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1988-02-22 QUEENS BURY RECREATION COMMISSION . MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1988 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Queensbury, held Monday, February 22, 1988, at Chairman Granger's business office location, #10 Harlem St., Glens Falls, New York. Chairman Granger called the meetina to order at 7:38 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioners Granger, LaBombard, Lemery, Lettus and Teti ALSO PRESENT: Councilman Montesi, Director Hansen and Recording Secretary Wilson ABSENT: Commissioners Bly (Ex.) and Simmonds (Ex.) VISITORS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Teti moved to approve the minutes of the January 18, 1988 meeting. Commissioner Lemery seconded the motion and after polling all Commissioners, the motion was unanimously approved. COMMUNICATIONS The Director briefly reviewed the Commission's (1/19/88) joint lighting project letter to the Town Board and a number of Commissioners questioned Councilman Montesi with regard to the status of this project. The Councilman advised the Commission that the project was moving along and that a joint committee representing the School and the Town would be formed shortly to formulate specific project plans. He also elaborated on some project details including information that state funding through the School District was not available for this project. The Commission discussed some additional specifics including Town funding for the project and who was responsible for the maintenance of the facility and Councilman Montesi mentioned that he would report back to the Commission once the Board received additional information. -2- The correspondence from Trout Unlimited was briefly reviewed and the Director attempted to summarize the specifics of the informal meeting (2/3/88) with the Town Planner, Dr. Braico, President of the Adirondack Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Director. Chairman Granger and a number of other Commissioners questioned the need/timing of Trout Unlimited's plan, especially in light of the current status of this project. There was also considerable discussion on a number of the specifics which the Trout Unlimited plan advocated, i.e. a stream in place of a pond, creation of additional storm water retention west of the pond and the funding sources available for the project. Furthermore, a number of Commissioners questioned the motives of this or- ganization with regard to the "park/stream project" as opposed to the "park/project" and the Director explained that Trout Unlimited was interested in improving the cold water habitat/ fisheries below the pond. The proposed parcel which the Hiland Park Corporation is giving to the Town (subdivision regulation fee/land trade), was also discussed. It was agreed that this area borders a portion of the Halfway Brook tributary, south of Haviland Road, and is an area where this organization's input and expertise could be beneficial. Therefore, the Commission suggested that the Director stay in contact with Dr. Braico. The Commission questioned Councilman Montesi, as a represen~ tative of the Town Board, with regard to capital funds and the projects which the Commission had recently recommended (Hovey Pond recommendation - 11/87 and Joint School/Town Lighting Project recommendation - 1/88). The Director was asked to explain the miscellaneous contractual budget amount in the monthly budget update which was included in the Commission's packet. They re- quested to know if these funds could be used for capital projects, Councilman Montesi also requested to know if the Commission has prioritized the projects which are under consideration at this time. The Commission reviewed and discussed the 5 major projects (West Glens Falls, Ridge Road, Hovey Pond, Gurney Lane and joint lighting) and the consensus was that all projects were important. However, at this time, the park project at Hovey Pond was the Commission's top priority. Councilman Montesi agreed to relay this information to the entire Board at their next meeting. Chairman Granger pointed out that based on his meeting with the Town Supervisor, that the amount of capital project funding which was available at this time was not sufficient to accomplish all of the projects under consideration. Furthermore, he men- tioned that the previous Town Board administration had inferred to the Commission on a number of occasions that there were suf- ficient funds available to do all projects. The Director also explained, that based on his preliminary budget revièw meeting (11/87), that a pørtion of the Department's capital fund account was to be used tò supplement the operating budget which had been trimmed at thàttime (approximately $16,000.). Councilman Montesi volunteered to update the Commission at their next meeting with regard to subdivision regulation fees which have been received or are due. The Commission agreed that available funding for the completion of the park projects was extremely important and the -3- Director was asked to make every effort to determine up to date income figures in these capital accounts and report back, WEST GLEN'S FALLIS: iR!IiV'EiR!Sg;!DE',-RR!OP'E'R'1'.'YI-U'~TE ~ ~ _. A .", Chairman Granger updated the Commission on the progress of Commissioner Simmonds' committee and the Director briefly out- lined the Town's legal position with regard to the question of a right of way to this Town-owned parcel. Attorneys for both parties have been in contact and there has also been considerable discussion between the Supervisor and Mr, Carey (Northern Distri- butors) with regard to the right of way. Councilman Montesi pointed out that if the West Mountain project becomes a reality, that the Town-owned parcel, because of its proximity to the project, would therefore become more valuable. Furthermore, the Director recommended that no decision on the sale or use of the property be made until a determination with regard to right of way has been finalized. The Commission agreed and instructed the Director to continue to monitor the situation and report back. JOINT CITY/TOWN MEETING The Director reviewed the first joint City/Town meeting held in January and it was explained that a second meeting scheduled in February was cancelled in part because of the renovation at the Town Office Building. Commissioner LaBombard questioned some of the items which were discussed at the initial meeting and expressed concern that future meetings might not generate positive results. It was pointed out that much of what was discussed in'the first meeting had very little to do with the subject of joint recreation cooperation i.e. exchange of property, exchange for water/sewer services, etc. The Director agreed but explained that, for future meetings, the Commission should only be concerned with discussing items relating to matters of parks and recreation. The Director outlined the tax information he had obtained with regard to the Crandall Park City property, located in the Town of Queensbury, and explained that, at this time, the City pays neither Town of County taxes. The Commission also discussed the City's watershed property and Councilman Montesi mentioned that representatives of both communities were still investigating a cooperative venture. After further discussion, it was agreed that the Director will contact the Glens Falls Recreation Commission for a joint meeting next month, provided negotiations between the 2 communities have concluded. PERSONNEL DISCUSSION A number of Commissioners questioned the Chairman and the Director regarding the conversation which caused Commissioner Bly to leave prior to the start of the meeting. The Director -4- explained that Commissioner Bly had stated that he objected to the Queensbury Recreation Commission meeting in the City of Glens Falls and would not attend such a meeting. The Director explained the circumstances regarding the choice of Chairman Granger's office location being used as a meetina site. The Commission, after discussing the situation, saw no problem with conducting the Commission meetings temporarily at the Chairman's office location. Therefore, the Director was asked to contact Commissioner Bly in hopes of remedying the situation and insuring his future attendance. DIRECTOR'S REPORT The Director presented a verbal report and updated the Commission on the status of all winter programs. It was explained that, except for the ski trips (lout of 5 to date has been conducted), all other programs and activities were going as scheduled. The Director commented on the 2 laborer positions which the Department was in the process of hiring and anticipated that the 2 full time positions would be on board no later than the first of April. The Director also mentioned that the new Depart- ment I-ton dump truck would probably go out to bid in mid-March and that delivery would be sometime early this summer. The Director highlighted the cooperative project which the Department and a local Boy Scout troop will undertake this spring at Gurney Lane. Two scouts, who are working towards their Eagle Scout badge, must complete a community project and the construction of a nature trail and a pathway at the Gurney Lane facility would meet the requirements for such a project. The Director is working with the 2 scouts and their scoutmaster and will keep the Commission advised of the progress of each project. The Director alerted the Commission with regard to a potential budgetary problem yet this year. All seasonal part time individuals who work more than 40 hours per week will now be eligible for overtime pay (time and a half) and this could have serious con- sequences in terms of overspending the budget line - personnel account. Most college students who seek employment for the summer do so because of the number of hours of employment avail- able. Limiting summer employees to only 40 hours because of budget limitations (not being able to pay overtime) would be unfortunate and might very well cause good employees to seek employment elsewhere. On the other hand, the Department's budget cannot withstand paying overtime to seasonal employees and this fact was not known when the budget was approved in November, The fact remains that the Department will either experience a shortfall in the personnel account before the end of the year or possibly lose good employees unless this situation is remedied. -5- Councilman Montesi updated the Commission on some Town- wide subjects including the Earltown project and the situation with Round Pond. He suggested that the Recreation Planning Committee again become active in light of the recent hiring of the new Town Planner and Commissioner LaBombard and the Director agreed. There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at 9:22 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 21, 1988, at 7:30 P.M. at Chairroan Granger's business office location, #10 Harlem Street, Glens Falls, New York. Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen, Director