1996-02-13
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 13, 1996
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, February 13, 1996, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Hersh, LaBombard, Maine, Schachner
and Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioners Auer (ex) and Carusone (ex)
VISITORS:
Emily & Roland Akins
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Schachner made the motion to approve the minutes of
the December 12, 1995 meeting, it was seconded by Commissioner
Maine and unanimously approved. Commissioner Maine then made a
motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 1996 meeting and it
was seconded by Commissioner Schachner. After polling all
commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Director briefly reviewed the items of correspondence included
in the monthly packet and there were questions about the Adirondack
Youth Soccer Club letter. It was explained that the club
president, James Reinert had looked, previously, at the Ridge/
Jenkinsville Park field area and was confident that their
organization could make adequate use of the facility. Furthermore,
the letter outlined the club's plans and after further discussion,
the Commission supported the Director's recommendation to allow the
club to use the vacant field area. The other items of
correspondence were reviewed and there were no further comments.
HUDSON RIVER PARK (HRP) PROJECT UPDATE
The Commission remarked on the copy of a recent Post Star article
which reported on the archeological study and the Director briefly
updated the commissioners on the status of the proj ect. He
explained that delays have occurred, however, once the study is
completed, the project will be back on schedule.
The Chairman recognized Mr. & Mrs. Akins and they mentioned that
they were present to learn more about the Open Space Institute
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(OSI) proposal/Faith Bible Church property and how it might impact
the Hudson River and the Hudson Point Preserve. The Director
relayed specifics with respect to the OSI proposal outlined at the
board workshop (1/22/96) and there were questions/discussion on the
architectural/engineering phase of the project i.e., the process
and how the individual and/or firm would be chosen.
Mr. & Mrs. Akins expressed their concerns about the HRP boat launch
(boat and motor size restrictions) and there was considerable
discussion with regard to the unregulated boat launches already on
the river. The Commission pointed out that what occurred at these
other facilities, was not the Town's responsibility at this time.
In addition, the actions of shoreline property owners who chose to
use large boats with big motors on the river, was also something
the Town could neither control nor regulate. After further
discussion, it was agreed that voluntary cooperation and
coordination among all parties concerned (public, private as well
as shoreline residents) was the only way to regulate boating
activities.
DEPARTMENT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
The revised Department employment application was reviewed and the
Commission recommended a few minor changes (salary question,
disabilities act clarification, etc.). These will be removed
and/or revised in the final draft. The Department expects to have
the finished copy ready for Commission approval at the next
meeting.
HUDSON POINTE (HP)/OSI DISCUSSION
The Hudson River pointe Management Plan, a copy of which the
Commission received in their packets, was discussed and the
Director explained the OSI organization and its proposal to the
Town. A HP project map and a smaller area map were displayed and
the OSI/Faith Bible Church (Camp Jadamada) proposal was outlined in
detail. The Commission had numerous questions related to the scope
as well as the ramifications of the OSI proposition. The Director
responded and explained that he and the Community Development
Department (J. Martin and J. Goralski) were in the process of
responding to the Board with regard to the site's potential for
future recreational park use. The Commission set up an on-site
visit to be held February 22nd at 8:00 a.m., after which a
recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Board.
BYLAWS DRAFT
The Commission briefly reviewed the draft copy of the Commission
Bylaws document and it was suggested that the italicized statement
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in section 4, article 3 be changed. This will be corrected and
after a motion (Commissioner LaBombard) and a second (Commissioner
Hersh), the bylaws document was unanimously approved. The Director
will see that the Town Board receives copies.
TOWN REORGANIZATION PROPOSAL
The Chairman recounted the events of the previous evening's
workshop meeting with the Town Board and there was discussion on
all aspects of the Supervisor's proposal. It was the consensus
that the Commission had expressed their position at the meeting.
In addition, they (the Commission) agreed to formulate a plan that
would include information about Department personnel and equipment,
work schedules and an ongoing training program for park employees.
DISCUSSION - RULES OF CONDUCT FOR COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Schachner relayed a personal viewpoint regarding the
Commission and its interaction with the media. He mentioned that
as an appointed commission of the Town, the group should only act
and respond as a "body" (the Commission) and then only after
discussing a matter and agreeing, or disagreeing as the Commission.
Furthermore, he stated that The Post Star on more than one occasion
had reported something, on behalf of the Commission which he
neither agreed with nor knew about. Furthermore, he reiterated
that expressing an individual viewpoint "on behalf of the
Commission" should never occur. All present agreed and it was the
consensus that this subject should be discussed further at the next
meeting when all members were present.
DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT
The Commission reviewed the Department monthly report and there
were no comments.
The Director distributed a Recreation Assessment Fund summary and
after a brief discussion, the Commission agreed that it was
valuable information for future park development.
Commissioner LaBombard requested an update on the Hiland Park usage
question and the Director reported that no such formal agreement
for use of the Hiland Park recreational facilities could be
located.
The Director also relayed information on the current reappointment
procedure for commissioners and explained that at this time a
letter from the commissioner requesting reappointment, was
required.
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An informational municipal park and recreation department
comparison summary was also distributed and a number of
commissioners remarked about the disparity between similar sized
departments.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 9:04 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 12,
1996, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference room
(#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
Al~Y~
arron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen