Board Meeting – August 10, 2020

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the meeting to order at 5:43 PM.Members present included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Joe Hinkle, Linda Williams, Liza Viplav, Laura Null, Glenn Hunter, Laura Hunter, and Bobbi Brannon.President Robinson welcomed Pierce Kelley, Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) Board Member/ LCCCTA Partner and Tim Murphy, Columbia County Commissioner.D. Robinson also expressed gratitude to board member, Liza Viplav, for allowing LCCCTA to meet at their tennis facility, Tennis Forever.Minutes of the March 9, 2020 Board Meeting were reviewed, as well as a Summary Update from May 2020. A motion was made by G. Hunter to approve the 3/9/20 minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by M. Null, and the motion carried unanimously.Guest speaker and Columbia County Commissioner, Tim Murphy, addressed the tennis group with information regarding a possible ten-acre tract on Bascom Norris bypass (between Lake Jeffery Road and Hwy 41) that could become a dedicated home for LCCCTA. (It is part of 520+ acres purchased by Columbia County for multi-purpose sports)Mr. Murphy said the proposed 10-acre property has 100% highway frontage.G. Hunter believes the location would be a great asset; it would provide ease of access for tennis players coming from I-10 and I-75.G. Hunter also reminded the group that tennis is a year-round family sport—having the potential to provide a substantial increase in economic impact for Columbia County! Mr. Murphy explained that if the land is dedicated to LCCCTA by a majority of county commissioner (post-election) votes, a signed county contract would allow LCCCTA to begin seeking grant funding. He added that County grant funding would be available and our 501c3 organization can coordinate with the county to organize regional tennis tournaments to maximize the potential of the parcel.G. Hunter believes the parcel would allow future growth, to expand up to 24 tennis courts.M. Null reminded all that USTA is available to assist in providing engineering and grant funding for new tennis courts.Mr. Murphy will ask the Columbia County engineer to complete a sketch of the proposed ten-acre tract, as a conceptual drawing for LCCCTA. The drawing could be used as an overlay which G. Hunter could prepare and name, “Future Home of LCCCTA”.All members in attendance expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Murphy for coming to discuss hopeful news with our CTA.Mr. Pierce Kelley, guest speaker and Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) Board Member, introduced himself to Mr. Murphy and explained YTF’s mission and purpose.Mr. Kelley told members that YTF will continue to support LCCCTA as a funding source for youth programs. He said their foundation will honor their previous commitment to contribute $5,000 toward a portable utility building to be used at the Young’s Park tennis courts.In addition, there is a possibility of YTF providing a $600 windscreen to be dedicated to the new City tennis courts; he suggested LCCCTA could possibly sponsor another windscreen.Mr. Kelley announced that current LCCCTA Secretary, L. Williams, recently joined YTF’s Board of Directors to also serve in the capacity of Secretary—beginning January 1, 2021.D. Robinson said Youth Team Tennis (YTT) will remain on hold until the new courts are completed; YTF’s $1500 donation remains in the LCCCTA bank account until that time.The YTT Program will be very important for our CTA; it is a ‘feeder program’ for our high school tennis teams.G. Hunter thanked Mr. Kelley for the YTF support, which has allowed LCCCTA to grow and has also provided much needed visibility of tennis within the community.D. Robinson also expressed gratitude for the strong partnership between bothorganizations.M. Null also thanked Mr. Kelley for the generous YTF donations and commitment to LCCCTA and congratulated L. Williams on her new position with YTF.M. Null provided a status report on the City tennis court construction project.The underground electrical is well underway and concrete pads for the light poles are being installed. Equipment has been parked on the site of the future City tennis courts.M. Null anticipates that Anderson Columbia will begin paving next, but may take some time.After paving is complete, North Florida Fencing will utilize galvanized fencing to install around the perimeter of the paved court area.D. Robinson confirmed the four courts will be separated (two/two), with a sidewalk in between them.M. Null said the final step will involve Court Service Inc. of Green Cove Springs.The company will be responsible for providing court coating, net posts, nets, and court lines.D. Robinson requested input on color selection of the court surface and M. Null will ask Court Service Inc. if this can be possible.The date set for completion of the four new Young’s park tennis courts has been given by the City as prior to November 2020.M. Null already has a written $10,000 grant request ready to submit to Suwannee Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) to provide funding for equipment that will be necessary for the new tennis courts (blowers, bleachers, windscreens, score cards, etc.) He feels very hopeful this grant funding will be available for LCCCTA.L. Williams reported the Girls and Boys Club Programs have been permanently terminated by the City of Lake City.Columbia County School District will soon utilize the Girls Club buildings for an after school program.J. Hinkle provided the Treasurer’s Report for August. The balance in the bank account is $2,337.73.A recent $100 donation made in memory and honor of Mr. Mike Kennon is not currently reflected in the bank account balance.D. Robinson reminded the group of future plans to host a grand opening event at the time the new tennis courts are completed at Young’s Park.She requested board members go online to view ‘Tennis Court Rules’ used at other tennis facilities, and then come to the Sept. meeting with a list of applicable rules which LCCCTA could use to manage the new courts.President Robinson announced the next Board meeting is set for September 14, 2020.Due to inclement weather and there being no further formal business, President Robinson adjourned the meeting at 6:43 PM.