1996-04-09
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
APRIL 9, 1996
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, April 9, 1996, 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:
Supervisor Champagne, Councilwomen Goedert and
Pulver, Director Hansen and Ass't. Director
Lovering
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
Roland Akins, Tim Brewer and Nancy Hansen
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The items of correspondence which were included in the monthly
packet were reviewed and there were comments on the newspaper
articles and the Glen View Social Elder-Club letter.
The Chairman welcomed the visitors. The Director updated the
Commission on the Hudson River Park project. He relayed that the
archeological field reconnaissance had been completed (Hartgen
Associates) and the findings were negative (i. e no significant
historical evidence found). Therefore, parts 2 and 3 of the State
Environment Quality Review Act (SEQRA) form could now be completed
and the project design and construction phase begun.
The Director relayed his conversation with Harold Hagemann relative
to the Town's options and distributed his (Hagemann's) 4/4/96
letter reiterating the project situation to this point. There was
discussion on the 12/96 deadline for the project and questions
about the "yet to be completed" administrative phases outlined in
the project timetable. The Supervisor also explained the
permissive referendum situation and how a properly filed petition
would affect the project. There was considerable discussion
regarding the recreation subdivision capital fund account and how,
where and under what circumstances it could be expended. The
guidelines for expenditure of those funds were briefly explained by
the Director and it was pointed out that any
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use of those funds would be subject to a 30 day permissive
referendum (present state law and town legislation). There were
comments and mixed opinions with respect to the County's
intentions, if the Town's park plans were shelved. Mr. Akins
commented on the Recreation Commission's 3/13/96 reply to the
Hudson River Preservation Group and stated that an environmental
impact statement (EIS) was, in their opinion, a necessity for this
project. The Director responded that the evidence to date did not
warrant an EIS and, in fact, that decision was the Town Board's
choice based on the SEQRA review. There was further discussion on
boat/motor size, rest rooms and the proposed boat launch. There
were also comments on the State grant criteria and the planned
"trade-off of facilities ". However, no changes (trade-off) were
agreed on by the Town Board and the park facilities have remained
as shown in the original application. After further discussion on
regulating boat/motor size, it was suggested that at a future
meeting the Director bring someone with expertise in order to
clarify and explain more about motor boats.
SUBDIVISION RECREATION FEE DISCUSSION
The Commission briefly reviewed the subdivision recreation fee
information and the Director again explained the request letter
from the Homebuilders Association of Northern New York (M.
Crayford) which had been discussed previously. A number of payment
options/alternatives were discussed and Commissioner Schachner
moved; lito recommend to the Town Board that the recreation fee
provision of the subdivision, multi-family unit and planned unit
development law be amended to require payment of the fee, when the
fee is going to be assessed, at the time of building permit
request, rather than the time of the initial approval (site plan)."
This motion was seconded by Commissioner Carusone and unanimously
approved by voice vote. Thereafter, the Chairman was directed to
draft the Commission's recommendation to the Town Board and other
concerned parties.
COMMISSION/MEDIA DISCUSSION
Chairman Simmonds outlined the concerns expressed previously by
other Commission members regarding media contact by individual
commissioners. She explained that, in the past, items have
appeared in the local press which were either not
discussed/approved by the entire Commission or were reported
inaccurately. This was confirmed by a number of commissioners and
after further discussion, all present agreed that although
commissioners were certainly entitled to express their personal
opinion, the Commission's position should only be expressed through
the Chairman.
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DEPARTMENT CONSOLIDATION ALTERNATIVE
The draft copies of the Commission's manpower/equipment proposal
and Department monthly maintenance work responsibilities were
reviewed and it was the consensus that the concept was good and
that the proposed options would greatly maximize the Department's
personnel more effectively. In terms of equipment usage and
maintenance overtime, Supervisor Champagne explained that these
items were under discussion with the union representative.
Chairman Simmonds was directed to draft a cover letter to the Town
Board and submit it along with the proposals at the workshop on the
22nd.
NEW PARK INFORMATION
The Chairman outlined information about the 32 acre area on
Glenwood Avenue behind the animal hospital which Dr. Wiswall is
considering donating to the Town as parkland. The site is
centrally located and would seem to be ideal for use as a major
park site. She explained that Dr. and Mrs. Wiswall had already
formulated a list of facilities which they hoped would be included
in the park and requested that the Commission accompany them on a
tour of the site. The Director displayed a map of the site/area
and after discussion it was agreed that a 4:30 p.m. site visit on
Tuesday, April 16th was suitable for all concerned.
PLAY AREA EQUIPMENT INVENTORY ANALYSIS
The Director reviewed the list of park-play area apparatus which
had been sent out earlier and it was explained that the Town's
insurance liability carrier was in the process of evaluating all
equipment. This analysis process was begun sometime ago and was
the first step in assisting the Department in evaluating the
equipment in terms of liability exposure. In addition, the
apparatus was also being analyzed for the purpose of upgrading and
adding play equipment. The St. Paul's playground equipment report
should be finalized and available by the Commission's May meeting.
SUMMER PROGRAM REPORT
The Department's Summer Program Report which was included in the
monthly packet was presented by Ass't. Director Lovering and the
Program Report Committee (Auer, Simmonds and LaBombard). There
were comments about the plan for consolidation of some "Q-Club"
sites and the resulting projected reduction in program expenses.
It was also mentioned because of changes and trends that the
Department needed to rethink the scope of what it offers to the
general public. More special events, trips and 190's" activities
should be offered in addition
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to traditional recreation programs. It was also mentioned that
because of competition, the Department might also need to attract
and recruit participants which was not the situation 5 or 10 years
ago.
The Commission congratulated the Ass't. Director on a super job
(program report/recommendations) and agreed to accompany Department
personnel on April 22nd when the report is scheduled to be
presented to the Board. A discussion ensued regarding part time
salaries and the Director mentioned that the Department was losing
"old timers II because of the low salary range. A number of
Commissioners and the Councilwomen proposed that the Department
redistribute the unused funds to be saved from the "Q-Club" program
to other activity areas which may need it (i.e. swim program).
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The Director presented a verbal monthly report and briefly
highlighted the status of summer program preparation.
The Commission àlso discussed the Director's request to attend the
State Conference in Syracuse (induction as State Organization
Treasurer) and along with the Town Board members present, was given
verbal permission.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 9:53 p.m. The next meeting will be held on May 14,
1996, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference room
(#37), at tÐe Queensbury Town Office Building.
~)(nan~n
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen