Minutes from January Meeting
Forums:
January Leadership Team held at Odell Weeks on Monday, January 5th, 2026.
Members Present: George Carr, Dean Cheatham, Jordyn Balba, Chrissa Matthews, Nichol Gregory, Rochelle Bergren, Mo Garcia, Marian Garcia, Lori Comshaw, Jay Wilson, Linda Blake, Heidi Abele, Marcia Stivanson, Matt Tam, and Bret Howell.
- Future leadership team plan for API – Jordyn
- The leadership team is asking for suggestions to increase player interest and involvement with API. Suggestions include occasional themed mixers, the possible addition of a large outdoor tournament (500 players utilizing 14 courts), fundraising events, and taking pickleball to group facilities or introduce pickleball to those in need.
- Linda added that in the past socials were held and were always popular and well attended.
- Mo suggested asking each leadership team member for ideas to add to the calendar.
- Lori suggested ways to meet younger people who are new to pickleball.
- Linda suggested more advertising/sharing on social media.
- George stated Pacer Life, schools, senior activities center have been utilized in the past and Mo is typically the backbone of those areas.
- Leadership team members are needed to help fill the vacant spots to ensure that we are upholding our mission statement. Current vacancies include Website/Social Media Representative, Gregg Park Player Representative, Smith Hazel Player Representative, and a back-up Calendar/SUG Representative. A job board was posted on the website and social media and no responses were received. We need more personal engagement by all members of the leadership team within the pickleball community.
- Heidi suggested approaching league members to become more involved with API and not just league.
- Matt suggested greater advertisement for open play to get new players interacting with others and in new groups.
- Matt asked if scheduled drop in play could be added to the outdoor courts on specific days. Mo stated that under the current MOU we are not able to schedule events on public courts.
- It was suggested to have a sign on the courts stating that the courts are public with the format (4 on/4 off) if all courts are in use. If all courts are not in use, longer play is allowed.
- The leadership team is asking for suggestions to increase player interest and involvement with API. Suggestions include occasional themed mixers, the possible addition of a large outdoor tournament (500 players utilizing 14 courts), fundraising events, and taking pickleball to group facilities or introduce pickleball to those in need.
B. Introduction to SUG/Calendar leadership team member (Matt Tam)
- Matt has replaced Brian’s duties with SUG/Calendar. Matt maintains the computer for the city and comes with a wealth of expertise for this position.
- It was suggested that a website/social media notice for Brian for all of his help and dedication to API over the years.
C. Updated new Website information - George
1. The website is ready to come on line and needs someone to maintain it. The developer of the website is ready to teach someone on it and would take likely less than 30 minutes. The developer will handle all of the major formatting and maintenance; API leadership team just needs someone to add updates and meeting minutes. Joyce will also be needed to work together with this designated member and the developer at startup.
D. Feedback from player representatives –
- Jay asked the status of the shoe brushes that were purchased last year and provided to the city for installation. Bret was unsure of their status or who had them, but they should be installed soon.
- Linda reported that a New Players Clinic is scheduled for the 14th with Harve and the practice clinic will be held the following week. This is a different format due to less weekend court availability during the winter months and will be held on a weekday as a trial run. Younger players will most likely be able to attend due to work schedules. We will look to see about scheduling a February’s New Players Clinic on a Friday to try to reach more working players and have more participation. In March, the clinics will return to Saturday scheduling. The new players are added to the website by Nelson; however, players have not been added since October due to the clinics not scheduled.
- Heidi reported nothing new.
- Marian reported nothing new.
- Lori reported that over the holiday season there were a lot of visitors to pickleball and that they enjoyed playing at the indoor and outdoor facilities.
- A large crack has been reported on one of the outdoor courts on the Two Notch side, it has created a dead spot, but it is not a safety hazard. It was patched without instruction, which, actually made it worse. The courts are scheduled for resurfacing in the Spring.
- Brett was asked if it is known when the bathrooms would be accessible from the side entrance. The concrete drying has been delayed to the winter weather and is unknown when the entrance will be reopened.
- It was mentioned to remind players that drop in play (open play) is not for exclusivity. Some groups have been noted to come in and claim a court and do not participate in the drop in play concept. A reminder needs to be sent out that drop in play hours are strictly for drop in play and are not for personal groups to get together and play. Court 3 is still designated for new players during drop in play. Drop in play hours are from 8:45 - 11 AM, with skill level/court designation starting at 9:45 - 11:00. Courts 1-3 are for new players to 3.0 rating, and Courts 4-6 are 3.5 and higher.
- George has volunteered to cover Gregg Park until someone is in place. Nothing new has been reported.
- George suggested to send an email blast out to everyone who plays at Gregg Park to see if someone will volunteer for this position and Mo will check with Friday players to see if someone is willing to take on this role.
- Matt has volunteered to cover Smith Hazel until someone is in place as well.
- Dividers are not used anymore.
- They are now closing one Monday a month for maintenance.
- Mo asked about net status – Jay said they are fine, and George said he hadn’t heard any complaints.
E. Virginia Acres - Jordyn
1. Vandalism has occurred and has damaged the benches. The cameras aren’t always capturing all the events. All the benches will be anchored to the fences to discourage moving, tossing, etc.… Signs are in place for no wheels on courts. Dogs are not allowed and shouldn’t be chained to the fences while players play. Anyone who witnesses these behaviors should feel comfortable to reinforce these rules. Bret stated that the city would handle securing the benches and not API.
F. 2026 Spring League – Jordyn
1. Spring league is planning to start mid-March and end late May. Right now, we are waiting on confirmation of blackout dates with the city. We will get everything scheduled and flyers made.
a. Bret stated that any blackout dates should only encompass the possibility of the court resurfacing and should have no issues with Master’s week.
b. Mo suggested sending a schedule to Alison once we have one. Mo also stated that a team from Augusta may be joining league play. The format will be addressed per the survey results. All divisions/skill levels will be available for play. And Eustis Park may be utilized for some days if needed.
G. Financial report – Dean
- A donation was received from Mike Beckner.
- The current balance is $19,667.
H. What else is happening - Mo
- Rec commission meetings for 2026 are scheduled for 1/20, 3/17, 5/19, 8/18, 10/20, and 12/15. They start at 5:30 PM (are always on Tuesdays) and take place downtown in the municipality building (3rd floor in room #315). . If you have a scheduled position for the meeting, you are allowed 10 minutes to speak and if you do not have one, you are allowed 3 minutes to speak. These meetings are important as they talk about items pertinent to parks and recreation. It is encouraged for the leadership team and board members to participate in attendance to listen for and/or discuss pickleball/utilization of courts/community taxpayer issues/concerns. By participating, we can hear how business is conducted and see what the discussions are about. Last year, 1000 signatures were received by the community to support pickleball court expansion. These were signatures for the current pickleball needs today versus a plan to build additional facilities in 3-5 years. Anyone in attendance needs to remember, the commission is a consultative body and no decisions will be made during each meeting.
- Palmetto Tournament should have had at least 1 meeting so far. Brett confirmed that the weekend is penciled in right now – (last weekend July 31- August 2). The addition of clinics was suggested for the day/night before. Jay will schedule a team meeting and discuss current sponsors with Jodi. We will revisit the status at the February meeting.
- A social/send-off is going to be scheduled to celebrate George’s retirement from API, as well as Cheryl and Brian. More details will be planned and emailed to leadership team members and the date will be announced on the website and social media once finalized.
I. Final comments - around the table
1. Mo asked Brett about MOU amendments/updates. The new board needs to schedule a meeting for further discussion and negotiation.
2. Mo stated that on lessons and gift certificates that he issues, that the city requires a 30% allocation paid to them. A note needs to be made on the gift certificate so the city employees know when the gift certificate is redeemed, that the gift certificate was a donation.
a. It was also suggested that we keep a register of gift certificates printed for donations/raffles, who received the gift certificate, and to monitor if they are redeemed.
b. It was also suggested that API should be paying for the donated services.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks. Room information TBD.