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1995-03-08 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 8, 1995 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Wednesday, March 8, 1995, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Maine, Schachner and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen ABSENT: Commissioners Carusone (ex), Hersh (ex) & LaBombard (ex) VISITORS: Mr. & Mrs. Roland Akins, Mr. Sterling Akins, Mr. Tim Brewer and Mr. Brendan Lyons (Post Star) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Maine made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 8, 1995 meeting. Commissioner Auer seconded the motion and Commissioner Schachner suggested that in as much as the Department makes recommendations to the Commission and not determinations per se with regard to program details, that the minutes (page 2, last paragraph) need to be corrected. The Commission agreed and the Director will make the changes to the official file copy. The Commission was polled and the motion (approval of minutes with correction) was unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS The Commission reviewed the December 14, 1994 minutes (executive session paragraph changes), and the letter from M.Brandt/West Mountain and the Director briefly summarized both. The Chairman welcomed the visitors and briefly outlined the Commission's goal with regard to the Hudson River Park (HRP) plans and the upcoming public meeting. The Director reviewed the status of the proj ect to date (grant application, letter of intent, meetings, etc.), and distributed copies of the tentative park budget which was initially included with the grant application. There were questions regarding the Town/State contract as well as the budget figures and after considerable discussion, it was the consensus that the budget summary should be approved and forwarded to the Town Board. -2- There were comments/questions from the visitors (T. Brewer, Mrs. Akins) regarding the boat launch and dock (size, type, portability, etc.), and the Hudson River Protection Group (HRPG) letter (R. Brewer), dated 2/11/95 was briefly discussed. A motion (C. Maine) to approve the HRP budget summary was seconded (D. Auer) , and unanimously adopted and the Director will forward the document (figures) to the Town Board as soon as possible. The Commission discussed numerous items relating to the public informational park project meeting and it was agreed that a meeting in April would allow sufficient time for public notification. After further discussion, it was decided that a 7:00 p.m., Wednesday evening meeting (4/12 or 4/5) was the best option in terms of room availability and Commission/Board attendance. The Director will check with the Town Clerk to confirm a date and notify all concerned parties as early as possible. It was also suggested that the Chairman meet with the Park Project Committee to discuss and draft the meeting format including the agenda. A number of visitors questioned some of the project budget figures and requested an explanation of the estimated annual cost to maintain/supervise the park. The need for play apparatus in conjunction with no supervision was also commented on by T. Brewer and there was discussion on West End Park and the recreational services available at the site. The subject of park supervision (HRP) and the possibility of unauthorized swimming were also concerns mentioned by the visitors and the Commission/Director responded. There was additional discussion about the Hudson River including the feasibility of regulating boat traffic (motor size and quantity of boats) in partnership with DEC and the other adjoining communities. A number of commissioners pointed out that the Town could only regulate those boats that might use the launch, but could not impose restrictions on boats who accessed the river from other sites (launches or private docks). The Director explained that from a personal standpoint, he was in favor of limiting motor boat usage (boat size and horsepower), but that the final decision would be a Commission and/or Town Board matter. Park user fees were also discussed and it was pointed out that Harold Hagemann had mentioned (meeting 1/18/95) that the grant did not preclude the Town from implementing a system of user fees (residents as well as non-resident). A number of other park subjects were discussed including traffic, fencing, permanent rest rooms vs. porta-potties, where the Town's 50% matching portion might corne from and replacing some initial park facilities with other alternatives. The project options which Harold Hagemann explained previously were summarized by the -3- Director and, in answer to a question it was pointed out that, if the Town withdraws from the project, the property which belongs to Warren County would almost certainly be developed and operated as it had been in the past (informal unsupervised boat launch). The Chairman thanked the visitors for their input and assured them their comments were helpful and would be taken into account as the project moved forward. COMMITTEE REPORTS Commissioner Auer presented a verbal personnel committee report and alerted the Department with regard to the hepatitis B inoculation and how it might affect summer employees. The Department will investigate further and take appropriate actions. There were no further reports. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS The Director briefly reviewed the monthly report included in the packet and there was discussion on the seasonal programs which had been adversely affected by the lack of winter weather. It was mentioned that the weather was a major factor and certainly affected many of the winter programs which were offered by the Department. The Director relayed information relating to the Hudson pointe Planned Unit Development (HPPUD) and the 97 acre parcel which the Town has accepted (Town Board resolution #114, 1994), in lieu of imposing a per unit recreation fee. According to available information (Town Board minutes, memo's, etc.), the Town has agreed to accept the dedication of approximately 97 acres of property as a conservation area. The area will be deeded to a third party, the Open Space Institute (OS I), and developed and maintained by them (OSI), for the purpose of passive recreation. A map of the proposed area development was displayed and there were no further comments. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. The next meeting will be held on April 12, 1995, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the Supervisor conference room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building. Sharron L. Simmonds, Chairman Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen