Board Meeting — 5/10/21

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM.

Members present included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Joe Hinkle, Lisa Viplav, Marcia Kazmierski, Mark Mansbach, Nelson Rivera, Glenn Hunter, and Linda Williams.

No special guests attended the meeting; however, emailed information was provided and read to the participants by L. Williams.

USTA Florida Tennis Representative, George English, wrote that he plans to attend the LCCCTA June Board meeting. Leigh Chak, USTA Florida (Region 2) Adult Play Coordinator had planned to attend the May meeting, but discovered she had a date conflict.

Pierce Kelley of Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) said he would not be able to attend the meeting, but wanted to congratulate the LCCCTA Board on what they have accomplished with the Youth

Team Tennis (YTT) Program which began on April 5th .

He asked to know what is being planned for the summer and said YTF will want to see a final budget for the YTT Program now being put on, plus a budget for anything going forward.

President Robinson will provide a written response to YTF on behalf of LCCCTA; L. Williams will notify Pierce Kelley the letter will be forthcoming.

The Minutes of the April 12, 2021 Board Meeting were reviewed.

A motion was made by M. Kazmierski to approve the 4/8/21 minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by G. Hunter, and the motion carried unanimously.

M. Null wanted to verify the City Manager is now receiving LCCCTA Minutes, so the City can manage/monitor Young’s Park tennis court activities, plus have written documentation in the event of possible questions.

L. Williams confirmed the City Manager was added to the LCCCTA email group distribution list to receive meeting announcements, as well as draft copies of LCCCTA Minutes. The Approved Minutes for each meeting are posted on LCCCTA’s website within a couple of days of each Board Meeting.

President D. Robinson thanked Ray Hermann for his assistance with the YTT Program.

D. Robinson announced that 13 yr. old Lizanne Viplav, daughter of our LCCCTA board member Liza Viplav, won the Gold medal at the Special Olympics state tennis tournament recently held in Orlando. She will need to be 16 yrs. old to advance to the next level. A card to congratulate Lizanne was signed by the board members present at the meeting.

M. Null provided an equipment update; all equipment has been received from the USTA Florida grant—a total of $446.16 value with (4) 25” tennis racquets, (12) 27” (adult) tennis racquets, 3 dozen orange tennis balls, and 4 cases of yellow tennis balls.

D. Robinson said she will submit an article, along with photos, to the Lake City Reporter on behalf of LCCCTA. Special credit will be given to USTA Florida and Suwannee Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) for all the tennis equipment provided to LCCCTA. In addition, YTF will receive appreciation and credit for providing LCCCTA a tennis pro shop, located at the Young’s Park tennis courts.

D. Robinson asked M. Null to request assistance to install the 16’ X 8’ fiberglass backboard on the Madison Street fence of court #4.

L. Williams provided D. Robinson a report of activity of the TENNIS CONNECTIONS link on both Facebook and the LCCCTA website. The link allows LCCCTA board members, Tennis Partners, and anyone following LCCCTA on social media to make contact with others interested in playing tennis.

L. Williams reported that she had requested the status of the keycard access system in mid-April and the City’s community program manager said she’ll be in contact as soon as she knows something.

In addition, L. Williams said LCCCTA business cards have been designed by Wyfenbok and are in the process of being printed—to be distributed to board members at the June meeting.

Laminated schedules of all current and upcoming youth and adult tennis camps (notification to reserve Young’s Park tennis courts for LCCCTA programs) have been placed on the fences and next to tennis court entry gates.

In addition, clear water-resistant folders containing LCCCTA’s Youth and Adult Registration forms are available in a large plastic organizer on the outside of the pro shop.

J. Hinkle provided the Treasurer’s Report for May. The current balance in the bank account is $1,6682.18.

J. Hinkle added that professional instructional expenses for YTT are being paid from designated YTF funding.

Certified tennis professional and coach, M. Mansbach, provided a report of the Adult Tennis Camps; the first (of four) two-week sessions began on May 4 th with the Beginner clinic almost full.

The Intermediate clinic remains open for registration. Every two weeks, a new evening adult clinic begins. The cost is $25, to include a small cost for administrative assistance.

The Youth Summer Tennis Camp will begin on June 7 th with four 2-week sessions; however, it will be four mornings per week--Monday through Thursday.

The cost will vary by age group, and will also include a small cost for administrative assistance.

M. Kazmierski mentioned the need to have shade areas on the tennis courts and she knows a few players who would be willing to make a specific donation to LCCCTA for shade sails.

G. Hunter suggested LCCCTA make a goal to purchase a permanent structure and then include public and private funding partners in the endeavor.

M. Null reminded the group there are several items LCCCTA has yet to receive and/or complete: potable water, a shelter area, backboard installation, keypad security for the tennis courts, and power outlets for each court.

M. Null said he’s seen all four tennis courts in use at one time on more than one occasion in the evenings. It will be very important to continue to post LCCCTA reserved times for youth and adult events.

M. Null added that he would like to see our organization host a “Social Night” with a tennis round robin conducted by M. Mansbach for LCCCTA members on a late Sunday afternoon.

D. Robinson suggested to also offer a tennis activity once a month on Saturday mornings.

L. Viplav believes LCCCTA should charge participants a small fee to play in the special tennis weekend events in order to generate revenue for the organization.

M. Null stated our organization will need to begin utilizing an ‘in-kind’ form to report volunteer hours and contributions to LCCCTA. It should be a wrap up sheet for each event and is very beneficial for our organization to have whenever applying for grant funding.

M. Null will look to provide members a reportable in-kind form, but in the meantime, D. Robinson asked all members and volunteers to calculate their individual donated time and expenses related to the LCCCTA Spring Youth Team Tennis Program.

D. Robinson requested this information be sent to her as soon as possible.

D. Robinson received an estimate of $2700 to complete the interior of the pro shop. The topic will be discussed at the next meeting.

President Robinson announced the next Board meeting is set for June 14, 2021.

There being no further formal business, President Robinson adjourned the meeting at 7:10 PM.