HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-1999 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, November 17, 1999 at
6:30 PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street.
Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; members Trisha McMahon, Vann Saltz, Jim
Godfrey, Eddie Boyett, Recreation Director, Mike Ford, Council Liaison, Betty
Rivenbark, Secretary
The Chairman recognized Mike Baugh who was here to address the board tonight. Mr.
Baugh stated he lived at 210 Mershon Street which is directly across from Stimpson
Field. He said first he wished to thank the board for all they do. He knew he was
building across from a park when he built his home but over the years he has
encountered various problems and dealt with them the best way he knows how, i.e.
trash continuously being left on the fields and the parking lot, illegal parking all around
the park and alcohol consumption. He said he is speaking on behalf of his neighbors
and that he and his family have even had to go inside his home to get away from the
profanity. That they have even on occasion made it a family event to go over and pick
up the trash on the fields. Now he is seeking help from the board about an ongoing
problem; that he believes that you should choose his battles and this is his. He went
on to say that there has been drinking when there are tournaments for years. That he
has called the police and they have responded every time but he knows that we have
no alcoholic beverages allowed signs posted and they are being blatantly ignored.
Charlie said it is an ongoing problem. That we do have rules and regulations but it
seems to be the tournaments that continuously ignore them, people from other towns
who come to play ball games. Mike offered as a solution that we could require the
tournaments to hire a police officer to stay at the field until the event is over. Enforce
rules. All agreed that we need to look at the rules we have for the fields and revise
them and make sure they are enforced. They thanked Mike for coming and said that
we would be taking some action. Charlie said possibly get with the police, that we need
to solve the alcohol problem, it is not going to go away.
The bills were considered and approved on motion by Trisha McMahon, 2"d by Vann
Saltz and unanimously carried.
The October minutes were considered and approved as written on motion by Vann
Saltz, 2"d by Jim Godfrey and unanimously carried.
Under old business, the board discussed the asphalt walkway and Eddie reported that
Dixie Youth will be paying for it. That he had gotten with Tim and he will send someone
out to form it.
He reported on the meeting they had at the Middle School to look at the old football
field for possible use by the youth football league. Jim and Trisha both said they
realized that no one had told the principal about this meeting and that she was caught
totally unawares, even though they had talked with the Asst. Principal before they
came. It was ded to let Jim and Trisha sit down with her and expla a situation
and our position, that we are not trying to take anything away from the school..
The "wish list" was talked about. Charlie had provided the old one we made in 1990.
It was remarked how much we had accomplished. Charlie asked that everyone think
about what they would like to see for the Recreation Department, list what needed.
Eddie was asked what he thought and he mentioned a truck for him and a copier. An
infield machine was talked about and that we might be able to get half donated(cost
normally 7,000). All agreed that the pool is going to need serious work, have to take a
look at it. Charlie said consider between now and January meeting, not meet in
December. Then we will make a list and meet with the council as we did before. It was
mentioned again that we need alternate sources of revenue; that we are just not
making it with our beer and cigarette money.
The problem at Stimpson was brought up again and Eddie said we could stop having
tournaments unless it was for a benefit and require Police. The secretary to find the a
copy of the rules that were adopted and we should consider adjusting prices and
requiring police be hired.
Eddie also reported that the week after Thanksgiving Tim told him they are going to
start on the soccer fields at the Founders Park.
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.
Note* No meeting was held in December 1999