Board Meeting — 1/11/21
Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM.
Members present included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Marcia Kazmierski, Laura Null, Glenn Hunter, and Linda Williams.
President Robinson announced USTA Florida representatives, George English and Leigh Chak, were unable to attend the meeting; USTA travel continues to be restricted.
L. Williams provided email correspondence she received from USTA Tennis Service Representative, George English regarding USTA junior memberships:
Effective immediately, all USTA junior memberships and renewals for those 18 and under are free. When we get back to holding events on court, everyone is encouraged to have juniors who show an interest in tennis, register to become a USTA member.
If the child is under 14 years old, they will need a parent to go to www.usta.com and create a user name and a password if they don’t have one already. Once they sign in, they should scroll over to “About” and then scroll over to and click on “Membership”. They will then be able to obtain a free membership for their child, and they don’t need any discount code.
For youth 14 and over, they should create their own user name and password, and then follow the above steps to obtain their free membership.
G. English said he will be happy to assist anyone interested in obtaining a junior USTA membership. They can email, text, or call him anytime they need any help.
The Minutes of the November 9, 2020 Board Meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by G. Hunter to approve the 11/9/20 minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by M. Kazmierski, and the motion carried unanimously.
In addition, the December Status Report was reviewed. Since the Report contained an Action item that was voted upon by email (LCCCTA Bylaws allow for this), it will be included in the Nov. 9. 2020
Minutes. A motion was made by M. Null to approve the December Status Report as Minutes; the motion was seconded by M. Kazmierski, and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Robinson provided a list of individuals and groups who generously contributed to the court construction and the December 14, 2020 event, “First Serve Opening Celebration”, at Young’s Park: Mike Null and Joe Hinkle for windscreen installation, along with Thomas Henry and his staff from the Public Works Dept.
Event set-up:
Thomas Henry — sound system, chairs, podium, and bleachers
Nelson Rivera — chairs and ball machine
Joe Hinkle — purchasing tables and tennis equipment
Recie Davis — drink refreshments
Robinson, Kennon and Kendron — cookies and chips
Laura Ruth Norris — reception volunteer
Liza Viplav — general assistance
Linda Williams — paper goods and publicity
Wyfenbok — event programs
Laurie Giebeig — raffle gift from THE SKIN FIX
Marcia Kazmierski — entire event
Mike Null — entire event
Special gratitude to our event speakers:
Joe Helfenberger, City Manager
Melinda Moses, Former City Council
Tim Murphy, Columbia County Commissioner
Patrick Douglas, President of Suwannee Valley Community Foundation (SVCF)
Mike Null who spoke on behalf of Pierce Kelley, Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF), and who also spoke on behalf of George English and Leigh Chak of USTA Florida
Attendees of note:
George English, USTA Florida
Leigh Chak, USTA Florida
Chris Greene, City Council
C. Todd Sampson, City Council
Paula Vann, Tourist Development Council (TDC)
Alden Rosner, Tourist Development Council (TDC)
Stephen Witt, Mayor
Jake Hill, City Council
G. Hunter commented on the very successful Opening Ceremony; both the City of Lake City and LCCCTA worked very well together. Attendance was great from the community and the guest speakers were excellent.
G. Hunter said the event was very important and it gives precedence to future community tennis events.
D. Robinson said the Director of Public Works would like to meet with a few LCCCTA board members to discuss the location for a pavilion—to possibly include a bathroom and changing room. Since utilities will need to be connected to it, it is important the location is correct.
G. Hunter said that once a contingent group is motivated to come up with ideas for the project, the cost can more than likely be shared.
D. Robinson shared that on December 17, 2020 the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners held a meeting. Commissioner Tim Murphy requested the Commission dedicate eight (8) acres of land for a future LCCCTA tennis complex. All commissioners agreed with the request and it was suggested that our tennis complex be within the 500-acre County Recreation Park, with all sports groups sharing infrastructure.
G. Hunter strongly suggested our group request TDC provide LCCCTA eight (8) acres with road access; it will allow the other field sports’ facilities to be left locked and prevent vandalism.
M. Null reminded members the new TDC Chair invited LCCCTA to address their group in the near future, to include our organization’s history.
M. Null stated there will be no USTA grant money available for 2021.
M. Null will be in contact with USTA regarding general information and site design when LCCCTA has the county property and is ready to begin construction. He said a USTA formal application will be necessary.
G. Hunter asked that we request George English/USTA write up what will be necessary to construct the best tennis courts.
M. Null provided an equipment update; all equipment has arrived except the tennis backboard, to be shipped on Feb. 5, 2021. He expressed much gratitude to Suwannee Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) for funding our tennis equipment.
D. Robinson recognized M. Null and Joe Hinkle for their efforts in hanging the windscreens.
M. Kazmierski recommended using metal zip ties to keep the windscreens from tearing free from the fence. It was decided that obtaining heavy plastic zip ties will be ideal to allow some minimal windscreen movement.
M. Null received a copy of the Declaration Certificate for LCCCTA’s Master Liability Insurance coverage with USTA for the 12/31/2020-12/31/2021 policy period.
Also, a $563 invoice for $563 for Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance will be paid in order to provide coverage for individual board members in the event of claims. It will limit personal exposure.
L. Williams provided a report regarding her correspondence expressing gratitude to our community tennis partners. In addition, she shared copies of new LCCCTA Waiver and Release participation forms, Partner Forms, and Columbia County Sheriff’s Dept. Background Check forms for our future Youth Team Tennis volunteers.
L. Williams told the group our current and dynamic LCCCTA website is now beyond full capacity on WordPress; our website will need to transfer to a different platform that will have unlimited bandwidth and storage. M. Null agreed we should pursue this search and transition.
L. Williams will let members know what the webmaster recommends.
L. Williams provided a status report regarding the installation of metal awnings—necessary to cover the existing metal bleachers adjacent to the tennis courts. The City of Lake City public works director will be meeting with the owner of a local metal awning business within the next couple of weeks to determine the extent of work necessary to have three separate metal awnings installed.
J. Hinkle was unable to attend the meeting; L. Williams provided the Treasurer’s Report for January.
The current balance in the bank account is $4,140.90, with a $225 check for USTA Liability Insurance not clearing, yet.
D. Robinson recommended LCCCTA host a community tennis event, “Meet, Greet, & Play”, for all ages and abilities. The special event will be held at Young’s Park on Sat., Jan. 16, 2021 from 9-11am.
L. Williams told the group the event has already been posted on Facebook, as well as the LCCCTA website.
L. Williams will make contact with the Lake City Reporter, requesting the information be published; also providing a recent tennis court picture.
D. Robinson has received numerous messages asking how tennis players can make contact with others interested in playing. She suggested we establish a TENNIS CONNECTIONS link on both Facebook and the LCCCTA website. Players will be able to go to the link to provide their first name and an email address; L. Williams said this special link will be created once the website platform changes.
M. Kazmierski recommended attaching a lock box to the pro shop for any forms needing to be dropped off.
L. Null reminded the group that a sign should state the box does not contain cash; only forms.
The treasurer will be asked to look into ordering the lockbox and he may recommend it be called a suggestion box.
D. Robinson asked for member interest in participating in the upcoming USTA 7.0 Mixed League. It was determined there is not enough interest at this time, but possibly a future league season.
D. Robinson will contact Leigh Chak, USTA Florida, Region 2 Adult Play Coordinator, and let her know.
D. Robinson expressed her excitement in beginning the Youth Team Tennis (YTT) Program in April.
Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) provided LCCCTA generous funding for this program last year.
YTT will be publicized on LCCCTA’s social media outlets, and also through the Lake City Reporter by L. Williams.
D. Robinson said registration forms will need to be completed by April 8, 2021 for participants to begin the afterschool junior tennis clinics—by evaluating the skills of the various age groups.
Parents and volunteers will complete the CCSD background screening forms prior to assisting, and YTT matches can begin the week of April 12th .
President D. Robinson scheduled the Annual Board meeting to be held along with the Monthly Board meeting on Feb. 8, 2021.
M. Kazmierski, Director of the Nominating Committee, will be nominating LCCCTA’s Board of Directors and Officers for 2021.
She is contacting all members and some tennis partners to determine if they will be interested in serving as board members and officers on LCCCTA’s Board of Directors and Officers for 2021.
President Robinson announced the next Board and Annual meeting is set for February 8, 2021
There being no further formal business, President Robinson adjourned the meeting at 6:59 PM.
