BALDWIN COUNTY WORK SESSION September 30, 2024 1601 N Columbia St, Suite 220 12:00F P.M.  MINUTES  MEMBERS PRESENT John Westmoreland Kendrick Butts (By Phone) Henry Craig Emily Davis Sammy Hall OTHERS PRESENT Brandon Palmer Carlos Tobar Dawn Hudson Cindy Cunningham Bo Danuser CALLTOORDER p.m.  Chairman John Westmoreland called the September 30, 2024 Work Session to order at 12:22  ADMINISTRATVEFSCAL MATTERS Recreation Department Concessions  Recreation Director Traci Rollins presented background information about the provision of concessions at the Recreation Department. She stated that out of the park concessions started in 2023, and before that time there were no concessions at the park. Northside Baptist Church had baseball /softball programs, and the Recreation Department lost a large number of participants to the Church programs. When the Church discontinued the sports programs, there was an influx of participants returning to the recreation programs. Ms. Rollins reported that then there was a need to have concessions due to the increased number of participants in the programs. She stated ity was a situation that needed to be addressed immediately, and she contacted Jones County to find out who provided their concessions. When she contacted the vendor, he said he would be able to provide concessions within the timeframe needed by Baldwin County. Ms. Rollins reported that is how the provision of concessions transpired. The Ms. Rollins stated there was an outside group that wanted to rent fields and provide their own concessions. With that situation, the County didn't get any of the sales proceeds. Due to this issue coming up, all concessions were cancelled at events at the park. Currently, concessions are shut down. She stated people can rent fields at the park; but, they cannot provide their Ms. Rollins stated the soccer program is still having games and there are four baseball tournaments scheduled att the park. She stated two planned tournaments were cancelled due Vice Chairman Kendrick Butts expressed his disapproval that there was only a verbal agreement and not a written contract with the person providing concessions. He asked if there are any other verbal agreements for provision of services in the County. Commissioner Emily Davis stated shei felt that everybody should have an opportunity to submit a proposal to  County gets a portion of the sales from the concessions.  own concessions. This applies to all sports across the Board. tot the fact that no concessions are being provided.  provide concessions.    County Attorney Brandon Palmer stated that any contract has to be approved by the Board ande entered into the minutes. Mr. Palmer explained that this is not like aj public works project County Manager Carlos Tobar recommended a contract with the current concessions' provider be entered intoi for the remainder of this year, and a request for proposals be developed for 2025 season. He stated Attorney Palmer has a draft contract for the Board's consideration the at Commissioner Sammy Hall agreed with the recommendation to provide a written agreement with the current vendor for concessions for the rest of this year, andi issue a request for proposals to provide concessions for the upcoming season. He agreed that the situation should be corrected so that the participants, parents and visitors to recreation events are provided concessions. He reported he had stated at a previous meeting that all Recreation Department policies and procedures need to be reviewed and revised to clearly state how The following people addressed the Board in support of allowing concessions at Brian Hopkins stated the Department must have a consistent provider for concessions for all events that will have concessions for all events and not have many other providers Jean Pursley, representing the Old Capital Soccer League, presented information about the economic impact to the community from recreation programs. She presented a petition containing 103 signatures requesting the concession stands be reopened to assist parents, Felipe Lleras stated he has child who has ADHD and participates ini the soccer children with ADHD and autism, things hinge on rewards for motivation and participation, program. ie. For performance -based rewards type situations. Because the concessions events serve as a motivator and then a reward. for performance, his daughter provided and other the children with ADHD and autism are encouraged to participate. He expressed the importance of having concessions available to all recreation programs. He stated it is unfair to citizens and children who will suffer when they had no part in causing the situation to close the Attorney Brandon Palmer stated he can revise the sample contract for Baldwin tomorrow night's agenda can be amended to consider the matter. with a contract for concessions for the remainder of this year as discussed.  that has to be bid. The County does not have to bid out the concessions.  their next meeting, ift that is the desire of the Board.  things willl be run at the Recreation Department.  Recreation Department:  the for  individual  sports.  players and volunteers during soccer activities.  for  concessions att the park.  County, and  County Manager Carlos Tobar requested consensus from Board Members to move forward  Consensus was as follows: Aye: Craig, Hall, Westmoreland ADJOURMMENT  Nay: Butts, Davis  Commissioner Henry Craig made a motion to adjourn thel Work Session at12:55p.m. Commissioner Sammy Hall seconded the motion and itj passed unanimously.  Respectfully: submitted, SLAIRRAD John H. Westmoreland Chairman  Cpathask. Cingren  Cynthia K. Cunningham County Clerk