HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-2019 Regular MeetingMinutes of the Fairhope Recreation Board
The Fairhope Recreation Board met Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 5:15 p.m. in the Rec Center
at 803 North Greeno Road.
Present:, Bob Keyser, Michelle Smith, Cathy Hudson, Tom Kuhl, Derek Thomas, Vann Saltz and
Charlie Langham. Absent: Jay Robinson. Gayle Fogarty took minutes at the meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Vann Saltz at 5:15 p.m. The minutes of the October 16, 2018
meeting minutes were considered and approved on a motion by Charlie Langham, seconded by
Cathy Hudson, none opposed.
Old Business: There was general discussion about SNAP soccer, Bob Keyser stated that they are
fixing the problem they had.
Updates: Tom Kuhl informed the board members that the City of Fairhope budget has passed,
although it will take time before the updates are completed. Items that will be worked on are the
driveway at Manley, track resurfacing and pool re -plastering (is taking some time to write up the
specs and may not be completed this year).
He added that the City Council approved to purchase the property at the asking price with an
appraisal, currently Tom is working on getting the appraisal done, the City will make three
payments over a three-year timeframe. The 40-acre property is located on Twin Beech Road where
it intersects with Young Street and the seller is asking $48,000 an acre. He added that
accommodating baseball is the biggest need right now, Charlie questioned what would be done
with the current baseball fields, Tom replied that it would be maintained as baseball fields. He also
stated that in this year's budget the stadium will be improved to be ADA compliant, a single tennis
court will be installed to allow for four Pickle Ball Courts/10-U Tennis Court. There was general
discussion among the members regarding Pickle Ball. Tom stated that youth softball raised money
for batting cages, and the City will cover the concrete, and some of the current baseball fields will
be repositioned.
Tom stated that the Fairhope Vikings (semi -pro football team) has a 5-year commitment to use the
stadium, and they will pay for every practice and home game. The football team is affiliated with
Arena football. Originally the team was going to be called the Eastern Shore Vikings, although
with City Council approval, they will use the stadium rather than Barnwell in exchange they will
be called the Fairhope Vikings.
Tom also invited the Rec Board to attend the State of the City on April 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the
Fairhope Civic Center. He added that the playground equipment purchased by the Rotary Club has
been installed at the Fairhope Soccer Complex, and the Rotary Club would like to have a work
day to help lay the mulch. Tom stated that he will set this up soon. Also, the wall has been installed
at the baseball field thanks to Stu Fuller, and the City will paint it.
Cathy Hudson informed the board that the Fairhope Elementary School is getting a new
playground that is ADA compliant. She added that Michael is offering lifeguard certification next
week.
Bob Keyser received an e-mail from the women's & men's premier soccer league, they are
interested in playing at the Fairhope Soccer Complex. They are required to have bleachers at their
games and maybe interested in providing funding to purchase bleachers, if they can play at the
complex.
Michelle Smith informed the group that Impact 100 provided a grant to the Miracle League.
Charlie Langham mentioned that Fairhope High School has a new resource officer and he
thanked Tom for getting the funding to make the stadium ADA compliant.
There was general discussion among the members and Vann Saltz regarding the vacancy on the
Rec Board, two applicants have been applied at this time: Eleanora Mauritson and Jay Martin.
Since the board has already met Eleanora, Tom suggested a couple board members meet with Jay
and report back to the committee at the next meeting. Cathy suggested displaying the committees
with vacancies at the State of the City.
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.