Meeting Minutes 

   St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                                                                                             22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420                                                                                                                       Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547

                                                                                    Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman                           Alfredo Soler, Secretary                                                                                             

                                                                   Scott Newton                                                         Bart Soileau                                                                                                    

                                                                   Lisa Palisi, Director

Notice of Public Board Meeting

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.

St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, LA

Notice Posted:  Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 4:00 P.M.

Agenda:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

7.      New Business

8.      Executive Session                                                                                                                                       

9.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting –Tuesday, December 19, 2023

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-871-7555, describing the assistance that is necessary.

 Meeting Minutes, November 29, 2023

Roll Call: Scott Newton, Bart Soileau, Brandon Harrell

Absent: Alfredo Soler

Also in attendance:   Kevin Caillouet, Jessica Schilling, Lisa Palisi

Called to order: 7:09

No minutes from previous meeting. Brandon needs to send them to Lisa.

Public Forum:  Kevin reported that he attended the meeting in September, and he attended the town meeting that followed to attempt to get fully informed about the issues.  Kevin reported that he also met with Lisa to discuss drafting a public survey.  He was looking for what the public feels about what’s offered at the park, and what the public feels can be improved at the recreation district.  Kevin read the results of the survey.  Responses were taken for three weeks.  There were 64 responses; 54 reported that they live within the district; about half of those people reported that they live within the town limits.  Youth sports were rated 3.1 out of 5. Adult programming was rated 2.2 out of 5.  The vast majority (83%) stated they visit the park regularly to attend youth sporting events.  Approximately half of the respondents reported they would be willing to pay more money for better amenities.  This survey was not funded by anyone.  Kevin stated that he still feels like there is a disconnect between the general public and the recreation district.  Kevin encouraged the board to offer more programming for all participants.  Brandon stated that the CEA with the town requires the district to provide youth sports which we’re able to do.  Since we have limited fields, we use them for multiple sports throughout the year, so they are not available for adult sports.  The more fields we get, the more programs we will be able to offer.  Kevin recommended hard assets like covered pavilions, outdoor pickleball courts to provide opportunities for more people without specified times.  Jessica stated that part of the issue may be advertising and not pushing offerings like yoga classes on social media.  The information is posted on our website and on our Facebook page.  Kevin mentioned newsletters received from Pelican Park to which Scott replied that they have a much larger staff to work on newsletters.  Brandon stated that the public likes to see everything in two clicks, so it’s faster to make a Facebook post to ask when yoga is rather than to look up the schedule.

Financial report: Brandon suggested combining our website with Blue Sombrero so that everything is on one site.  Jessica asked about the cost of the website, but Lisa reported we only pay a small amount.  Brandon asked if there were any questions about the financial report.  Motion to approve by Scott, 2nd by Bart, none opposed.  Motion passes.

Director’s report by Lisa.  Basketball practices have started.  Uniforms have arrived, and will be given out at practices.  Lisa attended the NAYS Youth Sports Congress to gather information about programs, and tools available for working with youth.  Lisa also met with Kelly McHugh, Thomas Brown, and Taylor who works with Mr. Brown to discuss planning for the development of the next 9 acres.  Mr. McHugh met with the town of Abita Springs engineer who was unclear about what restrictions apply to a detention pond.  He was very clear on guidelines for no net fill which means we would have to dig and use that dirt to fill.  Mr. Brown suggested that Lisa get numbers of participants to justify the need for the use of the wetlands for the mitigation application.  Lisa reported that she has been discussing the budget with Howard who recently merged his business with another company, so she is meeting with him next week to prepare the budget for 2024 and modify the 2023 budget.  Lisa asked the board if we should meet on December 19 which is a Tuesday or December 20 which is a Wednesday so that Alfredo can be present since she has to publish the date of the meeting for approval of the 2024 budget.  Brandon agreed that it would be best to meet on December 20. 

Brandon asked Lisa if she spoke with Lobb’s about overseeding.  Lisa reported that once Lobb’s started fertilizing, the fields look so much better. Lisa will ask if Judd thinks we need to plant rye grass.

New Business:  Executive Session:  Board entered into executive session to discuss raises for employees.

Motion by Bart. Second by Scott.  The board approved pay increases effective January 1, 2024.

Next meeting:  December 20, 2023

Meeting Adjourned: 8:30 

                                                                          St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                           22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420  

    Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547 

                                                                         Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman                           Alfredo Soler, Secretary                                                                                             

                                                           Scott Newton                                                         Bart Soileau                                                                                                                                                    Lisa Palisi, Director   

Notice of Public Board Meeting

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.

St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, LA

Notice Posted:  Friday, December 15, 2023 at 5:00 P.M.

 Agenda:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report, Modify/Balance 2023 Budget

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

7.      New Business 

a.       Adopt 2024 Budget

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting – January 16, 2024

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-871-7555, describing the assistance that is necessary.

Roll Call: Scott Newton, Bart Soileau, Brandon Harrell

Absent: Alfredo Soler

Also in attendance:   Lisa Palisi

Called to order: 8:00

Motion to approve minutes from previous meeting from October & November: First by Bart Soileau.

 Second by Scott Newton.

No Public Forum. 

Financial report: Financial report by Lisa:

CBT Balance:  $174,682.39

Sinking Fund:     $17.98

Whitney:   $142,745.50

      Total  $317,445.87

Motion to approve by Brandon, 2nd by Scott.  None opposed.  Motion passes.

Director’s report by Lisa.  We’ve been playing basketball games for the past two weeks.  We’ll take a break for the holidays, and games will resume January 8 through the end of the month.  We had a problem with Covington declaring an incorrect number of teams for 5/6 & 7/8 boys.  They notified us the Friday before games were starting that they didn’t have 3 teams for each of those age groups. Lisa paired up the teams that were scheduled to play C3 in both age groups to modify the schedule.  Discussed inappropriate behavior of an Abita parent who threatened and touched an official.  Lisa believes the appropriate penalty is to ban the parent for a period of one year which would go through the next basketball season.  Bart recommends filing a police report.  Lisa asked about purchasing a golf cart that Gary saw for sale.  The board recommended getting quotes for rental for 1 year.  If rental is less than $1500 a year, the board prefers to lease. Board approvers purchase of this golf cart if the rental isn’t less than $1500 per year.  Lisa also presented the Case Industries proposal for upgrading electrical in the back shed.  The board approved the quote, but does not want to include the special plug for the golf cart charger.

New Business:  Balance 2023 budget within 5%.   Discussion.  Bart asked about how improvements are figured into the budget.  Lisa explained that some of those numbers, such as surveys for the wetlands mitigation process, have been placed in the budget. He then asked about changes that we may have throughout the year

being included in the budget.   Lisa reported that we have a certain amount of funds for capital improvements to cover costs that may come about throughout the year.

Motion to accept amended budget by Scott Newton.  Second by Brandon Harrell.  No one opposed.  Budget passes.

Next meeting:  January 23, 2024

Meeting Adjourned: 9:02

Due to not having a quorum because of illness, this meeting will be held Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

                                                                  St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                 22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420  

    Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547

     Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman                                                            Alfredo Soler, Secretary                                                                                             

             Scott Newton                                                                                         Bart Soileau                                                                                                    

             Lisa Palisi, Director

Notice of Public Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, LA

Notice Posted:  Monday, January 22, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.

Agenda:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

7.      New Business 

a.        Adopt Resolution for Engagement Letter for Hebert/Johnson Accounting Firm to

                                handle yearly audit

b.      Executive Session: Employee raises

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting – February 20, 2024

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-871-7555, describing the assistance that is necessary.

January 30, 2024 Board Meeting

Roll Call: Scott Newton, Bart Soileau, Brandon Harrell

Absent: Alfredo Soler

Also in attendance:   Chris Johnson, Lisa Palisi

Called to order: 7:15

No Public Forum. 

Motion to approve minutes from December: First by Scott Newton.  Second by Bart Soileau.

Financial report: Motion to approve by Scott Newton, 2nd by Bart Soileau.  None opposed.  Motion passes.

Director’s report by Lisa.  Lisa discussed the latest plan from Kely McHugh regarding the soccer fields.  Lisa asked Kelly to move forward with mitigation of the final ten acre plot, so Kelly sent a form for Brandon to sign for Mr. Brown can begin that process.  Lisa explained that she wants to meet with Kelly again to get a better understanding of what the slough looks like on the surface, whether it’s an open ditch or underground drainage.  Brandon asked what we would need to do for the current baseball fields to drain better.  Brandon asked about overseeding.  Lisa reported that she spoke with Judd about overseeding prior to the last meeting.

Lisa reported on the lease rates for the golf cart:  For 36 months, one of the carts leased for $359.08.  The other cart was $302 per month.  For 48 months, one of the carts leased for $206 per month.  The other cart was $244 per month.  So, it’s cheaper to purchase the used golf cart we discussed at the last meeting.  Lisa received the police report on the parent who was threatening the basketball official.  The police officer wrote in his report that he notified the parent that he violated the park’s parent code of conduct, and the parent agreed not to come back until after February 10, 2025. 

Lisa reported that 4 and 5 year old boys and girls will play coed t-ball.  Six year old boys will have teams and travel like the older teams do in WST.  Dixie Softball changed the league age date to January 1, 2024, so we are going to include the 6 year old girls with our 7/8s.  We believe this will help our girl‘s numbers. 

New Business:  Brandon reported that the board needs to adopt a resolution for Hebert Johnson to perform the 2023 audit.  Chris reported that since the agency receives over $500,000 in revenue, an audit is required.

The auditor checks to make sure everything is coded correctly for the budget; looks at internal controls to make sure there aren’t any weaknesses; looks at compliance to make sure we follow public bid law and open meetings law, etc. Chris reported that jobs between $30,000 and $60,000 require 3 quotes unless there’s a state contract.  For public works, a bid is required if the amount is over $250,000.  Brandon asked Chris if the recreation district would need to bid out land clearing and building the concession stand.  Chris said he would look into that.  Chris reported that this year, agencies will be required to take a cybersecurity course.  This course will only be required one time, not every year.  Chris also reported that the audit fees are the same as last year, $8,000 for the financial audit and $3,500 for the additional agreed upon procedures audit.  Motion to approve the engagement by Scott.  Second by Bart. Next, Chris presented the Compliance Questionnaire which Scott made a motion to adopt.  Second by Bart.  Chris gave the related party questionnaire to our newer board members, Bart and Scott, so that they can fill them out and email to Chris for his report.  Brandon signed the compliance questionnaire.  Chris will come to the next meeting or in May to report on the audit.

The board went into executive session for 8 minutes to discuss pay increase for Lisa and a part time employee.  The executive session lasted 8 minutes.  Meeting adjourned at 8:06.

Next meeting will be February 20, 2024.

                                                                  St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                 22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420  

    Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547 

     Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman                                                            Alfredo Soler, Secretary                                                                                             

             Scott Newton                                                                                         Bart Soileau                                                                                                    

             Lisa Palisi, Director

Notice of Public Board Meeting

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, LA

Notice Posted:  Monday, February 19, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.

Agenda:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

7.      New Business 

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting – March 19, 2024

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-871-7555, describing the assistance that is necessary.

February 20, 2024 Board Meeting

Called to order: 7:30

Roll Call: Bart Soileau, Scott Newton, Brandon Harrell

Absent: Alfredo Soler

Also in attendance:   Lisa Palisi

Motion to approve minutes from January: Postpone minutes.

No Public Forum. 

Financial report: Lisa reported that she called Howard yesterday to remind him to send the financial report, but the financial report was not received.  Lisa read the bank balances.  For CBT, the beginning balance was $174,178.46, ending balance was $185.580.36.  For Hancock/Whitney, the beginning balance was

$215, 104. 29, ending balance was $765, 417.34 which reflects the millage deposit. Motion to approve by Scott Newton, 2nd by Bart Soileau.  None opposed.  Motion passes.

Director’s report by Lisa.  Brandon asked what we’re doing about softball this year, so Lisa reported that Coquille will play with us.  He asked if we have to travel to them, but Lisa reported that Coquille will travel this season.  Dixie Softball changed the league age date to January 1, 2024 which is better because the girls will be older when the season rolls around.  It is unfortunate however because they have changed the date several times the past few years.  Lisa reported that we only had a few 11/12 year old girls register, so she asked Lee Road and Coquille if these girls could play with the 9/10 teams to keep the girls playing, and they said yes.  She was concerned that if they didn’t play this year, they may not return next year.  Lisa reported that she has a Millage Workshop on March 5th and a CLGE Training with Louisiana Legislative Auditor March 14 and 15, which she attends every year.  Baseball registration went well.  We have 5 t-ball teams For baseball, we have two 6U teams, five 8U teams, two 10U teams, one 12U team, and one 15U team.  For softball, we have one 6/8 team, and two 9/11 teams.

Lisa reported that she needs approval for the general liability insurance, and that she will purchase the golf cart discussed in December because the leases were expensive.  Motion to approve insurance by Scott. Second by Bart.

Evaluations for 9/11 girls will be held this Thursday.  Baseball evaluations are scheduled for next Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  Lisa plans to have clinics since practice doesn’t start until the last week of March. 

New Business:  Brandon discussed looking into purchasing the land that the ballfields are on.  Lisa agreed that we should look into purchasing the land because the recreation district has so much invested in that property. Scott agreed that the baseball fields would be in better condition if we didn’t also play soccer and football on the same fields year round.  Lisa suggested getting some estimates on the property’s value to send to Emily so that she could prepare a cooperative endeavor agreement for the purchase proposal.  Brandon suggested adding an outdoor basketball court, sandlot field, and a small bathroom that would be outside of the fenced in fields with cameras for supervision.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Next meeting will be March 19, 2024.

                                                                         St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #11                                                                         22519 Highway 36, Abita Springs, La. 70420  

    Rd11director@abitasports.com, 985-888-6547 

                                                                                       Brandon Harrell, Board Chairman                                  Alfredo Soler, Secretary                                                                                                                                                              Scott Newton                                                         Bart Soileau                                                                                                    

                                                                     Lisa Palisi, Director

Notice of Public Board Meeting

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

St. Tammany Recreation District #11 Gym

Multi-Use Facility – Conference Room

22519 HWY. 36 East, Abita Springs, LA

Notice Posted:  Monday, February 19, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.

Agenda:

1.      Call to Order

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

3.      Roll Call

4.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting/hearing

5.      Public Forum

6.      Old Business

a.       Financial Report

b.      Director’s Report – Lisa Palisi

7.      New Business 

8.      Adjournment – Next monthly regular Board meeting – March 19, 2024

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Park Director Lisa Palisi at 985-871-7555, describing the assistance that is necessary.