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12-13-1999 Special Meeting r Meeting Minutes from December 13, 1999 Parks& Recreation Committee Special Board Meeting regarding the field layout for Hancock Park People in attendance Bob Beasley, Mike Lausier, Charles Becker, Al Schlazer, Basha Schlazer, Loretta Lynn, Amy Lesner, and Wayne Saunders Meeting was called to order at 6 00 p m Amy reviewed the original plans for Hancock Park and showed the alternative plans that Mike had put together The change in softball fields was the issue The committee recommended that the fields accommodate as many needs as possible not just the needs for fast pitch girls 18 and under. The committee would like to see more(3) adult softball fields at a 285' fence line and (1) youth softball field at a 200' fence line The original plans were to have(4) 200' softball fields and one 285' adult softball field Wayne reviewed the planning stages of Hancock Park The needs that were looked at were Clermont Girls Softball League and South Lake Soccer League when this park was conceived. These two leagues needed more fields and practice areas The constraints on the site are water lines, power lines, and topography The engineering has been done on the site and three grants have been given due to the original plan If the plans for the fields are altered now there might be even more constraints placed upon the City Some of the other issues would be that lighting would cost approximately $10,000 more per field The fencing cost would increase at least 50% more. Grading is already in progress for the four 200' fields The grubbing and grading is being donated by Clermont Girls Softball There is a 15' difference in grade from the four 200' fields to the adult softball field The plans for the park would have to be resubmitted to the County for grant money The City could loose the grant funds they have now if the plans were changed. The City has received grants based on the plan. One of the suggestions was to build three adult fields and use fall down fences when the girls play Wayne said that some of the issues with the fall down fences are that it takes money to purchase the fences, storage is needed and the labor time involved in set up and take down of the fence. The conceptual plan was recommended and approved by this board and the City Council Permits have already gone through the St Johns Water Authority When the plans were developed the only adult league was the Senior Men's League Mike said that the concern for the plan is long-term not short term The question concerning Mike and the committee was, should the demographics change, could those fields still be used and meet the needs of the community? Will it still meet the criteria? These fields will not offer flexibility It does not provide an avenue for other groups Flexibility is key We do not know what our needs will be in the future The focus /'` should be on the long run — , . Clermont is growing rapidly with more families Clermont Girls Softball and Little League will continue to grow and need more fields The four 200' softball fields meet the minimum criteria for girl's fast pitch 18 and under and can also be used by Little League for practices Lincoln Groves is a possible 2-acre site for the Lake County School Board and Lake County government offices. This is where they are discussing the building of a library and fire station A New High School and County Complex is planned along with a 60- acre recreation site. The possible sites are Lake Idamere or the Fair Grounds in Eustis The funds would be coming from the para-mutual fund This park would possibly fill the needs for adult softball and soccer Lost Lake Reserve, next to Lost Lake Elementary School, will have a 300' adult softball field The South Lake Hospital will be building 3 soccer fields and this will fill the needs for the Soccer League The community needs could be met through different avenues such as the City, County, and donation of land and facilities from developers/builders and the hospital Basha stated that there needs to be a plan, get it initiated, finish the plan, and then use the facility for its' intended purpose Mike asked Wayne if the Parks&Recreation board could be more involved in the development process for future parks Wayne said that he would like the committee's opinion regarding all aspects of Parks& Recreation T Wayne agreed with the need for flexibility with the fields The younger generation and the leagues will always use the fields that are being built A motion was called to rescind the previous motion regarding Hancock Park and move forward with the plan that has four 200' softball fields and one 285' adult softball field Bob Beasley motioned and Loretta Lynn seconded it The motion passed by a vote 5 1 Wayne said that he appreciated the work that this board has put into the parks and recreation and hopes this committee will actively continue to be a part of the City's Parks and Recreation Meeting adjourned at 6 30 p m.