07. Haven Field AgreementAgenda -April 21, 1997
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AGENDA ITEM 7 - HAVEN FIELD AGREEMENT
BACKGROUND: This selling process is in the final stages. However,
on Wednesday we experienced some major problems in completion of
this transaction. We should be able to update you at the Work
Session.
ago X 111#
March 12, 1997
Mr. Mike Baker
City of Kalispell
P. 0. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903
Re: Haven Field
Dear Mike:
Several months ago Kalispell Pee Wee Baseball was approached regarding its willingness
to operate without Haven Pee Wee field for one season. This was anticipated because of the
planned sale of both Haven fields and the amount of time necessary to have replacement fields
constructed on the Department of State Lands property located north of Kalispell. We verbally
expressed a willingness to assist the City in its efforts to accomplish the sale and roll funds into
the new project, but limited this sacrifice to the requested one season only.
As you are aware, the City Council has failed to authorize preparation of the construction
documents for the new athletic field complex. The design committee was told by the
professionals that completion of those documents will take 3-4 months following the Council's
authorization. The design committee requested and had hoped that such authorization would be
given in time to allow the professionals to begin preparing the documents in early February, 1997.
This did not happen, and there is no assurance regarding a commencement date in the near future.
As an active participant in both Pee Wee Baseball and Kidsports, I have repeatedly
reminded the Council and City administration that the user groups remain poised to commence
raising resources beyond those already committed, cannot proceed until there are a lease and
construction documents in place. Absent those commitments from the City we have nothing to
offer the community or potential contributors.
When the City Council approved the KDC Ballfield Relocation Committee report and
authorized Mayor Rauthe in February, 1997, to forward to the Department of State Lands the
proposed letter contained in its report, the Council committed to the contents of the letter;
including using all funds derived from the We of Haven fields toward the athletic field complex
while recognizing that additional funds would be needed to complete the project. Members of the
user groups have never stated, or even hinted, that Haven proceeds would complete the complex.
For several Council members to feint otherwise at this time is ingenuous.
I remain hopeful, even optimistic, that the complex will be a reality. However, it will not
be as soon as recentlly thought, and it is apparent that 1999 is the earliest possible time when
p.o. box 666•kalispell, mt 59903
playable fields will exist on the State Lands property. Even that depends upon receiving
authorization to begin with preparing the construction documents in the very near fixture.
Consequently, honoring the City's request that Pee Wee Baseball sacrifice usage of Haven Pee
Wee field for one season, and recognizing our continued willingness to stand by our word, we will
proceed to schedule Haven Pee Wee field for this league's usage in 1997. Thereafter, each season
will have to be evaluated based on the progress of the athletic field complex.
The City Council has stated on numerous occassions the youth groups will not be
displaced from athletic fields on the southside of Kalispell without replacement fields existing.
We offered to stretch that by agreeing to sacrifice two baseball fields for one season in order to
generate seed money that would facilitate starting the complex. We anticipate the City will honor
its commitment that one season is all that is expected regarding loss of use of the two Haven
fields, and that playable replacement fields will exist before consideration is given to removing
other fields near the City Airport from usage.
I believe the City is presently negotiating with the prospective purchasers of the Haven
property specifics regarding the terms of sale. Please include in those negotiations provisions that
recognize the City's commitment that the youth groups using those fields will not abandon them
until the new complex is no more than one playing season away.
Sincerely,
KALISPELL PEE WEE BASEBALL
Daniel D. Johns
cc. Doug Rauthe, Mayor
Clarence Krepps, City Manager
Larry Gallagher, City of Kalispell
Richard Dasen, c/o Outlaw Inn
Ron Peterson, Daily Inter Lake
Bob Rizzo, Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce
Roy Beekman, Kalispell Babe Ruth
Rich DeJana, Greater Kalispell Youth Soccer Association
David Dachs, D.D.S., Kalispell Youth Softball Association
Bruce Lutz, Sitescape Associates
p.o. box 666-kalispell, mt 59"3