I would like to know the details of the business relationship between the Asheville Tourists and the City of Asheville.
1. My understanding is that the City of Asheville owns McCormick Field. I would like to know how much the Colorado Rockies pay to lease the stadium. Does that money go to the city, or into the Parks and Rec budget?
2. I would like to know how the City's citizens benefit from the baseball team. Does revenue from ball games go to public use projects? If not, who does keep the revenue?
3. I would like to understand how the Tourist organization has rights to Memorial Coliseum and field for parking during games. I would like to know if the City is compensated for the use of the parking areas and public fields that are now unavailable to the Pick up soccer league, Asheville High School athletic teams, Empire Lacrosse, Edge lacrosse, and Asheville men's lacrosse. I would like to know how those groups with long standing practices and games at Memorial were informed of the changes, and how they were accommodated at other public spaces.
4. Is Roderick Simmons of Parks and Recreation directed to enter into business arrangements which cut into the public use of public facilities, or do the directives for revenue making opportunities to usurp public use come from Council or from the City Manager's office. Are there public input opportunities before changes are made to the typical uses of public facilities?
5. Roderick Simmons has also been involved in field and turf and track discussions at multiple schools throughout the Asheville City School District. These discussions have largely been out of the public eye. I would like details on Vance playground/men's softball field arrangement, the Asheville Middle School girls softball field, and the possible future turf and track project at Asheville Middle School.
Thank you for your time.
Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Of Note:
(2019) https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/asheville-high-school-track-and-turf-expenditures/
(2017) https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/asheville-tourists-lease-agreements/
5 years ago
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Jul 8, 2019, 5:03 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
You’re welcome. Have a good evening as well.
All best,
—
Teresa (Terry) White
City of Asheville
City Clerk’s Office
Public Records Officer
P.O Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
828.259.5631
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: Jul 8, 2019, 5:01 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Terry,
Thank you so much for your help with completing this request. We have marked it as complete.
Have a good evening!
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Jul 8, 2019, 4:42 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Dear Sunshine Request:
The records responsive to this request are here.
While not required to do so, the public record custodian has answered the questions posed by the requester. The answers to each question are as follows:
1. The lease payment is for $1.00 per year and is applied to the City’s General Fund budget.
2. The lease agreement is included in the records provided.
3. The traffic associated with multiple events and activities held at Memorial Stadium and McCormick Field and vehicular parking in the grass area at Mountainside Park is having a negative effect on the surrounding neighborhoods. Out of respect for the people living adjacent to these community resources, City Staff has made some changes to lessen the negative impacts these neighborhoods are experiencing on their overall quality of life.
Historically, the Tourists have used the open grass area at Mountainside Park for staff parking on game days for about 50 vehicles. The Tourists are no longer allowed to use the open park area for staff parking. Employee parking on game days was moved from Mountainside Park to Memorial Stadium parking lot.
The City of Asheville has a lease agreement with the Asheville Tourists. A lease agreement is different than renting Memorial Stadium for a special event. With a lease, there is a higher level of service and expectations identified for each party.
The City’s decision to close parking at Mountainside Park impacted an organization with which we have a lease. This is why the City dedicated a section of parking for Tourists game days this season.
In response to the large number of questions about parking concerns and event programming in Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park, City Staff have developed this Frequently Asked Questions Document.
4. This was an operational decision made to better manage the traffic and parking in the East End and Oakhurst neighborhoods. This area is too compact to accommodate multiple organized events as the same time in a manner that is safe for residents, users, and visitors. However, the field remains open for unstructured use during Tourist games.
5. Through a partnership between the City of Asheville and Asheville City Schools, the City is contracting to provide improvements to athletic facilities for public community use during non-school hours. Information on Vance field improvements can be found on the City Project Page. Information on Asheville Middle School improvements can be found on the City Project Page.
Please let me know if you have other questions.
All best,
—
Teresa (Terry) White
City of Asheville
City Clerk’s Office
Public Records Officer
P.O Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
828.259.5631
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
**Editor’s Note: Please see referenced files at top left in documents
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: Jul 3, 2019, 11:57 AM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Good afternoon Terry,
We just wanted to follow up and check in on this request again to see if there was any update from your June 13th email where you said “I have identified the custodian. I hope to have the records responsive to your request to you by the end of next week.”
Thank you!
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: Jun 26, 2019, 4:15 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Good afternoon Terry,
We just wanted to check in on this request to see there was any update!
Thank you,
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Jun 13, 2019, 9:35 AM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Dear Sunshine Request:
I have identified the custodian. I hope to have the records responsive to your request to you by the end of next week.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
All best,
Terry
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: Jun 12, 2019, 4:02 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Terry,
We just wanted to confirm whether the custodian has been identified and that the request is being processed? If you can provide any rough guess on timeline, we’ll follow up around then.
Thank you so much!
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: May 31, 2019, 1:05 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Sunshine Request:
I have a request in to the record custodian(s) for an update. I will let you know when I hear something.
All best,
Terry
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: May 31, 2019, 12:56 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Good afternoon Terry,
Just following up on this request again to check in!
Thank you,
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: May 23, 2019, 6:08 PM
Thanks Terry!
Have a great evening 🙂
Sunshine Request
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: May 23, 2019, 2:33 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Dear Sunshine Request:
I am still working to gather all of the records responsive to this request. I will provide the responsive records once I have them.
Thank you,
Terry
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: May 22, 2019, 4:59 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Good afternoon Terry,
We just wanted to check in on this request and follow up to see if there was any update!
Thank you,
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: May 13, 2019, 11:48 AM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Dear Sunshine Request:
This request is still being processed. Once processing is complete, I will forward any responsive records to you.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
All best,
Terry
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: May 8, 2019, 3:05 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Terry,
We just wanted to check in on this request and follow up to see if there was any update!
Thank you,
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Terry White <[email protected]>
date: Apr 15, 2019, 4:53 PM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Terry,
Thank you for your help with this request so far! We appreciate it.
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
from: Terry White <[email protected]>
to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
date: Apr 11, 2019, 7:29 AM
subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Dear Sunshine Request:
I have received your request and will forward it to the appropriate record custodians for processing. Once processing is complete I will forward you any responsive records. In the meantime, please let me know if you have questions.
I do have records responsive to your request number 5. The City of Asheville has two agreements with the Asheville City Schools System. It does not have agreements with the individual schools. The city’s two contracts with the Asheville City Schools System are here.
All best,
Teresa (Terry) White
Public Records Officer
City of Asheville
P.O Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
**Editor’s Note: Please see referenced file “PARKS-AND-REC_ASHEVILLE-CITY-SCHOOLS-20190415T205004Z-001.zip” at top left in documents
5 years ago
from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: [email protected]
date: Apr 10, 2019, 4:26 PM
subject: Records Request: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Good Afternoon City of Asheville,
We’ve received a new request via www.sunshinerequest.com for information that may be available in your office.
Here are the details of the request:
Subject: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, stadium info
Message:
“I would like to know the details of the business relationship between the Asheville Tourists and the City of Asheville.
1. My understanding is that the City of Asheville owns McCormick Field. I would like to know how much the Colorado Rockies pay to lease the stadium. Does that money go to the city, or into the Parks and Rec budget?
2. I would like to know how the City’s citizens benefit from the baseball team. Does revenue from ball games go to public use projects? If not, who does keep the revenue?
3. I would like to understand how the Tourist organization has rights to Memorial Coliseum and field for parking during games. I would like to know if the City is compensated for the use of the parking areas and public fields that are now unavailable to the Pick up soccer league, Asheville High School athletic teams, Empire Lacrosse, Edge lacrosse, and Asheville men’s lacrosse. I would like to know how those groups with long standing practices and games at Memorial were informed of the changes, and how they were accommodated at other public spaces.
4. Is Roderick Simmons of Parks and Recreation directed to enter into business arrangements which cut into the public use of public facilities, or do the directives for revenue making opportunities to usurp public use come from Council or from the City Manager’s office. Are there public input opportunities before changes are made to the typical uses of public facilities?
5. Roderick Simmons has also been involved in field and turf and track discussions at multiple schools throughout the Asheville City School District. These discussions have largely been out of the public eye. I would like details on Vance playground/men’s softball field arrangement, the Asheville Middle School girls softball field, and the possible future turf and track project at Asheville Middle School.
Thank you for your time.”
Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.
Thank you for your assistance.
Have a great afternoon!
Sunshine Request
5 years ago
