Board Meeting – January 13, 2020

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the meeting to order at 5:33 PM. Members present included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Joe Hinkle, Liza Viplav, Marcia Kazmierski, Tom Moore, Glenn Hunter, Nelson Rivera, Linda Williams, and USTA representatives George English and Leigh Chak.Minutes of the Board Meeting held on November 11, 2019; motion by M. Null to approve as presented, seconded by M. Kazmierski. Motion carried unanimously.President Robinson welcomed Pierce Kelley, Youth Tennis Foundation Board Member and LCCCTA Partner.G. English spoke about USTA FL equipment being provided for the Columbia County Special Olympics. Three athletes will begin for the Area Games and the number may possibly grow for athletes attending the State Games at the USTA National campus.T. Moore offered his CHS Boy’s Tennis Team to volunteer for the local events.P. Kelley offered YTF to sponsor an athlete at the State Games, if needed, and L. Viplav told the group all costs (travel, instruction, clothing, and equipment) will be covered by Special Olympics for the participating athletes and their unified partners.G. English said it will be the responsibility of parents to ensure athlete children have annual physical exams.G. English reported he will be available to come and train Belmont PE teachers with SHAPE lesson plans and equipment once L. Williams obtains dates from the school. L. Chak encouraged our CTA to continue with establishing a timeline to conduct successful Team Challenge and Team Tournament events. Liz Coates sent an email to determine LCCCTA interest. Also, ‘Love to Learn’/’Love to Play’ past participants should invite friends to increase and continue that program.T. Moore reported the eight CHS tennis courts will be resurfaced in time for the Feb. tennis season to begin. He is requesting permission to have them painted purple and gray. M. Null said he will follow up with the contractor. T. Moore also requested volunteer assistance from LCCCTA members.The Girl’s team will have at least three volunteers to assist the new coach, Brandy O’Neal.M. Null reminded all volunteers to complete CCSD’s annual volunteer form.G. Hunter reported that L. Hunter had an opportunity to address the County Commissioners at a December meeting. She was able to express gratitude to the Columbia County Landscape & Parks staff on behalf of LCCCTA for maintaining extremely clean restrooms and grounds at the Fort White Community Center.L. Williams was asked by D. Robinson to write a personal note of gratitude to the specific County employees who are providing this excellent community service. G. Hunter also reported Columbia County Commissioners are looking to purchase land and dedicate approximately 10-20 acres of land for tennis.M. Null displayed the plaque he earned for being USTA’s Volunteer of the Month.G. English said he nominated M. Null because he was deserving of this honor with the publicity and leadership he provides for our CTA and because of the many tennis programs he has been actively involved in.M. Null reported a single bid came in at double the amount of the City’s tennis court funding. Preliminary retention area digging and demolition of the two existing courts has already been completed by the City.The USTA reviewed the bid documents and made recommendations to the City for a rebid by Jan. 6, 2020. However, that bid has not been posted by the City, yet. M. Null is awaiting a response from their Procurement Office. M. Null received USTA’s Master Liability Declaration Certificate for LCCCTA’sinsurance coverage from 12/31/2019-12/31/2020.Pierce Kelley with Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) said he wants to provide up to $5,000 in grant money for a storage building that would be wired for electricity and can secure youth tennis equipment, as well as have a small office to host tennis events. Mr. Kelley wants this storage building to suit our needs, first and foremost.M. Null has already researched size and material options, so he made a motion to seek approval to submit a grant application to YTF by June 30, 2020, allowing the grant writer to make appropriate changes for the best option for LCCCTA.The motion was seconded by G. Hunter. Motion carried unanimously.Pierce Kelley told the group that he started our statewide Junior Tennis Team (JTT) and he’s anxious to get it going in our community when we have the new courts. G. English said that during Team Challenge events, children learn to rally, volley, and serve. Once they have mastered those, they are ready for JTT!L. Chak said local, sectional, and state JTT teams have a total of 6 players.L. Chak also said that USTA League revenue goes into supporting Junior Team Tennis programs.G. Hunter told the group the City Manager would like LCCCTA to put together a contract between our CTA and the City, whereby LCCCTA will have authority to manage the new courts, upon completion.J. Hinkle provided a Treasurer’s Report indicating the account balance is currently $2533.73, which includes an additional $100 donation made at the meeting and also includes the split proceeds of $273.50 (from the $547 total donated to both LCCCTA and CHS Tennis Teams during the Dec. 7, 2019 Holiday Racket Day Fundraiser)J. Hinkle also reported that Fort White Community Center now has three benches that have been provided by the County and positioned near the tennis courts.L. Williams reported that Richardson Community Center (RCC) will be in contact about setting up a date for an after-school youth tennis event. They hope to include participants from the Boy’s Club. Once we have that information, we can plan for the event and establish an adequate number of volunteers.D. Robinson expressed gratitude for all those who assisted with the Holiday Racket Day Tennis Fundraiser.L. Williams will ensure former board member, Mr. James Montgomery, is honored and remembered on both LCCCTA’s website and Facebook page.President Robinson announced the Annual meeting is set for February 10, 2020, which will be immediately followed by the monthly Board meeting.There being no further formal business, President Robinson adjourned the meeting at 7:13 PM.