Loading...
1992-10-21 "" gUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 21, 1992 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, October 21, 1992, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, Labatore and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Councilwoman Goetz, Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering ABSENT: Commissioner LaBombard (ex) Marylee Gosline, Robert Eddy and Margaret Seney VISITORS: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Labatore moved to approve the minutes of the August 12, 1992 meeting. Commissioner Hersh seconded the motion and after polling all commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Simmonds welcomed the visitors (M. Gosline, R. Eddy & M. Seney), and invited them to address the Commission. Marylee Gosline, representing the Friends of Hovey Pond (FHP), relayed that her group had been working since 1978 and that they (her group), hoped to work through the winter to "design a park" (Hovey Pond). She explained that other individuals/firms with design/landscape expertise (Bently's, North VanGardens, Garden Time, etc.), had been contacted and were willing to work on the park project, now that the Town had completed the pond. She mentioned planting different types of trees, flower beds and the maintenance of the facility and introduced B. Eddy and M. Seney (Town Beautification Committee). She detailed her plan which included developing the park in phases over the next five years. She relayed that she had been in contact with the Queensbury Central Fire Company with regard to parking and access via a walkway at the rear of their property adjacent to the pond. Marylee mentioned that an agreement (verbal) between the Town and the fire company, for development/use of this "walkway" did exist. -2- The Director was asked to outline the Department plan and displayed the overlay map which depicted the site as it presently exists. He briefly highlighted the work which had been completed since the springtime (seeding, pond stabilization, parking lot excavated, etc. ), and detailed those portions of the project which were scheduled yet this fall (planting trees and the pedestrian bridge installed). Furthermore, it was explained that Marylee and the Director had met previously with F. Troelstra (Garden Time), in regard to "advice" for planting trees. At that time it was agreed that the Department would have no qualms about the construction and maintenance of some f lower bed gardens within the park. The Director pointed out that this was still the case, however, the design and maintenance of the rest of the park was the joint responsibility of the Department/Recreation Commission. To that end, the Department had initiated contacts and made tentative arrangements for volunteer assistance with the installation of a number of park facilities including: the bridge, walkway, historical time-line, parking lot, etc. Unless directed otherwise, by the Town Board, the Department was going to continue developing the park as well as making use of the list of businesses/individuals who had expressed their willingness to donate services to this project (FHP list -4/92). There was considerable discussion relative to the maintenance/upkeep of the facility and it was again pointed out that when completed, the park at Hovey Pond would be a Town facility within the Parks and Recreation Department. There was also discussion on the list of donated services and disagreement as to who and how to best use these services. Marylee pointed out that she had solicited these donations and that they (her group) preferred to make use of those services first (in their way for their plan), before allowing the Town to use them. The Director reminded Ms. Gosline that these donations had been solicited on behalf of the Town, for a Town Park and that she had submitted the list to the Town at a Town Board meeting (4/20/92). Therefore, if the Town desired to use those donations in a particular way and the firm donating those services had no objection, then she (M. Gosline), should not be in opposition. After further discussion on trees and flower gardens, Chairman Simmonds summarized the Commission's position and reiterated that the Department was moving ahead with park work (planting trees), yet this fall. However, if Marylee's group or the Beautification Committee wanted to work on a Hovey Pond flower garden plan over the winter, that the Commission would be willing to consider their proposal at a later date (February or March). This would then allow the Commission/Department time to review and possibly incorporate their ideas into the total park plan. Chairman Simmonds thanked the visitors for their comments and the Commission moved to topics under new business. HUDSON POINT PLARRED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (P.U.D.) The Director displayed two maps detailing the Hudson Point PUD -3- project and briefly reviewed the situation with regard to the recreation fee vs parkland decision which the Town Board will have to make, if the project continues. The Director reminded those present that the Commission had toured the area (commission meeting in July, 92), in anticipation that their recommendation (fee vs land), would undoubtedly be requested, by the Town Board sometime in the future. The small 5-acreoverlook park area, the possible boat launch site and 94-acre parcel were all discussed and the Director explained that the latter parcel was part of a larger, more comprehensive land exchange which was being discussed and negotiated by the Supervisor. Further information was unknown at this time, however, he understood that the Commission/Department would receive more details before having to make any recommendation (fee vs land). The Director was questioned with regard to a time frame and he explained that the project was still in the preliminary phase and that until an application was formally submitted to the Town Planning Board, that no action by the Commission was necessary. 1992 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM REPORT Ass't. Director Lovering distributed copies of the 1992 Summer Youth Program Report and briefly highlighted a few sections. The Director requested that the Summer Program Review Committee be officially revived, in order to review the document. Chairman Simmonds requested that because of a professional conflict that she be relieved of the chairmanship of this committee. However, she wished to remain as a member. Commissioner Auer volunteered to replace her in that capacity and there was further discussion about committees in light of Commissioner Sperry's recent resignation (9/92) . Commissioner Carusone volunteered to assume the chairmanship of the Hovey Pond Historical Committee and Commissioner Hersh volunteered to replace M. Sperry on the Joint School/Commission Committee. Chairman Simmonds also requested that Councilwoman Goetz relay to the Town Board, the urgency of replacing Commissioner Sperry as quickly as possible and she agreed to do so. 1993 BUDGET DISCUSSION The Director distributed a four-page handout (Department Budget/Program Revenues), and explained the information contained therein. He pointed out that the Department's 1993 budget (requested) had been changed by the Town Board only slightly in the expenditure categories (proposed), but that the anticipated amount of revenue projected to be generated, had been raised substantially. In addition, the Town Board directed that the Department, with the Commissions's input, investigate possible alternatives to further increase that projected revenue figure. With this in mind, the attached revenue sheets had been prepared and included 1992 actual figures and the list of program/facility fees and charges which the Department anticipates could realistically be generated in 1993. -4- The Commission reviewed and discussed the six revenue options outlined and it was the consensus that the Director should gather additional information (expenditures and net revenue), and present the alternative to the Town Board. COMMITTEE REPORTS L. Mott, Queensbury School Athletic Director has requested a meeting of the Joint School/Commission Committee and had suggested November 18th, as a possible date. The two members of the committees present (Hersh and Labatore), agreed to attend and the Director was instructed to call L. Mott and J. LaBombard (third committee member), and schedule the meeting for 7:00 p.m., on November 18th, at the Town Office Building. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT Ass't. Director Lovering reviewed the monthly report and updated the Commission on the status of the ongoing children's soccer and flag football programs. There were questions on the ski lesson program (West Mountain), and the status of the BMX information/offer of support which was received during the visit to the Rotterdam facility in September. The Director explained that the latter program is in "limbo" until funds and, more importantly, an area to accommodate the facility is designated. Only after those items were addressed would the assistance offered by the Rotterdam track directors be of value. Commissioner Auer suggested that the Department, through its seasonal brochures, publicized that new program ideas and suggestions were always welcome. The Director agreed and will from now on insure that future Department literature contain a short message to that effect. Chairman Simmonds and the Director again reiterated that the Department would continue on schedule (with the Hovey Pond Project), and that Marylee Gosline and her group would be encouraged to help to design, develop and maintain the flower gardens planned for at the park. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. The next meeting will be held on November 11, 1992, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's meeting room (#37), at the Town Office Building. ~o'{s.~ Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen