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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-1998 Regular Meeting (2)The Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, August 19, 1998 at 6:30PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street. Present: Chairman Richard Bass; members Charlie Langham, Trisha McMahon, Rae Jackson, Larry Thomas, Bob Callahan; Facilities Director Phil Rutherford, Eddie Boyett, Recreation Director, Council Liaison Mike Ford, Secretary Betty Rivenbark The minutes of the June 15, 1998 meeting were duly approved as written on motion by Larry Thomas, seconded by Charlie Langham and unanimously carried. The bills for July were considered and approved for payment on motion by Larry Thomas, seconded by Charlie Langham and unanimously carried. The bills for August were considered and were approved for payment subject to the Caye bill being removed from the list as it does not belong to the Recreation Department. Larry Thomas made the motion Charlie Langham seconded and motion carried unanimously. Under old business the Founders Park was talked about, Larry Thomas reported he is trying to get FSTC to add footage to the park so that there will be a straight shot from Booth Road across to the park. That there is a stalemate among some of the board members but he is still working on it. It was pointed out that we can use the big school parking lot but also that there is a parking lot designed for the park to be completed in the project. A report was given on the status of the park and it was reported that we have cut out 5 softball fields, put in irrigation and grass ready to go, cut out 3 soccer fields and that we have irrigation on all the fields. A question was raised about the grass and Phil said the grass taken care of. That we have no time frame for lighting the soccer fields right now, that we will go as long as money allows us but no one wants to see the park half done, all urging completion. Phil said the concession stand design has been changed back to what the board wanted. That now planned two concession stands and two restroom facilities. The board acknowledged Mr. Feathers note about disc golf and a reply will be sent to him telling him of all the considerations that were taken before we gave permission for them to build course. Phil reported he had gotten a request for us to help them with some things and that we have been, but, after discussion it was decided that Eddie will get with Rock and explain that they need to get their own money for maintenance. Under new business Eddie had a report from Thompson Engineering that the press box was unsafe after he had requested that Johnny Baker come out and look at it. That it needed structural repairs. The report had a diagram of what needed to be done. A discussion followed on the number of people that go up into the box and is it really necessary to have that many people up there. It was general consensus that work would have to be done to make it Bob Callahan gave a report of the baseball program saying they had a great year and made money, that they gave $8,000 to the park for improvements and that the umpires were their biggest expense, that the new president is Nick Nickerson and that they ended the year with $23,000 in the bank. He commented that the new concession stand made a difference, sales are up 500%. Eddie reported that we have registration going on in all programs and that he has a file on all the leagues. The middle school football field was talked about and whether or not we wished to do anything about it. Discussion led to decision that we could get a committee from the school and recreation board and discuss it jointly, sit down and talk about it. Discussion was held on the possibility of the Booster Club participating in improvements at the concession stand at the football field in the future. The budget was talked about and Richard said he would get some figures, go over last years and then get a copy to each member for discussion at the next meeting. It was the consensus that we need to budget for 3 new employees, need at least one new person now. Eddie talked about possibility of enlarging the 13-14 year old field so as to get the kids off of the high school field, that the wear and tear on the field is taking its toll on it. That we could put netting on the right side and move field back from 275' to 310' feet. It would involve cutting down some trees and Phil remarked that if we do so it is sure to stir a controversy among residents near by. There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.