1991-11-13
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 13, 1991
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury,
held Wednesday, November 13, 1991, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury,
New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Carusone, Hersh, Labatore, Labombard, Simmonds, Sperry
and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
COMMUNICATIONS
The Director reviewed the items of correspondence which was included in the monthly
packet emphasizing the W.C. Youth Bureau summer program evaluation and the note from
Mr. & Mrs. Carpenter.
The Director's Recreation Commission Meeting Day/Date Change memo was also mentioned
and Commissioners were again reminded that all future monthly meetings had been changed
from the second Monday to the second Wednesday of every month. Along with that.
Chairman Simmonds reminded all present that commission meeting attendance was
extremely important. As such, if a commissioner could not attend a regularly scheduled
meeting, for whatever reason, then notification to the Department/Director, beforehand,
was obligatory.
MASTER PLAN REPORT DISCUSSION
Chairman Simmonds briefly summarized the Master Plan document which was now finished
and scheduled to officially be presented to the Town Board on December 2nd. The final
payment ($2000.00) will also be made that night and it was suggested that as many
Commissioners as possible attend the presentation that evening. The Director will send
out "reminder notices" prior to the meeting.
DEPARTMENT BUDGETREVIBW
An information sheet outlining the 1992 "proposed" Department budget was distributed
and explained by the Director. He pointed out that the Department's "requested" budget
had made it through the first two stages with only minor changes by the Supervisor/Town
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Board. Additional changes prior to the budget being adopted by the November deadline,
though possible, were at this point unlikely.
A number of Commissioners questioned specific line items and there was discussion about
some of the budget increases/decreases which were shown. Those line items/figures were
explained by the Director. The Commission also inquired about the Capital Subdivision
Account and it was explained that this was a special "capital" account and was not reflected,
or included in the Department's operating budget figures.
PARK PLANNING DISCUSSION
The Director reviewed the Department's plans for future park development and he updated
the Commission on the status of the Miller proposal (Gurney Lane and Ridge/Jenkinsville
Park expansion). The proposal has been in "limbo" since September and the outlook (having
the Town Board act on it before 12/31/91), is doubtful.
There was considerable discussion on Hovey Pond Park and many of the other park projects
which had been listed/prioritized by the Commission earlier this year. They reviewed
how the completed Master Plan dovetailed with the Commission's park project list. Overall,
the consensus is that because of changes (newly elected Board members) the
Commission/Department will probably have to "sell" the park development priority list
all over again. If this is the case, it will undoubtedly take both time and effort on everyone's
part.
DIRECTORI ASS'T DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ass't. Director Lovering outlined the Department's upcoming winter program of activities
including weekend ski trips and the ski lesson program (see flyer). He also detailed the
two fall sports programs (flag football and youth soccer) which had recently ended. Both
were well attended (registered - 390 for soccer and 150 for flag football) and will be offered
again next season.
The Director mentioned that the Department would be undertaking an in-depth
review/analysis of all programs/activities as a first step in proposing a schedule of user
fees and charges. It was explained that the growth in and cost to operate the Parks and
Recreation Department had increased substantially, in the past 5 years. However, the
revenue to operate and supervise those same Department programs/activities had not
kept pace. Though tax dollars had always made up the difference, this might not always
be the case in the future. Therefore, the Department was looking to "balance the equation"
by increasing user fees, thereby, shifting the burden of obligation from the general public
to the specific user of that program, or facility. The Department will analyze all program/
facility usage and then recommend to the Commission/Town Board, a schedule of fees
and charges. No time frame was given, but it was anticipated that the proposal (schedule
of user fees/charges) would be in place before 1992 summer programs begin.
There being no further business, the Commission was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on December 11, 1991, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's
meeting room (#37), at the Town Office Building.
~~b
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen