City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOSSIER CITY COUNCIL – PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING, JANUARY 18, 2023 – 3:00 PM The Bossier City Council Committee – Community Needs Committee/Coalition met for their first meeting in Council Chambers, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, January 18, 2023 at 3:00 PM Committee Chair Chris Smith called the meeting to order. Committee Members present: Council Members Chris Smith and Brian Hammons Also Present: Council Member – Don Williams PIO – Erin Buchanan Parks & Recreation – Clay Bohanan City Clerk – Phyllis McGraw Mr. Smith went over how the meeting would be handled with going by each sport. Ms. Buchanan went over online survey the Mayor’s office put up. Baseball – Jimmy Underwood spoke on behalf of Chad Abernathy and would like Travel Ball teams to be able to utilize the City facilities. Timothy Huck also requested that Travel Ball teams should be able to use all City facilities. Kade Garlington spoke on advertising revenue and field rentals that the City could add to increase revenues. Joshua Delcambre spoke on Dixie Baseball and their uses at Walbrook Park and why they don’t want the fields open to anyone that wants to rent the fields. Mr. Hammons asked about the gentleman that is using the fields and making money off them, Mr. Eddie Fitzpatrick. Mr. Hammons spoke on concerns that Mr. Fitzpatrick is making money off the City fields but not being charged for field use. Tennis – Todd Killen, Director of Bossier Tennis Center reminding Council Members that they could use more space. Allen Cox – Spoke on need for more Tennis Courts so Seniors could continue to be active and play tennis. Basketball – none Soccer – none Swimming – none Pickleball – Michael Zigler, Pickleball Ambassador, spoke on court expansions around Shreveport Bossier and the need for more. General – David Crockett spoke on slide show he sent to Council with all the Parks except Tinsley since it was locked. Spoke to kids and they want football fields, basketball courts and he also commented on the poor conditions at Hooter Park. Need for new Council on Aging Facility. Need more waterparks in the inner-city areas. Mr. Williams reported that goals are up at Hooter Park but kids do like to hang on them. Ms. Tamara Crane, Council on Aging, spoke about the bonds that were supposed to help Council on Aging. Spoke on condition on building and wants to be included in conversations about any new facility. Wants better for the seniors in the City and Parish. Invited Committee to come and take tour. Mr. Smith apologized for not coming and speaking with Ms. Crane but he has been working on trying to upgrade or rebuild facility. Mr. Williams spoke on coming up with funding for facility and working on reaching that goal. Todd Eppler spoke on need for more tennis courts and how Tennis Center adds to the community. Mr. Bohanan spoke up about Parks getting new equipment and upgrades. Spoke on the success at parks including Fields of Dreams. He noted that employees service 45 restrooms, 300 acres of parks with 20 employees daily. Would like to get more facilities. Biggest need he sees is needing a 60,000+ square foot building for multipurpose facility with at least 25-foot ceilings to offer more sports. Mr. Hammons asked about Mike Woods Park traffic compared to Walker Place Park. Mr. Bohanan spoke on a large number of kids that play basketball and also practice Baseball and Softball at that park. Mr. Williams asked about Shady Grove Baseball Fields. Mr. Bohanan noted that the park stays full. There being no further business to come before this Committee, Committee Chair Smith adjourned the meeting at 3:49 PM Respectfully submitted: Phyllis McGraw City Clerk Publish: May 10, 2023 Bossier Press Tribune