Minutes for Leadership Team Meeting held on April 14 2026.
Members and Invitees Present: Mo Garcia, Mike Beckner, Dean Cheatham, Judy Degregorio, Linda Blake, Marian Garcia, Jody Madden, Lori Comshaw, Marcia Stivanson , Heidi Abele , George Carr, Joyce Noland, Bret Howell and Cheryl Breidenbach.
A. Debra Folk was acknowledged and thanked for all she does for API at OW.
B. Denise Hough, Tracey Howell, Clarke Nelson, Greg Sparks and Lora Gillis attended and were allowed to talk for ten minutes. They expressed their opinions on the dissolution of API and on the league. After the allotted time the five left. Mike Beckner left during the middle of the discussion.
C. To fill existing vacancies, replacement board members and officers were appointed to serve with Dean Cheatham, our Treasurer
Lori Comshaw - President
Jody Madden - Vice President
George Carr - Secretary
D. Bret Howell was introduced as the City Representative, attending today's meeting.
E. During the last meeting, the board and members decided that July 1, 2026 would be the last day API will be an organization. Lori moved to dissolve API July 1, 2026. Joyce seconded the motion. Vote was made and passed with a majority.
F. Bret addressed the flyers outside Virginia Acres. There are no additional or new permanent signage proposals for Virginia Acres Park. George questioned why pickleball events are not on the marquee located at the entrance to Odell.. Bret is not in charge of that and will have to check with City leadership. All new pickleball flyers have to be approved by the City.
G. Managing Indoor Court Time for Odell and Smith-Hazel: Bret stated that Matt Tam can continue managing and posting the OW and Smith Hazel reserved courts on SUG on a volunteer basis. He is confident that the City has no desire to take over the SUG reservation system.
H. Leagues. Mo Power Sports will work with the City for the Fall League.
I. Groovy/Freaky/Palmetto. Not happening. George will post on the API website about not having the Palmetto Tournament.
J. New Players Clinics. The City and Harve need to get together and have a contract written up for holding clinics/lessons.
K. New Players Practice. Linda Blake will continue to do this on a volunteer basis.
L. Private lessons. Mo will move his lessons to Saturdays. People will sign up with Debra.
M. API Bulletin Board. API purchased this years ago. We will donate it to the City.
N. Bret left and the meeting continued with API members.
O. Gregg Park. Cheryl is now doing the Sign Up Genius for Gregg Park. Sign ups for court reservations are now available on Wednesday evening at 8PM. George will train Judy so she can be a back up for Cheryl.
P. Liability Insurance has cost $2K/yr. Dean says that he has talked to the company and they will prorate this cost. The fall league insurance will be covered in the entry fee, which Mo will be handling.
Q. Transition Advisors: Mo nominated Joyce. Lori nominated Mike Beckner. Joyce nominated Cheryl Breidenbach. George seconded. All agreed. These advisors will determine possible recipients of API’s funds, set up the ballot and rules for voting.
Discussion was held on the Adaptive PB organization that Joyce mentioned. It was stated that none of us are truly qualified to help disabled people with the sport. Joyce’s idea was to bring the people from Columbia into Aiken to start up an adaptive program locally.
Marcia wondered if any of the money could be used for new equipment. Mo stated that nets have already been purchased by the City. He just needs to get them set up.
Joyce stated that API has been terrible at getting publicity and if she could have done anything it would have been getting our name out into the public more.
R. The next meeting will be in May. There was discussion on holding a social meeting in June, inviting all current and previous players/board members. A date will be set at next month’s meeting.