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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-1993 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, November 17, 1993, at 6:30 p.m. at the City Municipal Complex, 161 N. Section Street Present: Chairman Richard Bass; members Rae Jackson, Charlie Langham, Bob Callahan, Larry Thomas. Facilities Director Phil Rutherford, Recreation Director Eddie Boyett, Council Liaison Mike Ford and Secretary Betty Rivenbark Bass recognized and welcomed Eddie Boyett as our new Recreation Director. Bob Bendik and Bobby Griffin were present and were recognized by Richard. They were here tonight to talk about the YMCA being put on recreation land. Bob said he wished the Recreation Board would voice an opinion. They object to the Y coming to the park environment wise, noise levels and the fact that they will lease city park land and the city will turn around and buy some more. They said the Y will not operate without charging, they do charge for member- ship. They don't feel it is fair to compete with local people. Bob said they wished to start from here, take a position. If the city leases that land it is go Richard Bass asked if they had addressed the council and they said yes, but they feel that the Rec Board should take a position. All the board members said they wished to know more about it, would be extremely upset to know we would be giving up our assets, that we have more requests now for ground than we have space to put people. Richard thanked them for coming and said we will look at this further and discuss it and address it. The minutes were approved with an amendment to let the high school go forwar with their proposal to see what they do. Bob Callahan asked that the minutes reflect that he was against this. Larry Thomas made the motion, Charlie Langh seconded and motion carried unanimously. Rae said she thought we were going to get our money up front. The bills were approved except for bill from Tut Wynne, who was requested to reply in writing about groups needing insurance. Motion made by Rae Ja seconded by Larry Thomas and unanimously carried. Under old business the board discussed more specifically the advertising issue. Larry Thomas said we need to clear up the advertising, make it clear what we expect them to contribute. Richard said at this time he wished to hear what Eddie wished to discuss with the board. He had presented an agenda of activities going and what he is planning. Project 1. fencing for the batting cage - He proposed some minor repairs at the high school baseball field by a. raising the fence 4' around the visitor warm-up area, b. closing the "gap" in the left field corner and r_. moving agte back even with back of dug -out on home side. All thought these were good ideas. Eddie also had a request from Rick Cleaveland to use the city courts to teach tennis lessons and in return he will assist with city clinics, city tennis tournaments and city tennis leagues(all ages). Discussio led to Larry Thomas saying he wished Rick to present a proposal, how many days, hours he will be using the courts. The board approved on motion by Charlie Langham the purchase of a striper for a thirty day free trial, Larry Thomas seconded and motion carried unanimously. Eddie said he has set up a parent advisory board with 3-4 ladies just to get feedback on the programs. Also that he is initiating a scholarship fund trying to raise $800 to have for underprivileged children. He went over the work list for the week. Richard mentioned the trees at Stimpson that needed trimming back from the fences and asked him to check these. He said further that he intended to contact Katie LeBlanc and get with her on the Christmas crafts planned. On the batting cage they went over what we wanted and what Mr. Cooper had given us on price of construction. The Board on motion by Larry Thomas moved to approve building a batting cage not to exceed a cost of $8500.00 and to seek this money from the Capital Improvement Account, Mike Ford was so advised, but to proceed with plans. Charlie Langham seconded and motion carried unanimously. Bob Callahan stressed that if we asked the different groups for money they would consider it theirs, that we should fund the whole project and we will be able to have control over it, all agreed best to do that. ie. Fhe placement of signs on the baseball field was discussed further. Bob :allahan said he thinks we should take a dollar amount to go into the program. Fhe signs will be up thru the summer league season, for 5 months approximately Fhe taking up/down will be their responsibility. Rae also said that she does iot believe we should go into it without a commitment as to amount. Further liscussion led to a motion by Bob Callahan to endorse the program but require 13% of the gross revenue be given to recreation for their use and this approval )e for one year only. Larry Thomas seconded and the vote was for motion: 3ob Callahan, Rae Jackson, Larry Thomas and Charlie Langham was opposed. 'harlie asked if we are going to view each program individually, charge each )rogram. Eddie said it is our intention to charge per diem, it is coming to this 3ob Callahan said we also need to take a stand on the issue of the YMCA. chat the citizens came forward and as a board we need to respond, he would ike to know how this will affect plans for our Recreation facility. Larry Thomas said we do not have land to give up. Richard Bass said the best dace for Recreation facility is Volanta Street. Rae asked if anybody objected to .he board taking the position that we do not want them to do anything with )ur parkland - do not approve of leasing it. Further discussion led to a notion being made by Larry Thomas to convey to the Mayor and Council that .he Recreation Board is opposed to the leasing of any existing parklands to any -ntity for use other than what they are being used for now as all available ;pace is being used to a maximum for programs at this time. The secretary vas asked to convey this, as well as Mr. Ford, and Bob Callahan was asked ,o write a letter to the council also. The board discussed the December meeting date and it was agreed to set .he meeting up to December 8th instead of third Wednesday night due to ,he holiday season. (here being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.