HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-1997 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday January 15,
1997 at 6:30 PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street
Present: Chairman Richard Bass; members Rae Jackson, Trisha McMahon,
Bob Callahan, Larry Thomas, Charlie Langham; Council Liaison Mike Ford,
Facilities Director Phil Rutherford, Recreation Director Eddie Boyett and
Secretary Betty Rivenbark
Tony Caminiti and Don Pippin were present tonight to talk about the church
softball league. He said that last year was a good year, the fields were in
excellent condition. He asked about getting the lights aligned and Eddie said he
would have them checked as well as checking the scoreboards. Tony said he
will start practicing February 16 and the program will start March 31, and will end
June 30th with tournament July 12. He asked if we had any problem with this
and was told no. He asked about extra practice time and was told that actually
he did have extra time as the girls softball would not get started until the end of
March. He also asked about insurance and was told that all leagues were
required to have it and the price he quoted compared to some others led him to
realize that he really had a good deal. He thanked the board for their time.
The minutes were approved with 2 corrections on motion by Charlie Langham,
seconded by Larry Thomas and unanimously carried.
The bills were approved on motion by Larry Thomas, seconded by Bob Callahan
and unanimously carried.
Under old business the board talked about the survey we had gotten on the land
the Fairhope Single Tax will be giving us. Larry said that he and Eddie had
determined that a 700 X 900 parcel would be large enough to handle the 4
softball and 4 soccer fields planned and that we can use the high school parking
lot at this time and later on develop our own parking lot as well as the community
park. That the FSTC is flexible if we need to go one way a little more. Larry said
that possibly in two weeks they would be writing the deed and it would be
identical to what we now have on the parks deeds possibly be able to get
something started within a month. That this is what he wanted all along,
something that will last even after our lifetime. Bob asked if anyone had laid out
the fields? Eddie said he pretty much had. Richard asked if we had a topo?
Larry said no but the county should have one. Everything seems to be going
forward on this as it should.
The letter from Coach Sharp was mentioned regarding the track and fixing it
where it could be used for track events. Eddie said what it amounted to was
leveling the asphalt on the track. He was asked about the pit area and he said
he could set him up outside but we never had one inside and he had no plans to
have one there. Eddie mentioned that Joe Faust had told him that the County
would handle the paving for this if we would buy the asphalt. It was the
consensus of the board that we should invite Coach Sharp to our meeting and
let him tell us what he wanted. Eddie said he will get in touch with him.
Charlie brOUght up the possibility of putting a portable fence at Volanta when the
high school has ball games to help them get more revenue from people who
might be coming in from other events. Under discussion it was decided that it
would be big and ugly and the question was raised would it really help bring in
that much more revenue? Charlie was asked to please pass on if they are that
much concerned that we would like them to come up and talk to us and let us
know what they would do to help pay for this.
The placing of a net between the major league and peanut fields where we have
problems with fly away balls which was discussed a couple of meetings ago was
brought up again. Bob said he has been approached by parents who are very
concerned and would like to know what would it take to fix this. Trisha said she
has been at ball games and had a ball hit a friend who was sitting with her. The
problem being these balls come from behind. Mike said he and the mayor had
looked at it and Eddie said to fix it you could take 2 posts and pull the net tight,
angle out like we did at Stimpson Field at a cost of about $300. The pros and
cons of this were discussed along with our liabilities if we do it for one field and
not do it for the other fields. Eddie said he would like to talk to Tut Wynne about
this . Bob said that he would like to have a resolution by the February meeting,
tell us what we can/can't do. Do we need to do it to each field? We need to find
out what our liability would be.
It was reported that they have begun the slab for the new gym. Eddie said they
have taken down two old concession stands.
Bob reported that Fairhope youth sports is now on the internet.
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.