1994-11-09
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 1994
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, November 9, 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, Hersh,
Schachner and Simmonds
LaBombard,
Maine,
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering
ABSENT:
Commissioner Carusone
VISITORS:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Hersh made the motion to approve the minutes of the
September 14 and October 12, 1994 meetings. Commissioner Simmonds
seconded the motion and after polling all commissioners, the motion
was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISITORS
The Commission briefly reviewed the amended version of the August
10, 1994 minutes and there were no further comments.
The Director explained the status of the West End Park
vandalism/restitution hearing (Warren County District Attorney's
letter 10/19/94), and it was pointed out that the young man (D.
Barrisford) had agreed to reimburse the Town in full ($1,505.66).
The last item of correspondence included in the monthly packet was
J. Martin's letter summarizing the latest communications from the
West Glens Falls Fire Company president, (softball field
development). Based on the letter, it appears that the fire
company has closed the door on the possibility of the Town leasing
and developing the area, at this time.
The Director distributed the Supervisor's 11/8/94 memo
(Jenkinsville Park dumping) and the attached draft response and he
was asked to explain more about the incident. The Commission
briefly discussed the situation and agreed with the Director's
response.
WINTER PROGRAM DISCUSSION
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The Commission reviewed the multi-page program sheets which were
prepared by the Department. The Commission had previously
requested additional information on a number of programs before
authorizing the Department to advertise and offer them. The
programs in question included rock climbing, cartooning, computer
fun camp, scuba diving, jazz dancing and ski lessons. The
Department presented an assortment of information on each of the
programs including expenditure/revenue comparisons, registration
and attendance figures as well as other pertinent program details.
There was considerable discussion on program fees and
minimum/maximum registration figures. The Director pointed out
that in some instances, the Department made exceptions (held a
program or event with less than the minimum), but for the most part
a program was not held, if the minimum registration number
calculated for that program, was not attained. Commissioner Auer
also expressed his concern with the Department's use of school
facilities to conduct programs in which a profit by both the
program instructor and the Department results. The Director
pointed out that this same subject had been discussed at a joint
meeting with school officials some years ago, and at that time the
school did not object. In essence, the Department was contracting
with an individual or group to provide a service which included
providing supplies and equipment of a special nature to the
participants of that particular program or activity. There was
further discussion and Commission Auer mentioned that the school
was formulating a committee to investigate this very subj ect.
Therefore, it was agreed that the Department would continue to
operate "as usual" until the school makes a determination. In the
meantime, Commissioner Auer was formally directed by majority vote
to draft a letter of clarification to school personnel regarding
programs offered by the Department which generate a profit. The
draft letter will be reviewed and approved by the Commission at the
next meeting.
The Director reminded the Commission that even though many of the
programs would not begin until December/January, a certain amount
of "lead time" was necessary in order to adequately publicize these
programs. Chairman Simmonds pointed out that the public relations
committee might need additional time to review the program
information available through other park and recreation
departments. Commissioner Schachner interjected that his committee
had reviewed most of the information and that in many instances
other communities were offering specialized programs (computer,
jazz, etc.), very similar to Queensbury's. Therefore, based on the
information provided in the individual program sheets and after
reviewing the programs offered by other communities, it was the
consensus (unanimous vote) that the Department should again promote
and offer the six programs being evaluated.
HUDSON RIVER PARK
The Commission was updated with regard to the status of the
$80,000. grant for the development of the park on the Hudson River
(Big Boom Road). It was explained that the Supervisor/Town had
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been granted an extension (verbally by phone) with respect to a
decision on the grant. The deadline was now the first of the year,
however, the window for completing the project remains December
1996. The Commission again reviewed and discussed the project and
the options available to the Town and it was decided that the
Chairman should draft a letter on behalf of the Commission
expressing the Commission's desire and willingness to assist the
Town Board in this project.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Auer reported on the progress of the personnel
committee and read the committee's mission statement. There was
discussion and Commissioner Schachner volunteered to re-draft the
statement for the next meeting. Commissioner Hersh requested
information on the status of the joint School/Town Athletic
Committee annual meeting and wondered if an A.C.C. representative
could be invited. The Director will contact the school (L. Mott),
and also A.C.C. There was discussion on the Department's use of
the A.C.C. facilities and it was suggested that the Director
contact J. McClure and/or P. Aronson in order to determine if the
Department can use any of their facilities.
Commissioner Auer (personnel committee) mentioned that his
committee was in the process of reviewing all of the Department's
job descriptions and would recommend some revisions at the next
meeting.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 9:22 p.m. The next meeting will be held on December
14, 1994 beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference
room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
¿JA'.. i~
~L. Slmmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen