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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
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here for minutes from YEAR 2004 Click here for minutes from YEAR 2005 |
Click here for minutes from January 18, 2006 |
FEBRUARY 15, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Herbert Grant, Richard McQuaid,
Joanne Romano, Michael Coffey (8:16 p.m.), Phyllis
Bolden (8:20 p.m.)
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Director of Recreation and Parks
OTHERS: Marjorie St. Albin, Lockwood Mathew Mansion Curator, Mr.
W. Benjamin Walsh, President of Whitehurst Foods; Mr. Keith
Welch, President of the Norwalk Evangelical Association
I. ROLL CALL
Chairman Bondi called the meeting to order at 8:12 p.m. Mr. Mocciae called the roll. There was a quorum present.
II. MINUTES OF JANUARY 18, 2006
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR JANUARY
18, 2006 AS SUBMITTED
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Approve use of Andrews Field Parking for the Norwalk Marching Bears Annual Flea Market to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 300.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF ANDREWS FIELD
PARKING FOR THE NORWALK MARCHING BEARS ANNUAL FLEA
MARKET TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2006 FROM 7:00 AM
– 5:00 PM WITH AN ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE OF 300.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD TWO
ADDITIONAL ITEMS # 5 & 6 (LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION
AND WHITEHURST FOODS) TO THE AGENDA.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Approve the Lockwood Mathews Mansion to place a 50’ x 100’ tent along side of the Mansion for Museum use. The base and the plantings around the tent would be permanent with the tent as a temporary structure.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE LOCKWOOD MATHEWS
MANSION TO PLACE A 50’ X 100’ TENT ALONG SIDE OF THE
MANSION FOR MUSEUM USE. THE BASE AND THE PLANTINGS
AROUND THE TENT WOULD BE PERMANENT WITH THE TENT AS
A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE.
Ms. St. Albin explained to the Committee that the Lockwood Mansion is rented
out to selective parties and that during the last four years, they have come
to rely on one particular caterer, Garlick and Herb, who seem to be very conscious
of the Museum and its history. The owners have offered to donate the tent over
a ten year period. Ms. St. Albin also offered to make the tent available to
the Recreation and Parks for a fund raiser once a year.
Ms. St. Albin also explained that the tent would be the same color as the stone
the Mansion is build from and would be designed to resemble the same type of
architecture. This item will be placed on the Common Council agenda for a full
Council vote.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard Mocciae to enter into a lease agreement with Whitehurst Food Service for the operation of a concession stand at Veteran’s Park for a term of 5 years to begin may 1, 2006 through October 15, 2011 with a 5 years option for renewal.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD
MOCCIAE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH
WHITEHURST FOOD SERVICE FOR THE OPERATION OF A
CONCESSION STAND AT VETERAN’S PARK FOR A TERM OF 5 YEARS TO BEGIN MAY 1, 2006
THROUGH OCTOBER 15, 2011 WITH A
5 YEARS OPTION FOR RENEWAL.
Mr. Mocciae explained that a concession stand was built by the City in 1984 Veteran’s Park but never used. In an on-going effort to bring more people out to the parks, the Department of Recreation and Parks put out an RFP and received one bid, from Whitehurst Foods. A second RFP was sent out and once again, Whitehurst Foods was the only respondent.
The concession stand needs some work in that there is no fire suppression system and other items need to be installed.
Mr. Walsh was present and introduced himself to the Committee. He explained that his company only does seasonal concession stands. Mr. McQuaid commented that Whitehurst has the contract at Short Beach in Stratford and that he had always been impressed with the food and cleanliness of the concession stand. Mr. Mocciae stated that he had called the Stratford Director of Parks and she had stated that she was very pleased with Whitehurst.
There was some discussion regarding whether or not the concession stand would be open during the Oyster Festival, since the wording in the first RFP differed from the wording in the second one. Mr. Mocciae had been in touch with Mr. Kydes about the concession and Mr. Mocciae felt that something could be worked out. There was also some concern about the hours of operation. Mr. Mocciae explained that this was all in the RFP and could be adjusted by his office, if needed.
** THE MOTION PASSED WITH FIVE IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED
(BONDI).
2. Approve the use of the Cranbury Pavilion and immediate surrounding grounds
at Cranbury Park by the Cranbury Community Athletic Association for their annual
League Picnic to be held on Sunday, June 25, 2006 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Estimated
attendance 250 - 300
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF THE CRANBURY
PAVILION AND IMMEDIATE SURROUNDING GROUNDS AT
CRANBURY PARK BY THE CRANBURY COMMUNITY ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR ANNUAL LEAGUE PICNIC TO BE HELD
ON SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2006 FROM 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. WITH AN
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE OF 250 - 300.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach by the Norwalk Evangelical Association for their Annual Easter Sunrise Service to be held on Sunday, April 16, 2006 from 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM. Estimated attendance 100.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF CALF PASTURE
BEACH BY THE NORWALK EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION FOR
THEIR ANNUAL EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE TO BE HELD ON
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2006 FROM 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM. WITH AN
ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE OF 100.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
V. DISCUSSION
1. International Little League design and location of a batting cage at Calf Pasture Beach.
There was a presentation by Jim who distributed packets of information to the Committee and reviewed the placement of the batting cage. He stated that it would be located behind the first base line. Mr. Bondi stated that if this project was approved, it would be subject to the specifications from Recreation and Parks, particularly as to the heavy gauge chain link that would be required. Jim replied that the particular type of batting cage they were going to install would be made of heavy rope, which can’t be cut. Mr. Mocciae asked what type of base the cage would have. After some brief discussion, it was decided that stone dust would be best for maintenance. Jim also assured the Committee that these batting cages have a lifespan of 10 years. He also state that it would be installed by the fathers and coaches. Mr. McQuaid stated that he wanted it publicly acknowledged that if vandalism does take place, the City is not responsible.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ALLOW THIS
DISCUSSION ITEM TO BECOME AN ACTION ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
** MR. COFFEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF A
BATTING CAGE AT CALF PASTURE BEACH BY THE
INTERNATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE
LEAGUE.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. NEW BUSINESS CONTD.
1. Review of Department Fees & Charges for 2006-2007 and refer for a Public Hearing for next month.
Mr. Mocciae quickly reviewed the fee chart for the Recreation and Parks Department with the two new changes, a five dollar fee for non-resident parking at Veteran’s Park and picnic table rentals at Shady Beach.
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO APPROVE THE DEPARTMENT FEES &
CHARGES FOR 2006-2007 AND REFER FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR
NEXT MONTH.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the
Laurel Athletic Club for the lease of an open space parcel owned by the City
adjacent to their property at 13 North Avenue. The Laurel club wishes to lease
the property for one dollar ($1.00) for the property and use for a five-year
term with a 5-year renewable option to be cleaned, and landscaped for the purpose
of 2 Bocci Courts, 2 Horseshoe Pits and a Picnic Area. The area will be used
by the Club as well as other not for profit City Organizations.
No one was present from the Laurel Athletic Club to discuss the matter.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO TABLE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE
MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE LAUREL ATHLETIC CLUB FOR THE LEASE OF AN OPEN
SPACE PARCEL OWNED BY THE CITY ADJACENT TO THEIR
PROPERTY AT 13 NORTH AVENUE TO NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
V. DISCUSSION CONTD.
2. Dogs at Cranbury Park
This was tabled to the next month’s agenda to allow some of the caretakers from Cranbury Park to be present.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. COFFEY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
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