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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 -2- 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. -3- 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 -4- 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