Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am.  Guest speaker, Matt Acker, led the flag salute.

Guests:  Shelly Barone, Rich Erickson, Captain Crystal, Darrin Peterson, Pierre Leossiere, Cory Delikat and Patrick Downie.

Announcements:

• Mathew Rainwater gave a history of Pennies for Quarters, a nonprofit group helping veterans find small homes for transitional living.
• Phil Kitchel said the Board of Natural Resources October meeting will address the subject of arrearages.  Is there 700mbf or 400mbf?
• Nathan West said the City Council will have a public hearing tomorrow, Sept. 28, to discuss storm water permits.
• Luke Robbins reminded members that the NOLA (North Olympic Legislative Alliance) will meet today at the college.
• Rev. Trisha said a new program J.O.Y. is starting.
• Andrew May said that the October 25 meeting will feature the two Land Commissioner candidates.
• Edna Petersen read a postcard fromChattanooga thanking PABA and community for the gift.
• John Halberg said the Rowing Association is holding a raffle – one week in Hawaii, or a quilt, or a rowing adventure, on Nov. 12. He has tickets or they can be purchased at Swain’s.
• John Brewer announced a Celebration of Life Service for past County Extension Agent and Port Commissioner, Jack Waud.  Service will be at the Elks on October 23 from 1-4pm.

Minutes:

Jack Glaubert moved and Ted Simpson seconded acceptance of PABA minutes for Sept. 20. Motion carried.

Program

Andrew introduced Matt Acker, born in Aberdeen WA and a college baseball coach, that went on to own a team.  Matt said help from other team owners was helpful and encouraging. A baseball team is not only a community event, it is also the start for future stars.  He liked Port Angeles because the weather is consistent and impressive.  He spent two years searching out areas and prospects.  Local city officials such as Patrick Downie, Nathan West and auto dealer Dan Wilder helped pave the way for Port Angeles as THE TOWN.

The local team will be of a collegiate nature and will help train thousands of 6 – 26 year olds.  Port Angeles is a small market but the condition of Civic Field is encouraging, especially with its new LED lighting.  Some work will have to be done on batting cages and locker rooms.  There will be cushioned seating – for 100 – behind homeplate, a Party Deck – for 150 – and four corporate boxes – for 14 – 20 people.

Matt thanked marketing expert Dean Reynolds, local business owner, Jake Oppelt and business people such as Edna Petersen, organizations like Elks for the use of their gym and local hotels. All will keep money in town. The team will feature special games, prizes, giveaways, fireworks displays, banners, ads and youth camps.  Players will ride bikes around town and special bikes will feature ads.

** Andrew moved and Edna seconded extending the meeting until 8:45am. Motion carried. **

Q & A Period

• Team souvenirs will be sold locally.
• Stadium should hold 1,400 and maybe up to 2,800.  That does not include those at the bar tables.
• The mascot will be the Olympic Marmot and will – in costume – visit schools, businesses, hospitals and nursing homes.
• Public funding will be accepted even though team has enough to play now. They will apply for grants to help pay for facility upgrades.
• The soil and drainage at Civic Field will be upgraded. Matt did not feel that turf, to the tune of $4million, is needed now.  Cory reminded him that field is used year round and the grass is not always in the best shape.
• When asked about the future of the team and league, Matt said he would like to see the league expanded to 16 teams. (It costs about $300,000 to own and $1million to operate a team.) An increase in the number of teams would increase the pool of players.
• The first games will be in June of 2017.  All players must have some college eligibility left. Major League scouts might be interested in coming.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45am.