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07. Haven Field AgreementAgenda -April 21, 1997 r 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