1998-01-06
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 6,1998
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission of the Town of
Queensbury held Tuesday, January 6, 1998 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, Labombard, Maine, Schachner and
Simmonds
ALSO
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
VISITORS:
Councilman Irish, Tucker & Director Hansen
Commissioner Carusone
Jim Miller, Fred Gibson (Nutech)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Schachner made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Auer to approve
the minutes of the December 2, 1997 meeting. There were no corrections and the
minutes were unanimously approved by voice vote.
ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
In order to conduct the election of officers, the director temporarily assumed
chairmanship of the meeting. He requested nominations for the position of chairman,
vice chairman and secretary. It was moved and seconded (Auer/Maine) that
Commissioner Simmonds remain chairman and that Commissioner Carusone be
elected vice chairman (Maine/LaBombard). Commissioner LaBombard was also re-
elected secretary (Hersh/Schachner) and the three nominations were approved
unanimously by voice vote.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REMARKS FROM VISTORS
The director briefly reviewed the items of correspondence contained in the monthly
packet, including the 1998 meeting schedule (finalized), updated commission member
list with committees, the letter from D. McLaughlin (Hudson River Park landscaping)
and the chairman's memo to the Board (Recreation Commission Survey). Following
some brief discussion of the latter, there were no further comments.
HUDSON RIVER PARK DISCUSSION
Fred Gibson, representing Nutech was introduced and the director and J. Miller
reviewed the status of the park project, including the 12/3/97 and 12/11/97 memos
detailing information on the project and questioning previous work done by Nutech at
the site. Discussion ensued with regard to the 10% retainage ($14,332.00) being
withheld and the director relayed that Nutech was requesting a portion of the retainage
to pay subcontractors. Both the landscape architect and the director relayed that,
based on their estimate of the possible work yet to be completed in the spring, holding
the entire retainage was not necessary. A number of commissioners questioned the
Nutech representative and there was considerable discussion on the 11/97 Nutech
generated release-of-lien document which indicated that two subcontractors had not
been paid. F. Gibson reaffirmed that the two subcontractors in question still had not
been paid and Commissioner Auer, after complimenting J. Miller on the project manual,
co.mmented at length on his assessment of the park project.
Jim Miller spoke in depth regarding the project items mentioned in his 12/3/97 memo
and a number of commissioners questioned him with respect to his newest cost
estimate to complete the park in the spring. After additional discussions, it was the
consensus that the commission accept the advice of the project landscape architect
and retain only that amount which was estimated to be necessary to complete the park.
The Nutech representative also relayed that if they (Nutech) were paid that they would
pay the two subcontractors (Hadeka and Copeland) as previously indicated in the
release-of-lien document.
The discussion was summarized by a number of commissioners and J. Miller reiterated
that the retainage estimate ($11,000.00) was a conservative amount based on the
punch list items which remain unacceptable and/or not completed. Commissioner
Hersh made a motion to retain $11,000.00 in the Hudson River Park project fund and
release the balance ($3,300.00). The motion was seconded by Commissioner
LaBombard and approved by majority voice vote (Commissioner Auer voted no). The
director agreed to process the necessary paperwork and insure that the funds
(approximately $3,300.00) were paid to Nutech. The chairman thanked both J. Miller
and F. Gibson for their input.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORT
The department monthly report which was included in the packet was briefly reviewed
and the director was questioned regarding Hovey Pond Park and ice skating. The
concern over ice thickness and safe ice skating was discussed and the director
explained the procedure for testing/determining ice thickness. He also explained how
the ice was cleared/maintained and relayed that the man-made pond, with the intake
pipe, was not ideal for ice skating but as safe as the department could make it. The
commission also requested approximate winter attendance figures for this site
(warming shed supervised) and the director responded (20-30 per weekend).
. The director explained his recent negotiations with Queensbury School personnel in
terms of sharing the cost for the purchase of a portable pool ladder and they (the
commission) were in agreement.
The commission was also updated on the ongoing discussions concerning the possible
purchase of the 9 acre Zoli parcel within the school boundaries and he (the director)
will keep the commission apprised of the progress of negotiations.
Commissioner Auer requested an executive session to discuss a personnel matter and
Commissioner Hersh seconded the motion. The motion was approved and the director
was asked to leave.
Returning 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 February 3,
1998, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference room (#37), at the
Queensbury Town Office Building.
/~~,~
/ Sharron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen