1994-12-14
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 1994
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, December 14, 1994, 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, LaBombard,
Maine, Schachner and Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
Councilwomen Monahan, Pulver, and Director Hansen
ABSENT:
None
VISITORS:
Brendan Lyons (Post Star)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Maine made the motion to approve the minutes of the
November 9, 1994 meeting. Commissioner Auer seconded the motion
and Commissioner Schachner pointed out that a portion of the
paragraph under committee reports (page 3) was incorrect. He
mentioned that he had actually re-drafted the personnel committee's
purpose and scope at the meeting and returned it to Commissioner
Auer at that time. The Director will amend the official minutes
and clarify Commissioner Schachner's statement. All commissioners
were polled and the motion was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATION AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Commission briefly reviewed the items of correspondence
included in the monthly packet and there were questions about the
SBA Tree Planting Grant letter (9/26/94) including the amount of
funding and where it could be spent. The Director explained that
it was approximately 50% matching funds and outlined briefly how
the Department planned to implement the grant.
The Skin Wellness letter (D. Graff) was also discussed and the
Director was instructed to contact the Glens Falls Hospital to find
out about a similar program which is already established. The
Commission agreed that this type of awareness program was extremely
valuable, especially for many of the Department's summer employees.
The Commission's letter to the Supervisor concerning Hudson River
Park was reviewed and there was considerable discussion on the
deadline for accepting/rejecting the grant. Both Councilwomen
Monahan and Pulver explained that the Board was not aware of a
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January deadline and that the Supervisor would be contacting H.
Hagemann (N.Y.S. Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation) to clarify the situation. They also conveyed the
Board's interpretation of the Commission's involvement in terms of
planning and information gathering relative to this park project.
Furthermore, they (councilwomen) agreed to ascertain more of the
specifics about the grant timetable and relay those through the
chairman to the Commission.
There was further discussion on the information received from those
who attended the neighborhood meeting at the West Glens Falls
firehouse (9/94), and Councilwoman Monahan relayed a number of
items which H. Hagemann had explained at the special meeting with
the Supervisor in September. The Commission and the board members
agreed that more definitive information, especially on the grant
timetable, was necessary before additional work on the project
could be undertaken.
The Director briefly reviewed his 11/94, memo to the board
regarding the Department budget recalculations.
The Director distributed copies of the letter from Ms. Henderson
representing the Adirondack Singles Club requesting sponsorship by
the Department. Following discussion, it was the consensus that
this would set a precedent and the Commission was not in favor of
this type of sponsorship. Commissioner Hersh volunteered to draft
a letter of explanation (insurance and other available
opportunities), and contact Ms. Henderson with regard to the
Commission's position.
1995 COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
The tentative schedule of Commission meeting dates for 1995 were
reviewed and approved by the Commission and will be distributed to
all parties concerned.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Auer reported on the activities of the personnel
committee and distributed the revised committee purpose and scope.
After some discussion (job descriptions and organizational chart),
the document was approved unanimously. Commissioner Auer will add
another item (review job descriptions) under committee scope and
present the revised document at the next meeting.
The job description for the director's position was also discussed
and Commission Auer pointed out that, in fact, by General Municipal
Law, the Director is responsible to the Recreation Commission,
rather than the Town Board/Supervisor. Councilwoman Monahan
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expressed concern with the legality (liability-insurance) of having
the director answer to the Commission. There was further
discussion and, in as much as this was only a recommendation of the
personnel committee, Commission Auer withdrew his motion and will
research the liability-insurance question with Town Attorney Dusek.
The topic of the joint meeting with the Queensbury School Athletic
Committee was discussed and the Director explained that he and L.
Mott had tentatively set a date of January 19th at 7:00 p.m. The
majority of those present were in favor of the 19th, however, the
Director was instructed to check back with school personnel
regarding the other possible dates which had been suggested. The
Director will notify all commissioners by mail of the final date
and time.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The Director presented a short verbal report and highlighted the
Department preparations for upcoming winter programs/activities.
The programs which are ongoing at this time were also highlighted
and there were no comments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Following approval of a motion and second, the Commission adjourned
at 8:23 p.m., to executive session to discuss unspecified park and
recreation matters (Director excused). The Commission returned to
open session and there being no further business, the Commission
meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. The next meeting will be held
on January 11, 1995 beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's
conference room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
~V<,~
Sharron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen