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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2016 Regular MeetingMinutes of the Fairhope Recreation Board July 20, 2016 The Fairhope Recreation Board met Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 5:15 p.m. in the Rec Center at 803 North Greeno Road. Present were Sherry Sullivan, Charlie Langham, Mary Gammer, Derek Thomas, Bob Keyser, Diana Brewer (arrived at 5:25 p.m.) and Michelle Smith (arrived at 5:20 p.m.). Absent: Mike Ford, Tom Kuhl, Cathy Hudson, and Vann Saltz. Gayle Fogarty took minutes at the meeting. The meeting was called to order by Bob Keyser at 5:15 p.m. The minutes of the May 18, 2016 meeting minutes were considered and approved on a motion by Mary Gammer, seconded by Charlie Langham, with three corrections to the June 15, 2016 minutes, Fairhope Single Tax Corp. (FSTC) offered to give $300,000 (not $200,000) to the City of Fairhope for the Fairhope Soccer Complex building, if the City matches $200,000 and (added) provides $100,000 of in -kind services. Also, under the Recreation Update the soccer tournament in 2017 will be held in February (not January), none opposed. Guests: Elizabeth Hammock of Upward Flag Football attended the meeting and informed the board that a Flag Football league was formed last year. Elizabeth is looking for additional field space for the league to use and inquired about Founders. There are 4 teams of 10 in the league. Bob Keyser suggested that she check with FHS about using space at the high school. Don Prosch of Gyro Space provided information in great detail on the benefits of Gyro Space. He stated that he would like to set the product up for Rec Center members to use free of charge and ultimately donate one to the Rec Center when additional spaces becomes available. Tennis Center-Fees/Code of Conduct: Sherry Sullivan and Tomas Catar provided each board member with a list of tennis center rules and a suggested fee list for the use of the Hydro -Courts. She suggested Rec Center fess be increased by $5.00 per line item (see attachment), the Rec Center has not had a rate increase since the facility was opened, and has over 2,000 members. The rate increase will give member's access to the Hydro -Courts. The Rec Center lost about $27,000 in expenses over revenue last year. She also suggested increasing the day pass rates to $5.00 and the tennis pass will be for 1.5 hours use, there was general discussion among the board members. Sherry stated that she share this information with FTA for their feedback prior to the next meeting. Diana Brewer and Charlie Langham both commented that tennis is the only City activity that we don't charge. There was general discussion of when the hard courts would be open, currently they are open until 10 p.m., it was suggested that the courts be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The estimated date to open the tennis center will be the 2nd or 3rd week in September. Sherry asked that the Rec Board members review the information provided and be prepared to make a recommendation at the August 17, 2016 Rec Board meeting. Naming of Tennis Center: There was general discussion among the board members regarding the renaming of the tennis center. A motion was made to recommend renaming Stimpson Park to the "Mike Ford Tennis Center at Fairhope Stimpson Park," to the Fairhope City Council, recommendation was considered and approved on a motion by Derek Thomas, seconded by Charlie Langham, one member opposed. Sherry Sullivan asked Gayle Fogarty to send the recommendation request to City Clerk Lisa Hanks, so it can be added to the next City Council agenda. Recreation Update: There was discussion among the board members and recreation department staff regarding the softball fields. The board doesn't want the Fairhope Softball League to have a poor playing surface due to travel ball not being good stewards of the fields. Sherry Sullivan stated that she has submitted the recreation requests for this year's budget to the mayor. Requested items include: mowers, small storage buildings for equipment at tennis center and soccer complex, awnings, pump for pool, and additional items, there are no single large expense. Soccer Update: Diana Brewer informed the group that Fairhope Single Tax Corp. (FSTC) offered to give $300,000 to the City of Fairhope for the Fairhope Soccer Complex building, if the City matches $200,000 and provides $100,000 of in -kind services. This will be voted on at the next City Council meeting on Monday. The Fairhope Soccer League will manage the construction of the soccer building. Bob Keyser added that the original estimate was $642,000, the original estimate on goals/nets was $61,000. This doesn't include benches, bleachers or shade structures. Sherry Sullivan added that she spoke to Dirk Flad and the planning department for the City of Fairhope has the plans, and is in the process of reviewing them. Sherry added that discussion of the soccer complex will be on Monday's City Council work session. Bob added that once the goals are in place, the fields need to be locked, Sherry agreed. There was general discussion of the soccer complex among the board members. Announcements: Michelle Smith stated that a swim meet will be held on October 15. Bob Keyser informed the group that the pancake breakfast will not take place, due to the school cafeteria will not be ready in time. This year a ticketed dinner meet and greet event will be held at the stadium on August 12. Nancy Anderson (guest) informed the board members that the recycling containers are not working inside the parks. She suggested having more signage and working with the league chairs to inform people to recycle. Nancy would also like overhead announcements to be made to remind visitors to recycle, and is looking to revamp the program for next year. Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.