HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-2009 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday , July 15 ,
2009 , at 5 :15 PM at the Recreation Center at the Volanta Park on Greeno
Road .
Present: Charlie Langham , Chairman ; John Baker , Jim Godfrey , Hank
Mullins , Sherry Sul li van , Mike Ford , Eddie Boyett , Recreation Director , Liz
Chandler, Betty Rivenbark , Secretary . Absent: Vann Saltz , Jenny
Douglass , Derek Thomas .
Charlie recognized Mike Baugh as visiting th is evening and Mike spoke
addressing the community garden issue , and said that he was representing
his neighborhood . He said that he had talked to Elaine-Snyder Conn and
they parted friends but he let her know that he is totally against their
proposal to put it at Stimpson Field . Charlie told him that Bob Callahan had
called after seeing the article and that there was room available at the old
alternative school and even a greenhouse . Charlie was under the
impression that Bob would get in touch with Elaine after talking to him . Jim
Godfrey asked Mike what was his objection to this use and Mike replied that
the tennis center is wonderful , for years had so many problems with the old
use as a softball facility and once he talked to Jenny about design of garden
he did not think it was appropriate , what he envisioned and what it might
become if neglected . He also said Stimpson is used a great deal by youth
sports year round and he had talked with youth sports leaders . He said he
had gotten the petit ion up and talked to the different residents in the
neighborhood . Charl ie talked about his seeing a similar facility in Hilton
Head , S .C . and what it had become . John Baker said , trying to be open-
minded what is the recreation issue with it. Eddie said mainly that we are
using every inch of the land we have now , Sherry said she had talked to Ken
Smith when he was here and he advised against giving just 40 people city
recreation property . John said his position changed after he learned that the
information they had given us was flawed but we need to be open minded in
that sports are not the only form of recreation . Mike said compared to what
was there , this is wonderful. Eddie said we do not have space to give
away , need everything , he envisioned putt ing a shuffle board and
playground out there , he had no intention of touching the south end . Sherry
said she talked with Elaine about using Fels Avenue , portion of park that is a
triangle . Further d iscussion led to a mot ion by John Baker to deny request to
put community garden at Stimpson Field .. Charl ie Langham 2 nd the motion
and it carried unanimously. It was recommended that we communicate to
the City Council that we voted to not allow it at Stimpson Field .
The minutes of the June 17 , 2009 meeting were approved on motion by Jim
Godfrey , 2 nd by John Baker and unanimously carried .
Eddie reported that there is a huge swim meet this weekend , he also told of
the scoreboard/time clock that the FAST group had raised $11 ,000 to buy
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and donated to the city . He reported that the summer program will end next
Friday and that they averaged 30 -35 children. Eddie also brought up the
Coke contract and that they no longer supply scoreboards . He said that the
trouble is not with the local company but that corporate is saying that they
won 't donate scoreboards any more . Discussion was held on what we need
to do . Eddie said we are in need of replacing a couple of them now. He said
we would need $2500-3500 to purchase them right now. Eddie said he will
follow up and see what we could do .
Eddie reported on Barnwell and said we probably won't be there much
longer and it was asked why and he said that the youth football program
does not like going there . He said in the meantime he would like to
accommodate them by getting some restrooms and suggested maybe
buying some portable ones that could be moved and actually used for
community events . When asked the cost he said $30 ,000-35 ,000. He said
our sewer trucks can handle cleaning them out when needed , self
contained . Sherry said yes , she could use them for community events and
thought it was a good idea. Further discussion led to Hank Mullins
recommending if there is some way to go forward , get the Mayor to
purchase with the possibility of participating a~encies as departments
paying a portion that we do so . John Baker 2n the motion and it carried
unanimously.
Eddie also reported that we plan to paint the old gym/lobby at a cost of
about $6,000 and Don Gordon will do the work . He mentioned the headwall
at the big holding pond and that we need to get that project finished and Ack
Moore is supposed to be getting elevations. John said he would mention it
again to Ack.
Mike and Eddie talked about their meeting with Ruffin Graham on Monday
morning and that they had made an offer on the 40 acres of land off of
Highway 13 and Manley Road. Ruffin told him he would get back with
them .
Liz Chandler gave a report on the new recreation center. She said the
Senior Fees had been set by the City Council at their last meeting .
She said the cardio/strength machines are on the way. Also , in the activities
center she has added badminton , foosball , table tennis. She said she had
gotten a sofa and two chairs, table and getting a TV. She said she is also
going to purchase a WII. Don Gordon donated a granite top and there will
be a coffee station .. She said she has ordered signs and the hardware and
software is in and she is making forms and job positions will be posted on
the web site. She said she is shooting for mid-August for opening.
The expired positions of the members on the Recreation Board were talked
about and Jim Godfrey moved that it be expressed to the Mayor that they
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recommend reappointment of these members . Hank Mullins 2 nd the motion
and it carried unanimously. Further discussion led to Sherry expressing that
she thinks it would be a good idea to appoint the sports league presidents
as ex-officio members of the board so we could communicate better.
Charlie Langham brought up the need Eddie has for three reel mowers .
Discussion followed and it was determined that it would take $60 ,000 for this
purchase . All agreed that this is a budget item and funds for this purchase
should come out of the budget.
Meeting was duly adjourned at 7 :15 PM .
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