08/25/2003CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
August 25, 2003
Present: Jonathan Wade Sr. Chair
Thomas Fletcher Vice Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
Sarah Wiand Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Bill Jonson Clearwater City Commissioner
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: James Appelt Board Member
Steve 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 – The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of July 28, 2003 - The minutes were approved as submitted to members.
ITEM #3 - Public Hearing - Naming of Downtown Area Known as Town Lake and/or Town Pond - Mr. Dunbar read Resolution No. 97-43 regarding the policy and procedure for naming new city parks.
Members received rosters of 52 names received. Comments from the audience were invited. Ms. Ann Garris suggested Butterfly Lake, with plantings that would attract butterflies, and
she supported the name Lake Lillian. Bill Wallace of Clearwater Historical Society advised members that Timucuan was the only American Indian name on the list that was prevalent in this
area. He spoke in favor of using Sparkling Clearwater in a name. Ms. Jo Davis spoke in favor of the "sparkling" verbiage.
Discussion ensued. Upon the votes being taken, members selected "Prospect Lake Park" as first choice, and "Clearwater Central Park" as second choice. Mr. Fletcher moved to submit the
two names to City Commission as the board's recommendations. The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously.
ITEM #4 Correspondence - None
ITEM #5 Old Business -
a) Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
Community Sports Complex - Bowl is in; structural steel completed. Topping-out party held last month. Work on field is progressing rapidly.
McKay Park - Work moving forward with first phase of that facility. Forms set for sidewalks.
Long Center - City has finalized agreement with Long Center Board and Foundation to take over as owner-operator October 1. Mr. Dunbar said it was necessary to take over as owner of
the building and contents because if the foundation retained ownership, city would have had to provide insurance from a third-party provider. Since the city is a self-insurer, it cannot
insure property it does not own. Some type of recognition of ownership change planned for beginning of October. Department is looking to bring the "wow" back to the facility and will
move forward with small to medium size projects in the near future. As part of the agreement, city will
commence construction October 2004. Applications for Recreation Supervisor II are being reviewed to select supervisor for the center. Human Resources met with Long Center staff to explore
positions within the city.
Maintenance will be a priority, with money coming from four sources: $989,000 in CIP to spend in the existing facility; $50,000 a year CIP funds specifically for that building; about
$125,000 in sinking fund and CIP dollars earmarked for projects at the Long Center, which have not occurred; and, $105,000 a year to address infrastructure issues through the city's
Building and Maintenance Dept. The Foundation will pay the city $200,000 a year toward annual operations plus entertain grant discussions on any kind of programming or capital projects.
Focus for next two years will be improving infrastructure, and on programs without partner agencies.
In response to a question about heating the pool, Mr. Dunbar said there may be issues with the windows, and consultants will be brought in to make recommendations. Parking issues also
will be addressed.
Ross Norton Complex - Moving forward; 90% construction drawings are being reviewed by staff In response to Mr. Lindner's question of the possibility of renaming the complex, Mr. Dunbar
said the City Commission takes very serious its history and he believes they would take a hard look before considering anything here.
Ross Norton Aquatic Center - Public meetings were held for Skate/BMX Playground, and for enhancement of Aquatic facilities. Contractor has been selected and plans will be brought to
next board meeting. FRDAP grant applications will be submitted for both the aquatics facility and skate park. A design committee of citizens will be created for the Skate/BMX Playground.
Work would include major renovations to existing pools, deck work, and constructing an Activity Pool and Plunge Pool with waterslide. This was part of the overall master plan for that
site. Pool work will be completed when entire new facility opens next year. Restrooms will be accessible from rear of building to serve recreation center and Skate/BMX Playground
Light repair and replacement - Lighting project complete at Countryside Community Park.
Recreation Trails - Work moving forward.
E. C. Moore Softball Complex Fields 8 & 9 - Light poles up; final grading going on. Completion expected end of December.
Glen Oaks Park - Construction plans being reviewed for this partnership with Storm Water.
Upcoming Recreation Events - Mr. Dunbar said programming is beginning for the fall season. The next major event in Coachman Park is Clearwater Jazz Holiday on October 16-19. Events at
Coachman have been limited this year because of bridge construction. Rerouting to new bridge is expected the end of February.
Reminder FRPA Conference Citizen Day – Mr. Dunbar reminded members of Citizen Day at the FRPA Conference in Innisbrook. This will be Steve Miller's last official function as FRPA President.
ITEM #6 New Business –
In response to Mr. Fletcher's question about the future of Jack Russell Stadium, Mr. Dunbar said discussion is under way with a group called "Winning Inning," which is looking for a
short-term lease for its baseball academy. The proposal is attractive to the city because the program also serves disadvantaged children. It would be an interim step until long-term
use of the facility is decided.
Mr. Weatherilt mentioned lights at E.C. Moore soccer fields have been out for some time and garbage cans were overflowing. Staff will investigate.
In response to Ms. Wiand's question as to status of Sports Town USA selection in Sports Illustrated, Mr. Dunbar said an announcement is expected in January.
ITEM #8 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
The next meeting will be held September 22 at the City Nursery.