1995-02-08
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 8, 1995
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Wednesday, February 8, 1995, at the
Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman
Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Maine, Schachner and
Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen
ABSENT:
Commissioners Hersh (ex) & LaBombard (ex)
VISITORS:
Mr. & Mrs. Sterling Akins and Mr. Roland Akins
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Carusone made the motion to approve the minutes of the
December 14, 1994 meeting. Commissioner Schachner seconded the
motion and along with Commissioner Auer pointed out that the last
paragraph (page 3), regarding executive session was incomplete.
After discussion, it was decided that the minutes should be amended
to reflect that the Commission adjourned to executive session at
8:23 p.m., and returned to open session and subsequently adjourned
the regular meeting at 9:17 p.m. The Director also explained that
Commissioner Hersh called to say that he had never met the
Adirondack Singles Club spokesperson (Ms. Henderson). As such, the
minutes (page 2, paragraph 4), should be changed to denote that
Commissioner Hersh was not a "personal acquaintance" of the A.S.C.
spokesperson. This too will be corrected and after polling all the
Commissioners, the motion (approval of minutes with corrections)
was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Director briefly reviewed items of correspondence which were
included in the monthly packet; the Warren County Probation notice
(1/9/95), the 1/12/95 letter to S. Bapp, the Feeder Canal Alliance
letter (1/12/95), the Hudson River Protection Group memo (1/15/95),
and the minutes of 1/18/95 meeting with New York State Parks,
Recreation & Historic Preservation (N.Y.S.P.R.H.P.),
representatives (Hagemann & Gleason). He also mentioned the
complaint letter from LeMay/Chandler which had been included in the
packet for the January meeting. There were questions from the
Commission regarding the size of the ice area (R/J Park), the
signatures included with the letter, fire company assistance and the
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Department's action in response to the letter. The Director
explained that he had spoken with Mrs. LeMay, mother of Brian
Chandler, by phone following receipt of the letter.
HUDSON RIVER PARK DISCUSSION
The Hudson River Park Project Budget sheet was reviewed and
outlined by the Director and at that time Chairman Simmonds
welcomed the guests and requested their input. Mr. Akins stated
that they were members of the Hudson River Protection Group (about
25 members from around the area), and were interested in the
development of the park and its subsequent impact on the Hudson
River. Following discussion, it was the consensus that the
Commission should tour the proposed park area as a first step
before planning their next course of action. A February 21st,
11:00 a.m., tour by town van was agreed on and the Director will
send out reminder notices to all concerned. Mr. Akins and the
other guests pointed out their concerns regarding park
activities/facilities (boating, swimming, maintenance, a project
Environmental Impact Statement (E.I.S.), etc.) and Commissioner
Schachner mentioned that Mr. Hagemann (1/18/95 meeting) did not
indicate that a full E.I.S. for the site, would be required. In
fact, he noted Mr. Hagemann's statement that day was that the
project would undoubtedly be subject to state environmental review.
The guests reiterated their concerns about the park and its affect
on the river and the Commission requested they (the group) outline
their concerns in writing. Furthermore, it was suggested that some
of the group work with the Commission on the park project and Mr.
Akins was in agreement.
There was discussion on the specifics regarding a town wide public
meeting in order to generate additional public input on the project
and it was the consensus that the planning for this should be done
after the tour, possibly at the regular meeting in March.
The Commission thanked the guests for their input and requested
that they forward their concern letter as soon as possible.
NEW PROGRAM DISCUSSION
The Director briefly explained the new program proposal (Beginning
Drawing), and the Commission questioned the fee structure, program
need and if the Department had a policy to cover how new programs
such as this were initiated. There was considerable discussion on
public relations and how and why the Department decides to offer a
new program. It was agreed from a practical standpoint that the
Department administration was in the best position to make
recommendations with regard to program details.
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The Commission authorized the Department to try the Beginning
Drawing program and after briefly explaining a new Club Hockey
idea, agreed that the Department should investigate further and
determine if there was a need for this type of activity.
The Commission discussed the use of volunteers and the Department
S.O.P. in this regard (application, reference checks, etc.), and
Chairman Simmonds agreed to obtain a copy of a volunteer
application used by another organization. The Commission will then
review this for possible use by the Department in the future.
There was a brief discussion on the Recreation Commission's powers
under General Municipal Law, meeting protocol and Robert's Rules of
Order and the Director will distribute copies of portions of these
documents to commissioners before the next meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Director summarized the recent joint meeting (1/19/95) with
members of the Queensbury School Athletic Committee and there was
some discussion as to the most practical method of alerting the
Commission with regard to cooperative work projects. Overall
because of the circumstances, it was agreed that notification of
Commission members, beforehand, was unnecessary and not practical.
Furthermore, the Commission was satisfied that the Director was
capable of making decisions in this regard.
Commissioner Auer distributed copies of the revised job description
for the Director of Parks & Recreation and after reviewing the
changes as well as the insurance/attorney's analysis, it was
unanimously approved (motion and seconded).
The Commission also discussed Commissioner Auer' s draft letter
(program policy clarification) to the School Board and the
consensus was that the Commission should take no further action in
this regard.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The monthly Department report was reviewed and the Director updated
the Commission on the status of the ice-rinks which the Department
creates and maintains. The recent children's presentation by the
Zucchini Brothers and the Department sponsored senior trip to
Proctor's Theatre (Sound of Music), were brief ly discussed and
there were no further comments.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:24 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 8,
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1995, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor conference (#37),
at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
./X~
S arron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen