HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-2004 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, July 21,
2004 at 6:30 PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street
Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; Jim Godfrey, Vann Saltz, Sherry
Sullivan, Mike Ford, Council Liaison, Eddie Boyett, Recreation Director,
Betty Rivenbark, Secretary. Absent: Larry Thomas, John Baker, Hank
Mullins
Charlie recognized Randy Walton, from Fairhope Youth Soccer, who with
several other people presented information and said that they would like for
the board to consider allowing them to place banners at Founders Park with
sponsor advertising on them during spring and fall play. They said further
they would maintain them year round. Vann said in looking at the location of
the fields it would be hard to put up signs like girls softball. That this would
be a tasteful way of doing this. At this time the question was asked who do
the posts belong to? Mike Ford said he thought Riviera. They were told to
talk to Riviera and see if they would object. The soccer association said
they would buy and install the hardware and keep using the sponsor board
until this is worked out if it is agreeable with the recreation board. They went
on to explain their goals for down the road and handed out paperwork (in
file) of what they are proposing to do. The decision was for them to talk to
Riviera and if they had no objection proceed with plans working with Eddie
Boyett.
About 20 parents were present representing a year-round competitive
swimming group. Austin Grant spoke for the parents saying that he has 3
children swimming in the FAST program and they also participate in a
year round swimming competitive team that is presently swimming at the
Grand Hotel. He said that now they would probably swim at the hotel thru
mid September and are asking they then be allowed to start swimming at
the Fairhope Municipal Pool. He said that they would not be in competition
with the FAST team. When asked how many children participating now they
answered 15 but felt that if they could swim indoors they could increase their
membership. Financially they were proposing $20.00 per person per month
coming to the city pool which they said would certainly generate income for
the city. He went on to say they would solicit corporate sponsors, buy
equipment, have aid programs and meets, that the swimmers would be
divided in age groups and would be sanctioned by the USA Swimming, Inc.
They were asked what did FAST think about this and Sherry asked Eddie if
the pool could handle it. Sherry went on to tell them that she had heard
numerous complaints now, not only by senior citizens, that they are not
being allowed to swim because of the swim team and this would only add to
down time. She emphasized that this is a public pool and that public needs
to be considered first and if possible programs worked around public. They
were asked what they were thinking time wise and said 3:45 — 5:00. FAST
now swims May thru July. Jan Mittemeyer, coach of the team, spoke giving
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out information on competitive swimming and how good it is for participants
and the area and what they hoped to accomplish. They were asked why this
could not be under FAST and they responded that the FAST board voted
that they do not want to do competitive swimming. Further discussion led to
it being suggested they get with the FAST association and work this out then
send a representative back at the August meeting. Eddie said if they are
able to work it out he would certainly try to work out a schedule.
Tab Vaughan spoke thanking the board and the city for the quick response
to her daughter's injury at the pool and gave a suggestion as to how to
control the slick area that her daughter fell in. She went on to say how well
the high school program had gone but she also anticipates an increase in
the program since we now have an indoor pool.
The minutes of the May meeting were duly approved as written on motion by
Jim Godfrey, 2nd by Vann Saltz and unanimously carried.
Under old business Eddie was asked if he had anything to report on the old
concession stand. He said Rich Mueller had done drawings and Don
Gordon was working on numbers. Charlie asked about going ahead and
knocking it down now. Sherry said she would call tomorrow about prices of
port-o-lets and get back with everyone. Eddie said he did not know how
much could be donated (materiaIs, in -kind labor) so it was hard to quote a
price but he said at least $100,000. That we are talking about a 4500 sq ft
metal building. Vann emphasized we do not want to build an inadequate
building. A motion was made by Jim Godfrey, 2"d by Vann Saltz to tear
down on building contingent on costs of port-o-lets. Eddie said the Mayor
asked him for a price to put in the budget.
Eddie reported that Baldwin Youth Services had been painting at the field,
doing community service.
The need for the board to be thinking about a new member was mentioned
due to the resignation of Trisha McMahon.
There being no further business, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8.40
PM.
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