1989-09-18
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 1989
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town
of Queensbury, held Monday, September 18, 1989, at Ridge Road Park, Queensbury,
New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Bly, Labatore, Simmonds, Sperry"and Teti
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Recording Secretary Wilson
ABSENT:
Commissioner LaBombard
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Sperry moved to approve the minutes of the August 21, 1989
meeting. Commissioner Bly seconded the motion and after polling all Commissioners,
the motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICA TIONS
The Director reviewed the 3 items of correspondence which were included
in the monthly packet and the Commission requested additional clarification of
the Gurney Lane break-in information sheet from the Warren County Sheriff's Department.
The Director explained that the 4 individuals who were apprehended are being charged
with criminal trespass and burglary, both of which are felonies. The Commission
questioned the time frame lapse noting that the incident had occurred in July and
the Director explained that he had no control of this situation and was only distributing
the memo for information purposes.
MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Chairman Simmonds and the Director updated the Comm~ssion regarding
the status of the Department's Master Plan which is being compiled by Murman
Associates. It was explained that the Master Plan steering conilmittee is on board
and functioning and will meet with Murman Associates represeþtatives early in
October. Murman Associates has completed a preliminary dra~t which is a collection
of data/information which will eventually be the basis for the ¥aster Plan. The
steering committee will review the data and act as the soundi~g board for the community.
Commissioner Bly mentioned that a number of Recreation Department Master
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Plans had been done previously and, for that matter, the one completed in 1982
was still viable. The Director agreed with Commissioner Bly regarding the 1982
Master Plan, but pointed out that change and growth in Queensbury, especially
since 1982, has almost mandated that the Department update the old plan.
There was further discussion on the 8 month time frame for completion of
the Master Plan, and the Director pointed out that Murman Associates was still
only in the preliminary stages with public meetings and a revised preliminary draft
yet to follow.
SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATE
The Director briefly updated the Commission with regard to the status of
the Summer Youth Pl"ogram Report. In addition, he distributed a youth program
attendance/registration summary sheet. He mentioned that the numbers would
seem to indicate that this summer's program had attracted and most certainly
maintained a large number of youth participants than ever before.
RIDGE ROAD PARK PLAN
The Director displayed the Ridge Road Park Phase II concept plan map which
B. Leaver of the LA Group had presented at the March 1988 Recreation Commission
meeting. He reviewed the plan and familiarized the Commission with regard to
the property boundaries and what the Department hoped to do in the future. It
was mentioned that an architect/engineering firm would undoubtedly have to be
retained in order to develop the athletic facilities which the Commission and the
Department were advocating in the near future. Furthermore, he reminded the
Commission that a prioritized list of park facilities had been presented to the Town
Supervisor earlier this summer. The Director mentioned that he intended to correspond
with the Supervisor regarding the status of both a park name and the grand opening/
dedication ceremony. Chairman Simmonds relayed that she had been in contact
with the Supervisor with regard to this very topic and that the consensus of the
Board was to postpone the dedication ceremony until the following spring. With
regard to a park name, this subject had yet to be resolved. After further discussion,
the Commission agreed with an early spring dedication ceremony and suggested
the 1st Monday of softball league play. The Director agreed to draft a note to
the Supervisor and relayed the Commission's recommendation regarding both the
park name and the tentative date for the dedication ceremony.
1990 DEPARTMENT DISCUSSION
The Director distributed a Department 1990 budget summary sheet and there
were comments and questions with regard to the personnel servkes category and
the capital expenditures line item. It was explained that the fitgures were only
tentative and were, in essence, the Department's request for n~xt year. The next
step in the budget process is up to the Supervisor who must, by ~aw, submit a tentative
budget by mid-October. Thereafter, Department heads will be lable to justify their
budget requests in workshop meetings with the Town Board.
A number of Commissioners questioned the Director with¡regard to the new
full time administrative personnel, which the Commission and the Director had
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discussed previously. It was explained that this individual is included in the Department's
request, but undoubtedly would have to be justified in more detail at the workshop
meeting.
NEW PROGRAM DISCUSSION
The Director reviewed specifics regarding a new children'$ soccer program,
which he hoped to begin later this fall. It was explained that T. Rosenkrantz, Queensbury
High School Soccer Coach, would coordinate this twice a week.,. 4 week early evening
instructional program (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for both boys and girls, in grades
1 - 6. He reminded the Commission that they had discussed this program previously
this spring, but that a problem with logistics have resulted in the program being
postponed until fall. Furthermore, the Director mentioned that he had been in
contact with the YMCA which runs a similar program and assured the Commission
that there would not be a conflict.
A number of Commissioners questioned the time and days (weekdays) for
this program and the Director reiterated that this activity was being tried to determine
if a need exists.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Director presented a verbal monthly report and outlined a number of
items including the 1990 Division For Youth recreation program funding application,
and a tentative fall program schedule.
The Director mentioned the South Queensbury Park project and clarified
a situation with regard to the basketball court and the park's ca.pital project fund.
He mentioned that the wording of the resolution, which created the fund, specifically
outlined the criteria under which the money put aside for this park project could
be expended. He pointed out that information about this fund l).ad been incorrectly
mentioned at the last Commission meeting and that the Town 4ttorney clarified
the situation in that the funds put aside for a specific park proj~ct may only be
expended to complete that project. The Director also explaine~ that unless there
were extenuating circumstances, that the basketball court at the South Queensbury
Park location would go out to bid and be completed in 1989.
The Director briefly outlined a number of other park projects including having
the old pool site at Gurney Lane topsoiled and reseeded, fertilizing and reseeding
West End Park and reliming and reseeding the Ridge Road Park softball fields.
Chairman Simmonds updated the Commission with regard to the vacancy
which still exists on the Commission and then requested more iþformation on the
waterwell testing at Ridge Road Park. It was explained that a~ outside company
(C.T. Male), due to the nature and scope of the water tests necþssary, had been
retained by the Town Board to conduct the tests.
The Commission had some additional questions regarding Iprograms and activities
which are schedule this coming fall/winter.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned a1 8:04 P.M. The
next meeting will be held on October 16, 1989 at 7:00 P.M., at the Queensbury
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Town Office Building (downstairs meeting room).
~/lIlJl -<.J :-A~
on immonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director