ONTARIO — Ontario City Council entered an agreement with Johnny Appleseed Baseball Club (JABC) at its meeting Wednesday.
JABC will make at least a $100,000 investment into the Marshall Park baseball and softball fields off Rock Road in exchange for 10-year priority on its use for practices and tournaments, with some exceptions.
The contract runs through Dec. 31, 2033 with an automatic renewal annually following that date. JABC has first use from March 1 through Oct. 31 annually, except on city-recognized holidays, in which the city will have priority use.
The legislation was first introduced on Feb. 21 and was later tabled. Parks committee chair and at-large city councilman Troy Sapp bought the legislation back for its third reading on April 3.
The agreement allows JABC field use for sanctioned games and practices. JABC will coordinate calendars with Ontario Youth Sports and the city recreation department, currently overseen by OYS.
If a community member or outside group wishes to reserve the field for an event, practice, game or social gathering, they may do so through JABC or OYS.
The city parks committee must approve all major construction projects in the agreement. City Council must approve anything that requires city assistance.
Improvements currently listed in the agreement that JABC promises include:
- Replace backstop fencing with backstop netting 32′ high x 100′ linear
- Replace outfield fencing
- Install concrete pad and pre-engineered dugout structures with benches
- Dirt/sand mix to improve playing surface
- Mounds, bases, miscellaneous for game play
- Miscellaneous labor
“It’s not going to be strictly JABC use, there will be other teams in the city that benefit from the $120,000 investment,” Sapp said. “They’ve already ordered some dugout awning and hope to start some work next week.”
JABC is responsible for game-day lining of fields and litter cleanup after games. The city is responsible for grass maintenance, restrooms and utilities on the property.
The contract clarifies that the agreement does not indicate city sponsorship of JABC, and that JABC is not under city control.
City recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor Randy Hutchinson read a proclamation dedicated to Child Abuse Prevention Month and Richland County Children Services (RCCS).
Last year, RCCS took 2,972 reports from the public and conducted more than 1,000 investigations.
The agency gained custody of 75 area children. There are currently 133 Richland County children in foster care.
RCCS community engagement specialist Brigitte Coles thanked the city for its support of RCCS and brought kinship navigator Arlillian Nixon and administrative assistant Paula Caldwell to the meeting with her.
“They’re out on the frontlines working very hard to help our area children be safe and succeed,” Coles said.
Also in Wednesday’s meeting:
- Mayor Hutchinson said the city will hang 44 banners across Lexington-Springmill flagpoles by the end of May to celebrate Memorial Day. All of the people honored on the banners served in the military and are either from Ontario or live there currently.
- Council voted to grant Culver’s additional time to complete a traffic study in order to open its 1364 N Lexington-Springmill Rd restaurant on April 15.
- The streets committee discussed road paving projects and a safety plan for the Fourth Street and Rock Road intersection. Hutchinson said a study conducted by the regional planning commission determined a roundabout would be the safest solution to major crashes at that intersection. He also said a roundabout was recommended at the Fourth Street and State Route 314 intersection.