is working on this project. Mr. Dunbar said the department has asked for a linkage of blue ways, and ability to have good fishing areas. Construction begins later this year and will take about 14 months. Kapok Mobile Home Park Stormwater Improvements - Additional park land; will link to East-West Trail. It will be connected to Cliff Stephens Park by recreational paths. b) Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar reported that Wild Splash Spring break concert is scheduled March 8 in Coachman Park.. Phillies Spring Training starts Friday. Mr. Dunbar said the Special Events team is planning a special concert April 27 in celebration of Fun 'n Sun's 50th Anniversary. Last week's Phillies Phan Fest brought the highest participation ever by fans and players. c) Reminder Public Hearing Next Meeting - Mr Dunbar suggested members visit and become familiar with the drainage project just east of the MSB known as the "town pond." A public meeting will be held at the next board meeting when the board will suggest to City Commission a name for the park. ITEM # 6 New Business – None ITEM #7 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:55 p.m. ITEM #8 Tour of Long Center - Mr. Abdo led members on a tour of the facility. Next meeting is March 24 at the Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130.