Park and Recreation Commission

Minutes

Regular meeting:  Tuesday, October 9, 2001 at City Hall.  The meeting was held in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall. 

Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.  By roll call, members present:  John Walsh, Beverly Moran, Matt Cripps, Karen Izzo and Edward Handi.  David Mikos arrived at 7:06 p.m.  Al Felice was excused. 

Parks and Recreation Director Dennis O’Connell was present.  Athletic Director Kenneth Marcucio was absent. 

ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA:

Without objection, the agenda was accepted, as presented. 

Public portion:

No one was present and the public portion was closed. 

approval of minutes:

A motion was made by Karen Izzo and second by Matt Cripps.  Move to accept the minutes of the meeting on July 9, 2001.  All in favor.  Motion carried. 

Correspondences:

Nothing was presented. 

DIRECTOR REPORTS:

Parks & Recreation Director’s Report:  Mr. O’Connell reported that there was miscommunication regarding the Pop Warner Organization’s request for use of the football field for their playoff games.  They had scheduled November 8^th whereas October 24^th was the approved date given by the Parks & Recreation Commission.  Mr. O’Connell offered November 7^th and Pop Warner is reviewing its schedule to accommodate this alternative date. 

Registration for Biddy Basketball, girls and boys, has started.  The program will utilize the gymnasium at the Derby Veteran's Community Center four nights a week and Saturdays.  The parochial league has approached the Center for use of the gymnasium.  Mr. O’Connell is reviewing the schedule for available times on the weekends.  The gymnasium is being offered for the adult basketball league to utilize the space for Sunday mornings. 

Extensive work has been done at the field house to expand the coach’s room and provide better supervision of the locker rooms.  The work should cost approximately $3,000.  It was noted again that the primary use of the building is by the school programs.  Pop Warner utilizes this space only during their home games. 

The Seymour Swim Club will be renting the Derby Veteran's Community Center pool as their facility is down for repairs through November. 

Next, Mr. O’Connell reviewed the issue of the lights at the picnic grove requested by Pop Warner.  Pop Warner approached the Board of Alderman and received approval for additional lights for practice at the picnic grove.  Upon coordinating the installation it was discovered that the proposed lights would replace the current Light the Night lights at the grove.  The current lights are comparable to streetlights and were installed to provide safety and security of the area.  The new lights would be much brighter and would remain on from dusk to dawn every day of the year.  Concerns were expressed that these lights would be intrusive to the Hawthorne Avenue neighborhood once the foliage had thinned and the cost would be an additional $266 per month to the City.  With these revelations, it was decided that the plan should be further reviewed.  The Commission acknowledged the need for lights for practice use and Mr. O'Connell will be approaching the Neighborhood Committee to suggest an alternative proposal. 

Mr. O’Connell noted that the receivables from the Center are doing well.  The fees from the Boy’s Club, anticipated in last year’s budget, totaling $13,500 have been received.  Monthly revenue is in line with the anticipated revenues for the year. 

The proposal for repairs in the Center has gone out to bid.  Work will be commencing to replace the men’s lockers and make needed lavatory upgrades. 

Members noted that the LoCIP projects have yet to be started.  The projects being the bathrooms at Amendola Field and the storage building at Ryan Field.  It was suggested that the Neighborhood Committee be approached to explore the procedure for going forward with the projects.  Designs need to be developed and locations have to be determined.  The bathrooms have been on hold while awaiting a decision for the overall recreational plan of fields.  The storage building was requested so as to relocate the Public Works field maintenance equipment and supplies currently stored in the field house.  It was also suggested that the subject of jurisdiction over the field house be explored.  As primarily school programs use it, it may be better served to have the maintenance and supervision provided by the Board of Education. 

Purchase of soccer goals was discussed at a previous meeting.  The High School soccer coach was exploring the choice of style and vendor.  As the school program as well as the recreation program use the goals it was suggested that a sharing of cost be explored.  Dr. Gotowala has indicated that as this was not included in the budget request, the funding would not be available.  Mr. O’Connell had safety concerns with the current goals and encouraged the purchase through the recreational funding special projects.  Cost will be approximately $600 for each goal and two will be purchased. 

Athletic Director’s Report:  Mr. Marcucio was not present this evening. 

Committee Reports:

Programs Committee – A meeting will be scheduled in November.  Scheduling of clinics will be explored. 

Facilities Committee – The Committee has been awaiting a focus of the City’s overall plan.  It was felt that the need for additional fields remains crucial and members felt that forward moment was needed.  They will explore proceeding independent of the school proposal with focus on Witek Park as this appears to be the only city-owned parcel adequate and available. 

Budget Committee – Next year’s budget deliberations should commence in January. 

NEW or OTHER BUSINESS:

Nothing was presented. 

A motion was made by Beverly Moran and second by Matt Cripps.  Move to adjourn this meeting at 7:55 p.m.  All in favor.  Motion carried. 

The next meeting will be Monday, November 12, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.  If the Aldermanic Chambers are unavailable then the Veteran’s room will be requested.

Respectfully prepared,

Karen Kemmesies, secretary

Back to City of Derby Home Page