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1. LakersCity of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell. Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)',58-7700 Fax (406)758-7758 REPORT TO: Mayor Pam Kennedy and Kalispell City Council FROM: Michael Baker, Director of Parks & Recreation SUBJECT: Kalispell Lakers Baseball Group MEETING DATE: May 5, 2004 BACK GROUND: On March 15th, 2004, I received a copy of a letter from the Kalispell Lakers Baseball group, requesting financial assistance in much needed improvements to the athletic fields at Begg Park. As the letter goes on to explain this is the only request for direct funds since the actual construction of the Laker Field back in 1988. I followed up the Lakers request with a memo looking for funding from the Airport Tax Increment Budget. Following a brief council discussion at a previous workshop the role of the Kalispell Lakers as a contributing partner was questioned. Since then the Lakers organization has supplied documentation on their participation and financial commitment to the facilities at Begg Park. The past contributions as shown are in excess of $46,000. RECOMMENDATION: With the cash commitment of $1,500 for present improvements I would recommend the council support the efforts of Lakers baseball and look to assisting the organization in their efforts to improve the facilities. All improvements are reverted to ownership by the City of Kalispell as per our lease agreement with the Lakers organization. It has been a positive experience working with the group of dedicated parents and volunteers of the Lakers organization. I sincerely believe they have performed as a contributing partner with the city in maintaining and operating the baseball facility. FISCAL EFFECTS: ALTERNATIVES: Respectfully submitted, I am enclosing past and current information regarding this issue. Thank you for your consideration and comments. $12,000 in City contributions towards improvement costs of $13,500. None at this time. �y 4ichael `Baker, Director of Parks Chris Kukulski, City Manager Report Compiled May 5, 2004 Attachments - Airport Tax Increment Budget Request memo Kalispell Lakers Letter, dated March 15, 2004 Kalispell Legion Baseball Field Maintenance History Kalispell Lakers Mike McFarland P.O. Box 2356 Kalispell, Mt. 59903 March 15, 2004 Mayor, Council and City Manager City of Kalispell Kalispell, Mt. 59901 Dear Mayor, Council and City Manager, For many years Laker players, their families and many community businesses have subsidized the Kalispell Lakers baseball organization. Now, with the Kalispell Babe Ruth League moving to the new Kids Sport complex we find ourselves with a great opportunity to expand our program even further by utilizing to the fullest the adjoining Archie Roe Baseball field. We will now be able to offer more teams a chance to visit the beautiful Flathead Valley and give them a chance to experience for themselves the wonderful community that we have come to know. Because we are able to use this additional field, we can now have larger tournaments and still complete these tournaments over a three or four day weekend. The Kalispell Lakers will certainly benefit monetarily by having more teams paying entry fees as well as concessions, souvenirs, gate admissions etc. However, it is also apparent that many businesses in Kalispell will benefit as well. As many as ten teams participating in several annual tournaments each with 15 or more players, 2 or more coaches, and families to support those teams equals additional revenue for motels, restaurants, theaters and recreation in our area. Our problem is this. While Archie Roe Field was certainly more than adequate for younger players, it is evident that some upgrading is going to be needed to fill the necessary requirements for High School age play. Some of these updates are directed towards playability while others are related to safety concerns for players and fans alike. Due to the shorter outfields, we see a need for a higher outfield fence from the right field foul line to center field. This would not only make the distance for a home run comparable to other High School fields, it would be a safer environment for those who are setting in the adjacent bleachers watching the game on the other field. We need to do some infield work. Specifically, additional fill material and leveling. The existing backstop needs to be pushed back another 10 feet and the dugouts need to be built to heights where High School age players will fit in them_ While the costs for these improvements are not exorbitant, they are still substantial enough that our program would be hard pressed to tackle them on their own. The majority of our funds are raised through season ticket sales; our spring golf tournament, N.W. Montana fair parking, the Laker auction and concessions. These funds are just enough to take care of our annual expenses and operating costs for what is equal to a small business. Travel expense, umpire costs, equipment and coaching salaries require a substantial budget_ We would hope that you would consider partnering with the Kalispell Lakers in funding these improvements. Our Board of Directors feels that we could contribute $1,500.00 toward these expenses. We have received bids for these necessary changes and they seem to be in line with recent work done on the Kids Sports Complex. There is certainly a priority list involved when we make these requests. The outfield fence and the infield work are 91 and 42 due to safety and playability reasons. The remaining backstop and dugout work can be done at a later date if necessary but at the same time, we would like to get as much out of the way as soon as possible so as to be ready for Tournament play this season. To my knowledge, the Kalispell Lakers have never asked for direct funds from the council before and we certainly appreciate the work that is already being done by providing maintenance and care of our existing field. Now, we see an opportunity to further enhance our program while at the same time offering even more summer activities for the youth of Kalispell. We ask that while you consider our proposal you keep in mind the number of kids and citizens that may benefit from greater tournament play in our rapidly growing community. We thank you for your consideration and we will be happy to answer any questions that may come up. Sincerely, Mike McFarland Head Coach Kalispell Lakers American Legion Baseball Expected Costs Outfield fence $3,100.00 infield fill material 4,800.00 Backstop changes 1,600.00 Dugout repairs 4,000.00 total costs $13,500.00 cc: Mike Baker Kalispell Parks and Rec. 35 First Ave. East Kalispell, Montana 59901 �h City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7700 Fax (406)758-7758 TO: Chris Kukulski, City Manager Amy Robertson, Finance Director Susan Moyer, Director, Planning & Economic Development FROM: Michael Baker, Director - Parks & Recreation DATE: March 17, 2004 RE: Airport Tax Increment Budget Request Amy and Susan, The following is a request for Airport Tax Increment funding for FY year 04/05, for improvements to Begg Park and Lions Park. Park development in this district continues to be very important due to the growth we are experiencing in the immediate proximity and the limited developed parks and recreation facilities in this area. Last fiscal year we requested funds for development at Begg Park to include an outdoor hard surface basketball court and perimeter walking trail. This budget item was cut and we are once again requesting this funding and funding for improvements to the Begg Park Archie Roe complex. The Kalispell Lakers are asking the city to partner with them to make the improvements to the Archie Roe complex, per the enclosed letter. A joint partnership with the Kalispell Lakers would benefit the Kalispell Lakers, the City of Kalispell and the community as a whole. We are expecting the reconstruction of Hwy. 93 happening in the next fiscal budget year. It will be the responsibility of the city to pick up the irrigation upgrades due to the construction of the access road to 3rd Ave East that will bisect the park. Expected Costs Begg Park — projects cut from FY 03/04 budget: $20,000 Begg Park/Archie Roe Improvements: $13,500 Lions Park Irrigation: $ 6,500 Kalispell Lakers contribution: 1,500 TOTAL FY 04/50 REQUEST: $41,500 If further explanation or information is needed, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued cooperation and consideration for this program. Enc: Kalispell Lakers letter Kalispell Legion Baseball Field Maintenance History Year Amount Leasehold Improvements to 1999 18,267 Field Maintenance 1999 2,002 Field Maintenance 2000 526 Batting Cage Screens 2000 1,300 Batting Cage Improvements 2000 2,188 Field Maintenance 2001 490 Field Maintenance 2002 505 Speaker System 2002 489 Purchased Bus 2002 4,400 Granstand Roof 2002 14,912 Field Maintenance 2003 1,192 Field Maintenance to Date 2004 358 Total $46,629 Does not include in -kind contributions for Griffin Park improvements