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Minutes of a Meeting of the North Olmsted Parks and Recreation Commission March 5, 2007 Mr. Scarl, as Hot Stove President, said that Hot Stove Baseball, for two five year periods, Council had waived the fees for prepping and permit fees for the fields that we use. The schools had waived theirs for every year that Hot Stove had been involved, and it’s been about the last ten years that we’ve gone to the City to waive the fees. The reason is that since the last ten years, Hot Stove has spent close to $92,000 in field improvements in the city fields, also including buying the baseball dirt on a yearly basis. It’s special dirt – “diamond dust.” We spent that amount of money in the last ten years, and Hot Stove did its own master plan for the next ten years, and there are revenues up over $100,000+ for the next ten years. Due to the circumstances of the Master Plan coming out, Hot Stove asked for a five-year waiver, but according to the administration, they would like to go back to a year-by-year basis, which is fine with Hot Stove. This year, Field 4 and 5 are staying with the Master Plan down at the north end of the park, and Hot Stove has dedicated and signed purchase orders for about $15,000 for those two fields, along with about $3-4,000 for dirt that will be issued to all the fields in the City. As we go next year, there will be another proposal, probably Clague Park, and some more at Fields 4 and 5. Hot Stove did not want to budget $50,000 or $60,000 for Field 5 because we did that Field last year and had some dirt bikes run through the outfield which was just seeded, so there was $8,000 wasted. The same thing happened at Birch. This is a big issue for Hot Stove. So, we’re asking for waivers on a year-to-year basis. Mr. Barker then asked for a Motion to approve Resolution No. 2007-21 of the City of North Olmsted regarding Hot Stove asking for a one-year waiver on prep fees and permit fees. Mr. Dailey seconded. Mr. Baxter then asked about the fence referenced. Mr. Scarl said that would be done for younger kids with softball. There has been a problem that the fencing is not long enough for the base lines, and the fence needs to be extended, because the balls are going across the street or in someone’s yard. It’s a safety issue. According to the rules, the bases have to be encompassed with fence. Mr. Baxter asked if it would be fencing the outfield. Mr. Scarl said, no, Hot Stove would just extend down about fifteen feet on both sides for the nine and ten year olds at Field 4. Field 5 is for the older kids. Mr. Dailey said there was an extensive conversation with Hot Stove about this matter to make sure it would be fair and equitable toward everyone. The administration is more than pleased with the resolution. Mr. Scarl said that Hot Stove is spending well over what fees would be charged – three or four times the amount. Hot Stove is trying to keep the costs down for the 600 parents involved in the program so that the kids can play. It’s a big burden for the families. Ms. Kanis asked if there were any other questions. There being none, roll was taken on the Motion to approve Resolution No. 2007-21: Mr. Lasko, Mr. Dailey, Mr. Barker, Mr. Baxter, Ms. Kanis, and Mr. Groden replied affirmatively. Mr. Scarl abstained, and the Motion passed. Mr. Scarl had one quick question for Councilman Barker: This will go back to his Committee and then Council? Mr. Barker said that it would go to Committee meeting next Tuesday, then it will go on to the second meeting. Mr. Dailey said there will be a suspension required so that the Resolution can pass before the weather breaks, so by the end of the month it should be passed. Page 10