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2000-11-07 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2000 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, November 7, 2000, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard, Maine, Schachner and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Town Councilman Dan Stec, Assistant Director Lovering and Director Hansen ABSENT: None VISITORS: Bob Hummel, Mark Prenderville, Pat Doyle, Chief Richard Carey & Peter Pepe SPECIAL PRESENTATION - Assistant Director Lovering introduced Bob Hummel (Spartan Hooper Basketball program coordinator/organizer) and briefly recounted his twelve-year record of achievement and success with the Spartan Hooper youth basketball program. He pointed out that Bob was instrumental in helping to organize the program that has provided a recreational basketball opportunity for more than 4770 children over the past 12 years. After highlighting some of Bob's accomplishments Chairman Simmonds on behalf of the commission/department presented him with a staff shirt and a certificate of appreciation. Bob thanked the commission and the department for their support. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner LaBombard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schachner, to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2000 meeting. There were no corrections and the motion was unanimously approved by voice vote. REMARKS FROM VISITORS 'Chairman Simmonds introduced the guests and Mark Prenderville as spokesman, summarized the history concerning the development of Freedom Park (FP). He outlined the project including: cost of construction, fundraising/funding, insurance concerns and maintenance. The director circulated copies of the Freedom Park - Property Deed/Agreement Discussion Points and explained that the items included in the list should be discussed and resolved this evening. Chief Carey (current President of the Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls) spoke on behalf of the club and explained that the Kiwanis Club's intention "is to see that this facility is brought to fruition and then turn if over to the Town of Queensbury as another recreational facility for the Town". He also pointed out that he could not obligate future clubs, their president's and lor boards "with respect to ongoing maintenance or things that may need repairs on an ongoing basis". However, he reiterated that the Kiwanis Club has been serving the community for over 75 years and that "we have a demonstrated track record of not walking away from our responsibilities as it relates to projects we have done in the past", A number of discussion points were reviewed including: additional park amenities, liability insurance, parking and property related items (mortgages and collateral assignment releases) yet to be resolved. Pat Doyle representing the Independent Living Center (ILC), spoke on use of the ILC's restrooms and drinking fountain facilities during weekday hours when the ILC facility is open. The director confirmed that a porta-john structure would be available at the site for 6-8 months a year however, a drinking fountain was not being considered for the park unless something could be coordinated jointly with the ILC. The need for available parking for park patrons was also a topic of discussion and it was agreed that this would be spelled out in the agreement document that will be drafted shortly. Commissioner Auer expressed his concern relating to maintaining the park and how it was advertised and/or promoted and Chief Carey mentioned that the park facility was intended for use by children of all abilities. Furthermore, he explained that special maintenance skills to repair and/or replace the park's play apparatus would not be essential. Commissioner Schachner summarized the discussion and it was the consensus that the commission follow through on it's previous recommendation (12/30/98) to the Town Board to accept the park. The director was instructed to work with Pat Doyle and the Town Counsel to finalize an agreement between the respective organizations. Chairman Simmonds thanked the guests for their input and there was no further discussion. -2- COMMUNICATION The items of correspondence included in the monthly packet were reviewed and there was discussion on the Meadows Planned Unit Development (PUD) donation and the commission's previous recommendation to the Town Board. Commissioner Auer expressed his concern that the commission may have acted too quickly in recommending acceptance of the parcel rather than choosing the per dwelling unit fee ($46,000. in total). In the past the commission had not been involved with PUD projects, but in this instance a recommendation had been requested by the Town Board. After further discussion some commission members supported modifying the previous recommendation and Commissioner Auer agreed to "cost out" the improvements (estimated parking & roadway costs) requested by the commission. The director was also instructed to communicate with the developer to see if funding in addition to the land, was viable. UNFJNISHED BIJ~NESS Joint School/Commission PrQject Chairman Simmonds briefly recounted the recent meeting between school district administrative personnel and commission/department individuals with regard to a joint facility project. She relayed some of the ideas being considered by Dr. Lomanto and the School Board and Councilman Dan Stec provided additional information on the subject from the Town Board's prospective. He explained that the project centered around the ten (10) acre parcel adjacent to the school site, that was being offered for sale by the developers of the Indian Ridge project. As part of the Indian Ridge Planned Unit Development agreement, the Town was given an 18-month "option to buy" the 10 acre parcel. Councilman Stec reported that the Town Board had communicated with the School Board and together were both interested in developing a joint community recreation facility on the site. Councilman Stec mentioned that a number of recreational opportunities had been discussed and that the "marquee item" was a hockey rink facility. Chairman Simmonds and the director indicated that an "unspecified" multi purpose recreational facility had been the focus of discussion at their meeting. In any case, all in attendance agreed that the prospect of a joint community recreation facility project was exciting and should be discussed further. Commissioner Hersh expressed concern over the cost of an indoor ice hockey rink especially in proportion to the number of facility/activity users it would serve. There was further discussion regarding present school enrollment figures as well as a possible future multi-million dollar capital project proposed by the school district. Councilman Stec and the commission agreed that more communications by all parties involved, was undoubtedly necessary. Faith Bible Church PrODertv The director relayed information regarding the Open Space Institute's negotiation with the Faith Bible Church organization and displayed an updated map of the proposed area to be -3- conveyed to the town. He also briefly explained the project management plan included in the monthly packet and relayed that the plan needed to be approved by the commission as soon as possible. After discussion concerning the reduction in acreage (90+ acres to 68+ acres), it was the consensus that a site visit to again clarify the parcel be undertaken by the commission. This was agreed and a site visit on Thursday afternoon, November 13th, at 3:30 pm, was scheduled. Hudson River Park lHRP1-Rotary Club PrQject Chairman Simmonds reported that members of the Glens Falls Rotary Club and town personnel had completed construction of the 16' diameter gazebo at HRH on Saturday, October 28, 2000. NEW BUSINESS Recreation Commission-Media Communications Commissioner Schachner expressed his concern that in spite of a policy adopted in 1998 by the Recreation Commission outlining the guidelines for communications between commissioners and the media, at least one member of the commission has chosen to ignore that policy. Other commissioners also expressed their dissatisfaction for the inaccurate "view on behalf of the commission" that was quoted in the Post Star article about Freedom Park. After further discussion, Commissioner Auer agreed in the future, to only express his view as an individual and not make comments on behalf of and/or as a member of the Recreation Commission. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT The director briefed the commission on a variety of topics including: the upcoming town 2001 budget presentation to the public, the Green Mountain College internship project (12 week work partnership with the department), an update on the status of the Queensbury Land Conservancy and the Eagle Scout project at Hovey Pond. There being no further business, the commission meeting was adjourned at 9: 10 pm. The next meeting will be held on December 5, 2000, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's Conference Room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building. Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director -4-