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1999-03-02 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 2, 1999 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, March 2, 1999 at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard, Maine, Schachner and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen, Assistant Director Lovering and Typist S. Ramsey, Councilmen Irish and Tucker ABSENT: None VISITORS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Carusone made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Maine to approve the minutes of the January 5 and February 2, 1999 meetings. Commissioner Auer questioned whether his comments regarding a sign and/or flashing lights for the gate at Hudson River Park had been reflected in a previous set of minutes. The director assured him that the December 1, 1998 meeting minutes had in fact been changed to include his comments. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of those amended minutes was invited to stop by the office to pick them up. The motion (to approve the meeting minutes of January 5 and February 2, 1999) was then unanimously approved by voice vote. COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS The director reviewed the items of correspondence included in the monthly packet beginning with a memo from Supervisor Champagne regarding the possible lease of the Niagara Mohawk property near the Feeder Canal. A letter to Paul Impola from NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) was reviewed. The letter outlined the construction process for Hudson River Park as well as the various short comings demonstrated by the contractor (NuTech). The director informed the commission that the first voucher request for Hudson River Park had been submitted ($139,000) and that the town was entitled to 50% reimbursement. At this time Commissioner Schachner requested that when the commission is copied on correspondence, that they (the commission) be mailed the correspondence at the time it is generated rather than at a later date. The director apologized and agreed that, in the future, this could be done. Commissioner Auer questioned if Harold Hagemann (NYSOPRHP) had been apprised of the difficulties experienced with NuTech and whether a good track record existed in informing others of these problems. Some commissioners pointed out that within the department's letter to Mr. Impola (which was copied to Harold Hagemann) there were several instances that mentioned contractor deficiencies. There was a brief discussion and it was agreed that a good track record of notifying the proper officials of contractor difficulties has been demonstrated. A memo to the town board regarding the department's new full time aquatics position was discussed. The director outlined a possible time table for the interviewing and hiring process. There was some discussion concerning a hiring date, possible hours and Warren County Personnel's approval of the position. The commission directed the department to proceed with the advertising and interviewing process. The final bit of correspondence reviewed was a memo from Queensbury's Community Development Department (Chuck Voss and Laura Moore) concerning a $5,000 NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation - Urban Forestry Grant. Director Hansen outlined a plan to secure grant funding for a planting project (trees and shrubbery) at Hudson River Park. He further stated that a copy of the planting guide, developed by Miller Associates (Landscape Architect for original park project), had been forwarded to the community development department to be included with the grant application. Commissioner Schachner wondered if the previous month's correspondence (February meeting cancelled) should be reviewed this month due to the cancellation. Director Hansen agreed and apologized for the error, but due to a full agenda for this month's meeting (March) February's correspondence was overlooked. UNEINI5HED BUSI~I=SS The commission was presented with a 16 page draft summary and analysis report of the 1999 Program-Facility Survey. Director Hansen thanked all those responsible for their hard work putting the report together. He proceeded to give a general outline -2- concerning the set up of the document and the information contained within. The commission thanked the department staff for a wonderful report, commented on the need for careful review of the information and a plan to meet the following week to discuss it. A 4:30 PM meeting on Tuesday, March 9th was confirmed (Note: a second draft, 51 pages, including all survey comments will be available at this time). Director Hansen commented on the possibility of developing a park site, in conjunction with the Feeder Canal Alliance (FCA), on a six acre Niagara Mohawk parcel that abuts the town owned property at the Feeder Dam location. He reviewed his letter to Niagara Mohawk (Steven Murphy) regarding the town's support of a cooperative park development project, as well as a letter from Pat Crayford (FCA Director) to the town. There was brief discussion by the commission in support of working with the FCA to develop a park at the Feeder Dam location. No further action by the commission was necessary at this time, but they will be kept apprised by the department of any progress made. ~EW BUSINESS Director Hansen outlined a request from Councilman Tucker to consider adding some fencing (split rail and chain link) at Hudson River Park. The fencing would add an aesthetic value while also discouraging unwanted access from four wheel drive, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles which has caused some recent damage during the winter and spring months. The director informed the commission that the money would come from the subdivision funds and therefore be subject to a 30 day referendum. He suggested that the commission also consider other ancillary facilities (at other park locations) and to include those costs when transferring funds out of the sub-division account to pay for the fencing project. The director offered to put together some cost estimates (if possible) for different facilities for the commission to consider at the April meeting. The possible transfer of ownership of the Hudson River Park property (formally the 44.34 acre DeSantis property - Big Boom Road) from Warren County to the Town of Queensbury was discussed. The director outlined his recent letter (February 25, 1999) to Pat Beland (Warren County Parks and Recreation) affirming the town's desire to own the 44+ acre parcel. He also mentioned that the transfer would compliment the 8 acre property (north of the 44 acre parcel) recently gifted to the town by Mr. and Mrs. Carl DeSantis. No further action by the commission was necessary at this time, but they will be kept apprised by the department of any progress made. -3- The director updated the commission concerning the Faith Bible Church property and the status with regard to its possible purchase by the Open Space institute (OSI). An updated map from Joe Martens (OSI) was shown and Director Hansen explained that the church group was now interested in retaining an additional 6-8 acres (approximately) from the original map thereby reducing the property available for active recreational facilities. After some discussion the commission decided to re-walk the property later this spring and to reassess it's value with regard to active recreation. COMMITTEE REPORT Commissioner Hersh acting as Chairman of the ad hoc grand opening committee mentioned his desire for assistance in formulating ideas for the Hudson River Park grand opening later this spring. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT Director Hansen presented a verbal report and updated the commission concerning a conflict (received by Commissioner Schachner) between x-country skiers and motorized vehicles at the Ridge/Jenkinsville park trails. He stated that the conflict (use of motorized vehicles) had ceased on weekends thereby correcting any potential conflict. Also the director had been in contact with Carl DeSantis (Hudson River Park) and he was agreeable to he and his wife's names appearing on the park sign, but nothing more elaborate. Lastly, the commission was informed of Bob Eddy's (Friends of Hovey Pond) desire to place small signs (identifying the species) near each tree as an educational benefit. The commission was in favor of the signs and gave approval to proceed with the purchase (approximately $365.). There being no further business, the commission meeting was adjourned at 8:46 PM The next meeting will be held on April 6, 1999, beginning at 7:00 PM, in the Supervisor's Conference Room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building. --~~ o Chairman ?II S . C.ofé7 (ISO 1'1 e Vt¡OvTY Minutes prepared by Steven M. Lovering, Assistant Director -4-