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1995-08-09 \ \ , QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING AUGUST 9, 1995 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held wednesday, August 9, 1995, at the Gurney Lane Recreation Area (pavilion), Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Hersh, Maine, Schachner and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen ABSENT: Commissioners Auer ( ex) , Carusone (ex) and LaBombard (ex) VISITORS: Dave Hodgson, Jeremy Cartier and Scott Piesik APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Schachner made the motion to approve the minutes of the April 12, May 10 and July 12, 1995 meetings. Commissioner Maine seconded the motion and Commission Hersh mentioned that the 7/12/95 minutes should be corrected to reflect that his absence that evening was unexcused. This will be changed and after polling all commissioners the motion was unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS Chairman Simmonds welcomed the two visitors and the Director introduced Jeremy Cartier, a Gurney Lane pool manager. Jeremy briefly outlined his duties/responsibilities and recounted some of his experiences during his 10 years of employment with the Department. A number of commissioners questioned Jeremy on various aspects of the pool operation and there were no further comments. The Commission requested clarification of the Supervisor's memo (7/21/95 - W.G.F. Fire Company Property) and the Director explained that he too was unsure regarding the note. He pointed out that previously a proposal had been drafted by the Director and J. Martin and sent to the Fire Company (9/12/94). The Commission questioned adding detail to the project until more input is obtained from fire company personnel. The Commission instructed the Director to clarify the memo as soon as possible with the Supervisor. Chairman Simmonds requested to speak on the next item of correspondence (Post Star editorial - 7/30/95) and relayed the background events and details with respect to Mrs. B. Kennedy. The -2- Commission had no further comments and the next items of corres- pondence (Adirondack Youth Soccer Club letter and the Post Star "River Park" article) were reviewed and briefly discussed. The Commission also requested additional information on the Town Board resolution authorizing O'Brien and Geer to perform a PCB test (Environmental Liability Assessment) at the proposed park site. Chairman Simmonds relayed that Commissioner Auer had been present at the 8/7/95 Board meeting and wondered if the Department was aware of the circumstances. The Director explained that he had only seen a copy of the resolution (draft form) that morning (8/9/95) and that he knew nothing of the specifics. Once the resolution becomes official the Director will obtain a copy and distribute it to the Commission for discussion at the September meeting. Chairman Simmonds welcomed Dave Hodgson who explained that he was present to update the Commission on the status of the proposed regional bike trail extension. He displayed an area map depicting present as well as proposed bike trails and outlined his group's efforts since he last spoke to the Commission in January 1994. He relayed the group's progress in terms of the resources which have been committed on the part of the Warren County D.P.W. and the State Department of Transportation. He explained that some funding had been secured and that elements of the plan i.e. the Feeder Canal portion, the G.F. railroad right-of-way track and the connecting bridge over Quaker Road were all scheduled to be installed or completed by next year. However, the portion through Queensbury from exit 20, south on the western side of the Northway to Aviation Road, which was to be funded through a combination Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act ( 1. S. T. E. A. ) grant and a 20% local share (value of land to be donated) is now, because of a non-cooperative landowner, no longer feasible. Therefore, the plan as initially proposed would have to be redesigned and the 20% local match would now have to corne from an alternative source. Basically he was present tonight to not only update the Commission on the status of the project, but also to enlist the Commission's support in backing the next phase of the project. Furthermore, he hoped to inquire whether recreation subdivision funds could be used as the local matching share. Overall, the Commission was supportive of the project and the environmental groups extensive efforts to date. However, the Commission had some concerns and questions regarding ownership and maintenance of the new bike trails, the cost to widen and/or pave a 4'-6' wide road shoulder, the actual amount needed as the 20% local match and the time frame/deadline for this final round of l.S.T.E.A. funding. In addition, there were also questions about the Town's resolution/commitment in 1994 ($25,000.00), who would prepare the I.S.T.E.A. application, who would engineer the trails and how the Citizen's Environmental Committee was structured/ -3- involved with this project. Dave Hodgson responded to all questions and the Director reiterated that the special recreation subdivision pool was most probably the fund from which the local share could be taken. Dave also agreed to recalculate the cost of the project considering the new factors (widen roadway/shoulders vs constructing a 6' wide bike trail) and advise the Commission. This will certainly change the total cost of the project and thus reduce the Town's 20% share. The Director volunteered to contact P. Naylor (Highway Dept.) regarding his 1996 road resurfacing schedule and any possible cost savings that might exist in this area. This was the case with the Warren County D.P.W. who were able to widen Blind Rock Road for bikes when they recently repaved it. Hopefully, something similar can be incorporated with the Town's repaving road schedule. The Chairman thanked Mr. Hodgson for his information and Dave agreed to relay the Commission's support when he meets with the Town Board in the future. He will also provide the Commission with revised cost estimates as soon as possible. GURNEY LANE POOL SHADE DISCUSSION Chairman Simmonds relayed that she had been contacted by Mrs. Jean Lowe (representing several other parents) regarding the lack of shade at the Gurney Lane pool for parents watching their children during the swim lesson program. The Chairman explained that Mrs. Lowe was not satisfied with the Department's solution (purchase four large umbrellas which were installed in the center of four picnic tables which were then strategically located in the adjacent grass areas just off the pool deck) and that she would have preferred a more permanent structure. The Director mentioned that the 6' diameter umbrellas purchased were approximately $20. a piece and though not the cheapest available were considerably less than the $75-$100. umbrellas (7'-8' diameter) which could have been bought at another local retail outlet. He also pointed out that aside from Mrs. Lowe, the response to the Department's umbrellas which were installed approximately three weeks ago have been positive. J. Cartier reiterated that he too had heard only positive comments relative to the umbrellas and explained that anything else in terms of a permanent structure attached to the building might be ineffective (not close enough to the pool to see the lessons) as well as possibly hazardous in this "a high traffic area" . The group then walked to the pool area to view the tables/umbrellas firsthand. There was further discussion and the Commission decided that two additional larger umbrellas should be purchased and placed at the site and that for the September meeting the Director should investigate and present information on a more permanent structure. -4- Furthermore, it was agreed that Mrs. Lowe should also be invited to the next meeting to express her comments and Chairman Simmonds will contact her on behalf of the Commission. HOVEY POND PLANTING PLAN The Commission reviewed the National Small Business Tree Planting Application/Grant (Hovey Pond Park) and the Director reminded them that the grant deadline was 9/30/95. After a brief discussion it was the consensus that the Department should submit the appropriate paperwork purchase order to Binley's and proceed with the project as initially outlined in the application and revised (11/94). 1996 BUDGET DISCUSSION The Director briefly explained that the Department's budget was due to the comptroller by mid-August. He briefly highlighted some of the budget guidelines which must be adhered to when preparing the budget estimates and assured the Commission there would be ample time for them to review and change, if necessary, the Department's figures before they become final. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. The next meeting will be held on September 13, 1995, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor conference room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building. Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen