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Commission Meeting March 25, 1998 Page Four knowing how much we can spend. Mr. Gardner stated that we have other things in the Recreation Center and parks that need to be considered in a master plan. Mayor Musial suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission should develop a strategic plan and simply include a comprehensive list of projects with corresponding costs. Then, depending on the money that is available, the Commission could pick and choose projects according to what they felt was most urgent and necessary. Mrs. Hayes introduced representatives from North Olmsted Hot Stove Baseball. Mr. Hoyer stated they had prepared a summary of their activities from 1997 to 1998. Their players range from ages 7 to 18 and their games are played from May through July. Teams are formed in March and practices begin in April. The organization is structured and run by an Executive Board which is elected annually by registered participant families. Mr. Hoyer explained that the different age groups were broken down into seven different leagues. He also explained the registration process and the cost of the programs. As of March 24, 1998, 560 players had registered and they estimated that the final total would reach about 600. Mr. Hoyer noted that in 1997 they required all players to participate in a candy sale to raise funds to build two new baseball diamonds because of the absence of the two baseball fields at Clague Park. In 1998 a capital improvement fee of $36.00 was required of all players to improve fields and programs. In 1997 N.O.H.S.B. invested more than $25,300 into all the fields used by their organization. In 1998 they are allocating over $10,000 to construct a new backstop at North Olmsted Park Diamond No. 3, as well as committing thousands more to other improvements at existing fields in the community. There was some discussion regarding the new field at Birch School and Mr. Hoyer stated that they will be working with the neighbors to satisfy any remaining issues so this site can be used permanently. Mr. Smith suggested that N.O.H.S.B. investigate using property behind Forest School. The field is not very large but could be used for younger age groups. Mrs. Hayes stated there was a Facility Planning Committee created by the School District which is currently analyzing the future use of all School District owned facilities and property. There was some discussion regarding other areas that could be used for baseball fields and everyone agreed that there was not much adequate land available. Mr. Morgan presented an overview of surrounding communities and their baseball participation figures in relation to the number of fields they had available for use. Mr. Bouman, Resident, stated that their was some discussion on changing the N.O.H.S.B.’s Constitution. Mr. Hoyer stated that there had been some discussion regarding the possibility of changing the name of the N.O.H.S.B. to the North Olmsted Baseball Organization. The intent of this potential change was to provide greater flexibility for the program by being able to travel to multiple counties to play but the issue was rejected through a vote of the Executive Board. Mr. Hoyer concluded his overview by inviting all the members of the Parks and Recreation Commission to N.O.H.S.B.’s Opening Day on May 16, 1998.