1996-11-05
QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 5, 1996
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, November 5, 1996, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard,
Maine, Schachner and Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen & Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
Jim Miller, Paul Crandell, Elizabeth Dalaba, Laurie
Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Harrington and others
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Auer made a motion seconded by Commissioner Maine to
approve the minutes of the September 3, 1996 meeting. The minutes
were approved as amended, by majority voice vote (Commissioner
Schachner abstained). A motion (Commissioner Schachner) and second
(Commissioner Auer) to approve the minutes of the October 3, 1996
meeting was then made and unanimously approved by voice vote as
amended.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Director briefly highlighted some of the correspondence which
had been included in the monthly packet. Commissioner Schachner
suggested that copies of Commission-generated correspondence be
sent out earlier through the mails, in addition to the monthly
packet. This will facilitate better communication as well as
keeping commissioners informed and the Director agreed to institute
this procedure from now on.
Chairman Simmonds welcomed the visitors and Paul Crandell spoke on
behalf of the Glens Falls Flyers Swim Club. He briefly detailed
a history of the swim club and explained that he and the club board
members were present to request additional swim time at the school
pool facility. He mentioned that their program (the Flyers) had
grown over the years and that to accommodate club swimmers a
minimum of 1 1/2 hours per night was necessary. Ass't. Director
Lovering outlined the Department's evening swim activities and
there was discussion by the Commission on pool usage and
participation by adults, usage by other groups at the pool and the
school swim team's use. P. Crandell summed up his presentation and
requested an additional 1/2 hour on Wednesday evenings. He agreed
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with a number of commissioners who pointed out that future growth
in the Flyer Swim Club program would, because of lack of available
unused swim time, undoubtedly necessitate use of another swim
facility by his organization. The Director reiterated the
Department's desire to work with the Flyers organization and
assured the Commission, based on their (the Commission's) comments
this evening, that the situation would be resolved.
The Director reviewed the offer of dedication of parkland request
by G. Passarelli and he reminded the Commission that they (the
Commission) had been asked to evaluate this same parcel in 1992.
At that time the Commission had toured the site and deemed the
parcel to be unsuitable as a possible future recreational area.
The Commission was apprised of the Town Board's recent workshop
discussion concerning this same parcel and instructed the Director
to draft a response to the planning board rejecting the offer.
HUDSON RIVER PARK (HRP) PROJECT
Jim Miller and the Director updated the Commission on the status of
HRP project including details on the 10/25/96 bid opening. The
three page project bid summary sheets was reviewed and the
Commiss ion questioned the alternates and proj ect fund balance. The
different bid options were explained and reviewed and after further
discussion it was the consensus that the low base bid and alternate
#3 were the minimum project items which could be approved, per the
grant criterion. Jim Miller explained that the other alternates
were not included in the initial grant application and could be
rebid at a later date, or added in during construction. He relayed
that it was not uncommon to negotiate with the low bidder after the
contract was let. Commissioner Carusone recommended that NuTech
Industries' low bid (base bid and alternate #3) in the amount of
$149,360. be accepted by the Town Board. Commissioner Schachner
seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Chairman Simmonds will draft a note to the Town Board and J. Miller
and the Director will present the formal resolution at the upcoming
meeting on 11/18/96.
Jim Miller presented the most recent conceptual land use plan for
the Faith Bible Church property in the West Glens Falls area and he
and the Director reported on the status of the informal
negotiations between the Church, Open Space Institute (O.S.I.) and
the Town on this property. He relayed the circumstances with
respect to passive vs. active area usage and explained the church's
position as outlined in the one page fax received today (copy
circulated at the meeting). The Director summarized the recent
meetings between the three groups involved and the Commission
expressed dismay regarding the church wanting to sell the property
while imposing restrictions on its land use. The Commission
reiterated their desire to acquire the property and be a "good
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neighbor II but also be able to develop the property without
contingencies.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The Commission reviewed the Department's monthly report which was
included in the packet and there were questions on the program
numbers for the children's soccer league and pigskin football
program.
The Chairman inquired on a tentative date for the Commission's tour
of the Saratoga skateboarding facility and the Director relayed
that no date had been set.
A number of Commissioners also requested information on the annual
joint school/commission meeting and the Director explained that he
would contact the athletic committee representative (L. Mott) to
arrange the traditional January meeting.
Commissioner Carusone suggested that an upcoming meeting be
scheduled as "a rap session" for commissioners and staff to bring
out ideas, review the past years activities, brainstorm, etc. The
group agreed, decided the upcoming meeting was suitable and the
Director was instructed to draft the December agenda, accordingly.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next meeting will be held on December
3, 1996, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference
room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
~~riJ~
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen