HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-2009 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday , June 17 ,
2009 at the Volanta Street Park in the recreation center.
Present: Charlie Langham , Chairman ; Vann Saltz , Jim Godfrey , John
Baker , Hank Mullins , Derek Thomas, Mike Ford, Sherry Sullivan. Betty
Rivenbark, Secretary , Tom Kuhl and Liz Chandler. Eddie Boyett was on
vacation . Absent: none .
A group of about twenty people from the Local Food Production Initiative
were present and presented their proposal for a Community Garden . Elaine
Snyder-Conn was the spokesman. She went through the outline they had
handed out saying the desired attributes for Fairhope 's First Community
Garden were : public , with some visibility , flat , lots of sun (7 hrs) parking,
available water , restrooms open throughout daylight hours , located in
Fairhope core . She mentioned the questions raised by the recreation board
members -Is the proposed site currently being used for athletic activities ,
yes . Is it likely that balls from an adjacent field might run afoul into the
proposed community garden area , possibly . Is there sufficient parking , yes .
In their handout they had separated Stimpson Field into 7 plots A -G with G
being located on the corner of Young Street and Morphy Avenue and this
being the one they wished to use . They would need an area -70 ' X 80 ' have
40 plots 2 ' X 4 " with a 4 ft pathway running between the plots . She said she
sees it as a Tourist Attraction. She gave data on what they said were 439
observations since February and recounted usage by the youth sport
groups . She also said that the coaches who were approached did not see a
problem with the garden. They are asking for a three year contract and it
will have a hold harmless agreement. She also mentioned that they were
considering using concrete blocks and commented that these could be
easily removed. It was mentioned that several spots were suggested and
would they consider another spot and they responded that this was ideally
the spot they want , "core" Fairhope and they could walk to it easily . The
question was asked where do we proceed from here. Vann Saltz and
Jennifer Douglass mentioned at this time the letters of opposition with
petitions they had . The group was unaware of opposition as they said they
had talked to neighbors. They were told they could get copies of the letters
and contact the people individually if they wished . When asked about a
decision by the board they were told it m ight take a couple of months . They
thanked the board and left.
The minutes of the May meeting were considered and duly approved as
written on motion by Vann Saltz , seconded by John Baker and unanimously
carried .
Mike Ford brought up at this time that he had discussed the land purchase
with the Mayor and that he is ready to make an offer on the 40 acres of land
off of Hwy 13 for future recreation use . He quoted what the Mayor thought
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we should offer for five years at 4% interest and said they had done a title
search there were no mineral rights and everything looked good . He said
the only thing we need to work out is the roll back taxes and that we are
trying to get the City exempt. He said after discussion with the Mayor they
decided not to use impact fees. After he presented this everyone agreed he
should finalize the agreement to purchase the land .
In Eddie's absence , Tom Kuhl , gave a report and commented that it seemed
that the survey done by the Community Garden people was done in
February and that the fall is when there is greater activity at Stimpson Field .
He said that at the new center , they are getting the asphalt down , getting the
old tennis courts cleaned off and asphalt that area . He also said they were
working on getting the dog park cleaned out. He told of the Little League
tournaments and that they are going to have a 65 team tournament at
Founders next weekend. He said Don Gordon is supposed to be getting up
an estimate on painting the old gym . Hank asked him why they keep the
bathrooms locked on the football field and the ensuing vandalism that
occurred . Tom explained that if they try and keep it locked the damage is
not usually as bad , that they are going to vandalize if it is locked/unlocked .
Liz Chandler gave an update on the equipment that has been ordered . She
said she has laid out tape where she wants to put the stations and that she
has also been working with the electrical department to get everything
worked out , and they have been great. He told of classes she wanted to
have and also a game room with TV. She talked about rates again showing
everyone the rate sheet and said the only thing that has changed since they
were adopted in 2007 is adding the senior rate . She said the recreation
center membership would include pool membership , but you could also just
join the pool without joining the rec center . She said she is now purchasing
game tables , computer hardware and software . She was asked when she
thought it would open and she said August. She was asked about using
other instructors and Sherry told how it was done at the Nix Center and that
we would follow the same rule -15% of whatever charged . Vann asked if
the youth basketball would be allowed to come through to the gym and she
said yes . How to contain them coming through was discussed with this to be
worked out. Hank asked if we would be publicizing it and Sherry said yes,
she and Liz are working on it. A motion was made to accept the rate sheet
as presented by John Baker, 2 nd by Vann Saltz and unanimously carried
with this to go to City Council for final adoption . (Copy in file).
The Community Garden presentation was discussed again and Hank
Mullins made a motion to consider their request , Vann Saltz 2 nd , further
discussion led to this motion being tabled for a month to give them time to
talk to the people around the park.
There being no further business meeting was duly adjourned at 7 : 15 PM.
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