Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-2002 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section St at 6.30PM Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; Vann Saltz, Trisha McMahon, Jim Godfrey, Bob Callahan, Larry Thomas, Sherry Sullivan, members. Mike Ford, Council Liaison, Eddie Boyett, Recreation Director, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary The minutes of the January 16, 2002 meeting were duly approved as written on motion by Larry Thomas, 2"d by Jim Godfrey and unanimously carried. The chairman offered that Rae Jackson had submitted her resignation and the Mayor had asked that we consider names for a replacement, be thinking about it. Everyone felt we ought to get a plaque or resolution and have her recognized at a council meeting for her many years of service. Under old business, Eddie reported that the lights were up at Volanta with new poles and everything looks nice, that the members need to come by. He told of the work they are doing at the Boys & Girls Club at the request of the Mayor on the fields and fixing fencing, that they purchased new bases, fixed the mound and homeplate, putting up a new backboard. He reported the work they were also doing at Stimpson Field, that $20,000 was allotted in the budget to improve, that they had fixed the air conditioners, have auto flushing toilets, put a net at the retaining wall and screens, redoing the women's restroom walls. That they are going to topdress every field and verticut at Volanta and Founders. He talked about the youth football moving to Stimpson Field. That all agreed that we need to get some activity off of the football field and this would be a wonderful solution since soccer is not using it anymore. He said he has talked with Sean Harris, the president of youth football and explained the situation to him. He said only men's and ladies softball is the only thing using it now from April thru July. At this time he talked about the Ring of Honor he would like to see erected at Volanta, handing out a drawing of how he sees it laid out) saying that this would be for young people who played at Volanta and went on to other things. He said he had seen something like this in Wichita, Kansas and thought it would work well here. He said he has talked to different people and that they are willing to donate their time. That a committee of 10 will be appointed to oversee the project, but it is in the very early stages of discussion. He said any input would be appreciated. Larry Thomas moved that the board approve this concept as presented. Vann Saltz 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously. Eddie went on to say that the youth baseball is building a new press box and dugouts at the peanut field. Recreation Board March 20, 2002, page two Eddie talked about a masterplan of the park, what he envisions doing in the future. That he is trying to get an overall picture, that he envisions a new gym, with a walking track, weight room, skate park, indoor pool. That we will be trying to do this in stages, the pool and skate park being a priority now. Eddie talked about Huntsville recreation and that they are ongoing in these projects.. Mayor Kant came in during Eddie's talk and said that the basic needs we need to address now are fixing streets and drainage. That a new library and rec center were the two things most requested and the two things he gets the most calls on are a skating area and the pool. That last year we spent $10,000 just fixing the pool and probably will do the same thing this year. That staffing is what we don't know about, probably could work with Thomas Hospital or the college, but we need to know where the money is coming from before we just plow ahead. We can do in stages, that masterplan is what we need. That we are only getting bigger and we need to know where we can put the kids. All agreed with what he said and goals we want to set. The Coca -cola contract was talked about and all that they have done for us over the years including the scoreboards, the $5,000, clocks, the repair that they have done on this equipment and that we have it in all our parks. That at this time they are requesting a ten year extension of this contract and the board needs to make a recommendation to the council regarding this. The history was talked about and the good working relationship and the fact that the last time we bid it out Pepsi could in no way equal what Coke was offering. Larry Thomas moved to recommend to the city council that we renew this contract for the period of ten years as asked for. Jim Godfrey 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously. Mike Ford brought up at this time appointing a new member to replace Rae Jackson and put up on the floor, John Baker. John has been a strong supporter of the recreation programs and has done a lot of volunteer work. Bob Callahan said it would certainly be good to have an engineer on board. Vann Saltz moved to recommend John Baker's appointment. Trisha McMahon 2"d this motion and it carried unanimously. Tim Kant mentioned to the board he would like for the board to give him input on the operation of the golf course. That the recreation program has run so smoothly for years and that he would like some advice. There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.