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1988-07-18 QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING JULY 18, 1988 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, July 18, 1988, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Granger called the meeting to order at 7:43 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioners Bly, Granger, LaBombard, Lettus and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Councilman Montesi, Director Hansen and Recording Secretary Wilson ABSENT: Commissioners Lemery and Teti VISITORS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Lettus moved to approve the minutes of the May 9, 1988 meeting. Commissioner LaBombard seconded the motion and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The Director temporarily assumed the position of Chairman for the purpose of electing officers to serve the Commission for a one year period, July 1988 - April 1989. He explained that normally the election of officers was held at the annual meeting in April, however, due to conflicts and other circumstances, the election of officers had been postponed until the July meeting. The Director requested nominations for the position of Commission Chairman and Commissioner Bly nominated Commissioner Simmonds. Before the nominations could be seconded, Commissioner Simmonds declined the nomination. Commissioner Simmonds then nominated Commissioner Granger as Chairman and it was seconded by Commissioner Lettus. There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed and Commissioner Granger was unanimously elected by voice vote. Commissioner LaBombard requested that -2- the Commission records reflect that Commissioner Granger be commended for his leadership and direction as the Commission Chairman for the past 12 months. The Director requested nominations for the position of Commission Vice-Chairman and Commissioner Granger nominated Commissioner LaBombard. Commissioner Lettus seconded the motion and there being no further nominations, the nominations were closed and Commissioner LaBombard was then unanimously elected by voice vote. The Director requested nominations for the position of Commission Secretary and Commissioner Granger nominated Commissioner Simmonds. Commissioner Bly seconded the motion and there being no further nominations, the nominations were closed. Commissioner Simmonds was then unanimously elected by voice vote and thereafter, the Director turned the meeting over to Chairman Granger. COMMUNICATIONS The Director circulated Paul Loding's report, (Hovey Pond 1788-1988), which dealt with the Pond's historical information and it was suggested that all Commissioners read the report and make comments at the next meeting. RIDGE ROAD PARK Chairman Granger briefly summarized the specifics with regard to the March Recreation Commission meeting (B. Leaver's presentation) and explained, at that time, that the Commissioners were requested to review the LA Group park diagrams and make comments. Chairman Granger further explained that after every- one's input this evening, that he hoped to be able to draft final recommendations regarding possible Phase II recreation facilities at Ridge Road Park. Each Commissioner was then asked regarding his/her comments and Commissioner LaBombard requested to know why the fields, which had been completed, were not being used. The Director explained, regarding the possible litigation between Mr. Leaver and the Town (disagreement over the seeding and grading contracts) and reiterated that it was the consensus (all parties involved) that the fields not be used this season. The Director also pointed out that the 4 infield areas (green diamond clay/stonedust) needed to be re-rolled and that there was an erosion problem in the parking lot area. Chairman Granger requested that the Commissioners limit their comments to possible future recreation facilities in the Phase II project at Ridge Road rather than commenting on problems with the present facility. -3- The Director agreed to begin the Phase II project dis- cussion and suggested that this park project include: out- door basketball, 1 soccer field, a number of tennis courts, hiking trails, sliding hills and a park roadway system, which has at least 2 means of ingress/egress. The Director was questioned with regard to additional hard surface game areas and whether or not he would recommend a swimming pool. He explained the situation with regard to the construction of a pool facility at Ridge Road Park, (lack of water source). Commissioner LaBombard was next and was in favor of 1 soccer field, basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, a small building and the construction of a swimming pool in the near future. Chairman Granger voted for a basketball court, 2-3 tennis courts and the park roadway concept. In addition, he pointed out the need for a comprehensive plan for landscaping the park, use of the retention basin as both a recreation facility and as a water supply, a natural amphitheater, a pavilion building and the need for a future swimming facility in the area. At this point, the Commission began a discussion of the situation with regard to B. Leaver/LA Group including the final decision phase/timetable and the initial contract between Mr. Leaver and the Town. The Director explained that the initial contract was for $36,000. and was to cover the design of both Ridge Road and Gurney Lane Parks. Chairman Granger again reminded the Commission that, at this point in the meeting, they should only be focusing on Ridge Road Park Phase II recommendations. Commissioner Simmonds was next and wondered about the possibility a skateboarding area at the park. However, after discussing the matter, the Commission decided that the liability factor far outweighed the need for such a facility. Commissioner LaBombard also recounted a personal experience regarding a skateboarding ramp/insurance and after some additional discussion, the Commission decided that such a facility should be investigated by the Town at a later date. Chairman Granger commented next and mentioned that, in his opinion, the Town of Queensbury should create a swimming area on a natural body of water. He pointed out that he was not advocating a specific site, ie. Round Pond, Lake Sunnyside, Sandy Bay, etc., but rather was in favor of a natural swimming area versus an artificial concrete pool. In summary, the Chairman and the other members of the Commission were all in agreement that, if possible, the Town should seek to acquire and then develop a recreational swimming area on a natural body of water. Councilman Montesi mentioned that the Town and the City had met recently and that one of the topics of discussion was joint recreational facility cooperation. -4- Following further discussion, the Chairman, on behalf of all Commission members present, compiled a "shopping list II of recreational facilities which they recommended be included in Phase II of the Ridge Road Park Project. The list includes: 4 tennis courts, 1 basketball court, 1 soccer field, some type of swimming pool facility in the future, a small building for indoor activities, hard surface/game areas (bocci, shuffleboard, horseshoes), a park roadway system with at least 2 access/egress points, a comprehensive landscape plan and an outdoor amphitheater area. In addition, the Commission suggested that the architect be directed to gather information with regard to the feasibility of including the following in the project: a detention basin for water collection/ice skating area, a skateboarding areal facility and lights for some of the athletic facilities. The Chairman requested that the Director have the list typed and after checking with the Supervisor, forward it on to the architect to be prioritized and included in Phase II of the Ridge Road Park Project. The Director was also asked to ascertain the remaining balance in this project account, in order to determine if there is enough to have Phase II plans drawn. In light of the time taken to discuss the Ridge Road Park Project, the Commission agreed to defer any discussion on B. Leaver's Gurney Lane Park Plan until the next monthly meeting. PARK PROJECT UPDATE The Director briefed the Commission on the status of the different park projects, which the Department is involved in this summer. The Ridge Road barn roof specifications are being reviewed by P. Brown for the final time and should be back to the Director and out to bid shortly. Councilman Monahan suggested Mr. Brown as a qualified individual to review the specs and after meeting with the Director at the site, has agreed to assist the Department with this project. The lighting specifications for the basketball and tennis facilities at the Queensbury School area are still being developed by the Qualite Lighting Representative and should also be re- turned shortly. The Director mentioned that NIMO had delivered a 400 amp single phase meter box, which will be installed on the Town-owned electric pole adjacent to the tennis courts. There was some discussion on what is to be included in the lighting project and Councilman Montesi and Commissioner LaBombard were unaware that the lighting specs would only include lighting the tennis and basketball courts. The Director explained that he had been instructed to include only those 2 athletic areas in the lighting specs and this is the information which was -5- forwarded on to the Qualite Lighting Representative. A number of Commissioners were concerned that this project has taken so long, however, the Director reiterated that the Qualite Lighting Representative is providing the Town with this service (helping to write the specs) at no cost. The Director reported that the latest information from the Supervisor's Office regarding the West Glens Falls Riverfront Property was that negotiations were still underway and that no decision with respect to the right of way had yet been made. Councilman Montesi briefly summarized the Hovey Pond project with respect to the Highway Department and the fill material being provided from the sewer project. The Director pointed out that the Department received engineering invoices from Morse Engineering for approximately $3000. and Councilman Montesi requested to review these before the next audit. There was some discussion about the total project and what was yet to be done and Councilman Montesi reiterated that the Town Board was committed to spending up to $125,000. on this project, in this calendar year. Chairman Granger and a number of other Commissioners had questions regarding the fill material from the sewer project and the role Morse Engineering would play in this project in the future. It was agreed that there needed to be more communication and coordination with regard to this project and the Director was instructed to set up an early morning meeting between all parties involved, as soon as possible. Due to a malfunction in the Department's tape machine, the translation of the minutes from this point on may not be 100% accurate. COMMITTEE REPORTS Inasmuch as 2 Committee Chairman were absent and because there was no activity by the other Committees, the Chairman deferred Committee Reports until the next meeting. DIRECTOR'S REPORT The Director reviewed his monthly report which was enclosed in the packet, and a number of Commissioners commented on the summer activities which were being offered by the Department. At least 2 Commissioners had accompanied P. Borgos, Summer Program Coordinator, in order to evaluate the eight week youth program and overall, their comments were favorable. The Director briefly updated a number of the Department's lesson programs and pointed out that all but one of the programs -6- advertised in the summer brochure were being conducted as scheduled. The status of the Department's 2 new vehicles and the additional new equipment, which were purchased recently, were updated by the Director and a number of Commissioners requested information on the Department's monthly budget financial position. There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at 9:38 P.M. The next meeting will be held on August 15, 1988, at the Town Office Building. J~ J/~ ~ John D. LaBombard, Vice-Chairman Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director