10/27/2003CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
October 27, 2003
Present: Thomas Fletcher Vice Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
James Appelt Board Member
Steve Swanberg Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: Jonathan Wade Sr. Chair
Sarah Wiand 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 Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of September 22, 2003 - The minutes were approved as submitted to members.
ITEM #3 - Correspondence - No written correspondence. Citizen Sonia (Sunny) Branko spoke on behalf of Clearwater Players and said she heard they were disbanding. Mr. Dunbar said
Clearwater Players has operated out of Francis Wilson Playhouse while renovations were under way at Ruth Eckerd Hall. He pointed out the Players do not operate in the black; admission
fees do not provide for salaries and operating costs. Ms. B. J. Pucci is looking for partnership opportunities to strengthen the program.
ITEM #4 Discussion of Possible Public Hearing to Name Downtown Lake - Mr. Dunbar announced that names submitted by the board were not accepted by the Commission. He commented that one
of the challenges of this process is that typically the department names a facility and that the naming process is used when a grass roots request comes from the community. In that
case the process is being used to select the original name.
He said the Commission has asked the board to hold another public hearing to review new names, emphasizing the lake's historical nature and as a symbol of resurgence of downtown Clearwater.
Discussion ensued noting the latest two submissions were simple in nature and geographic. Also, that it is a retention pond. In response to Mr. Swanberg's question, Mr. Dunbar said
the Commission would not be comfortable with selling naming rights in a business partnership. Mr. Appelt said he personally would not want to proceed again. Mr. Swanberg moved the board
schedule another public hearing to consider more names. Mr. Lindner seconded. Upon the vote being taken, the motion passed 4 to 1 with Mr. Appelt abstaining. Mr. Dunbar said he will
schedule the hearing at the board's next meeting, Monday, November 24.
ITEM #5 - Old Business -
FRPA District Meeting Reminder - Mr. Dunbar reminded members that the meeting is November 6 at North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex. Attending from the board will be Mr.
Fletcher and Mr. Appelt.
Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
Community Sports Complex - Work moving forward; architectural masonry started. Board will meet there February 23, 2004.
Park Amenities purchased and replaced at various sites.
Tennis Court Resurfacing ongoing as scheduled. Completed at Bay Park at Sand Key, CBRC, Forest Run and Ed Wright Park.
McKay Park - Equipment on order.
Long Center - Meeting scheduled with architect to review possible expansion. Funding expected to be available October '04.
Ross Norton Complex - Project out to bid; groundbreaking January 14, 2004.
Fencing and lighting replacement and repair completed.
East-West Trail bridges and trails estimated to begin as follows: McMullen-Booth pedestrian bridge, begins in December '03; Mandalay Channel pedestrian bridge, February 2004; Bayshore
Drive section of trail, begins January 2004.
E.C. Moore 8 & 9 - Project moving forward.
Bayview Park - Working on plans to begin educational classes in 2004.
Glen Oaks Park - Moving forward with design. Construction expected in May-June 2004.
Upcoming Recreation Events - Mr. Dunbar said Jazz Holiday went extremely well. Several events for the entire family are planned for Halloween. Variety of events in November range from
Christmas Under the Oaks to Turkey Trot.
ITEM #6 New Business –
In response to a questions regarding McMullen Tennis Complex, Mr. Dunbar said contract for new pro is going out for RFP, and that McMullen, as well as all other facilities, is updating
its business plans and '04 projections.
Reporting on negations between St. Petersburg College and the City, Mr. Dunbar said if the college does not agree to the city's offer, the department will proceed with withdrawing programs
from Joe DiMaggio at the end of September '04.
Equipment to produce swipe cards as replacements for participant cards will be installed in the near future. Mr. Dunbar said programmers are working on the software now.
ITEM #8 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The next meeting will be November 24 at MSB.