10/23/2007
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 23, 2007
Present: Jonathan Wade Chair
Ray Shaw Vice-Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Brooks Hammac Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Absent: Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Jane Williams Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation
Felicia Leonard Admin. Support Manager
Cliff Norris Recreation Supervisor/Moccasin Lake
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at Moccasin Lake Nature Park.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes – September 25, 2007
Member Shaw moved to approve the minutes of September 25, 2007 as submitted to
motioncarried
members. The was duly seconded and .
3 – Old Business
a. Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
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Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex– demolition has begun. Next week the field house should
come down.
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Morningside Recreation Complex – negotiating contract with architect. Will go to City
Council on February 7, 2008.
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Chi Chi Rodriquez – installation of 4 portable classrooms completed.
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Office on Aging – File of Life - today volunteers assembles over 1,000 packets. The initial
funding for this project came from year-end budget. Vice Chair Shaw continues to work
with the local Rotarian organization for additional support.
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Lake Chautauqua/Equestrian Preserve – Vice Mayor Doran and Mr. Dunbar will travel to
Tallahassee next week to secure quality points for funding. Should be notified of funding
decision by November 2. The land swap proposal should go to the school board in
December. Anticipate the transfer of land will happen late spring/early summer 2008.
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Countryside Community Park- started today on layout of new concession/office/restrooms
building. Should be completed by February 2008.
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Jack Russell Stadium – restoration of this site is underway. Estimated completion remains
November 2007.
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Armory Renovations – City Council awarded contract on October 4. Notice to proceed
after November 18 with completion slated for April 2008.
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Nursery Maintenance Building – design complete, processing building permit. Out to bid
within 30 days.
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Memorial Causeway landscape – Phase II. Landscaping contract awarded at City Council
on Oct. 4. Vice Chair Shaw asked what landscaping materials will be used. Mr. Dunbar
advised the selection is dictated by DOT although the City can choose from a pallet of
plants.
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Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion – at 95% drawings. Plan to go to
City Council before end of this calendar year. This will be roughly a $400,000 renovation.
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Kapok Spur Trail – submitted project development and environmental to OGT for approval.
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Ream Wilson Trail – the section is now complete from the Long Center over to Carpenter
Field. The bridge was installed and the new driveway into the Frisbee Park is completed.
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Mandalay Channel - construction will be for a period of 413 days.
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Adopt-a-Park – to date, there are 25 partners (10 greater than ever expected).
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Grant Coordination – a FRDAP grant has been submitted for renovations of the
Morningside Recreation Center pool area. Renovations will include marciting, installation
of new slide and new decking.
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Secret Shopper program – currently have fourteen secret shoppers at various centers who
are reporting back comments on city services.
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Other – updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
b. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation Calendar for October/November 2007 was distributed to
members. Mr. Dunbar highlighted some special upcoming events: October 31- Boo Bash at
Bright House Networks Fields; November 10 - Ford Ironman; November 16-18 Frenchy’s Gumbo
Classic at McMullen Tennis Complex; November 22 - St. Petersburg Times Turkey Trot.
4 – New Business
a. Proposed changes to Comprehensive Plan
The State of Florida Department of Community Affairs requires all local governments in
Florida to review their comprehensive plans every seven years. The plan is required by the State
of Florida for policy and financial decisions made by the City Council. It is a compilation of the
City's goals, objectives and policies for the future of our city. The Parks and Recreation
Department is responsible for addressing Recreation and Open Space.
A resolution is being requested from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board accepting
the proposed changes to the plan. Subsequent to the Board reviewing those proposed changes,
Vice Chair Shaw made a motion to support the recommend changes to the Comprehensive Plan
motioncarried
as proposed by the Parks and Recreation staff. The was duly seconded and .
5 – Tour of Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Moccasin Lake is a 51-acre preserve created in the early 1980s and serves as an
Environmental and Energy Education Center. This park offers visitors a chance to experience
native Florida, learn about environmental/energy conservation, plant vegetation, and wildlife
through the participation in a variety of programs or by visiting the Interpretive Center on site. The
preserve’s exhibit center is home to an assortment of snakes, turtles (one which the Dunbar family
donated to the center) and permanently injured, nonreleasable birds.
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Cliff Norris has been overseeing this center for well over twenty years. He is active in a
variety of organizations both nationally and international. Mr. Norris is well know for his leadership
in his profession and the innovative thinking. He manages this site with two other full-time staff and
a host of volunteers.
6. - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
The next meeting will be held November 27,2007 at Long Center.,
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