HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2024 Recreation Board Meeting MinutesMinutes of the Fairhope Recreation Board
The Fairhope Recreation Board met on Wednesday, May 22nd , 2024 , at 5: 15 p .m . at
Recreation Center located at 803 N. Greeno Road in Fairhope , Alabama .
Present: Josh Warren (Acting President), Cathy Hudson , Pat White , Charlie Langham ,
Scott Berry , Debra Flowers , and Corey Martin . Absent: Lisa Atchley , Jack Burrell , and
Maurice Morrisette .
The meeting was called to order by Josh Warren at 5:17 p.m . The minutes of the April
17th , 2024 , meeting was considered and approved on a motion by Charlie Langham ,
seconded by Debra Flowers , none opposed .
Guest(s): Mayor Sullivan and Cole Wagner.
Recreation Updates: Pat White informed the Rec Board of the following :
• Founders Park Pavilion/Bathroom extension started this week .
• Dog Park renovation project ongoing this week , that will include , new water stations
being installed which will include fountains for dogs and owners , geo-grid and new gravel
to help with erosion areas , repairs to damaged fencing, general sprucing up , and
beautification .
• Fairhope Youth Baseball is hosting an all-star warm-up tournament this weekend. They
will be using 4 fields for 6u and 3 fields for 1 Ou.
• Graduation went well. Spring football game the following night went well. The paint
robot was utilized for this game and painted the entire field in 3.5 hours-4 hours and used
about 1/3 of the amount of paint that would be necessary in the past.
• The cart path project at Quail Creek was completed. All surface areas of the cart paths
were re-surfaced within budget.
• The greens drainage project was completed . All greens now have sub-surface
drainage . After the 1.5 inches of rain last Friday , the greens were able to be mowed the
following morning .
• The bathroom building renovations in the football stadium is out for bid and those bids
will open on June 18th .
• We received a preliminary plan for the parking area on the old front baseball field at the
entrance to the park. It will include budgetary numbers for that project.
• Working on getting budget numbers for 2025 entered. We have reached out to the
youth leagues for any special requests they may have .
• Mayor and I discussed the proposals for the feasibility study on the new property . She
has asked for a sub-committee from the Rec Board be formed to review the proposals
and grade them.
Recreation Old Business: After review of all received Rec Board applicants , only
one has responded to coming to the next meeting and introducing themselves . The idea
was brought up to place the open positions on the City's social media pages and let the
community aware .
The 5-year plan was discussed again, with no major changes suggested. Discussed that
this plan needs to be voted on June 11 th at the Rec Board meeting .
Mayor Sullivan spoke about the feasibility study and master plan for the new property .
She asked that a sub-committee be formed to review proposals that we have received .
The sub-committee will be made up of Josh Warren , Cathy Hudson , Cole Wagner , Jack
Burrell , and Corey Martin . Their proposals will be voted on at the June 11 th Rec meeting .
Discussion was had about getting an idea of what other areas in the State are charging
for their facility rentals , i.e ., pool , track , football , and baseball. Mayor Sullivan asked Cole
Wagner to please start calling around getting some information and presenting that
information at our June 11 th Rec Board Meeting . If needed , a sub-committee could be
formed to review those fees .
Recreation New Business:
Discussion was had regarding our June Rec Board meeting falling on the Juneteenth
Holiday . Corey Martin suggested the meeting be moved to Tuesday , June 11 th , 2024 ,
with no objections .
Pat White asked about moving forward with the relocation of the skate park . After general
discussion , it was suggested that we continue to brainstorm alternative locations .
Pat White stated that the visitors ' concession stand in the football stadium needs to be
torn down , as it will cost too much in repairs . General discussion was had about ideas
that would go back in its place. Someone mentioned the FHS Booster Club purchasing
a food trailer that was mobile and able to be used at football and track primarily .
Cathy Hudson stated that FAST Swimming has started morning practices , and the
afternoon practices will begin next Tuesday .
Mayor Sullivan brought up the possible purchase of the Barnwell property for
$1 ,360 ,000 .00 .
Scott Berry made a motion to recommend to the City Council to purchase the property in
Barnwell as soon as possible for a total of $1 ,360 ,000.00, and 2 nd by Charlie Langham ,
motion passed unanimously .
Being no further business , the meeting was adjourned at 6 :25 p.m .