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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
JUNE 20, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Herbert Grant; Rev. Phyllis Bolden; Joanne Romano; Richard McQuaid; Douglas Hempstead; Michael Coffey.
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Director, Recreation and Parks Department.
OTHERS: Mayor Richard A. Moccia; Karen Ayleward, LMMM; Rob Trevarjian (sp), Stew Leonard’s; Laura Peterson; Purchasing Agent, City of Norwalk; Bob Kocienda; Christine Coppola; Alonzo Virgil.
The meeting was held at Calf Pasture Beach under the big tent at the Stew Leonard’s concession.
I. ROLL CALL
Mr. Bondi opened the meeting at 7:20 p.m., and then called the roll.
II. MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2006
There were no changes or corrections to the minutes of the May 17, 2006 meeting.
** MR. McQUAID MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2006 AS PRESENTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
I11. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve the use of Shady Beach by Priceline.com for a company outing to be held on Monday, July 10, 2006 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with a rain date of Tuesday, July 11, 2006. Estimated attendance 300.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF SHADY BEACH BY PRICELINE.COM FOR
A COMPANY OUTING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 10, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Pavilion and the immediate grounds by St. Jerome’s Church for a parish picnic to be held on Sunday, October 1, 2006 from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Estimated attendance 350.
** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF CRANBURY PARK PAVILION AND THE IMMEDIATE
GROUNDS BY ST. JEROME’S CHURCH FOR A PARISH PICNIC TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER
1, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Approve the use of grounds surrounding Mathews Park by the Lockwood Mathews Mansion for their annual Victorian Ice Cream Social to be held on Saturday, July 30, 2006 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 450.
There was no representative from LMMM in attendance. After general discussion it was agreed to table the item until further information could be obtained.
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO TABLE APPROVAL OF THE USE OF GROUND SURROUNDING MATHEWS
PARK BY LMMM FOR THEIR ANNUAL VICTORIAN ICE CREAM SOCIAL TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY,
JULY 30, 2006 UNTIL FURTHER INFORMATION COULD BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Approve the use of Shady Beach by Laura Peterson for a family party to be held on Saturday, August 12, 2006 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM with a rain date of Saturday, August 19, 2006. Estimated attendance 100.
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF SHADY BEACH BY LAURA PETERSON FOR
A FAMILY PARTY TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2006 WITH A RAIN DATE OF SATURDAY,
AUGUST 19, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Approve the use of Shady Beach by AC Nielsen for a Company Picnic to be held on Friday, July 28, 2006 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 100.
There was no representative from AC Nielsen in attendance. After general discussion
it was agreed to table the item until further information could be obtained.
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO TABLE THE USE OF SHADY BEACH BY AC NIELSEN FOR A COMPANY
PICNIC TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2006 UNTIL FURTHER INFORMATION COULD BE
PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the National Marine Manufacturers Association for their Annual Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show to be held September 21-24, 2006 to use Calf Pasture Beach, Shady Beach, and Taylor Farm on all 4 days of the show and Marvin School on Saturday and Sunday. Estimated attendance 20,000+.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR ANNUAL
NORWALK INTERNATIONAL IN-WATER BOAT SHOW TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 21-24, 2006 TO
USE CALF PASTURE BEACH, SHADY BEACH, AND TAYLOR FARM ON ALL 4 DAYS OF THE SHOW
AND MARVIN SCHOOL ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the Norwalk Exchange Club to provide parking for the Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show to be held on September 21-24, 2006 for a sum not to exceed $8,400.00. Account #016027-5258.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NORWALK EXCHANGE CLUB TO PROVIDE PARKING FOR THE NORWALK
INTERNATIONAL IN-WATER BOAT SHOW TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 21-24, 2006 FOR A SUM
NOT TO EXCEED $8,400.00.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Approve the use of Norwalk High School Athletic Complex by the Norwalk High
Marching Band for their Annual Cavalcade of Bands to be held on Saturday, November
4, 2006 from 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Estimated attendance 2,000.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPLEX
BY THE NORWALK HIGH MARCHING BAND FOR THEIR ANNUAL CAVALCADE OF BANDS TO BE
HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2006.
Mr. McQuaid stated that the 2005 show was, in his opinion, the best show ever.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Approve the use of Shady Beach by Tauck World Discovery for a company picnic to be held on Thursday, August 10, 2006 with a rain date of Thursday, August 17, 2006 from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Estimated attendance 250.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF SHADY BEACH BY TAUCK WORLD DISCOVERY
FOR A COMPANY PICNIC TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2006 WITH A RAIN DATE
OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Approve the use of Silvermine School grounds by the Macedonia Church for a picnic to be held on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Estimated attendance 125.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF SILVERMINE SCHOOL BY THE MACEDONIA CHURCH FOR A PICNIC TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2006.
Mr. Bondi asked why this item was appearing so late on the agenda and stated that the usual practice was for the Committee to deny a request that was not presented at least a month in advance. The representative from Macedonia Church explained that there was some indecision as to whether or not the picnic would be taking place, and then when it was decided to proceed with it, there was a delay in response from the insurance company.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Approve the use of Silvermine School grounds by the Macedonia Church for a picnic to be held on Monday, September 4, 2006 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Estimated attendance 125.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF SILVERMINE SCHOOL BY THE MACEDONIA
CHURCH FOR A PICNIC TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Approve the use of the Brien McMahon Athletic Complex by the Norwalk Junior Lacrosse Association for their end of season picnic to be held on Friday, June 23, 2006 from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Estimated attendance 475.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF THE BRIEN McMAHON ATHLETIC COMPLEX BY THE NORWALK JUNIOR LACROSSE ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR END OF SEASON PICNIC TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006.
Mr. Bondi again stated that the normal practice of the Committee was to deny an application not presented at least a month in advance. He questioned whether this application should be approved because of the lateness of it appearing before the Committee. The representative from the Norwalk Jr. Lacrosse Assoc. stated that in previous years, the estimated attendance had been under 200 and they had never been required to request a permit. This time the estimated attendance has doubled, and they were unaware that they needed the permit until a month ago. There was some discussion between the Committee members. Mr. Grant suggested that the Committee submit a note with its confirmation stating that they have made an exception to the rules for this particular application.
** MS. ROMANO AMENDED HER MOTION TO INCLUDE MR. GRANT’S REQUEST THAT THE COMMITTEE
INCLUDE A NOTE WITH ITS APPROVAL STATING THAT THEY HAVE MADE AN EXCEPTION TO
THEIR RULES ON THIS APPLICATION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Authorize the purchasing agent to issue a purchase order to Turf Products Corporation for two (2) Groundmaster Mowers 328-D 4WD for $20,673.05 each and one (1) Toro Workman 2110 16HP for $7,814.11 for a sum not to exceed $49,160.21. Account #016031-5734 and #016031-5735.
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER
TO TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION FOR TWO (2) GROUNDMASTER MOWERS 328-D 4WD FOR $20,673.05
EACH AND ONE (1) TORO WORKMAN 2110 16HP FOR $7,814.11 FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED
$49,160.21.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. Adopt a requirement that the City perform or have performed national criminal background checks on all employees, volunteers and applicants for any position having responsibility for the care or safety of minors, elderly or disabled individuals in order to determine whether such employee, volunteer or applicant has been convicted of a crime or has criminal charges pending against him or her.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.
Mr. Coffey asked why this is coming before the Recreation & Parks Committee and not going through the Ordinance Committee. Mr. McQuaid said that this was not an ordinance, so it goes through this committee and then on to the Council. Mr. McQuaid stated the Committee could approve this item tonight, but he suggested they have Corporation Counsel review it first and make a determination, then it could move to the Council for the next meeting.
No action was taken on this item.
** REV. BOLDIN REQUESTED A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES IN ORDER TO ADD ITEMS 15
AND 16 TO THE AGENDA.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
15. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the South Norwalk Community Center, Inc. Neon/SNCC Summer Day Camp for the use of the grounds at Roton Middle School for their Annual Summer Day Camp to be held Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM starting Wednesday, July 5, 2006 and ending Friday, August 11, 2006. Estimated attendance 125.
** MR. GRANT MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH NORWALK COMMUNITY CENTER, INC. NEON/SNCC SUMMER
DAY CAMP FOR THE USE OF THE GROUNDS AT ROTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THEIR ANNUAL
SUMMER DAY CAMP TO BE HELD MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM STARTING WEDNESDAY,
JULY 5, 2006 AND ENDING FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
16. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with Achieve for the use of the grounds at Jefferson School for their annual Summer Program to be held Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM starting Monday, July 3, 2006 through Friday, August 11, 2006. Estimated attendance 125.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH ACHIEVE FOR THE USE OF THE GROUNDSW AT JEFFERSON SCHOOL FOR
THEIR ANNUAL SUMMER PROGRAM TO BE HELD MONDAY-FRIDAY, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM STARTING
MONDAY, JULY 3, 2006 THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2006.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
V. DISCUSSION
1. Modular Classrooms at Jefferson Elementary School
Mr. Grant said he finds it disheartening and is up in arms if they take away
the sports field at Jefferson and turn it into a parking lot. He said if it
was for a short duration, it might possibly be okay. Mr. Bondi stated that the
duration appears to be estimated at six years. Mr. Mocciae said that they are
removing the last bastion of the grass area and that he was not in favor of
converting that to a parking area. Mr. Bondi said he had met with the Deputy
Chief and Hal Alvord for discussions.
Mr. Grant said the portables have not been solidified by the Board of Education,
who keep saying that Jefferson is going to become a magnet school.
Mr. McQuaid said that last week at the Council meeting, there were lots of questions for Mr. Opdahl that weren’t answered to their satisfaction. He said that there had been an extensive financial error mad, and remarked that each of these portable units needed approximately $20,000 worth of repair work before they could be utilized, including foundations and carpeting. The portables are being taken from another location and being received in as-is condition. This did not go through the Board of Education. There are ten portables being moved from Brien McMahon High School to Jefferson.
Mr. McQuaid reminded the Committee members that they were used at another school before being moved to Brien McMahon. He felt that for the City to pay rent on these units was a mistake. There is site work that needs to be done before the portables can be installed, and there are only nine students enrolled in the program so far. Mr. McQuaid said the City bought the portables for $1.00 but it is costing them over $500,000 and he felt this was wrong. Mr. McQuaid requested an action item.
** REV. BOLDEN REQUESTED A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES IN ORDER TO TAKE THIS AS
AN ACTION ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO REJECT JEFFERSON SCHOOL FOR USE OF THE TEN PORTABLE
UNITS DUE TO THE COSTS INVOLVED WITH SITE PREPARATION, MOVING THE UNITS, AND
THE REPAIR WORK NEEDED FOR EACH UNIT PRIOR TO THEIR BEING UTILIZED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Coffee requested that the July meeting also be held at Calf Pasture Beach. There was general agreement. Mr. Hempstead said that if this was agreeable to everyone he would make the arrangements.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. COFFEY MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda J. Hayes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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