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Home My WebLink About06-17-2009 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at the Volanta Street Park in the recreation center. Present: Charlie Langham, Chairman; Vann Saltz, Jim Godfrey, John Baker, Hank Mullins, Derek Thomas, Mike Ford, Sherry Sullivan. Betty Rivenbark, Secretary, Tom Kuhl and Liz Chandler. Eddie Boyett was on vacation. Absent: none. A group of about twenty people from the Local Food Production Initiative were present and presented their proposal for a Community Garden. Elaine Snyder -Conn was the spokesman. She went through the outline they had handed out saying the desired attributes for Fairhope's First Community Garden were: public, with some visibility, flat, lots of sun (7 hrs) parking, available water, restrooms open throughout daylight hours, located in Fairhope core. She mentioned the questions raised by the recreation board members — Is the proposed site currently being used for athletic activities, yes. Is it likely that balls from an adjacent field might run afoul into the proposed community garden area, possibly. Is there sufficient parking, yes. In their handout they had separated Stimpson Field into 7 plots A-G with G being located on the corner of Young Street and Morphy Avenue and this being the one they wished to use. They would need an area - 70' X 80' have 40 plots 2' X 4" with a 4 ft pathway running between the plots. She said she sees it as a Tourist Attraction. She gave data on what they said were 439 observations since February and recounted usage by the youth sport groups. She also said that the coaches who were approached did not see a problem with the garden. They are asking for a three year contract and it will have a hold harmless agreement. She also mentioned that they were considering using concrete blocks and commented that these could be easily removed. It was mentioned that several spots were suggested and would they consider another spot and they responded that this was ideally the spot they want, "core" Fairhope and they could walk to it easily. The question was asked where do we proceed from here. Vann Saltz and Jennifer Douglass mentioned at this time the letters of opposition with petitions they had. The group was unaware of opposition as they said they had talked to neighbors. They were told they could get copies of the letters and contact the people individually if they wished. When asked about a decision by the board they were told it might take a couple of months. They thanked the board and left. The minutes of the May meeting were considered and duly approved as written on motion by Vann Saltz, seconded by John Baker and unanimously carried. Mike Ford brought up at this time that he had discussed the land purchase with the Mayor and that he is ready to make an offer on the 40 acres of land off of Hwy 13 for future recreation use. He quoted what the Mayor thought MO • A 1 f/J%1 • � ~Y 1 � ftcmtkn W 2009 Membership Rates of the Club MembershipTaste . -..(Quarterly) Yearly Rate Sin le $45.00 $120.00 $360.00 Couple $55.00 $150.00 $420.00 Family immediate family members $65.00 $180.00 $480.00 Senior Single 60 and over $35.00 $100.00 $320.00 Senior Cou le 60 and over $45.00 $130.00 $375.00 Trial Membership Rates -Pass Dail $5.00 10-Pack 10 daily Visits $40.00 ' - • - • IT17PURTU4W Ww* Day -Pass Dail • • • • • . $5.00 Single $500.00 Yearly Membership Only Couple $650.00 Yearly Membership Only Family immediate family members $800.00 Membership Only __Yearly Fairhope School zone boundaries are: South of North Windingbrook and South Windingbrook within Montrose, Across Hwy 98, below Daphmont to Fish River, drop South to Weeks Bay and back to Mobile Bay. Membership dues are paid through cash, check, Visa and Mastercard. Recreation Monday - Friday Center Hours of Operation 5:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunda 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Nurse 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Holidays City Holidays we should offer for five years at 4% interest and said they had done a title search there were no mineral rights and everything looked good. He said the only thing we need to work out is the roll back taxes and that we are trying to get the City exempt. He said after discussion with the Mayor they decided not to use impact fees. After he presented this everyone agreed he should finalize the agreement to purchase the land. In Eddie's absence, Tom Kuhl, gave a report and commented that it seemed that the survey done by the Community Garden people was done in February and that the fall is when there is greater activity at Stimpson Field. He said that at the new center, they are getting the asphalt down, getting the old tennis courts cleaned off and asphalt that area. He also said they were working on getting the dog park cleaned out. He told of the Little League tournaments and that they are going to have a 65 team tournament at Founders next weekend. He said Don Gordon is supposed to be getting up an estimate on painting the old gym. Hank asked him why they keep the bathrooms locked on the football field and the ensuing vandalism that occurred. Tom explained that if they try and keep it locked the damage is not usually as bad, that they are going to vandalize if it is locked/unlocked. Liz Chandler gave an update on the equipment that has been ordered. She said she has laid out tape where she wants to put the stations and that she has also been working with the electrical department to get everything worked out, and they have been great. He told of classes she wanted to have and also a game room with TV. She talked about rates again showing everyone the rate sheet and said the only thing that has changed since they were adopted in 2007 is adding the senior rate. She said the recreation center membership would include pool membership, but you could also just join the pool without joining the rec center. She said she is now purchasing game tables, computer hardware and software . She was asked when she thought it would open and she said August. She was asked about using other instructors and Sherry told how it was done at the Nix Center and that we would follow the same rule — 15% of whatever charged. Vann asked if the youth basketball would be allowed to come through to the gym and she said yes. How to contain them coming through was discussed with this to be worked out. Hank asked if we would be publicizing it and Sherry said yes, she and Liz are working on it. A motion was made to accept the rate sheet as presented by John Baker, 2"d by Vann Saltz and unanimously carried with this to go to City Council for final adoption. (Copy in file). The Community Garden presentation was discussed again and Hank Mullins made a motion to consider their request, Vann Saltz 2"d, further discussion led to this motion being tabled for a month to give them time to talk to the people around the park. There being no further business meeting was duly adjourned at 7: 15 PM. 2