Board Meeting — 10/11/21
Call to Order: Vice President Mike Null called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM. He was filling in for President Dolly Robinson who has been recovering from a medical issue.
Members present included: Mike Null, Joe Hinkle, Mark Mansbach, Laura Hunter-Null, Marcia Kazmierski, and Linda Williams.
There were no guests in attendance.
The Minutes of the August 9th Board Meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by L. Null to approve the 8/9/21 minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by M. Kazmierski, and the motion carried unanimously.
Since President Dolly Robinson was not in attendance, L. Williams will remind her to write a thank you note to LCCCTA Board member and former CHS Boy’s Tennis Team coach, Tom Moore. His many contributions to our CTA have been very appreciated and L. Williams previously suggested a LCCCTA youth tennis program be named in honor of him.
Also, Board Member Recie Davis made a significant donation to LCCCTA, in which D. Robinson will graciously accept and write a note of gratitude.
M. Null reminded the group that all donations to our 501c3 group will be tax deductible.
VP Null reported that he worked on several projects following the August 9th meeting. He applied online for the Dick’s Sporting Goods grant which has a list of suggested equipment, with a range of funding. The grant is offering 501c3 nonprofit organizations (like LCCCTA) who are helping youth sports, an opportunity for grant funding. The requests are accepted on a rolling basis and new grant requests are reviewed on a monthly basis.
Three weeks after applying for the grant, M. Null received notification that Dicks Sporting Goods is not able to provide funds at this time. He said he will wait and reapply at a later time.
On behalf of LCCCTA, M. Null also submitted an online application for USTA’s “Grow the Game” grant, which our USTA Florida Tennis Representative, George English, recommended.
The criterion includes beginning players or returning players with little or no tennis experience.
Tennis activities must occur between May and November 2021 and a tennis professional must be named along with their tennis facility location.
The grant funding is available to pay for coaching expenses.
M. Null reported the application has been accepted; however, he hasn’t received any response.
He will be in contact with Mr. English, our USTA Florida Tennis Representative, for follow-up and will request the USTA record reflects LCCCTA did apply, did not host a fall program, and requests there be no penalty as a result of not receiving funding or receiving a response from USTA.
This grant closes on November 1, 2021.
VP M. Null also reported his concern in regard to serious security issues at Young’s Park.
He provided chronological incidences following the dedication of the tennis courts on December 7, 2020; he recalled a Friday evening shooting at Young’s Park following LCCCTA’s first tennis clinic.
M. Null had to verify with law enforcement that players could access the courts, as crime scene tape was attached to the tennis fence. Within the last month, another shooting occurred at Young’s Park and the victim was killed.
M. Null’s experience in public service his entire career made him realize he needed to address this serious security situation. He sent an email to City of Lake City leaders: police chief, city council, mayor, and interim city manager. In the email, he stated parents and children have expressed they no longer feel safe coming to Young’s Park to participate in activities.
M. Null recommended placing security cameras at the park, as he is aware there are security cameras available for community parks around the nation, and they have helped deter criminal acts.
At this time, LCCCTA has not been made aware of any resources provided by the City of Lake City to address serious security concerns at Young’s Park.
L. Williams reported that she is continuing to serve as an officer on the Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) Board of Directors and YTF will award $1000 to LCCCTA prior to the next scheduled Youth Team Tennis program.
L. Williams has ensured the LCCCTA website has been updated with a complete listing of all Columbia County community centers having tennis facilities.
Current Beginner & Intermediate Adult Tennis evening clinics and social events have been publicized by L. Williams on social media, and also on colorful flyers placed on the information board (adjacent to the pro shop at Young’s Park).
J. Hinkle provided the October Treasurer’s Report to LCCCTA board members.
The current balance in the bank account is $1,906.62, with all checks clearing the account.
M. Null stated LCCCTA’s Board will need to discuss costs for both Liability, and also, Directors and Officers insurance—prior to applying next month for insurance coverage in 2022.
Mark Mansbach reported he’s added four new players to private lessons.
M. Null said LCCCTA is blessed to have a teaching pro available seven days a week; the public always sees a presence at the tennis courts and M. Mansbach is available when City Public Works employees return to complete work that was not finished.
Within the last month, the City Public Works Dept. placed a water line next to the tennis pro shop however, M. Null said the following items remain to be completed: (1) electrical line needs to be run to the tennis courts (2) Backboard needs to be installed on the fence of court #4 (3) aluminum shelter/pavilion needs to be replaced adjacent to the tennis courts.
M. Null asked M. Mansbach to look at dates in early spring 2022 to begin LCCCTA’s Youth Team Tennis program. M. Mansbach believes late March will be a good time and he suggested having the program Monday-Thursday for two weeks and then Monday-Thursday for another two weeks. The age groups he recommends are: 6-9, 10-12, and 13 & up.
M. Null suggested that M. Mansbach create proposed beginning and ending dates for the program, as well as cost per participant, and provide the proposal at the November 8 th meeting.
L. Williams checked the CCSD Calendar to determine the week of Spring Break.
For participation, it will be important the proposed YTT program dates do not include March 21-25.
L. Hunter-Null believes promotion of our upcoming Youth Team Tennis Program should involve the Community Calendar in the Lake City Reporter, social media/Facebook, and flyers posted on the LCCCTA information board.
M. Null suggested L. Williams contact the Lake City Reporter and ask them to come out to do an interview and take pictures of the senior ladies who play three mornings per week.
M. Kazmierski provided L. Williams scheduled days and times the ladies play tennis.
L. Hunter-Null reported she has begun to look into determining what the cost would be for printed horizontal banners with grommets for any advertisers who would like them placed on the Young’s Park tennis court fences. The funds received from purchased banners would be used as a fundraising activity for LCCCTA.
L. Hunter-Null plans to contact a local printing company and then report on this at our next meeting.
M. Null mentioned that he has already requested a banner from Mr. English of USTA Florida.
L. Hunter-Null discussed the need to set days and times for upcoming adult social events.
M. Null recommended adding more people to adult tennis clinics and then hold social events immediately following the clinics, when players are already at the courts.
M. Mansbach agreed 7-8pm on Thursdays would be a great time for adult social events and there will be no cost associated with those events.
L. Williams will publicize this updated information in the Lake City Reporter’s, ‘Community Calendar’, as well as LCCCTA’s website and Facebook page. Also, a colorful flyer will be posted on LCCCTA’s information board.
M. Null asked the board members if there was anything else to report.
L. Hunter-Null reminded the group at the August meeting there was discussion regarding purchasing and placing sail shades over the metal bleachers between tennis courts 2 and 3.
M. Null said he believes President Dolly Robinson is continuing to price sun shades.
L. Hunter-Null also mentioned she thinks it would be wonderful to have a LCCCTA Christmas Party on a weekend afternoon from 3-5PM. She suggested everyone could bring a covered dish. It would be an opportunity to welcome new members and be a special social event. This idea will be discussed further at the November 8th meeting.
M. Null added one last comment… asking everyone to please keep President Dolly Robinson in our thoughts and prayers. Progress is being made, as she is recovering.
The next Board meeting is set for November 8, 2021.
There being no further formal business, Vice President Mike Null adjourned the meeting at 6:41PM.
