MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 7, 2002 MEETING OF REC BOARD

The regular meeting of the Hamburg Recreation Board was called to order by Vice- President Barry Shollenberger at 7:05 PM.

MEMBERS PRESENT – Anna Heffner, Scott Kreider, Barry Shollenberger. Glenn Powers was absent.

ALSO PRESENT – June Hilbert-Recreation Director; Lynn Ernst-Secretary

VISITORS - Kervin Kline, Hamburg Lions Club; Jeff Seidel, Rob Mitchell, Rick Biehl, Ralph Schappell, representing the baseball teams.

A motion was made by Anna Heffner and seconded by Scott Kreider to accept the minutes of the September meeting. Motion passed. Brandon Riegel’s name was corrected to Breon Riegel. The borough manager was absent; there was no report.

Kervin Kline presented the Lions Club project of proposed baseball field improvements to include a press box behind the backstop, a sound system, an electronic scoreboard in center field behind the flagpole, a collapsible removable fence, and bleachers. Jeff Seidel handed out packets with project details to board members. Phase I is installation of the electronic scoreboard and a flexible temporary outfield fence at a total cost of $4000. Phase 2 will include a press box/storage building, addition to the dugout for storage, aluminum bleachers, and a sound system. Total cost of Phase 2 is $41,760. The borough would need to apply for a grant; Glenn has the paperwork.

The Lions Club will put in the superstructure for the scoreboard; Coca-Cola Co. will supply the $20,000 scoreboard. It will be a digital scoreboard, 27’ x 9’, which can be operated from any location. Other ball teams in the league, such as West Lawn and Kutztown, have these scoreboards. While there is no timetable for the project, they are planning for Phase 1 to be completed next spring. Jeff Seidel indicated that the Coke company will want their products to be sold at the ball field and possibly the pool. Financing for Phase 1 is in place if the borough can reach an agreement with Coke. The placement of the scoreboard in center field was questioned as there are two positions indicated on the plans. Scott suggested that a left field location would be more appropriate because future plans for the park include big name entertainment, and a scoreboard in center field will hinder the view of the stage. It was pointed out that the board will be 10 feet above ground and should not hinder anyone’s view. Barry stated that such a large scoreboard in that position will turn the park into a baseball field, not a multi-use park.

The temporary fence has already been approved by borough council. Barry recommended a turf management system to make the field safer. Jeff stated that the baseball coaches know that the outfield is rutted and unsafe. Kervin added that you can’t have community activities without damaging the outfield. Rick Biehl indicated that the new scoreboard is not adaptable for soccer. It was mentioned that the soccer association will be leaving the park anyway when the Kaercher Creek fields are constructed. The temporary fence can be left up all season, or removed when there is another park activity. The board was asked who will replace Glenn Powers as general caretaker and scheduler; this has not been determined.

RECREATION DIRECTOR – The borough crew has completed the maintenance work for the pool closing, including painting the floor in the food stand and painting the bathrooms.

OLD BUSINESS – Discussion returned to the baseball field. Additional comments were that putting the scoreboard in center field will separate the park. Barry has a problem with an object 27’ long x 10’ high being visually offensive. Other projects on the list are more desirable than the scoreboard. Also, it isn’t known if Coke exclusivity rights will extend to all park activities. Another suggested location for the scoreboard was atop the food stand in right center field.

Scott made a motion to recommend Phase 1 scoreboard location to be in left field, a smaller scoreboard be not more than 15’x6’; also to approve the flexible temporary outfield fence which was already approved. Anna seconded. Motion passed by a vote of 2-1, Barry dissenting. Barry suggested that board members talk with other people in the community regarding this project.

In other old business, since there has been no clarification on the use of the Lenhart Fund for hockey lighting, the board requested a memo from the Borough Manager concerning this matter be included with the secretary’s report. Anna and Roy investigated the tree trimming at the Little League field and reported that the work had been done as discussed with Roy, Glenn and the tree trimmer. Scott and Barry would like a follow-up meeting to Community Day to assess what they did right and wrong. Thursday, October 31 at 7:00 PM in the council room was selected for this meeting. Barry will contact the other committee members.

NEW BUSINESS – Scott made a motion to use the park for spectator parking on King Frost night. Anna seconded, motion passed. This will require council approval. Scott moved and Barry seconded to have the borough purchase a new pitcher’s mound and second base mooring for the ball field. Motion passed. There is a new home plate under the stage in the middle room on the shelf. These articles are to be installed in early spring.

The next meeting will be held Monday, November 4, at 7:00 PM. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM on motion of Scott Kreider, seconded by Anna Heffner.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Ernst, Recording Secretary