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1993-04-19 QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 19, 1993 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Wednesday, April 19, 1993, at the Queensbury Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Auer, Carusone, Hersh, LaBombard, Maine and Simmonds ALSO PRESENT: Director Hansen and Ass't. Director Lovering ABSENT: Commissioner Labatore VISITORS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Hersh moved to approve the minutes of the March 17, 1993 meeting. Commissioner Maine seconded the motion and after polling all commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The Director temporarily assumed the role of chairman and explained that the Commission was empowered to elect 3 individuals from within its own ranks to serve as commission officers (chairman, vice-chairman and secretary) for a one year period. In the past, the Commission had only chosen to elect a chairman and vice- chairman with the Department acting as secretary and being responsible for recording and publishing the minutes of each meeting. Commissioner Auer made a motion that the chair stand ( continue) and after being seconded (unknown), the motion was unanimously approved (voice vote). Commissioner Hersh nominated Commission Auer for the position of vice-chairman and after being seconded (J. LaBombard), the motion was unanimously approved (voice vote). There being no further nominations, the elections were closed and the regular meeting agenda was resumed by Chairman Simmonds. COMMUNICATIONS The Director briefly reviewed the ARC correspondence included in the monthly packet and the commission approved the Department's actions. -2- HOVEY POND WORKSHOP DISCUSSION The Commission discussed the Hovey Pond workshop minutes which had been transcribed verbatim and sent out to all commissioners, previously. Commissioner Auer commented on the verbatim translation (special workshop), and inquired if all future regular meeting minutes could be done similarly. The Director explained that the special meeting was transcribed verbatim due to the importance of the meeting and because he felt it was necessary to have an accurate record of exactly what had been said. with regard to regular meeting minutes this was not usually the situation and a verbatim translation required more time than Department personnel could afford. After considerable discussion, the workshop was summarized and it was agreed that the Friends of Hovey Pond were requesting six (6) items for the Commission to consider at Hovey Pond. The Commission was unanimous in deciding that the rest rooms, the water fountain, the nature trail and the park walkway (firehouse/park), were projects which, because of present circumstances including logistics, could not be considered at this time. The other items gazebo, flower gardens and botanical gardens were park facilities which the Commission hoped would be undertaken by the FHP this season. There was further discussion and some concern was expressed with regard to maintenance and coordination, especially, in light of the facilities which the Department was scheduled to construct at the park this corning year. Overall, the Commission was in favor of maintaining a good working relationship with this volunteer group (FHP) and reaffirmed that communications and coordination of responsibilities between this group and the Department should not be a problem. It was the consensus that the Commission draft a letter detailing communications and responsibilities and directing the group (FHP) with regard to the Commission's decision. The Director assured the Commission that the Department would do everything possible to assist this group and Chairman Simmonds, on behalf of the Commission, agreed to draft the letter outlining what the Commission had expressed this evening. SWIMMING POOL USER FEE RECOMMERDATIONS The Director outlined the 3 page Public Swimming Pool/Lesson User Fee Report and briefly reviewed the previous documents/information which proceeded these recommendations. There was discussion on budgeted revenues and expenses as it related to the swimming pool operation and there were questions with regard to how the Department would logistically handle the sale of both pool token/daily admission and swim lessons fees. It was explained that all details had not been worked out, but that for the most part, -3- the majority of revenue would be processed over the counter at the Town office building. This would considerably simplify accountability as well as control. The fees for both public swimming and lessons were discussed in detail and were approved as recommended. It was explained that the Director will re-draft the recommendations in a different format and present them to the Town Board for final approval as quickly as possible. A number of commissioners requested to be notified of the Town Board meeting date and time, so as to be present to support the Department's recommendations. PARK EXPANSION At the last meeting, a number of commissioners had requested that the items of correspondence relating to Mr. Miller's park expansion (Ridge/Jenkinsville & Gurney Lane), be included on the agenda for the April meeting. These items were reviewed and after considerable discussion, it was the consensus that the Department should resubmit a resolution with regard to retaining the services of J. Miller, Landscape Architect. The Director will ask Mr. Miller to updated his proposal and then draft resolutions for each park separately. There was discussion with regard to Mr. Miller's technical expertise and Commissioner Auer disagreed with the Director regarding at what point in the project, area test holes should be dug. He (Auer) was also concerned with some of the items outlined in Mr. Miller's proposal and will meet with the Director at a later date for more details and information. BMX WORKSHOP DISCUSSION The one page synopsis of the BMX workshop meeting was distributed and the Commission had questions with regard to liability and what Town property, if any, might be available for such a facility. There was also concern expressed in regard to the Town selling or leasing land to a private group and the Director explained that this question was still being researched by the Town Attorney. The 60-acre parcel in West Glen Falls was suggested as a possible site, but here again, this is ultimately a Town Board decision. In any case, the Director will draft a letter to M. Sperry explaining the options available to her group. In addition, Chairman Simmonds requested that a copy of the summary of the BMX workshop minutes be included in next months packet. DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT Assistant Director Lovering highlighted a number of program items included in the monthly report and explained the new rock climbing program which the Department was now offering. There was also a -4- question regarding hooper basketball/wrestling and the program registration figures shown in the report. It was explained that the figures were a combined figure for the girls and boys program and that this will be corrected and reported separately next month. Chairman Simmonds reminded everyone that next month's meeting would be "on the road" and would be held at Gurney Lane at the regular time. There being no further business, the Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. The next meeting will be held on May 12, 1993, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Gurney Lane Recreation Area (pavilion), on Gurney Lane Road. ~Y:.~ arron Simmon s, Chairman Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen