Softball fields conundrum headed for a solution

Ronan Pablo Youth Softball League and Mission Valley Thunder officers and parents crowded Ronan City Hall, and softball was the main topic at the Ronan City Council meeting on April 23. At issue were the Ronan Softball Fields and a draft agreement for management of the fields. 

The RPYSL has 150 girls, and they practice and play from now until the end of May. Then the Mission Valley Thunder, the Ronan traveling team begins games and tournaments. 

Discussion about the issues was plentiful, with one or more conversations going on at once. 

Trevor Michaud made a valid point, saying, “It’s about the kids. It’s not about the parents; it’s about the kids.’

After Mayor Chris Adler kept the discussion on track and with guidance by City Attorney Ben Anciaux, the two groups agreed to an understanding for this year, which is an unusually short season for RPYSL; they’ll renegotiate next year. Anciaux told both leagues to talk to communicate.

RPYSL with its 34 teams, their practice schedules and games, will be in charge of the softball fields until May 31. 

Then MVT will take over management on Aug. 1 until their season ends in September. Since MVT practices Monday through Thursdays, the fields will be available on weekends. 

The schedule will allow Pioneer Days to have their annual tournament with registration on July 31 and the tourney on August 1 and 2.

Anciaux will add this info to his draft agreement and master schedule. He asked for everyone involved, RPYSL officers and Thunder officers, to get him their names, emails, and phone numbers so he can contact them. 

Church leagues who might play will need to be pieced into the schedule, but according to Christine Carmichael, MVT vice president. She said they usually play games on Sunday evenings.

Also talk of a co-ed league forming will need to be worked into the puzzle if it comes to fruition. 

People who want to use the fields are going to come to you to ask; Anciaux told MVT, so be prepared to ask for insurance or send them to talk to city council. 

If there is vandalism at the field, Adler asked all the softball folks to let Chief Jacobson, or a Ronan Police Officer do a report on it so there will be a track record if it happens again. 

In other business, the council unanimously voted to approve an open container permit for The Pheasant/Travis White for the Trapper’s Rendezvous held on the Ronan fairgrounds for May 16-18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dan Miller, head of Ronan’s department of public works, gave an update on the EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities grant, saying, “it’s up in the air” since the EPA can’t get communication on the rules. The $300,000 grant is specifically for low-income areas on Indian reservations.

Miller said the city needs to find a strategy to find funds or a grant to update the city growth policy, which dates from 2008, so Ronan can apply for a Community Block Development Grant.   

Spring clean-up is on, Miller said, and there is a large dumpster available. and men to come haul junk off. 

 Ronan Police Chief Rob Jacobson said an American Legion representative asked that the American Legion van and veterans with flags could have a procession down Ronan’s Main Street on Memorial Day about 9 a.m. They also asked for police cars to escort them. 

Jacobson also noted he’s been interviewing a potential person to hire. A former Reserve officer in Ronan, the man went through post and has been working in Sanders County. He has experience and comes with recommendations from the chief in Sanders County.

The new hire will be sworn in at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, in Ronan City Council Chambers and would like some city council members present.

The next council meeting will be held May 12, 2025.