Minutes of Youth Sports Task Force Meeting #13

November 11, 2003

Attendees:

The following Task Force Members were in attendance: Rick Lust, Chair; Karl Drescher, Vice Chair; Barbara Bowlen; Doug Branch; Boyd Burris; Randel Calaway; Joel Lindsey; Jeremy Keown. Staff Members attending included: Jackie Jones, Recreation Manager; John Evans, Athletics Coordinator and Marilyn Drinjak, Executive Assistant.

Absentees:

The following members were absent: Elizabeth Hayford; Joe Krimm; Jimmy Marta; Tammy McFarland; Garry Shafferman; John White; Randal Wilson; Chris Womack.

I. CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 in the Town Council Chambers by Chairman, Rick Lust. The Chairman stated that he feels the next step for the Task Force will be to take their findings to the public. He added that he reviewed the resolution that created the Task Force and thinks "we met the task".

There were no new items brought forward for discussion by the Task Force members.

It was suggested by the Chairman that the meeting scheduled for December be cancelled and that the Task Force hold a public hearing on January 29 to include a Power Point presentation giving an overview of their process and findings.

II. YOUTH SPORTS TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AND DISUCSS A SUMMARY OF THEIR FINDINGS ON THE FOLLOWING:

a. Concessions/Concessionaires - The Chairman reviewed

previous discussions held regarding the great success of some concessions/concessionaires, for example, Carroll County, Georgia. At this time Flower Mound doesn't have many facilities to offer, however, within three years it will. Concessions can be an excellent source of revenue, especially when our new facilities are completed. An RFP process including the Town should be considered.

Randel Calaway stated that concessions at Bakersfield need to be addressed now.

Boyd Burris asked if the RFP process includes the leagues?

Chairman Lust - The RFP process should include both profit and non-profit entities. We need to explore the economic potential of the upcoming facilities including naming rights - these things should be explored by the Town through the use of the Economic Development Division.

b. Sponsorships - Jackie Jones distributed several articles to the Task Force including one entitled "Cash-strapped cities seek help from the corporate world." (please see attached). Things such as selling naming rights, ads on outfield fences, etc. are just two of the ways cities are bringing in funds without raising taxes. Jackie added that he did speak to the Town's Economic Development Manager, Jim Lang in this regard; Mr. Lang thought that it might be a viable way to raise money.

c. Tennis - Chairman Lust stated that most sports that have big participation were addressed in the last bond election. As previously discussed, tennis is being left behind.

Jeremy Keown mentioned the LISD is building a tennis center at Flower Mound High School.

Rick Lust stated we talked about having a pro-shop in a temporary building at Flower Mound High School. We also discussed the possible construction of a free standing tennis center for approximately $550,000 vs. an estimated$300,000 for adding a few more courts to the high school tennis area. The additional funds could possibly come from sponsorships and other revenue generating methods. I think we should make the recommendation that these ideas be addressed.

Jackie Jones stated that the newly approved Joint Use Agreement between the Town and the LISD will allow us access to LISD tennis courts after school hours, however, we would have to provide supervision.

Jackie reiterated that the money included in the Bond election for a tennis court and restroom at Leonard Johns Park was added last minute without any study. Inasmuch as the area proposed is in an existing flood plane, pursuing this plan doesn't appear feasible.

The possibility of constructing a permanent tennis center at Post Oak Park was reviewed. The Task Force felt that may be a viable choice and in the interim, that the existing courts at Flower Mound High School and Marcus High School be lighted and that a temporary building adjacent to the courts be explored as a tennis office.

d. Sports Tournaments - The revenue potential of sports facilities was addressed. Sports facilities should be constructed with the idea of tournaments in the four-front.

Jackie Jones brought the group's attention to two handouts dealing with the estimated economic impact of youth soccer and youth baseball tournaments as well as an article entitled "Park facilities can impact a city's economic development" which describes the positive effect of tournaments and various other competitions on the city of Rockford, Illinois. (Please see attached).

Summary: Chairman Lust will summarize the findings of the Task Force and forward that information to the membership for their review and response.

The next meeting of the Task Force will be held on January 29, 2004. The meeting will be a Public Hearing to review these findings.

mld