CITY OF NORWALK
RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 19, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Steve Serasis; Richard Bonenfant; Richard McQuaid; Rev. Phyllis Bolden (8:05); Amanda Brown (8:05).

STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Director.

OTHERS: Laurel Lindstrom, Council; Diane Lauricella; Nick Kydes, Councilman.

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m. by the Chairman.

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2007

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS DISTRIBUTED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO ABSTENTIONS (MR. SERASIS, MR. BONENFANT.)

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL M.S. SOCIETY FOR A WALK-A-THON TO BE HELD AT CALF PASTURE BEACH ON SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2008 FROM 6 A.M. – 1 P.M. ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 1,500

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH CT VALLEY REGION PORSCHE CLUB OF AMERICAN, HERRY CHARLUP FOR AN ANNUAL FATHER’S DAY CONCOURS TO BE HELD AT THE CRANBURY PARK PAVILION AND GREAT LAWN AREAS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2008 FROM 7:30 A.M. – 2 P.M. ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 250.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL.

Mr. Mocciae said this is the comeback of the Volkswagen Club. In case of rain, cars will be moved to the parking lot. Mr. Charlup said they anticipate approximately 85 cars.

At 8:05, Rev. Bolden and Ms. Brown arrived at the meeting.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

APPROVE THE USE OF CRANBURY PARK PAVILION AND THE IMMEDIATE SURROUNDING GROUNDS BY THE CRANBURY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2008 FROM 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 200+.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORWALK AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR GRANT FUNDING UNDER THE CLEAN VESSEL ACT FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A MARINE SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITY FOR A CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $11,723.03 IN EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 2006-NOVEMBER 30, 2008.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED.

Michael Griffith, Harbormaster, was present. Mr. Mocciae said they have had this contract for approximately 10 years and it calls for a 75/25 cost sharing.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MARITIME ROWING CLUB/WATER SPORTS CENTER LLC FOR THE USE OF VETERAN’S PARK FOR CLUB MEMBERS PARKING. ALL MEMBERS WOULD PURCHASE A $50 SEASON PASS THE SAME AS NORWALK SAILING SCHOOL MEMBERS AT CALF PASTURE BEACH. USE OF THE PARKING LOT WOULD BE PROHIBITED DURING LARGE EVENTS OR PROGRAMS.

** REV. BOLDEN MOVED.

Mr. Serasis said he assumed this would still not allow them to park head into the water; Mr. Mocciae said that was correct. They have to park in the interior of the park.

Mr. Bonenfant asked about abuse of the fee. Mr. Mocciae said this is only good for parking at Veterans Park for rowing. They rectified that problem years ago in terms of the beach pass. This is a for-profit group with a non-profit portion. It is a water dependent use that is being encouraged. They launch from their facility across the street; they only use this for parking.

Rev. Bolden asked if use would be prohibited during large events and Mr. Bondi responded affirmatively. This is monitored by the groups holding the large events.

Mr. Serasis asked if there is any attempt at outreach to the community. The representative present said they would have no problem in doing this, but there has never been much interest. Mr. Serasis said this is a sport that offers scholarships to needy kids. A member of the audience spoke of an incident with a young black woman. Rev. Bolden said her nephew was in the rowing club at one time and he loved it. The representative said one of their members is on the board of the Norwalk Shelter. Mr. Mocciae said they facilitate this type of activity. The representative said they do offer scholarships. They will not turn away anyone who cannot afford the fee.

Mr. Serasis said he supports anything that keeps kids active and he would be happy to work with them.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH C.A.F.E. FOR THE ANNUAL COLUMBIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION TO BE HELD IN VETERANS PARK ON SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2008 FROM 10 A.M. – 8 P.M. SET UP 6 A.M. SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2008 WITH TEAR DOWN NO LATER THAN 12 NOON ON MONDAY, JULY 21, 2008. ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE 5,000+.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO TABLE.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION

DATE FOR VETERANS PARK INFORMATION SESSION

This will take place on January 9, 2008 at 6:30, facilitated by the LWV.

Diane Lauricella, LWV, distributed copies of a letter and said they would like to participate to make sure there is participation. She suggested that 6:30 may be too early for the commuting public. The Chairman said that was more than sufficient.

Mr. McQuaid said he hoped this event was facilitated better than the debate had been. Ms. Lauricella said she would facilitate this event herself.

FODOR FARM UPDATES

Mr. Mocciae reviewed the disposal schedule. Recreation & Parks and the Health Department have applied for a $100,000 grant from the State Health Department and should hear about this in the next week or two. Paul Newman and his partner are willing to supplement this through their foundation to make this a working workshop.

Ms. Brown asked what the obesity program is. Mr. Mocciae said it is an active program and that is how the community garden fits in. They expect schools, local neighbors, the Historical Society, etc. to participate.

Mr. Serasis said that the Health Department has concentrated a lot on this program over the past year. This will also engage a lot of kids throughout the city, such as NEON camps. Mr. Mocciae said they will be selling plots and giving plots to the schools. Fat Cat Pie will buy their produce from the children.

Mr. Bonenfant asked if this would take all nine acres. Mr. Mocciae said it will be on 1-1/2 acres. There will be some wooded areas. Mr. Bonenfant asked about protecting the crops. Mr. Mocciae said there will be a caretaker on the grounds and a stone wall.

SNEW – OYSTER SHELL PARK

Mr. Mocciae said that SNEW wants to charge the city, which was not included in the presentation they had made. Rev. Bolden said she felt misled.

The Chairman said they are looking at putting in windmills and solar panels. CL&P is interested in putting in windmills.

REVIEW OF OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS SUBMITTED

Mr. Mocciae suggested that the Capital budget be discussed at the next meeting. The Operating budget is straightforward with two new full time positions – a recreation superintendent and a parks superintendent. His parks foreman will retire, which is why the second position is needed. The recreation superintendent was eliminated when he became director. His stall is smaller than that of New Canaan. He can raise the funds to cover these positions through new programs. He put in $20,000 for park rangers to give out tickets for violating parks rules. Rev. Bolden said people from the Eastern Norwalk Neighborhood Association expressed concerns about parks in the East Norwalk area. Mr. Mocciae said that the constables would be used 20 hours per week in the evening on a part time basis. The Chairman noted that constables now have the authority to ticket on Seaview Avenue.

Mr. Mocciae asked committee members to call him to discuss the two new positions. He said they may want to consider a park sticker fee in order to raise funds for the department. It would be a two year sticker for each car at $20, but free for those 62 and older.

The Chairman noted that it costs the city to distribute the stickers. This town has a great parks system. Stickers could bring in $300,000 to $400,000, which could go toward parks maintenance and/or security.

Rev. Bolden noted that there is a shortage of police officers for reasons including enrollment in the DROP plan. Covering the parks is extra duty work.

Mr. Bonenfant asked if money raised through programs would go into the General Fund. Mr. Mocciae said that was correct but the Finance Department is taking the department’s increased revenues into consideration.

The Chairman said he hoped members would have their constituents come out to support the Capital budget.

Regarding parks stickers, Mr. Bonenfant said the rest of the city might look at that as a crutch and the department might have a problem in raising money. Mr. Mocciae said at least there would be money that could be tapped for Capital projects.

Mr. Serasis said if that money was earmarked for high net projects, it would be hard for the city to turn it down. Programs other than sports, such as poetry or music, could be funded.

Mr. Mocciae said there would have to be an ordinance change.

FARMERS MARKET AT VETERANS PARK

The Chairman and Mr. Mocciae recommended that this activity take place at Veterans Park in the overflow boat area, which is fenced in. The Farmers Market in Darien is very successful. The Chairman spoke with them. They have an association which will meet in January. Everyone felt that this was a good idea. It would be held from 2 or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with no fee to the farmers.

The Chairman will continue to pursue this. Mr. Serasis asked if the Eastern Norwalk Neighborhood Association would be in favor and Ms. Lindstrom said she thought this was a great idea, as did Mr. Kydes.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services

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