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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
DECEMBER 21, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman, Joanne Romano, Phyllis Bolden,
Herb Grant.
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Director, Recreation and Parks
Department.
OTHERS: Charlie Reyes, Creative Difference Car Club; Rebecca Astin, Jeb
Backus, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of Norwalk, Inc.; Miles
Spencer, Kayak for a Cause, Inc.
I. ROLL CALL
Mr., Mocciae called roll for the Committee.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Bondi suggested that the Committee move directly to the items that concerned the public that was present rather than taking the agenda items in order. This was agreeable to all.
2. A. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to execute an agreement Creative
Differences Car Club for their Annual Car Show to be held at Veterans Park on
Sunday, July 23, 2006 from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Estimated attendance 150+
2B. Approve the use of the Showmobile by the Creative Difference Car Club for their Annual Car Show to be held at Veterans Park on Sunday, July 23, 2006 from 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
Mr. Reyes was present and gave a brief overview of what the Car Club does and how it was handled last year. To prevent excessive noise, the stage will be set up with the back facing the condo units. This worked well last year.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Pavilion and immediate surrounding grounds
by Rebecca Astin for a Wedding Reception to be held on Saturday, August 5, 2006
from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 150-200.
For the new Committee members, Mr. Mocciae reviewed the use of Cranbury Park for events similar to these. Ms. Astin was present and answered a few questions about the event for the Committee. Ms. Bolden asked about custodial details and Mr. Mocciae explained that it was all covered.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with the YMCA of Norwalk, Inc. for the use of Marvin School Grounds and Taylor Farm for the annual Summer Camp to be held Monday - Friday, June 26, 2006 - August 31, 1006 from 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Estimate attendance 160 children ages 4- 15.
Mr. Mocciae explained that Mr. Backus works well with the Recreation and Parks
Department and that they have done this type of arrangement before. He also
explained that the use of Ludlowe was not included in the contract because both
the YMCA and Recreation and Parks will be utilizing the field during the same
calendar and time period. When asked why their program was so successful, Mr.
Backus informed the Committee that the Camp Director has been the same for the
last five years and they have been able to retain the same counselors. A former
agreement with Naramake School is not being renewed this year because of past
difficulties.
** MR. GRANT MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
At this point, Chairman Bondi requested a suspension of the rules to allow an
additional
agenda item.
** MR. CLARK MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL ITEM TO BE ADDED
TO THE AGENDA.
** THE MOTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach by Kayak for a Cause, Inc. for their Kayak for a Cause Launch and Lobster Bake to be held on Saturday, July 29, 2006 from 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Estimated attendance for Launch 200 and Lobster Bake 500.
Mr. Mocciae introduced Mr. Spencer to the Committee. Mr. Spencer gave a brief
history
of this organization and explained that the kayaks are trucked in on three tractor
trailers for
the launch and then once the boats are in the water, the group is no longer
at the beach.
Upon completion of the thirteen mile crossing, the kayaks are loaded back onto
the trailer in
Long Island and the kayakers are returned to Calf Pasture via the Coast Guard
and the
chase boats. The event and the amounts raised for various charities has been
successful. The bulk of the attendance does not arrive until the Lobster Bake
in the evening.
There was also discussion about the use of the Showmobile, which must go to
the Common
Council and be a contractual agreement. This was agreeable to all.
** MR. GRANT MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
II. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2005 MEETING
Chairman Bondi explained that all of the present Committee members were new
and had not been present at the last meeting.
** CHAIRMAN BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS
SUBMITTED.
** THE MOTION PASSED WITH THREE ABSTENTIONS (GRANT, BOLDEN
AND ROMANO).
III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Rescind Council Action of June 23, 2005. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute an agreement with Robert Storm, A.I.A for architectural design services for the renovation of the Comfort Station in Shady Beach for a sum not to exceed $10,000.00. Account #09026030-5777-C0069.
Mr. Mocciae explained that on the advice of Corporation Counsel, the City was now requiring that contractors hold insurance policies for one million dollars rather than the five hundred thousand, which was previously required. Mr. Storm had checked with his insurance agent and discovered that he could not afford the increase in rates because the policy would be for three years. In view of that, he did not re-submit a bid.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. NEW BUSINESS (Cont.)
1. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to execute an agreement with Partners for Architecture, Inc. for architectural design services for the renovation of the Comfort Station in Shady Beach for a sum not to exceed $15,500.00. Account #09026030-5777-C0069.
After a second bid went out on the project, Partners for Architecture submitted the low bid with the appropriate insurance coverage.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Approve the use of the Showmobile by the Colombian American Family Entertainment
for their Colombian Festival to be held at Veterans Park on Sunday, July 16,
2006.
Mr. Mocciae explained that the event has already been approved by the appropriate committees, but this is a request for the use of the Showmobile. Therefore, following approval, it must go to the Common Council for a vote.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to execute an amendment to extend the agreement with Atlas Pyrovision Productions Inc. to cover the 2006 and 2007 Fireworks display to be held on Monday, July 3, 2006 with a rain date of Wednesday, July 5, 2006. Amount not to exceed $39,000.00 including the barge each year.
Mr. Mocciae explained that in prior years, the City had the use of a privately owned barge from which they were able to stage the fireworks. The privately owned barge has now been sold and is no longer available to the City. The pyrotechnic company will be providing a barge for this year and for 2007. After that, the contract will have to go out to bid again.
** MS. ROMANO MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
V. DISCUSSION
Mr. Mocciae distributed copies of the Capital Budget and proceeded to review the projects and plans for the various sites in the City.
VETERANS PARK
The City is planning to put gatehouses at the entrances to Veterans Park to generate some revenue from non-residents who use the park. The park is ADA accessible. Mr. Mocciae noted that the gang ways to the marina are rotted and will have to be replaced. There is also consideration of using a billowy tent as a amphi-theater, similar to what is done every year at the Oyster Festival.
BRIEN MCMAHON
Norwalk has a serious shortage of baseball fields and the ones that exist are heavily utilized. The only lit field is at Calf Pasture and that is used by the adult leagues. The Little Leagues have very little field time because of the field shortage. Putting a baseball field at Brien McMahon would help since it would only be used by Little League and also for soccer. It was noted that the complaints that come in about the athletic fields are usually from residents whose children have already moved on.
CALF PASTURE BEACH
Mr. Mocciae said that the beach is a family place and that along with the rehabilitation of the bathrooms, the City is looking to light the walkway. He reviewed the fiscal procedure for the rehabilitation for the new Committee members.
There have been new advances in lighting technology and they are now able to direct the light more accurately. Unfortunately, the poles for the sports lights at Calf Pasture are too low. The Capital Budget will be tight this year, so this project may not be accomplished quickly.
There was also a discussion of soccer fields, which have become very scarce since All Saints now wishes to charge for the use of their athletic fields. Most of the fields in Norwalk are multi-use, with the soccer games taking place in outfield of baseball diamonds.
BASEBALL AND TENNIS COURTS
Routine maintenance and regular tree planting to replace the trees that have died and been removed.
MARVIN SCHOOL
The parents at Marvin School have requested a playground in the front of the building. They are now first on the list. Playground equipment usually lasts about fifteen years before it needs to be replaced.
RYAN PARK
There may be some developments there from other sources, so the City is not planning anything at the present time.
MATHEWS PARK
Once the old Police Station is demolished, the City has to complete the bike path which is supposed to connect with Route 1.
CRANBURY PARK
Mr. Mocciae explained that the Recreations and Parks usually arranges for a bus tour of the various parks for the Committee.
CITY HALL LANDSCAPING
This is the most visible to the public. Nothing has been done since 1988.
OPERATING BUDGET
Mr. Mocciae explained that in 1985, Recreation and Parks had 15 people in the office and a park staff. Currently, he had a greatly reduced staff and had to let one of his two secretaries go last year. He also needs to replace the Parks Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. ROMANO MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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