1)  Teaching pro policy - what we know, what's fair, what's not 

Part A – General Discussion:

• Doug Eng (guest): Newton attracted many independent teaching pros this year, because of the number of hard courts (50+) and the absence (until the Fall) of a permit requirement. 
• Doug Eng: Needham, Wellesley and Lexington require resident permits and do not allow tennis instruction. Brookline has a tennis vendor (Netresults) which controls instruction on all the tennis courts. (FYI: Netresults is one of the bidders for Newton contract).
• Tom F: Spoke with other Community Tennis Associations and discovered Newton’s preponderance of independent tennis pros on municipal very common.
• Tom F: Said most municipalities with tennis programs are especially strict about letting independent tennis pros use primary courts during popular hours (if at all) 
• Tom F: Discovered very few municipalities have a “stick” type policy like Newton (with a threat of up to a $250 fine for violators).  Many do not allow teaching at all or have a permit process. 
• Bruce Brumberg (guest): Pointed out that the city is trying to balance 1) optimal court availability, 2) new funding source for court maintenance (crack sealing, net replacement and fence repair) and 3) limit its liability payouts (in the event of accident).
• Bruce Brumberg (guest): Mentioned out that the personal liability insurance requirement does necessarily absolve the city of liability concerns.  He was trained as a lawyer but not currently practice.
• Doug Eng (guest): Said Newton’s policy is consistent nationally with an effort to ensure that teaching pros have CORI background checks, liability insurance and certification from USPTA.  Checked with USPTA about insurance – all its members have access to up $5 million in liability insurance.
• Doug Eng (guest): Mentioned that Lexington requires all residents to reserve courts with an on-line system, so they know which courts are available.  He said he thinks teaching pros may use the system (he is not exactly sure) to gain access to the courts but the system definitely limits ‘setting up shop” for an entire day (as was witnessed in Newton this summer).  

Part B – Cost/benefit Summary

• Doug Eng did a theoretical analysis from the city’s perspective of the Newton policy
• The city could gross up to $60,000 a year.
• Here are his basic assumptions:
• This year, 15 to 20 independent pros worked two to four hours daily on city courts.
• Next summer, the number will fall likely to 12-15 pros if Covid-19 is less of a healthy risk.
• Of this number, 6 will most likely be employees of the Newton Tennis Vendor, who are permitted to teach after hours. 
• FYI: In vendor bidding documents, City says it will charge $10 per hour per court to employees.
• At least, 30 percent will work between 4 hours seven days a week (28 hours) over a 180-day period.  The rest will work between 2 to 3 hours a day (14 to 21 hours). 
• If the city wants $55,000 - $60,000 from independent teaching pros, the ideal per hour court rental fee should be around $15.

Part C - Some conclusions:

• Bob Jampol: City new per court fee policy is very complicated with too many moving parts.  He called it “unenforceable” because of number of courts vs number of city park employees.  It is driven by complaints from tennis players, which created an adversarial situation.
• Dong Eng: City should charge one-time annual permit fee to pros who are certified with CORI check and liability insurance (all together he said these guarantee: “Professionalism”)
• Tom F: Agreed with Doug. City should charge a fee ($300 to $500 to city residents who teach and $1000 for non-residents) for an annual permit with all of Doug Eng’s professional requirements.
• Tom F: City should explain fees go into a Tennis Fund for court maintenance so change from a “stick” to a “carrot”. 
• Bruce Brumberg: City should not charge “kids/young adults” who are teaching the occasional lesson
• Doug Eng:  To solve the availability issue, the city should create a city-wide player permit ($50 or $100) and institute an on-line reservation system (like Lexington) for all hard courts. This will simplify court availability issues, especially waiting at one set of courts when others are available.

Action Items:

• Research how Boston area municipalities issue permits to pros
• Research how other parts of the country  
• Create a set of recommendations for City (to be delivered in January)

2.  City Singles and Doubles Tennis Tournament

• Phil: Cannot hold tournaments during last two weeks of June or possibly early July because high school tennis season and sectional tournament scheduled at high schools’ courts.
• Phil: Suggested we schedule tournaments after Labor Day in September
• Note: Sami pointed out FoNT has a prior obligation to support annual Forgirlsake fundraisers tournament in mid-September.
• Tom F: Recommended we guarantee two matches (including a consolation match for first round losers)
• Doug E: Recommended we hold singles and doubles at the same time
• Paul:  Entrance fee should range between $45-$50 for singles and $30-$35 per doubles partner
• Doug:  Most USTA tournaments are $35 to $45 fee but not fundraisers
• Tom F:  Open to Newton residents and anyone else who plays in Newton or surrounding towns to create a competitive event with adequate number of players.

Action items:

• Double-check high school tournament schedule
• Set a date with city
• Create a sub-committee (who serve as tournament directors and volunteers before, during and after
• Ask Doug E and Bob J to serve as tournament directors     
• Send proposal to the city with timeline, punch list and financials in January
• Look for a major sponsor or several medium sized sponsors

1. RFP bidder update (who's in) - Tom F

• From Stephanie Lapham, CPSI, Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture

“Good morning all,

Just want to let you know that the bid closed last Thursday, and four vendors submitted their proposals. As mentioned in the FoNT Zoom meeting, the departments next step is to evaluate and return to Purchasing. Purchasing will then open the sealed monetary portion of the bid and award the contract. I will keep you posted as things progress.”

• Bidders

Mike Lewitt dba SportsFun Inc. (current vendor)

Joe Smith dba Brookline Tennis Academy

Frank Butera/Tim Mayotte dba MPB Municipal Tennis Solutions

Dave MacBurnie dba Netresults Management        

Action Items:

• Tom F will send an email requesting update and timetable

1. Fundraising/Annual Board donations request - Paul H/Sami

• Paul: He and Sami are zeroing in on a FoNT T-shirt sale thru www.customink.com/fundraising.  More details to come.
• Paul: Said we need to articulate our purpose prior to setting goals, such as contributing to a “court maintenance and repair fund”

Action Items:

• Paul and Sami will supply more info in January

1. Draft version of new FoNT web site - Tom F

• Here is link: https://playtennis.usta.com/the-friends-of-newton-tennis-inc
• The site was developed with tools from USTA
• Tom F: Intended as a membership, fundraising tool and community resource
• To be launched by January 15

Action Items:

• Any suggestions for improvement much appreciated
• Add Donation page with payment button
• On-going development