Board Meeting — 3/10/25

Call to Order/Welcome:

President Mike Null called the Board Meeting to order at 5:30 PM and thanked the group for attending. He welcomed all board members in attendance: Laura Hunter-Null, Joe Hinkle, Eshu Xi Amaru, Linda Williams, and Michael Ammundsen.

Guests:

George English of USTA FL was introduced by President M. Null as an advocate for LCCCTA, always letting USTA FL know of activities our community tennis association is involved in, and providing LCCCTA opportunities for USTA FL grant funding through its Foundation to obtain tennis equipment and supplies.

Mr. English makes an effort and travels to attend every LCCCTA meeting possible. For this meeting, George English attended and scheduled a zoom call with USTA FL Adult Play Coordinator, Megan Frederick.

Ms. Frederick has extensive experience in conducting USTA FL’s adult tennis program, LOVE TO LEARN/LOVE TO PLAY. Board members were able to ask questions via the zoom call regarding the 12-week program involving a tennis professional instructing participants during the first 6 weeks of ‘Learn to Love’. The subsequent 6 weeks of ‘Love to Play’, adult beginners play against each other, as well as play against tennis volunteers. Participants play once a week for an hour.

Ms. Frederick said USTA FL brochures are available to gain interest from local players. She said she would be more than happy to assist with providing a template to customize the brochures, as well as answer additional questions as LCCCTA begins planning the program.

President M. Null reminded the group that both he and L. Hunter-Null were actively involved in this same program offered through LCCCTA many years ago. It was very successful, with beginner adult players completing the program and becoming competitive tennis players.

President M. Null said he will speak with Tennis Pro, Mark Mansbach, to determine dates and times he may be available to help conduct this 18+ adult program.

George English said that he can obtain USTA FL t-shirts and tennis ball for the players.

M. Ammundsen asked if USTA FL guides are available for the program; he was told guides are available for providers, players, and ambassadors. They can be downloaded from USTA FL.

Approval of Minutes:

L. Null made a motion to approve the Minutes of the Feb. 10th Board Meeting; seconded by J. Hinkle, and the motion carried unanimously.

President M. Null reported two 16’ windscreens had recently been purchased for court 4 at a cost of $119. Also, zip ties are needed to secure the windscreens, and they were ordered. The price to order four 50’ windscreens with grommets and vents was $897; it was not an item LCCCTA could obtain through the USTA National equipment grant.

E. Xi Amaru made a motion to authorize this expenditure; seconded by M. Ammundsen, and the motion carried unanimously.

President M. Null explained tennis courts have an approximate life span of 5-7 years, before resurfacing will be necessary. The Young’s Park tennis courts are almost 4 1/2 years old, and currently, there is no funding set aside for facility maintenance by the City of Lake City. M. Null plans to meet with the City Manager in the next week to discuss this; he believes the estimated cost will be $40,000, but a contractor site visit will be necessary to determine the actual cost.

USTA will be willing to provide up to 50% of the funding for a Category 2 resurfacing OR $8,000 per court. However, the grant funding may require that one half of all facility courts (2 of 4 courts) will need to have blended lines for ages 10 and under, shortening the 78’ court to 60 feet.

G. English said that USTA National has allotted more grant funding for the purpose of resurfacing and fencing.

Both the City of Lake City and USTA will require President M. Null to complete extensive grant applications of behalf of LCCCTA.

L. Willams made a motion that President M. Null be allowed to move forward to seek funding for resurfacing the tennis courts; seconded by E. Xi Amaru, and the motion carried unanimously.

L. Williams provided the group a 2025-2026 LCCCTA Board of Directors, to include Ex-Officio members and Officers.

An update was given regarding the plans and participants for ‘Coach Mark Day’; the event to be held on April 1 st at 3:15pm—just prior to the beginning of LCCCTA’s Spring Youth Tennis Camp.

E. Amaru will contact the Veteran’s Affairs Office to invite administrators who have partnered with Coach Mark Mansbach for the successful Veteran’s Tennis Program.

E. Xi Amaru made a motion to authorize the purchase of required materials and construction of a ramp by Rudy Howell for the Tennis HQ, seconded by L. Hunter-Null, and the motion carried unanimously.

L. Williams publicized the upcoming Spring Youth Camp with the LCR/Community Calendar, social media, and printed flyers. An online link is available for the registration of participants, as well as copies of registration forms are available at Tennis HQ.

Coach Mark Mansbach will direct the 3-week tennis youth camp and LCCCTA volunteers will assist with the three ability level groups.

Treasurer J. Hinkle provided a current financial report showing a bank balance of $4,955.88. The general account has a balance of $1,199.19, the YTF account contains $2,969.72, and the Adult League account has a $167.23 balance.

E. Xi Amaru made a motion to approve the Financial Report; L. Williams seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.

J. Hinkle also reported the 2023 IRS form to maintain status as a 501c3 corporation has been filed.

Adult Tennis Socials:

E. Xi Amaru reported on the Adult Tennis Socials and said Tuesday evening Socials continue to have more participants than Thursday evenings, with about 4-5 players. Board members suggested that E. Xi Amaru make sure Thursday tennis is publicized as being open to all players as a Tennis Social event, also.

New Business:

President M. Null said our reason to hold a 10th Anniversary Celebration is to maintain relationships with our community.The event is set for May 1, 2025 from 5-6 PM at Teen Town and Youngs’ Park tennis courts.

L. Williams reported that Ex-Officio member, Erin Weiffenbach, has designed a special 10th Anniversary Celebration logo to be used for publicity—a banner, printed flyers, LCCCTA website, and social media. In addition, the logo will be on the event programs.

L. Williams and Dolly Robinson have secured the Teen Town building for the beginning portion when there will be guest speakers and refreshments. L. Hunter-Null suggested the speakers use the PA system because of noise.

Dolly Robinson has arranged a tennis doubles exhibition match on Court 2 between four very high-level tennis players, as a highlight for the celebration. An area will be set up at the front of the Tennis HQ for photo opportunities. At the end of the exhibition match, a tennis professional will be available to conduct a free tennis clinic for anyone interested.

M. Ammundsen suggested we create future tennis facility signage, ‘Youngs Tennis Center’, and PresidentM. Null said that permission from the City of Lake City will be necessary for anything permitted by the City.

L. Hunter-Null made a motion that expenses for the 10th Anniversary Celebration be approved for a total of $800; seconded by M. Ammundsen, and the motion carried unanimously.

L. Hunter-Null offered an idea for fundraising. She suggested contacting Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, as they have allowed 10% of revenue for one night to go towards a fund-raising organization. Both President M. Null and L. Hunter-Null will contact the manager to see if this might be a possibility for LCCCTA.

G. English said the USTA FL Net Generation afterschool program requires a minimum of 12 participants, and ability levels cannot be mixed, to receive the Net Generation Program tennis equipment and instructor stipend. However, Mr. English added that schools are allowed to conduct their own tennis programs if they can’t meet this requirement.

G. English announced the upcoming Tallahassee Challenger Pro Tournament will be hosted at Forestmeadows Athletic Center in Tallahassee on April 14-20th. Tennis players ranked between 80-200 in the world will be participating in this clay court tournament. The event is open to spectators for no cost during the day; during the evening, the cost is $10 per person.

President M. Null thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.

Next tentative meeting scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM.