2003-04-01
Queensbury Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Aprill, 2003 regular meeting held in the Conference Room, Town of
Queensbury Office Building.
Chairman Doug Irish called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m.
Present:
Commissioners Etu, Fusco, Goedert, Irish, LaBombard, Maine
Staff Present: Director Hansen, Assistant Director Lovering
Aooroval of Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Goedert, seconded by Commissioner Maine to approve the
minutes ofthe March 4,2003 regular meeting. All members present voted in favor.
Communications
A letter to Mr. Dan Luciano (OSI) trom Lloyd Williams (resident) on the Hudson Pointe
Nature Preserve was distributed and discussed. Concern centered on motorized vehicles
in the Preserve and the damage to the tragile nature of this area. No decision or solution
to this potential problem was made although several suggestions were made. Director
Hansen will contact the Sheriffs Department to monitor.
Committee assignments of Commissioners was distributed and briefly discussed. These
assignments were redone since the organizational meeting. It was mentioned the
Commission and School Board minutes would be exchanged.
The Town Board and the Recreation Commission at the regular meeting of the Town
Board on April 7, 2003 at 7:00 p.m will make a presentation to former Commissioner
Sharron Simmonds.
Unfinished Business
Question was asked about the existing opening on the Recreation Commission.
Chairman Irish explained the Personnel Committee would begin the review process and
possible candidates.
The new mission statement was distributed and discussed. Motion made by
Commissioner Fusco and seconded by Commissioner LaBombard to accept the revised
mission statement Discussion: A comparison between existing mission, goals and
objectives and the new statement should be conducted before accepting the new.
Commissioner Fusco withdrew the motion and Commissioner LaBombard withdrew the
second. Further review of both documents will take place.
Park Proiect Status Reoort
See file document dated 4/1/03. Director Hansen gave a brief review of the status of
various parks. Question was asked about the 30-day Permissive Referendum-waiting
period. The Permissive Referendum allows for the circulation of petitions to force a
Mandatory Public Referendum on certain issues.
Discussion on Faith Bible Church property. Memorandum distributed by Director
Hansen from Dan Luciano (OSI) on site preparation of this property. Question was
raised as to whether we should expend funds (legally or otherwise) on property we do not
own. The final paragraph of the memo regarding "future ownership" and the need for
"OSI staff to make the strongest case to our Board in support of the donation" gave rise
to many concerns by Commissioners. It was the general consensus to invite Mr. Luciano
to a future Recreation Commission meeting before adoption of the Management Plan.
Discussion took place on the Glens Falls watershed property easement. No decisions
made.
New Business
Copies of the Town's Open Space Plan were distributed. This represents a vision to
preserve land and space within the town. Please read this document. There was
discussion on the benefits of such a plan. It is believed we, Parks and Recreation
Commission are already doing much of what the document states. Commissioner
LaBombard asked whether the three groups within the town are duplicating efforts (Open
Space Plan Committee, Land Conservancy, and Parks and Recreation). Chairman Irish
will construct a letter suggesting an ad hoc committee of representatives from each group
meet to coordinate interests, concerns and/or goals.
Committee Reoorts
Commissioner Etu reported on the meeting with ACC representative regarding the
proposed Recreation Center Building. He distributed copies of his notes summarizing
this meeting (see file). Discussion on ACC property vs. other locations took place. Fee
structures for ACC/use of facility by ACC/governance of facility were all briefly
discussed. No action or decision taken,
There will be a meeting of the Citizens for Queensbury on May 22,2003 at 7:00 p.m. at
the Queensbury School. Chairman Irish has been invited to discuss the proposed new
recreation facility. Chairman Irish would like as many Commissioners and Staff as
possible to attend.
Chairman Irish presented a list of information he will need as we begin planning for
future growth. Information will be needed on budgetary allocations, programs and
numbers of participants, total staff required, needs assessment for future growth, costs per
hour of recreational program available. Director Hansen will research this information
and provide Chairman Irish with documentation (see file for list).
Chairmen Irish reviewed Greg Ferentino's proposal for Project Consultation Services
stating responsibilities and costs for each phase, No action taken however it was the
general consensus this will be a necessary step as we move forward.
Motion made by Commissioner Goedert, seconded by Commissioner Maine to adjourn
the meeting at 9: 15 a.m. All members present voted in favor.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday May 6, 2003 in the Supervisors Conference
Room in the Town Office Building.
Respectfully submitted,
,/L4' 4
~~r9o~ - .
Commission Secretary