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1997-01-07 QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 7, 1997 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury held Tuesday, January 7, 1997, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Schachner and Simmonds Hersh, Maine, ALSO PRESENT: ABSENT: Director Hansen Commissioner LaBombard (ex) VISITORS: Albert Faller, Mr. & Mrs. Faller and daughter, Gary Edie and Gordon Smith APPROVAL OF MINUTES None SPECIAL AWARD PRESENTATION Chairman Simmonds welcomed the guests in attendance at the meeting and briefly recounted the incident which occurred at the Gurney Lane pool facility this past summer. She thanked Albert Faller for his heroics and lifesaving efforts with respect to the pool incident. In recognition of his courageous actions, Albert was presented a certificate of achievement on behalf of the Town and the Cool Insurance Company and an Aviation Mall gift certificate. Gary Edie (Cool Insurance), Gordon Smith and the Director also briefly recognized Albert's deed and thanked him for his performance and actions that day. HUDSON RIVER PARK STATUS The Director updated the Commission on the Hudson River Park (HRP) project and there was discussion on the State/Town contract and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) permit. The Director also distributed a copy of the Supervisor's memo/map of HRP-Finch Pruyn (FP) property and explained the fencing proposal. There was considerable discussion and the Commission questioned the need for fencing the entire 4100+ joint property line, the size/cost of the proposed fencing and where Town funding for the fencing project, if the cost is to be shared (Town and Finch Pruyn), might be obtained. The Director also explained the ACOE involvement and pointed out that he had met with Mark Behan (FP representative) to discuss the possible options. M. Behan will research specific fencing cost -2- estimates and present FP's proposal to the Director/ Town at a later date. The Commission agreed to postpone any further discussion on the fencing proposal, until the Director receives more specific details. The Director briefly reviewed the items of correspondence included in the monthly packet and there were no comments. FAITH BIBLE CHURCH (FBC) PROPERTY The Commission reviewed the most recent correspondence/map from the FBC representative (Alan Oppenheim - 12/16/96) and there was discussion on the 50' buffer zones and the redrawn property boundaries. The Director displayed J. Miller's latest FBC Conceptual Land Use Plan map and relayed that the total acreage in question was probably closer to 85a than the 100a initially mentioned (15a± is Glens Falls watershed property). The church is proposing to retain 13a for their own use and the remaining 72a would be offered for sale to the Open Space Institute (OSI). Based on J. Miller's rough draft calculations (OSI survey prior to sale will determine actual acreage), the Town would be able to use approximately 25a for active recreation facility development and the remaining 47a would be maintained for passive activities. After further discussion, the Commission agreed that the latest church proposal (diagram) had considerable merit as a possible future Town park facility. Commissioner Auer moved to accept J. Miller's draft rendering of the FBC Conceptual Land Use Plan, it was seconded by Commissioner Schachner and unanimously approved by voice vote. The Director was instructed to relay the Commission's acceptance to both the OSI and FBC representatives. RECREATION COMMISSION SURVEY DISCUSSION The Chairman briefly summarized the Commissions previous discussions regarding a possible community-wide recreation survey and the Director distributed a copy of the 1974 survey as well as other Town survey data. There were questions on the 1974 survey and the Director provided information on the results and how the survey was developed/distributed. It was the consensus that there was indeed a need for an updated recreation commission survey and that a committee should be set up to design and develop a survey document. Commissioners Carusone and Schachner volunteered to assist the Chairman in this endeavor and a meeting at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 15th at the Town Office Building was tentatively set. The Director will remind all committee members and the Chairman pointed out that all Commissioners were welcome to attend. There was continued discussion and the Commission agreed that the survey should not only solicit the input of Town residents for future program/park development, but that the document would also -3- serve as an informational tool to promote both the Commission and the Department. The logistics of the survey were also discussed and the Director will assemble a variety of survey data/materials and have it available at the upcoming committee meeting. COMMITTEE REPORT The Chairman requested committee chairman Carusone to convene a personnel committee meeting as soon as possible, to discuss a personnel issue. The Director will also update the Commission's committee list and distribute it to commissioners in the next monthly packet. MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT The Director presented a verbal monthly report and briefly reviewed the list of 1996-97 Department winter employees (included in the monthly packet). The Commission reviewed the items outlined in the 12/3/96 Year-end Brainstorming and Goal Setting Discussion sheet and commented that progress towards achieving a number of the objectives had already commenced. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. The next meeting will be held on February 4, 1997, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building. Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen