Minutes

(meeting taped)

Monthly meeting: Monday, December 13, 2004 in the Aldermanic Chambers of City Hall.

Meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.

By roll call, members present: John Walsh, Al Felice, Matt Cripps and Karen Izzo. Edward Handi, Beverly Moran and David Mikos were excused.

Parks and Recreation Director Dennis O’Connell was present and Athletic Director Joseph Orazetti was excused.

Without objection, the agenda was accepted as written.

A motion was made by Karen Izzo and second by Matt Cripps. Move to accept the minutes of the meeting on November 8, 2004, as written. Motion carried unanimously.

Gary Haydu, representing the Little League, reported that he is in the process of obtaining quotes for fencing at the Little League field.

No one else came forward and public portion was closed.

Nothing was presented.

A.) Field maintenance proposal for Ryan football field: As per the proposal the work scheduled for the fall has been accomplished. The field will be rolled and watered to encourage the material to take hold. Fertilizer will be applied in February, as per the quote. It was suggested that signs be posted to prohibit use of the field. It was also suggested that signs be installed at the Witek Park fields to prohibit use or risk prosecution.

B.) Temporary repairs to Little League field: Mr. Haydu indicated that the league is awaiting the clay and there will be some additional work in the spring. As mentioned earlier, he is seeking three quotes on the fences and should have them shortly.

C.) Update on Public Works reorganization: The department will be hiring after the first of the year. Public Works Director Gary Parker will be invited to the next meeting.

D.) Update on Neighborhood Committee request to have the Commission oversee the administration of Witek Park: The Neighborhood Committee is still open to the Parks & Recreation Commission overseeing Witek Park and has also suggested overseeing the Onopiak property.

This request ties into the Public Works reorganization. The Facilities Committee is discussing this request.

E.) Meeting schedule for 2005:

A motion was made by Matt Cripps and second by Karen Izzo. Move to adopt the Park and Recreation Commission meeting schedule for the 2005 calendar year to be the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. with the exception of October, which would be scheduled for October 11^th. Motion carried unanimously.

Parks & Recreation Director’s Report: Mr. O'Connell stated that Youth basketball season started this evening. The girl’s league starting time is delayed as many players are involved in the Pop Warner cheerleading.

Mr. O'Connell is pursuing quotes for bleachers at the Derby Veteran's Community Center. The schools are in the process of replacing a number of bleachers and the contractors are being asked to provide quotations. The estimates range from $13,000 to $17,000.

The skate park is closed for the season. It went very well.

Athletic Director’s Report: Mr. Orazetti was excused.

Finance Committee – The budget is going well. Electrical work was done at the Ryan field house as per the Fire Marshall’s inspection report.

There is a problem with the sewage waste pump at the Derby Veteran's Community Center and repairs are being done. As this unit involves the City Hall facilities, Mr. O'Connell is speaking to the Mayor in regards to the costs.

Programs Committee – The Committee has not met. A meeting is scheduled for January 6^th. Program directors will be invited to begin discussions on the upcoming budget process.

Facilities Committee –The soccer fields at Witek Park are nearly complete and the facility looks very good. Work on the irrigation system will be finished in the spring.

Plans for the Greenway are being reviewed to bring the project within the budgeted funding. It is anticipated that the construction will be done in 2005.

A motion was made by Matt Cripps and second by Al Felice. Move to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting will be Monday, January 10, 2005 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