City lifts Parks and Rec league participation requirement

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Last April, the Monticello City Council, Parks and Recreation and MYBSA came together to develop a policy requiring kids in grades first and second to participate in city softball Rec leagues if they wanted use of the city fields for private/travel teams.

     Following that resolution, just a few weeks later, the council voted to hold off on implementing the requirement due to overwhelming comments from parents about the timeframe so close to tournament season.

     Now, close to a year later, the council voted to no longer require kids to participate in city Rec leagues to use the fields for private tournaments.

     During the Jan. 21 council meeting, the council voted unanimously to lift to requirement, on the recommendation of Parks and Rec Director Jacob Oswald.

     The Parks and Red Board previously met in January to discuss the matter. The board passed their own resolution to leave the requirement in place; however, Oswald felt differently about the issue at hand.

     City Administrator Doug Herman shared Oswald’s comments via e-mail with the council. Oswald stated the Parks and Rec participation numbers are more than adequate to fill Rec teams for softball and baseball this coming season for all grades considered.

     The council also heard from Mike Hines and Bob Hines on the matter, both encouraging the city to lift to Rec league participation requirement.

     Mike said as a father and coach, with his oldest son participating on a private team, it makes it extremely hard to work Parks and Rec participation into a normal family weekly schedule.

     “Playing on two teams, it comes down to the amount of time we have,” he said. “With two boys, it could end up being five nights a week (with practices and games).

     “In my opinion, I don’t think the policy makes a whole lot of sense, and I don’t see how it can really be enforced,” Mike added.

     Mayor Brian Wolken asked if it’s the kids in first/second grade or their parents really making the decision as to whether they participate in private or Rec leagues.

     “I’m certainly not forcing my son into one or the other,” said Mike. He said he wants his kids to take part in whatever they get the most benefit from.

     Wolken said she spoke to two Parks and Rec board members who were in favor of keeping the requirement in place. “I have to agree with the Parks and Rec Board in this situation,” he said.

     Mike said, good or bad, private tournament leagues are the way team sports seem to be going.

     Both Council members Dave Goedken and Chris Lux felt that if Oswald was sure they had enough participants, the requirement could be lifted. “We could always revisit it,” suggested Goedken.

     “I would go in the direction of our Parks and Rec director,” said Lux. “He’s the one who deals with it more.”

     Despite nixing the requirement that kids have to play on the Rec league, appropriate fees would still be in place for private teams wanting to utilize the fields. The funds support field maintenance.

     Longtime baseball player, coach, and enthusiast Bob Hines also addressed the council, urging that they eliminate the Rec league requirement.

     “Baseball is a big part of my life,” said Bob. “I’m pretty passionate about it, but I’m more passionate about the kids more than anything. I want what’s right, and playing on two teams in too much.” Bob said when kids are forced to take part in any activity, they don’t get any enjoyment out of it.

     He also said mixing tournament kids with those who haven’t played ball before could pose a safety hazard.

In other city business:

     • The council approved the Fiscal Year 2020 investment in Jones County Senior Dining at $3,700.

     • The council approved the Fiscal Year 2020 investment in the county Jets transportation program at $1,500.

     • The council awarded a bid to Monti Plumbing, Heating and Electric for $8,640 to replace all 16 light fixtures on the poles along Welter Drive. The bid also includes upgrading to LED lights.

     Currently most of the lights are not working, creating a safety issue at night on Welter Drive.

     The city received three bids, ranging from $10,765 to $8,640.

     Herman said the project would likely take place within the next month, depending on the weather.

 

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