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1993-03-17 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 17, 1993 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, March 17, 1993, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Hersh, Maine and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering ABSENT: Commissioners Carusone (ex) Labatore, LaBombard ( ex) , and VISITORS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Hersh moved to approve the minutes of the February 10, 1993 meeting. Commissioner Maine seconded the motion and after polling all commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Simmonds advised everyone present that late yesterday afternoon (3/16/93), she had contacted M.L. Gosline to reconfirm tonight's meeting time and the presentation by the Friends of Hovey Pond (FHP). At that time, M.L. Gosline mentioned that someone was to have contacted the chairman, previously, to explain that due to personal conflicts, the group (FHP) would not be in attendance the following evening. She (M.L. Gosline) also requested that their presentation be rescheduled. Overall, the Commission was displeased with the lack of courtesy as well as communication demonstrated by this group. In this instance, their actions were both inappropriate and somewhat damaging to the entire project, especially in terms of the time factor delay. It was noted that the April meeting had been changed originally in part to accommodate this group and their presentation. Furthermore, they (FHP) had initially been directed (October 1992, Commission meeting), to make their presentation at a Commission meeting in February or March. It would seem that this group (FHP) is intent on following their own agenda and time schedule and this could be counterproductive to the entire project. After further discussion, it was agreed that at this point, the / 2 project would be best served by permitting the group (FHP), the opportuni ty to outline their proposal at a special afternoon workshop meeting, as soon as possible. The entire Commission would then have a chance to review and discuss their plan (FHP) at the next Commission meeting in April. The Chairman will contact the group's (FHP) representative to finalize details and, thereafter, the Director will notify all Commission members of the exact workshop meeting date and time. As a final note, the Director reminded the Commission that they had been given the responsibility by the Town Board (11/9/92, TB meeting), of overseeing as well as completing the Hovey Pond project. SWIM POOL/LESSON FEE DISCUSSION The swimming pool/lesson fee comparison information (chart and statistics), were explained in detail and reviewed by the Commission. There was considerable discussion with regard to the chart comparing pool and lesson fees and the Commission was mildly surprised at the wide range of fees being charged by the eleven area/regional park and recreation departments who offer public swimming as well as lessons. It was also noted that the chart and accompanying information were useful in comparing and analyzing other factors including; resident vs. non-resident fees, the pool fee for seniors, the age cut-off for children and adults and the question about season tokens. The Commission also discussed a number of options in terms of how the Department would sell/collect fees for swim lessons, pool admission and season tokens. Personnel as well as supplies/equipment (forms, turnstile, cash register, etc.), in order for the Department to be able to implement the user fee program were also outlined by the Director in considerable detail. Overall, the need for control as well as accountability were of concern to the Commissioners and the Director assured them that these elements were also of concern to the Department. He reiterated that his prior experiences with the Elmhurst Park District should be useful in helping the Queensbury Department of Parks & Recreation implement a comparable swimming pool/lesson user fee program. The Commission discussed the option of using a token system for pool entry and there was concern expressed regarding how these tokens would be purchased, especially, when the Department office was closed (weekends). Daily admission fees and some type of wall mounted token dispenser, to minimize the need for pool personnel to handle money was also mentioned and the Director will investigate this possibility further. The option of instituting a park entry fee instead of a pool entry fee was suggested by Commissioner Hersh. However, after 3 considerable discussion, it was agreed that this solution would require considerably more thought and coordination because of variables unique to Gurney Lane (i.e. pavilion usage, bus transportation, increased bike transportation, Gurney Lane's out- of-the-way location, lack of other recreational facilities, morning swim lessons, etc.). The Director also explained that entry to the pool through the bathhouse lobby was also designed and equipped with railings in order to channel patrons through a central checkpoint. This foresight should, therefore, make accountability as well as collecting a user fee somewhat less difficult. Types of turnstiles (coin, token, etc.), including token dispensing machines were again discussed and the Director will investigate all of the options which have been suggested and report back at a later date. The Commission reviewed and discussed a variety of pool related questions including the cost of the pool entry fee (full and half day), and the Director summarized the five page comparison document. Overall, the Commission was pleased with the information, and it was the consensus that this information would be sufficient to justify and support any recommendation by the Commission to the Town Board. The Director agreed and should be ready with the Department's recommendation at the next Commission meeting. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT Ass't. Director Lovering presented the monthly report and answered questions about the winter Hooper Basketball program. The Director circulated an example of a metal sign which M. Baird of Mike Baird Signs, Inc. designed. The historical timeline at the park (Hovey Pond), was envisioned originally as an engraved metal sign and this is one example. The Town Historian and the Director are still working and investigating possibilities in this area. Commissioner Auer suggested that BOCES might make this type of sign and agreed to check this possibility out further and get back to the Director. Commissioner Hersh inquired regarding the status of the Miller park expansion proposals (Gurney Lane and Ridge/Jenkinsville), and wondered if the Department/Town intended to move forwarded on one or both of these park plans. The Director briefly recapped the situation since Mr. Miller presented his architectural designs for expansion at both of these parks and reiterated that due to other priorities and the Board's lack of approval (3/2/92 TB meeting), that no progress had occurred. After other comments, the Commission requested that the Director add this topic to the April meeting agenda and include all applicable information in the monthly packet. 4 Chairman Simmonds reminded everyone that the upcoming April meeting was also the annual meeting at which Commission officers were elected. She reiterated the extreme importance of the meeting and, especially, everyone's attendance. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. The next meeting will be held on April 14, 1993, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's meeting room (#37), at the Town Office Building. ~~8~ Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen