HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-2009 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, February 18,
2009, at the Volanta Street Ballpark in the new Recreation Center.
Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; Jim Godfrey, John Baker, Vann
Saltz, Jenny Douglass, Hank Mullins, Mike Ford, Council Liaison; Sherry
Sullivan, Eddie Boyett, Recreation Director. Secretary, Betty Rivenbark.
Guests: Local Food Production Initiative, Lonnie Mixon and his wife.
Absent: Derek Thomas.
A group representing the Local Food Production Initiative was recognized
as guests tonight. Edward Lawrence, President, spoke for the group saying
they formed a year ago and are a non-profit organization. He said that the
group as a whole are concerned about grocery store food, all the
preservatives, etc. He said further, they encourage local production of food
in Baldwin County, suggest a longer farmers market season and are looking
for a site to have a community garden. The proposal they are presenting
tonight is for a site at Stimpson Field. He went on to say that community
gardens are appropriate for city parks and cited other cities where they are
now located. He mentioned the donation of the land many years ago for
Stimpson Field through the Fairhope Single Tax Colony leaseholders, the
Clemens and JE and Bessie Gooden. He introduced Elaine- Snyder Conn
who he said would explain what a community garden is. Ms. Conn said It
was the group's opinion that Stimpson Field would be an ideal place for the
location of this community garden. She said mainly that these gardens are
used mainly for growing vegetables and that they are looking for 40 plots
that would be 4X12 (5600 sq ft). She said that it would need lots of sun,
available water and restrooms and parking would be a plus. She said they
could be raised plots and passed out some pictures showing raised plots.
She said normally these plots are leased for $25 a year and they are
required to be maintained. If more people apply than plots they usually draw
for number of plots. She said they have already talked to the Mayor and
looked at several sites recommended to them, ideally Stimpson is the right
place and it would give them public exposure. She located on a drawing the
place at Stimpson they would want to locate, close to Morphy Avenue. She
said they would be looking for a 3 year commitment and draw up a contract.
That they planned to go after grants and be non profit, 301-C group. She
said if they have more vegetables than can eat it would go to a food pantry.
After she finished talking, Charlie explained to her that we had told the
different leagues that they could use the available land at Stimpson for
practice fields, that we are limited in fields and because of all the kids in the
programs, practice space is a premium. He said he felt we should definitely
run it by the leagues before we give any space away. Ultimately the food
group would hope the Recreation Department would come up with a
resolution and recommend this to the City Council. They did say they might
need a shed for tools. Jenny Douglass said she thought it would be great,
some other form of recreation other than sports. Hank Mullins said it was a
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great idea just wrong place. It was suggested they could monitor use of the
field for activities a couple of months and report back at some point, this was
agreeable to all. John Baker said he can't believe we can't find some space,
Mike Ford said he would like to give it some thought. They said they could
come back in two months. All agreed this would be good. A short
discussion was held after they left on the pros and cons of this idea.
The minutes of the December 08 meeting were considered and approved on
motion by Vann Saltz, 2nd by Jenny Douglass and unanimously carried.
Eddie told the board he would go by and stake off area they are talking
about at Stimpson so the members could go by and look at it. He talked
briefly about all the programs now getting cranked up..baseball, soccer,
softball. He also said they are pushing him to get the dog park ready.
He mentioned he had been contacted by the Masters Swim Program and
that they are talking about hosting a meet hopefully at Fairhope pool.
John Baker asked where we stand on the land. Lonnie said hopefully we
would have something to report 30-40 days and Eddie, Lonnie, Charlie
agreed to meet Thursday morning to look at land.
A short tour of the new building was taken and meeting was duly adjourned
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