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Home My WebLink About07-18-2001 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 6:30PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street. Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; members Jim Godfrey, Trisha McMahon, Rae Jackson, Bob Callahan. Sherry Sullivan, Mike Ford, Council Liaison, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary '\ eM- The board recognized Tom Bierster, Nick N , and Don Who were present tonight to talk about Eastern Shore United Blast a "select" SOCCER team that is looking for a home field. In essence they are requesting access to Founders Park. Tom said they had talked to Dennis Sherrin and came up to talk to the board to say they are not competing nor will they take away from the city program. That they wish to host what they call "friendlies" here and usually play on Sunday afternoon. That they are asking for a day of practice, play on Sunday and be able to host tournaments occasionally. They said they don't have a direct affiliation with the Fairhope soccer league. Tom a coach at Bayside said they play 9-10 months out of the year. He said that more than 60% of their players are from Fairhope. He said they are looking for a commitment, that some of the players never had a field to play on for 5 years. That there are 4 teams involved. He was asked how many teams involved in tournaments and he said 50-60. Eddie asked about insurance and Tom said they are covered under the state. Eddie asked how they will do concessions and Tom said concessions only when they have tournament and they would like to do them. He said they would use 1- 2 fields at most. Bob Callahan told him that when tournaments are held that there is a fee for use of $400 at Stimpson and that he does not know if a structure has been made up yet for Founders but we need to have one in place. He was also asked why they do not use Bayside's field and replied that it is a multi -use program field. Bob Callahan said he has heard that there is another group forming. He explained the costs incurred to Tom and asked what they charged for tournament fees($350) and for being a member of the select team($30) - 4 teams with 15 players each. He said they are non-profit, incorporated. Tom said he is only interested in doing something for the community. Bob said that it is policy to have teams turn in rosters, that he would like to see a roster of kids Tom is talking about. Kids not from Fairhope schools are not accepted and that we asked all programs to use Fairhope in their names, that he is asking us to do something different than policy adopted. He was asked what happens when there is a conflict between child playing in Fairhope program and select team. He said they try and work it out. That he is trying to see the game played at a better level. Charlie asked if anyone had any other questions, there were none. He told them we would have to take it into consideration and talk about it. They thanked the board and left. The minutes were approved on motion by Trisha McMahon 2"d by Rae Jackson and unanimously carried. The bills were considered and Councilman Ford was asked to ask for $20,000 from Capital Improvement account to cover capital improvement expenditures. A motion was made to pay the bills as money is available by Bob Callahan, 2"d by Trisha McMahon and unanimously carried. Eddie reported that the fencing at Volanta would be one thing considered under the grant monies we are applying for or put in the next budget. He said new pool and repair at Volanta are high on priority list. Mike Ford said we are still looking into the grant. Eddie said the new restrooms finished, the old green building gone, that the press boxes are being built and painted. He said if anyone sees any youth baseball parents be sure and thank them for all their help. He said Sunday evening is the opening ceremonies, they will have fireworks and skydivers. He reported about Mike Booth's worker that had fallen off the building, a Ty Benson of Fairhope. Eddie said the pool is in good shape, that membership is better this year. Volleyball was talked about and Bob said it should be handled like any other sport - submittal of roster, rules, by-laws and any other required statements. Eddie said it is a growing program. Youth football was talked about and it was made plain there will be only one city youth football youth sanctioned program. Sherry reported that the summer program still only had 10-12 participants a week. When asked about group that came up tonight to talk, Bob Callahan said feel we should table this until information on residency of team furnished. All agreed. He said we need to get fee structure for Founders established. Eddie said he will work on that. He said he will call around. There being no further business meeting was duly adjourned.