Board Meeting — 1/12/26
Call to Order/Welcome:
President Mike Null called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM and thanked the group for attending.
President Null welcomed members in attendance: Eshu Xi Amaru, Laura Hunter-Null, Michael Ammundsen, Joe Hinkle, and Linda Williams.
Guest:
George English, USTA FL Representative
Approval of Minutes:
President Null made a motion to approve the Minutes of November 10, 2025 Board Meeting; seconded by M. Ammundsen, and the motion carried unanimously.
M. Null asked that the Board review the ‘Proposed Ball Machine Guidelines’ created by M. Ammundsen as a draft copy to be reviewed and amended.
M. Ammundsen provided his guidelines overview—stating they were set up to eliminate liability and to eliminate ball machine abuse.
The access of the ball machine, storage, responsibility, designated court, and hours of use will need to be addressed. After discussion, it was decided that an appointment / reservation must be made to utilize it by a player who is at least 16 years old; an available LCCCTA member or tennis pro will need to set it up for the player, as well as return it to storage. There will be no charge to use the Lobster Elite One-Electric with 2-function remote ball machine.
M. Ammundsen suggested LCCCTA use the tennis ball machine as a tool for all youth tennis camps.
Laura Hunter-Null made a motion to approve the ‘Proposed Ball Machine Guidelines’. It was seconded by M. Ammundsen, and the motion carried unanimously.
M. Null said the February 9th meeting will be mandatory for Board Members to attend, as we’ll have the Annual Meeting just before the February Board Meeting.
The Nomination Committee Chair, Laura Hunter-Null, will submit a roster of proposed 2026 LCCCTA Board of Directors and Officers. Prior to that date, L. Hunter-Null will contact current and potential board members via email.
There will also be a review of Ex-Officio members at the Annual Meeting, President Null let the group know that last month’s approved Resolution became a Proclamation that was presented at the December 9th Mistletoe Tennis Social recognizing the following special Local Adult Coordinators: Anita Houston, Stephen Ashton, Debbi Carter, and Eshu Xi Amaru. It was framed and is on display in the Tennis HQ.
M. Null reported that current LCCCTA Ex-Officio members, Anjan and Liza Viplav, will relocate to Lake City this year. Their daughter, Lizanne Viplav, has been selected to represent Team Florida in Tennis at the National Special Olympics to be held June 2026.
L. Williams will ask the Lake City Reporter to publish this special news, and will provide a photo of Lizanne.
The Viplav family provided a link for donations (specialolympicsflorida.org) for TEAM FLORIDA TENNIS.
M. Ammundsen made a motion that LCCCTA contribute $250 to support Lizanne Viplav. Joe Hinkle seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
President Null reported that LCCCTA secured USTA’s Arthur Gallagher Professional Master Liability Insurance for 2026.
M. Null provided the status of the tennis court facility lighting. There have been problems with all lights being left on all the courts when the manual on/off button by the shed is not turned off by the last player.
He asked L. Williams to obtain signs for the inside and outside gates on both banks of tennis courts to display the following reminders: Turn Off Lights and Courts Closed by 10:00 PM.
E. Xi Amaru made a motion that LCCCTA order the four metal signs for the two gates.
J. Hinkle seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
President Null wants an outreach to recruit minority youth for participation in LCCCTA youth tennis camps. He suggested that E. Xi Amaru, L. Williams, and himself visit Richardson Community Center (RCC) in March, ahead of the Spring Youth Camp (April 7-23).
M. Null asked L. Hunter-Null to check on mid-year available times to present at PTO meetings, as L. Hunter-Null believes that is the best way to get information for parents of possible camp participants.
VP/Secretary Report:
L. Williams provided a summary of LCCCTA’s Mistletoe Tennis Social held on December 9th. It was a successful and fun event that benefited children. Toys and money were donated at registration by players in the Christmas Social. The Christmas Dream Machine received many nice toys and $130. The 16 players enjoyed refreshments and drinks provided by Debbi Carter and Linda Williams.
LCCCTA is grateful the Lake City Reporter publicized this special event on December 13 th with an article and photos.
L. Williams proposed that LCCCTA honor and remember Ms. Milly Beggs, longtime and avid social tennis player who played regularly into her 90’s. She was an enthusiastic lady who was loved deeply by friends and family, and will be truly missed. To honor her, L. Williams made a motion that LCCCTA establish a ‘Milly Beggs Adult Social Fund’ to be used for expenses associated with active adult socials.
M. Ammundsen seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
L. Williams provided a USTA flyer containing a QR code so parents can verify their child’s tennis coach is USTA Safe Play approved.
M. Null will continue asking coaches who are helping with LCCCTA’s youth programs to complete the Safe Play Program to become approved by USTA.
L. Williams reported that LCCCTA’s webmaster will have limited time to make website updates and post events; however, she will do her best to get important information out, quickly. An email request was made for LCCCTA Board members to provide some feedback regarding the design and marketing services she’s provided over the past ten years by writing and posting online Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews.
L. Williams will forward the email request to each Board member to submit.
Treasurer Report:
J. Hinkle provided a Treasurer Report showing a total bank balance of $4,579.56, with $13.66 in uncleared checks.
The general account has a balance of $2,269.82 and the YTF account contains $2,296.08.
President Null said J. Hinkle has maintained excellent financial controls as Treasurer. In addition, M. Null reminded the Board that two signatures are required for each LCCCTA check.
L. Hunter-Null made a motion to approve the Financial Report; E. Xi Amaru seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
USTA FL Guest, George English:
G. English mentioned the rescheduled Wheelchair Clinic will be held at the Ft. King location in Ocala on Saturday, January 24th from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and there is no charge.
E. Xi Amaru is interested in attending, and G. English will attend to experience wheelchair play.
G. English recommends that our CTA consider USTA’s Program Support Grant, which is open-ended and can provide windscreens, nets, and even hurricane relief. The Equipment Grant is closed until mid-February, and the Tennis Equipment Grant is only for specific items.
M. Ammundsen suggested replacing our court lighting arms with additional lights.
G. English said USTA FL Foundation could possibly help with additional lighting and suggested M. Null contact them.
M. Null said he plans to meet with the City of Lake City regarding their need to have funding available for resurfacing the courts, soon. USTA National Tennis Venue Services has grant funding, but requires 50% of the cost to be paid.
G. English will email Board members detailed information in the form of a ‘2026 Guide to Tennis Venue Services’ for lighting upgrades and court resurfacing. The program offers: technical assistance, business consulting, advocacy support, digital tools, and grant funding.
New Business:
G. English reported USTA FL Local Adult Play Coordinator, Beth Dellovade, recently resigned. There is a possibility that Alachua County and Columbia County will share a new Adult Local Play Coordinator.
M. Null said LCCCTA will wait until a new Adult Local Play Coordinator is hired before planning LCCCTA’s ‘Love to Learn/Love to Play’ Program. G. English agreed that it would be best to wait.
President M. Null thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting at 7:42 PM.
Next annual and board meeting scheduled for Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
