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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi; Chairman, (arrived at 8:15 p.m.) Betsy Bain, Richard McQuaid, Ken Baker, Peter Wien, Phyllis Bolden
OTHER(s): Mike Mocciae, Director Recreation and Parks
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Bain called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Ms. Bain took the roll call and announced there was a quorum.
MINUTES APPROVAL
July 20, 2005
** MR. BAKER MOVED ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES
** MOTION PASSED WITH THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND TWO ABSTENTIONS (MR. McQUAID
and MR. WIEN)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the Sound
Cyclists Bicycle Club for their Annual Bloomin Metric Bike Tour to be held on
Sunday, May 21, 2006 from 5:00 am – 6:00 pm at Shady Beach and Taylor Farm.
Set up will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 12:00 pm and take down by
Monday, May 22, 2006 at 12:00 pm. Estimated attendance 3,000
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
Mr. Mocciae said this event would be conducted the same as it was last year. He said they didn’t have any problems last year.
Mr. Bondi said he saw tents on the premises last year. He asked if they were
selling anything under the tens. The representative present said no, they have
registration and items to give away, but there is no selling.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
*It was noted this item will be voted on during the Common Council meeting on
Tuesday, September 27, 2005.
The representative for the event was advised to call Mr. Mocciae to follow up.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve the use of Norwalk High Athletic Complex for the 23rd Annual Calvalcade of Bands to be held on Saturday, November 5, 2005 from 11:00 am – 10 pm. Estimate attendance 3,000+
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
Mr. Bondi asked if Mr. Mocciae had a copy of the letter that was submitted. Mr. Mocciae said yes.
Mr. Bondi suggested that a bond still needed to be set for this event, noting that even though it went will last year, they wanted to keep it that way.
The representative present asked if they required a bond for Brien McMahon events. Mr. Bondi said that was a different situation, in that they had an agreement with Brien McMahon when the stadium was built. But Norwalk High was bound by the rules they agreed upon. He further pointed out that abuse of the rules was seen in past years and the event didn’t end when it was suppose to.
The representative said the time the lights were turned off was addressed, but they met all the other conditions imposed last year. He questioned the need for a bond for the one event they per year. He repeated there was an oversight with the lights two years ago. Mr. Bondi said two years ago, the event ended well after 11:00 p.m. and when Mr. Tierney came before them, he stated there was still a problem at Naramake School with buses pulling out at 11:30 p.m.
Mr. Bondi recalled they finished the event at 9:15 p.m. last year and all went well. The representative said the buses will always be there after 10:00 p.m. Mr. Bondi said they wouldn’t this year because the buses will now be at Andrews Field due to the problem with neighbors. He said he represented the people on King Street and again, the buses need to be shut off because of fumes and noise. He clarified that was why the committee imposed the bond, to get better results. And he felt by doing so, this improved the situation, but they need to conclude by 10:00 p.m.
The representative said that by having buses parked at Andrews Field would be
a problem for the bands that have to transport instruments and equipment.
Tony Daddona the principal of Norwalk High School stated that for those that knew him, they know he runs a tight school. He assured the committee that he will be present at the event to make sure things run as they should. He noted there will be extra security. He expressed that they weren’t looking to infringe on the neighborhood in any way.
Mr. Bondi said he understood, but they needed to consider all the other events that take place on the field. Principal Daddona said that some of the other activities taking place on the field are adults playing soccer at night.
Mr. Bondi asked if the lights are timed to go out at a certain time now. Mr. Mocciae said the lights were fixed to go off at a certain time.
Mr. McQuaid stated he was not in favor of the bond. He believed they should be consistent between the two high schools as far as the rules go. He thought the matter should be handled between the schools without bringing Dr. Corda into it. He also said he was not in favor of the buses being parked at Andrews Field either.
Mr. Bondi said he didn’t have any objection to eliminating the bond, but he strongly suggested the buses stay parked at Andrews Field.
There was a question whether or not the buses could drop the students off on
the Strawberry Hill side. The representative said they have bands that arrive
late, so it would be hard to get the buses back to transport more people.
There was some open discussion regarding other possible locations for the buses
to park.
There was a question whether they could park at Andrews Field until the awards ceremony that runs until around 9:00 p.m. Mr. Bondi asked if they would finished by 10:00 p.m. The response was that the late performers need to change etc.
Mr. Bondi asked if they could be off of King Street by 10:00 p.m. The representative said they wouldn’t be leaving until after the awards ceremony.
Mr. Bondi asked the number of bands there would be. The representative said they were expecting fifteen (15) bands.
Ms. Bolden asked what the ideal scenario would be. The representative said it would be to park the buses at Naramake School. Ms. Bolden asked what time they would leave from there. The representative said around 9:30 a.m., but they couldn’t predict the exact time the buses pull out.
Mr. Bondi reiterated there was an agreement with the neighborhood and they couldn’t go back on that now.
** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO ELIMINATE ANY BOND REQUIRED FOR THE EVENT
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. Bain asked if they could stipulate that the buses not be parked at Naramake School, unless another acceptable solution was bought forth.
Mr. McQuaid said they could use Andrews Field to its maximum for spectators and use Naramake School for any overflow.
Ms. Bain asked if they could move approval for the use of the athletic field with the condition that the band buses not be parked at Naramake School.
** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL FOR THE USE OF THE ATHLETIC FIELD WITH THE CONDITION
THAT THE BAND BUSES SHOULD NOT BE PARKED AT NARAMAKE SCHOOL
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Approve the use of the Showmobile by the Police Athletic League for their
annual Pumpkin Festival to be held on Saturday, October 15, 2005 on the Norwalk
Green
** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
Mr. Mocciae noted there will be a new showmobile on the green.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Gallagher Estate and immediate surrounding
grounds by Scott Witkin for a wedding to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006
from 6:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. Estimate attendance 200.
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The committee offered good luck to the couple present.
Mr. Mocciae noted they should follow up with staff as needed.
4. Approve the use of the Showmobile by the American Legion Post 12 for their annual Community Tree Lighting Service to be held on Sunday, November 27, 2005
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Approve the use of the Showmobile by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for
their annual “Light the Night Walk” to be held at Calf Pasture Beach on
Friday, September 29, 2005
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Mr. Mocciae reminded them to follow up with staff.
6. Authorize the Mayor A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the Norwalk
Exchange Club to provide for parking at the Annual Norwalk In-Water Boat Show
on September 22- 25, 2005 for a sum not to exceed $8,400.00
Account #016027-5258
Mr. Bondi commented that this has been the closest they have been in approving something, where the event was one day in advance. Mr. Mocciae said there was an agreement done for many years and it was budgeted in the operating account. He explained that once the item is approved, it goes to the Common Council since it is a contractual agreement.
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
7. Approve the use of the Showmobile by SoNo Arts Inc. for an outdoor celebration
“Night of the Living Dead” to be held on Saturday, October 29, 2005 in Amberjacks
Parking area in South Norwalk
** MR. McQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
The representative present said they were looking to do a Halloween themed event. They will have a band, side shows, tarot card readings and a beer garden. She said they are hoping to become part of the SoNo community.
Mr. Bondi asked how the neighborhood felt about a band playing outside. The rep said that all but two of the businesses were in support of that.
Ms. Bain asked how long the event would run. The rep said from 8:00 p.m. to
1:00 a.m. for the event and from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for the band.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the March
of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation for their annual Walk America to be held at
Calf Pasture Beach on Sunday, August 30, 2006 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Set up
will begin at 5:30 am with clean up by 5:00 pm, Estimated attendance 500 – 700
** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
Mr. Bondi noted this was a yearly event.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Approve the use of the Showmobile by the Afterschool Alliance for a Skate
Park Event to be held on Saturday, October 22, 2005 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Mr. Mocciae updated that this item was off the agenda. He said that Recreation and Parks would sponsor the event.
10. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Pavilion by Jan Liebowitz for a 50th Birthday Party to be held on Saturday, October 22, 2005 from 1:00 pm – 6:00pm. Estimated attendance 125.
** MS. BOLDEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM
Ms. Bain asked if it will be a low key event. The representative said yes,
it’s going to be a family member’s.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Other Business
• Mr. McQuaid asked what happened to the event that was supposed to be held at the beach on Sunday, when they asked to change venues due to the rain. Mr. Mocciae said the group was approved to hold a Character Counts event; the proposal was set up with two tables to peddle brochures and honor two students, with a maximum of (125) people attending. But a month later, he saw posters around that indicated it would be a community event with thousands of people attending. But it was found out that the event was moved to another spot without approval. They were told that if they wanted to hold the event next year, it needs to be better organized and approved.
• Mr. McQuaid spoke about the need to censor bands that play at events. He said the bands were out of control at the skate park event. It was an organized event, but they hired five extreme bands. The agreement was that they should refrain from offensive language, but this wasn’t adhered to. So this created uproar among the parents and other people.
Mr. Mocciae said for any future events where bands will be playing and get out of hand, departmental measures are in place to address it.
• It was stated that the naming of streets within parks will be on the agenda next month for discussion.
Discussion – Doug Peoples proposal
Mr. Bondi stated the item was out of their hands because the Land Use Committee was now handling it and Recreation & Parks had nothing to say about it.
Mr. Peoples emphasized that the item was bought to the committee’s attention three years ago. He felt the Mayor was now using the matter as a political pawn. He further stressed that the idea was a good one to the committee three years ago, but now the Mayor has his political cronies on the committee. He felt that the Mayor didn’t assign someone that was recommended for the committee intentionally, noting that now that it’s an election year, all the stops have been pulled out and it becomes a political issue. He thought this was bull_!
Mr. Bondi said he wasn’t happy with who was appointed to the committee either. He tried to explain that the reason they are looking to make the area a historical district, was because this benefits other properties in the city that Bill Krause wants to go after.
Mr. Peoples said it was time for the Mayor to stop aligning himself only with people that make him look good. He further emphasized that the Foto Farms proposal wasn’t even considered by anyone before he came forward with the proposal to purchase the property and maintain it.
Ms. Bain said there were a couple of issues to consider. She said Mr. Peoples came before the committee, but there was some resistance at the time because it wasn’t clear how the matter would be handled. But she didn’t recall approving the proposal. Mr. Peoples said he realized the proposal wasn’t approved, but the committee was in favor of the idea.
Mr. Bondi said it was suggested to also look into other uses for Foto Farms and to decide what would happen with the pieces of property.
Mr. Mocciae questioned the historical nature of the property. Mr. Peoples said there was one building that has historical significance and that is on the state registry, but it’s not on the national registry.
Ms. Bain asked what the purpose of the discussion was tonight. Ms. Bolden expressed that if the proposal was to help restore the property that Mr. Peoples should be allowed to present it. Ms. Bain said the proposal wasn’t meant to be discounted, but the piece of property at Gallagher was occupied and there was no plan to sell off the property. She further relayed that if there was discussion about which properties to sell, until there was a determination as to any long range plan, action couldn’t go forward.
Mr. Peoples said the committee that was appointed to address Foto Farms was not reflected of the community at large.
Mr. McQuaid agreed that the committee wasn’t properly chosen either.
Mr. Bondi said if the committee requested him to, he offered to voice the opinion of the committee to the Mayor, to let him know that they were unhappy that the matter was taken out of Recreation and Parks hands and given to the Land Use Committee.
Mr. Peoples questioned how they could have a historical district committee address the Foto Farms issue, when they have people on the committee that are from Rowayton and no committee members from the area. It was clarified that all the committee members were from the Norwalk area, none were from Rowayton.
Mr. Peoples ended and strongly emphasized that this committee look at the “big political picture”!
Mr. Mocciae gave some background information regarding Foto Farms. He explained that one reason the plan was stalled, was because it was important to necessitate a plan first.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. BAIN MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Graham
Telesco Secretarial Services
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