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2003-02-04 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING February 4, 2003 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at the Queensbury Town Office Building, in the Supervisor's Conference Room (#37). Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Present: Commissioners Etu, Goedert, Irish, laBombard, Maine and Simmonds Absent: Commissioner Fusco Also Present: Asst. Director Lovering Guests: Councilman Boor, Michael Klein and Douglas Cramer APPROVAL OF MINUTES The November 5, 2002 minutes were approved on a motion by Commissioner Irish, second by Commissioner Maine and the January 7, 2003 minutes were approved on a motion by Commissioner laBombard, second by Commissioner Etu. COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS Letter to Glens Falls Sewer and Water Board (GFSWB) regarding the development of a trail connector between the Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve and the Faith Bible Church property. Director Hansen and Asst. Director Lovering attended a meeting at which the topic of the town access through the city owned parcel, was discussed. They (GFSWB) were very receptive to the concept of the proposed trail development project. Attorneys Hafner (Town) and Noordsy (City) will meet to discuss legal issues, draft an access agreement (easement, etc.) and answer any concerns that need to be addressed. The commission requested that they be kept apprised of how the project/discussion with the city is progressing. Commissioner laBombard stated that he would like to see that access (easement or ownership) be secured as quickly as possible so that planning can begin. Commissioner Irish questioned if any word had been received on his concerns regarding approval from Open Space Institute (051) prior to the construction of any structure on the property. Asst. Director Lovering explained that the intent of OSI's agreement language was not to be restrictive, but to ensure that use of the property remained as agreed to. Commissioner Irish again expressed his concern with Dan Luciano's 12/16/02 letter which indicates that pre-approval from OSI is required before any construction. Asst. Director Lovering stated that he was unsure whether 051 would revise the wording of their standard agreement (previously approved by Town Board - 10/97). Chairman Simmonds mentioned that the subject was discussed at the commission's January meeting and that the director planned to speak with Mr. Dan Luciano (051) about the agreement language (see Park Project Status Report 2/1/03). Commissioner Irish said he has no problem with the commission presenting their plans and receiving comments or suggestions from OSI, but was not in favor of OSI pre-approving the commission's intended plans. Commissioner Simmonds stated that she would check with Director Hansen and see what has transpired and then the commission could revisit the subject in the near future. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Park Proiect Status Reøort (2/1/03) Discussion Hovey Pond Park - The Asst. Director updated the commission on a recent meeting with Warren County Soil & Water Conservation personnel (WCSWC) regarding the plans for Hovey Pond Park. The commission was briefed on the park project and the educational value of the improvements. Chairman Simmonds requested that the Friends of Hovey Pond be kept involved and apprised of the plans. She was assured by the Asst. Director that they, along with any Glenwood Avenue neighborhood residents adjacent to the park, would be kept informed. After a brief discussion about the many values of the project, the Asst. Director indicated that the commission would be kept current as the project develops. ACC/Town Recreational Facility - Asst. Director Lovering mentioned that Anthony Palangi was provided with additional project information for his upcoming meeting with his core group of ACC staff. Any results of that meeting were, to date, unknown but Mr. Palangi would be back in contact with the department/commission to organize a follow-up meeting to continue discussing project plans and ideas. Ridge/ Jenskinsville Park - Asst. Director Lovering explained that Van Dusen & Steves had been retained to survey the softball fields, but would probably, due to weather, not begin until sometime in February. Commissioners Irish and Goedert questioned if a survey was necessary. The Asst. Director explained that 2 a new survey detailing the extent of the field expansion (fences being moved back) along with vital topographical information, was necessary before the architect starts to draw specific plans and prepares bid documents. There were some questions concerning the actual fence work to be completed. Asst. Director Lovering explained that the fences would be moved back, but that the fence height would also increase to 6' (from 4'). There was additional discussion on the need for a new survey to be completed. The Asst. Director explained that it was his understanding that in order to lay the fields out properly and increase fence distances, the architect (Jim Miller, Miller Associates) needs a clean survey to work from and that accurate bid documents could not be prepared otherwise. The Asst. Director offered to contact Mr. Miller for additional information on the need for a survey and then report back to Commissioner Irish with that information. Commissioner Irish was concerned that the $2500 not be spent unnecessarily. He was also concerned whether Director Hansen should be contracting with an architect and that possibly, the commission should deal directly with these professionals instead of the Director. There was considerable discussion on what other improvements should be considered in addition to the softball field expansion. Commissioner Etu felt that there was no comprehensive plan for the park that the commission has agreed on. He stated that the neighbors may not want the lights, but want more active recreation and the commission needs to look at the park as a whole and come up with a comprehensive plan. There was more discussion concerning possible park amenities (i.e. basketball, soccer and tennis) and the potential timetable for the softball field expansion. Commissioner Irish asked if Jim Miller (landscape architect) was moving forward with this project and, unless there were objections, he preferred that Mr. Miller not do the work at Ridge/Jenkinsville Park without the commission having the opportunity to at least consider other candidates. Commissioner Goedert reminded the commission that not approving the architect would create a delay in moving forward with the project plans (softball field expansion). Glen Lake Property - Councilman Boor stated there was concern from the public at a recent Town Board meeting that the driveway to the boat access isn't plowed and whether that was a problem in the event that a lake rescue was necessary. After some discussion, it was determined that this should not be a concern of the Recreation Commission. Commissioner Goedert also stated that Emergency Medical Services would have pre-determined access to the lake depending on where a rescue was necessary and that it should not be a concern. Asst. Director Lovering said that an offer had been made on the adjacent property (Hay property) for $140,000 but, at the present time, there was no confirmation on whether the offer had been accepted. 3 Hiland Park - Director Hansen had been in contact with the owners, through Klaff Realty, and an offer of $60,000 was verbally presented (no word yet). Several commissioners questioned if $60,000 was too high an offer because of their feeling that the property is undevelopable. There was considerable discussion among commissioners on the Hiland properties and their relationship to the aforementioned. Commissioner Irish requested a map for the commissioners that highlights all of the property that the Parks and Recreation Department controls, so that they can see the location within the town. Further discussion ensued about potentially involving Warren County Water and Soil Conservation in a group effort with Chris Round (Community Development Department) to develop the Hiland properties along Halfway Brook. It was the feeling of the commission that using the expertise of this and other groups would advance the cause of recreation and park development. Asst. Director Lovering reiterated that the department would continue to involve WCWSC and other organizations in future projects. The commission will be kept informed concerning whether the bid of $60,000 is accepted by Klaff Realty. NEW BUSINESS None COMMITTEE REPORTS Revised By-laws Discussion - Commissioner Irish read Article IX, section 1 of the commission's by-law's (the by-laws may be amended or repealed in full or in part by a two thirds vote of the total membership at any duly convened meeting of the commission). There was discussion as to whether the by-laws adopted by the commission read total membership as opposed to total members present. Commissioner Irish stated that he and Director Hansen had a discussion and that he (Commissioner Irish) is not 1000/0 sure which by-laws were adopted but felt the approved by-laws read total membership. Chairman Simmonds requested that the most recently updated by-laws be sent out to all commissioners. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT Asst. Director Lovering said that winter programs are going well and registration plus attendance numbers for those programs are good. He mentioned that attendance for ice skating (especially at Hovey Pond Park) was very low due to extremely cold temperatures. Chairman Simmonds said she had spoken with Elise (Aquatics Supervisor) regarding a comment received from someone in the community who wondered why the department had offered a competitive swim program. The person was concerned because their child is on the Glens Falls Flyers that competes with the department for available pool time. The overall 4 feeling of the commission was that the department should continue to offer programs that other groups in the community also offer. The commission also felt that these comments only underscored the importance and need for the new facility being considered at ACe. Mike Klein, owner of Post Communications was introduced by Commissioner Irish and he explained that Mr. Klein had met with the staff last week to discuss the department's current public relations, in terms of brochures and flyers, to promote activities. Mr. Klein presented a number of ideas ranging from brochures to updating the department web site and the importance of using color and photography in these brochures. Mr. Klein will put together a proposal for the commission to review concerning his services and costs associated to implement them. There being no further business the commission meeting was adjourned at 9:22 a.m. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 in the Supervisor's Conference Room (#37) at the Town Office Building. harron Simmonds, Chairman Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director 5