HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-2002 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at
6:30PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street.
Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; Trisha McMahon, Vann Saltz, Jim Godfrey, John
Baker, Sherry Sullivan; Eddie Boyett, Recreation Director, Mike Ford Council
Liaison, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary
Mike Baugh was recognized. He is a resident of Mershon St across from Stimpson
Field and has visited several times regarding problems he has had over at Stimpson
Field. He said he was just following up to see if any progress has been made since he
sent letters and visited in the fall. He said he had a note from the Mayor and Charlie.
Eddie said as for where we are - we are planning to move youth football to Stimpson
and right now the only ones playing on it are ladies softball and church men's softball.
He said if there are any problems to please get in touch with him and he will try and
address them as they come up. Very few tournaments play on it anymore. He also
related that if a tournament is held that they are required to have a security officer
present. He was reminded that space is scarce and we are using every inch of space
we have. A lengthy discussion followed and Eddie told that BASA had asked to come
back again this year, Mike responded that it was the worse thing that had ever
happened out there. That no way could that park handle that many people. Eddie
related that he did not have the authority to stop them from coming again this year, only
do what the board tells him. A motion was made by Vann Saltz that Youth Football will
be moved to these fields after 9/01 and that this will take precedence on anything else
using them. John Baker 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously. As a parting
comment Mike asked that we keep in perspective, don't plan anything bigger than the
fields can handle, not enough parking. He said he and his family do like to go over and
watch games and he also coaches. He mentioned that the nets need to be kept up,
that he feels that they take away from the value of his property. He said 90% of the
problems occur when there are not Fairhope people using the park, think about that.
He thanked the board for all they do and left.
The minutes of the March 20, 2002 meeting were duly approved as written on motion
by Jim Godfrey, 2nd by Trisha McMahon and unanimously carried.
Eddie reported that they are still working on Stimpson Field, waiting for electrical
department to replace old lights. Ricky is going to come out and paint and new fencing
has been ordered.
As far as Youth football, he has not heard back from Sean. He has ordered the new
scoreboard.
Nothing new to report on the Ring of Honor. He talked about masterplan and what
planned for Volanta Park. New skateboard facility and new indoor/outdoor pool being
first planned to be built. He told of planned layout and then build additional facilities.
He said he has talked to the mayor and he was told that he can come up with one
million for recreation board but must build what wanted with these funds or raise rest of
it. The question was asked how soon is this planned and he said as soon as summer
program over get started.
The summer program was talked about. He said it will start in June, run from 7-30-3.30
$10 a day or $50 for 10 day program. He said Ralph Watson will be running the pool
for him which will be a big help.
Mike Ford brought up the problem we are having with people taking handicap spaces
at facilities. Eddie said this is true not only at the parks but everywhere. That we need
to start enforcing these laws and people might pay attention. The parking at Founders
was talked about and how we can get people to park like they are suppose to. Eddie
said unless we have an officer present directing people it is almost impossible to get
people to park where they are suppose to.
Eddie was complimented on how well the fields look.
Vann brought up that it needs to be stressed to the leagues that anything planned or
built on the fields needs to go through Eddie. All agreed with this policy.
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.