2000-05-02
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
,
MAY 2, 2000
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held
Tuesday, May 2, 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:
Aquatics Supervisor Herald and Director Hansen
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
Supervisor Brower and Greg LaPann
AWARD CEREMONY
Director Hansen introduced Greg LaPann (department pool manager) and Chairman Simmonds
welcomed him. After briefly relating the circumstances surrounding the incident that occurred at
the school pool in March, the chairman on behalf of the commission/department, thanked him
for his actions and presented him with a gift certificate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTE~ - None
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The items included in the monthly packet were briefly reviewed and there were no comments.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve CHPNP) Conservation Easement Discussion
The director reported that the revised draft HPNP conservation easement memo from Dan
Luciano, Open Space Institute (OSI) had been reviewed by Town Counsel. The memo outlined
changes requested by the Recreation Commission at their 4/13/00 meeting. The revised draft
easement included the changes the commission had requested and except for a minor change in
wording in paragraph 4.2, Enforcement, the revised document was acceptable to counsel. The
director has contacted Dan (OSI) regarding the change in wording (paragraph 4.2). Once a final
conservation easement document is received, the next step will be to recommend approval to
the Town Board. The director was instructed to draft a recommendation of acceptance (HPNP)
for the commission's review.
Land Trust
A copy of the Queensbury Town Counsel's land trust memo was distributed and reviewed by the
director. He relayed that the formation of the land trust organization was proceeding on
schedule and that the Town Board would receive an update in mid-May. Thereafter, it was
anticipated that the land trust organization would be 9perational sometime this fall.
NEW BUSINESS
Gurney Lane Pool ReDairs
The commission was updated concerning the scope of the pool repairs which were underway at
the Gurney Lane facility and there were numerous questions and comments. A number of
commissioners were concerned that the director had entered into verbal agreements with
contractors/consultants without setting specific cost estimates/limits. He explained the reason
for his actions and will rectify the situation as soon as possible. Regarding funds for the pool
repairs, a number of possible alternatives (subdivision fees, admission fees, etc.) were
suggested by the commission. The director indicated these alternatives were not permitted
under town guidelines, however, he relayed that the comptroller had mentioned that emergency
repair funding was available through the general fund. In terms of when the pool would be
available for public use, the director relayed that he doubted the facility would be ready for the
traditional Memorial Weekend opening. He indicated due to a multitude of variables, that an
opening sometime in mid-June was more realistic. The director reiterated that the repairs were
proceeding as scheduled and that the work would be completed before the swim lessons begin
in June.
Tennis Court Repairs
The director relayed a request from Queensbury School personnel in terms of assisting with the
court surface repairs at the school's tennis courts. The courts have cracks and are in need of
approximately $3,000. worth of repairs. They (school personnel) are inquiring if the
commission/town would consider assisting in the cost to refurbish the court surface. The
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commission discussed the repair costs and questioned the director regarding; possible funding
sources, responsibility to repair per the joint school/town agreement, future school plans for
relocating the courts, etc. He explained that funds were available through the general fund and
based on the 1990 joint agreement that the town was not obligated to assist with court repairs.
However, as a "gesture of joint cooperation" he (director) would recommend that the
commission consider a resolution authorizing that the town reimburse the school district for a
portion of the tennis court repairs. He suggested a reimbursement of $1000. Although the
entire commission agreed and was in favor of supporting a spirit of cooperation, there was not a
unanimous support for the expenditure of $1000. After further discussion the commission voted
to support the directors' proposal to reimburse the . School District for $1000. of tennis court
repair expenses (majority vote 5-2 in favor, Commissioners LaBombard and Schachner
opposed). The director will contact the school administration and have the Town Board adopt a
resolution authorizing the funds.
Portable Park Restroom (Porta-Johns) Di$cussion
Supervisor Brower commented on the need for temporary toilets (porta-johns) at a number of
town parks and indicated his support for a handicapped porta-john facility at the soon to be
completed Freedom Park site. He mentioned his recent request to the Warren County Board of
Supervisors (bike trail porta-john) and the director reiterated that the town's local law would
have to be amended before such temporary/seasonal facilities could be located in town parks.
The Town Board has already initiated the change in the local law and will become law in 30 days
after being filed with the Secretary of State.
The commission agreed with the Supervisor regarding the need for these temporary facilities
and the director was instructed to prepare the necessary cost estimates and supporting
documentation to shift funds from the capital subdivision account in order to rent these facilities
for the remainder of the calendar year.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
A number of on going programs and activities were outlined by the staff and there were
comments on the adult softball league and the department program comparison report included
in the monthly packets.
There being no further business, the commission meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm. The next
meeting will be held on June 6, 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
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