Lonoke Ballpark: Commission Minutes

MINUTES

The Lonoke Ballpark Commission met on January 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Chairman Randy Truelove called the meeting to order.
  
  Members Present:
  Chairman  Randy Truelove
  Vice-Chairman Kevin McKenzie
  Secretary  Allen Bone
  Members  Lee DeBerry, Ronnie Evans, Pat Howell, Fred Ibbotson,
     Phillip Murray, Darrell Park, Brian Risner,
     Rocky Thompson, James Wilson
     
OLD BUSINESS: 

Batting Cages:  The nets for the batting cages have been received.  Roy Don Lewis said they will be installed during the week of January 13 – 20.
 
NEW BUSINESS:

Baseball Information:  The following dates have been set: 

 Registration     February 2, 9, 16, 23 & March 1
  Time:  9am-1pm   
  Place:  Lonoke Community Center
 First Evaluation    March 8
 Last Evaluation    March 15
 Draft      March 16
 Opening Ceremonies    April 11
 Opening Day     April 12

Registration Deadline:  If playing in another league, you can not sign up after March 15th.  The members decided to designate March 15th as Drop Dead Date.  Players who do not sign up by March 15th will have to be approved by the 5 man committee.  If approved, the late registration fee will be $110.00 per child.

Teams:  The members discussed having a 13 year old team and a 14 - 15 year old team.

Cal Ripken Birth Cards:  The members discussed the need to require players 12 and under to get Cal Ripken birth cards

Baseball Tournaments:  A Cabot team wants to rent fields 2, 3, 4, & 6 for a tournament for USSSA on March 28 & 29.  Junior Civic League has asked to use fields for a tournament on April 4th & 5th.   James Wilson made a motion to approve both of these tournament requests, with no makeup date in the event of rain.  Darrell Park seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

ADJOURN:  Randy Truelove scheduled the next meeting for January 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Pat Howell made the motion to adjourn.  Ronnie Evans seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Members absent from this meeting were Blake Harrison, Efrem Jones, Danny Pool, and Johnie Watson.

MINUTES

The Lonoke Ballpark Commission met on December 4, 2007 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Chairman Randy Truelove called the meeting to order.
  
  Members Present:
  Chairman  Randy Truelove
  Secretary  Allen Bone
  Members  James Wilson, Johnie Watson, Fred Ibbotson,
     Phillip Murray, Brian Risner, Ronnie Evans,
     Blake Harrison, Danny Pool, Darrell Park,
     Pat Howell

OLD BUSINESS: 

Budget:  The budget numbers for 2007 and the proposed budget for 2008 were reviewed.  Roy Don Lewis will present the proposed budget to the Budget & Finance Committee on December 5, 2007.
 
Lighting:  Randy Truelove asked Roy Don Lewis if we were applying for a grant to light Field #7.  He requested that Roy Don check on the deadline for the grant.

Bathrooms:  The members discussed the bathrooms that are needed between fields 6 &7.  The cost of port-a-potties is approximately $400.00 per month and they are rented 3 to 4 months each year for a total cost of $1200 to $1600 per year.  The members believe the expense for port-a-potties over 4 or 5 years would probably pay 40% of the cost of building the new bathrooms.  Blake Harrison made the motion to get an estimate on the cost of constructing the bathrooms and installing the water and sewer lines.  Johnie Watson seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.

ADJOURN:  Randy Truelove scheduled the next meeting for January 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Pat Howell made the motion to adjourn.  Ronnie Evans seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Members absent from this meeting were Kevin McKenzie, Lee DeBerry, Efrem Jones, and Rocky Thompson.

MINUTES

The Lonoke Ballpark Commission met on November 6, 2007 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Chairman Randy Truelove called the meeting to order.

                        Chairman                      Randy Truelove

                        Secretary                      Allen Bone

                        Members                      James Wilson, Johnie Watson, Fred Ibbotson,

                                                            Phillip Murray, Brian Risner

OLD BUSINESS: 

Shop Building:  The members reviewed the information that has been gathered about the cost of constructing a 40 x 60 shop building.  Further information needs to be gathered.  An engineer at Entergy will be giving an estimate of the electric wiring cost.  An estimate for the concrete will also be obtained.   Specifications for bids will be determined later after more information is gathered. 

Budget:  The budget numbers for 2007 through the 3^rd quarter were reviewed.  Budget numbers for 2008 will be discussed at the next meeting so the proposed budget can be ready for the December 10^th City Council meeting.

Security:  Because someone broke into the shop, the members discussed the plans for locking up the ballpark.  A gate will be constructed at the walking trail entrance.

Batting Cages:  The members discussed the plans to finish the batting cages.  The nets that were ordered in May 2007 have not been received.  The company they were ordered from said they were on back order.  That order has been cancelled and the nets will be ordered from another company.

ADJOURN:  Randy Truelove scheduled the next meeting for December 4, 2007 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Fred Ibbotson made the motion to adjourn.  Johnie Watson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

The ballpark division of the Lonoke Parks & Recreation Commission met on October 3, 2007 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Parks Chairman Randy Truelove called the meeting to order.

                        Chairman                      Randy Truelove

                        Vice-Chairman Kevin McKenzie         

                        Secretary                      Alan Bone

                        Members                      Pat Howell, Darrell Parks, James Wilson,

                                                            Johnie Watson, Blake Harrison, Ronnie Evans

OFFICER & MEMBER SELECTION:  Blake Harrison made the motion to keep Randy Truelove as Chairman, Kevin McKenzie as Vice Chairman, and Alan Bone as Secretary.  Darrell Parks seconded the motion.  Everyone was in favor.  Motion carried.

Two members, Allen Evans and Jackie Moore, have requested to be removed from the commission.

Three new members have been nominated:  Brian Risner, Philip Murray, and Rocky Thompson.  Johnie Watson made the motion to accept these three new members.  Blake Harrison seconded the motion.  Everyone was in favor.  Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS: 

Shop Building:  Randy Truelove brought up the subject of building a shop for equipment storage.  Darrell Park said he would like the shop to measure 40’ x 60’.  The smaller shop which is already there will be used for baseball/softball equipment (pitching machines, etc.)  James Wilson made the motion to talk with an electrical engineer and gather information about the cost of the building and concrete so the specifications for bids can be determined.  Bids will be taken at a later date.  Darrell Parks seconded the motion.  Everyone was in favor.  Motion carried.

New Road & Bathrooms:  James Wilson proposed that a new road be constructed running from the ballpark entrance around the back side of fields 1, 2, and 3 to relieve traffic congestion and prevent the backup of vehicles on the highway.  Also, bathrooms need to be built between fields 6 & 7.  Blake Harrison made the motion to gather more information on road & bathroom construction so specifications for bids can be determined and bids can be taken at a later date.  Darrell Parks seconded the motion.  Everyone was in favor.  Motion carried.

Adjourn:  Randy Truelove scheduled the next meeting for November 7, 2007 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  Johnie Watson made the motion to adjourn.  James Wilson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

• The All-Star Selection policy was reviewed and slightly modified. And then Blake Harrison made a motion for a vote to approve the policy as modified. Darrell Parks second, and the policy was approved.


• The Tractor will be delivered with in the week.


• There was continue discussions about the need for a new concessions building down at the new fields in the back of the park, as well as restrooms at the new fields and between the T-Ball and Little League fields.


• There was continue discussions about field work needed this year: T-Ball Dugout Fence and Batting Cages and Fencing - $2,300, the bull pens for the little league field (before the 12 yrs old State Tournament this summer) - $2,500, the new storage Building, and the yearly Crushed Red Rock - $2,975.


• There was a discussion of the need to form a 3 to 4 year development plan for future enhancements to the Ballpark, Roy Don is to bring an outline of the plan for the following meeting, May 3, 2006.


• There was continue discussions about the Draft policy to be put in affect for 2007. Fred Ibbotson was tasked for benchmarking of other successful organizations policies. Randy will bring the Draft Policy as given to the coaches for feedback. The Commission is expected to refine the resources into an approvable document at the May meeting.


• There was a general call for adjournment. Darrell Park second, and the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.


• New Members appointed to this committee: Lee Deberry.

• Fred Ibbotson gave an update on the Coaches Association's current project of upgrading the bleacher area's on fields 2, 3, and 4 with metal covers.


• There was a discussion of the rules taken to the Coaches for feedback. Randy Truelove made a motion that the Commission move forward on developing rules for selecting and coaching All-Star teams. Several options were discussed and two were unanimously voted upon to be written up and approved at the next meeting and be effective for the 2006 All-Star season. Kevin McKenzie second the motion, and the motion passed.


• A Head Coaches meeting was set for May 21, 2006 at City Hall for the following times. T-Ball - 2pm, Rookie - 3pm, Minors - 4pm, Majors - 5pm.


• Randy called for the next meeting to be held on April 4, 2006 at 6:30 at City Hall. Kevin made a motion for adjournment. Darrell Park second, and the meeting adjourned at 8:45.


• New Members appointed to this committee: Johnie Watson.

The ballpark division of the Lonoke Parks & Recreation Commission met on February 7, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Parks Director Roy Don Lewis called the meeting to order and stated that Blake Harrison was stepping down as Chairman but would remain on the committee. At this time Darrell Park made the motion to appoint Randy Truelove as Chairman (who has served as Vice-Chair for the past 2 years), motion second by Kevin McKenzie and carried unanimously. Ronnie Evans made the motion to appoint Kevin McKenzie as Vice-Chairman, Darrell Park second the motion and it also carried unanimously. Darrell Park made the motion to appoint Alan Bone Secratary, second by Danny Pool and carried. The Committee then addressed the following items:

• A five-step priority program was brought before the members and listed with the most important being first
  
  
  
  
  • 1.  New batting cages and nets extending dugouts at the T-Ball fields  $5100.
  
  
  • 2.  Purchase a tractor  $13,400.
  
  
  • 3.  (3) Bullpens on fields 3 & 4  $2500.
  
  
  • 4.  Purchase a storage building 24X31X9  $5400.
  
  
  • 5.  Fence work on fields 1 & 3  $1500.
  
  Danny Pool made the motion to forward this priority listing to the City Council for approval to move ahead when funds are available.  Motion second by Fred Ibbotson and carried.


• Randy Truelove outlined a list of Rules for Coaches and discussed how the draft needed to be conducted.  Jackie Moore made the motion to take these rules to the coaches committee and let them discuss and return feedback before any decision is made by this committee.  Kevin McKenzie second the motion and motion carried.


• Members leaving the Commission are Stan Beavers, Mike Linton, Freddie McCann


• New Members appointed to the committee Fred Ibbotson, Kevin Mckenzie, James Wilson

     The next meeting will be held March 7, 2006 at 6:30 at City Hall.  Meeting adjourned at 8:30.

     Members absent from this meeting were Blake Harrison and Efrem Jones.