04/28/2003CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
April 28, 2003
Present: Jonathan Wade Sr. Chair (arrived 7 p.m.)
Thomas Fletcher Vice Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Scott Dempster Recreation Programmer
Bobbie Downs Office Assistant
Absent: James Appelt Board Member
Sarah Wiand 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 – The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. due to lack of a quorum.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of March 24, 2003 - The minutes were approved as submitted to members.
ITEM #3 Public Comments - None.
ITEM #4 Correspondence - None
ITEM #5 Old Business
a) Skate Park Proposals - Postponed to June meeting at Municipal Services Building.
b) Capital Project Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
Community Sports Complex - Work progressing. Expect some occupancy mid-January.
McKay Park - City will speak to Clearwater Beach Association May 8 at 7 p.m. regarding the site future. Mr. Dunbar said a playground is proposed that will take place of the one removed
to build Clearwater Beach Family Aquatic Center.
Long Center - On hold while center decides direction.
Ross Norton Complex - Site plan completed; project on schedule.
Recreation Trails: McMullen-Booth Pedestrian Bridge and Mandalay Channel Pedestrian Bridge, and Bayshore Drive Section, all Clearwater East-West Trail - Mr. Dunbar said all projects
are progressing and that Felicia Leonard, the new Pedestrian-Bikeway Coordinator, already has secured more than $14 million in grants since she joined the staff earlier this month. She
will be invited to speak to the board in the near future.
E. C. Moore Softball Complex Fields 8 & 9 - Waiting for SWFWMD permit.
Bayview Park - Fully complying with state guidelines.
Glen Oaks Park - Public meeting for final direction from the Commission on May 15, 2003.
c) Upcoming Recreation Events – Mr. Dunbar said the 50th Anniversary of Fun 'n Sun was a great success, both for all events and the final concert at Coachman Park. Fun 'n Sun continues
this weekend with the 97X Ten Dollar Bill concert, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Clearwater Chorus concert, parade, and Florida Orchestra concert. He pointed out several AAU State Basketball
and Baseball events are scheduled in May and said last year such athletic events had an economic impact to the City of just under $10 million.
ITEM # 6 New Business –
a) Sunsets @ Pier 60 - Scott Dempster, Recreation Programmer.
Mr. Dunbar said "Sunsets" began as a weekend program to entertain tourists and mainlanders. The not-for-profit Sunsets at Pier 60 Society asked the City for help in 1998 in forming an
attraction similar to one in Key West with vendors and entertainers. Mr. Dempster first coordinated three nights of entertainment weekly and eventually programmed seven nights a week.
The Sunsets Beach Fest has expanded to the point where it now opens the Fun 'n Sun Festival.
Not on the Agenda - Mr. Lindner expressed concerns regarding the lack of shade trees at Crest Lake Park's new playground site and at the fitness site. Mr. Dunbar said some trees were
removed because of safety issues with roots and others were removed according to plan. Twenty-four new trees were added that eventually will shade the playground, and a permanent location
for the fitness stations has not been determined.
Mr. Lindner noted summer camps at McMullen end early in the afternoon instead of later as they had in the past. Also, he asked whether the current head pro was going to be gone for a
few weeks during the summer and if another pro would actually be handling the summer camps. Mr. Dunbar said the tennis pro's contract allows him flexible hours. He said a new contract
is under discussion.
Mr. Wade thanked Mr. Dunbar for speaking to the North Greenwood Homeowners Association to explain the fee structure and scholarship program at North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex,
and re-use of the Jack Russell Stadium site when the new stadium is built. Mr. Dunbar said one proposal would remove the stadium bowl and install two multi-purpose fields, which would
preserve the facility's history.
ITEM #7 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:25 p.m. and toured the Sunsets at Pier 60 festival.
There is no board meeting in May because of Memorial Day. Next meeting is June 23 at the Municipal Services Building.