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07/28/2003CITY OF CLEARWATER PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING July 28, 2003 Present: Jonathan Wade Sr. Chair Thomas Fletcher Vice Chair Larry Lindner Board Member James Appelt Board Member Allen Weatherilt Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept. Bill Jonson Clearwater City Commissioner Mike Lockwood Recreation Supervisor Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant Absent: Steve Swanberg Board Member Sarah Wiand Board Member To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 Tour of Complex - Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Lockwood led members on a tour of the center and fields, which have been enhanced with new landscaping and lighting. ITEM #2 Introduction of New Member Allen Weatherilt - Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Wade welcomed Mr. Weatherilt as a long-time resident and participant in youth athletics with a strong background in soccer. Mr. Weatherilt said he was pleased to join the board. He has spent 18 years with the Clearwater Chargers and is currently putting together a Senior Soccer Challenge for older players. ITEM #3 Call to Order – Following the tour, the Chair called the business meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Dunbar introduced Mike Lockwood, Recreation Supervisor at Countryside Recreation Center. He said Mr. Lockwood is credited with establishing new programs and increasing attendance at youth basketball, after-school programs and summer camps, among others. ITEM #4 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of June 23, 2003 - The minutes were approved as submitted to members. ITEM #5 Correspondence - None ITEM #6 Old Business a) Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects: Community Sports Complex - Pre-cast concrete is in place. Sod work starts next week. A "Rounding Second, Heading Home" party last week celebrated passing the 50% mark in construction. Opening day is scheduled for February 28, 2004. Preceding that will be stadium ribbon cutting at a Phillies Phan Fest. McKay Park - Playground equipment on order for the multi-purpose park. Equipment purchased at NRPA trade show earlier this year. Long Center - Proposed agreement for city to take over facility goes to City Commission next week. Upon approval, there is a August 8 meeting with Long Center staff to talk about transition and placement of Long Center employees within the city. Next year's budget includes 7.9 FTEs for the Long Center and a list is now open for Recreation Supervisor II to head the center. The City of Safety Harbor is considering pulling out its staff and paying the city for its citizens to use the center. Facility improvement and infrastructure is critical for the 13-year-old building. For example, the pool is 13 years old and has not been remarcited. Monies will come from Penney for Pinellas, $1 million; adding the center to the city's Building and Maintenance program; and $50,000 annually in department's CIP budget. Also, JWB is agreeing to move the teen program from Joe DiMaggio to a teen center at Long Center. Ross Norton Complex - 75% drawings completed. Bringing contractor to commission the beginning of October; opening still targeted for October 2004. Fencing replacement - moving forward. Light repair and replacement - Lighting project complete at Countryside Community Park. Recreation Trails work moving forward. E. C. Moore Softball Complex Fields 8 & 9 - SWFTMD permit acquired; work starting next week with completion still scheduled for January 2004. During the second week in February, USF expects to host the Speed Light Tournament of 27 colleges from Midwest and Northeast. At that time, the U.S. Olympic Softball Team is scheduled to train here for five days and play exhibition games against the college teams. City motels are expected to be heavily booked for that tournament and during March when the stadium is completed. Glen Oaks Park - Staff has finished review of stormwater and engineering components. Construction plans being reviewed. Kapok Mobile Home Park Stormwater Improvements - Landscaping and connection to East-West Trail will follow CIP budget. Department is pleased with park elements created within stormwater projects; the downtown lake is an example. ` d) Upcoming Recreation Events – It was noted that recreation programs are in transition from summer to fall. Mr. Dunbar reminded members of Citizen Day at the FRPA Conference in Innisbrook on August 26. The national professional organization, NRPA, is working with Sports Illustrated magazine to designate Sports Town USA for Florida. Clearwater scored highest among finalists. If the city is selected, a featured article will appear in the February issue of SI to coincide with opening of Spring Training. ITEM # 7 New Business – a) Site Plans for Jack Russell Stadium, Joe DiMaggio Soccer Complex & McMullen-Booth Soccer Project - Mr. Dunbar outlined some potential re-uses for these sites, which fit within the Master Plan and the needs of residents: Joe DiMaggio - The $4.5 million project on land the city already owns would create 8 soccer fields and a baseball field as practice field for Phillies. Park-like setting would provide roads weaving around pods of fields with parking at each. Funding options include Pinellas County providing 50% of funding, and potential federal appropriation. At the state level, funds may be available to support a regional sports facility, which this would be. The Clearwater Chargers have indicated a willingness to pay for other buildings for use as training rooms, classrooms or office space. Have reviewed with DEP as re-use for landfill site. City is in discussion with college to purchase recreation center building, which would square off the entire field site under city ownership. McMullen-Booth Soccer - Existing Chi Chi driving range across McMullen-Booth may become available. The $2.2 million project would construct 6 multi-purpose fields and 480 parking spaces. Would be home to Lightning and Jr. Cougars programs. Challenges include nearby pistol range, which could be enhanced with berms. City of Safety Harbor and Pinellas County are being asked to contribute $1,050,000 each since residents of those areas are heavy users of north Clearwater fields. Oldsmar also has expressed interest in partnerships. Mr. Dunbar said the growing popularity of soccer with both youth and adults necessitates providing these fields. Jack Russell Stadium - Considering the northern concept of using temporary fencing to shift sports with the seasons. Two fields could be used for soccer/baseball/football. It is proposed to remove existing bowl, and reassemble metal bleachers to create an aluminum bowl, while retaining the historic field. City (and a possible referendum) needs to decide the ultimate use for that land. The Armory possibly will go to the city. b) Youth Football Analysis - Mr. Dunbar presented a Football and Cheerleading Income and Expense Analysis of the three city co-sponsorships: Greenwood Panthers, revenue $81,500, expenses $69,800; Countryside Jr. Cougars, revenue $211,000, expenses $154,500; and Clearwater for Youth revenue $95,000, expenses $95,000. Mr. Appelt noted since Countryside costs approximately $100 more per child, the program is losing players to more economical teams. Mr. Dunbar said Jr. Cougars is putting money back into equipment, which has been sub-standard in the past. New leadership is looking at the entire fee structure. Mr. Dunbar pointed out the Greenwood Panthers does not generate much in registration fees, but is successful in fund raising and grants procurement through the African-American Leadership Council mentoring program at Holt Center. Also, an aggressive concession program helps offset costs. Last year City Commission approved an agreement with all co-sponsor groups wherein programs must provide financial statements and other information at the end of the year. Mr. Dunbar said all 18 co-sponsor youth leagues have been informed that, in this partnership, the city provides facilities and ongoing expertise of consistency of staff. Their part is to conduct programs, and make sure kids have fun and are able to participate. The city desires a clear picture of operations to be sure things are being done as efficiently as possible. In regard to the Countryside program, Mr. Appelt said if there's a better manager that can produce the same or better product at lower cost, people need to know that. Mr. Dunbar noted Clearwater fees are in line with other cities' athletic programs. Comments - Commissioner Jonson thanked members for their dedication and participation. Mr. Lindner noted there were no recycling containers at McMullen. Mr. Dunbar said they should be in the back area. Mr. Fletcher said the city is getting favorable publicity from baseball tournaments played here. He noted recent visiting teams from San Francisco were impressed with this area. Mr. Dunbar said the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau has created a sports arm to make presentations around the country selling Clearwater as a tournament site. Last year the city realized an economic impact of $8.5 million from visiting tournaments; this year, that figure was reached at third quarter. ITEM #8 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next meeting and Public Hearing on naming downtown lake/park will be August 25 at MSB.