Estelle Academy coach asks council for $2,955 field fee help; mayor says fees waived

Melvin Jones, head football coach at Estelle Academy, told the Mobile City Council on July 7 that his school's new football program is landlocked on campus and needs a safe place to practice. Jones said the school was charged $2,955 by Parks & Recreation to use Sage Park and asked the council to consider assistance to cover or waive that invoice.

"We were just trying to see if there was any way that the council can help assist us with this invoice to either try to clear it or at least help us in some kind of way," Jones said during his petition to the council.

Council members asked whether the school had explored other park options and requested a written donation request so they could consider discretionary funding. Mayor Spirit Cerakatas responded that the administration and Parks & Recreation support the academy's athletic activities and that the specific fees Jones referenced "have been waived." The mayor asked Jones to follow up with a written request to the council and indicated members might use discretionary funds if available.

The coach thanked the council after the exchange; the council did not take a formal vote on a citywide policy change but the mayor's statement signaled administrative relief for the single invoice raised during the meeting.

Clarifying details: Coach Jones asked for help with a $2,955 invoice for use of Sage Park; council members requested a written donation request from Estelle Academy; Mayor Cerakatas stated that the fees in question were waived by the administration.