MARCH 17, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Betsy Bain; Peter Wien; Ken Baker;
Carvin Hilliard

STAFF: Mike Mocciae, Director

PUBLIC HEARING DEPARTMENT FEES & CHARGES 2004-05

The Chairman called the Public Hearing to order at 7:40 p.m. The Chairman said that there was no one present to speak at the Public Hearing. The Chairman asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2004-2005.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:41 p.m.

ROLL CALL

The Chairman called attendance. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:41pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

** Ms. BAIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11, 2004.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Bondi said that the items would be taken out of order this evening.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO TAKE THE AGENDA ITEMS OUT OF ORDER.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

OLD BUSINESS

The Chairman said that there was no old business tonight.

NEW BUSINESS

2. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach by Stew Leonards for the Annual Stew Leonards Company Picnic to be held Tuesday, July 20, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Estimated attendance 450.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

12. Approve the use of Andrews Field Parking Lot by Stew Leonards for overflow employee parking on the following dates:

April 8, 9, 10; May 8, 9; May 28, 29, 30, 31; July 1, 2, 3, 4; September 4, 5, 6; November 21, 22, 23, 24; December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, December 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

8. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the National Marine Manufacturers Association for use of Calf Pasture Beach, Shady Beach and Taylor Farm for parking, September 23-26, 2004 and Marvin School for September 25-26, 2004. Estimated attendance 10,000+.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MS. BAIN MOVED THE APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

9. Approve the use of Marvin School parking area (staging) and Calf Pasture Beach for additional parking by the YMCA of Norwalk Inc. for their Annual Summer Sizzler Road Race on July 18, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Set-up at 6:00 a.m., break down by 11:00 a.m. Estimated attendance 250.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MR. WIEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

10. Authorize the Mayor Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the South Norwalk Community Center, Inc. for their Fourteenth Annual Neon/SNCC Summer Day Camp from Monday through Friday, July 5 – August 13, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Estimated attendance 85.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

13. Approve the use of the Showmobile for St. Ann Club annual Feast on July 23, 24 & 25, 2004.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION

2. Witch Lane

Ms. Bain said that there was interest from Rowayton about the usage of the park and the parking issue. Ms. Bain said that she would recommend a Public Hearing for this item. She asked if the Public Hearing could be held next month. Mr. Bondi said that the Community Room could be booked for April 21st at 7:30 p.m. for the next committee meeting and a public hearing would be scheduled at that time.

4. Authorize the Mayor Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the Round Hill Highland Games, Inc. to use Cranbury Park for the 81st Round Hill Highland Games, Saturday, July 3, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Estimated attendance 5000+. Set-up July 1, 8:00 a.m., breakdown by July 5, 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Approve the use of the Cranbury Pavilion and immediate surrounding grounds by the Cranbury Community Athletic Association for their annual League Picnic, Sunday June 27, 2004 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Estimated attendance 300.

Ms. Bain said that she has no problem approving the yearly requested items as long as there has been no changes from the previous year. Ms. Bain asked about fines. Mr. Mocciae said that a police officer would have to give tickets and that money would go to the state into a general fund. He said if the constable issues a parking ticket, the money goes into the city’s general fund.

** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

14. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach for the Norwalk Evangelical Association for their Easter Sunrise Service on April 11, 2004 at 6:30 a.m. Set up will be at 6:00 a.m.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was discussion on this item.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

11. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the Rowayton School PTA for the use of the Rowayton School Fields for their Annual Rowayton School Carnival on Friday, April 30, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Set up will be Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. and break down will be completed by Monday, May 3, 2004 by 12:00 p.m.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION

1. Cranbury Park Animal Control

Mr. Bondi said that there has been problems concerning dogs at the Cranbury Park. He said that some of the problems were signage and not leashing the dogs and the dog owners not picking up after the dogs.

Mr. Bondi said that he was pleased to see a turnout of concerned dog owners regarding this issue. He said that the dog warden was not present tonight even though the dog warden requested the item be put on the agenda for tonight. A dog owner said that there was no signage at the park to indicate where the dogs are allowed to be. Mr. Mocciae said that the signage has been vandalized in the area. Mr. Bondi said that there were signs at the front of the park but have since been torn down. Several residents spoke about the glass bottles, garbage and bad signage at the park. Mr. Bondi said that he acknowledged that these problems existed over the past few years and that stricter enforcement is necessary to make sure that a few irresponsible pet owners did not spoil the use of the park for the hundreds of others. Mr. Mocciae said that there was little funding to assign extra police to enforce park regulations and that police have other priorities than enforcing rules for dogs. He added that the police close the park at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Mocciae also said that the bottom line is that the department does not have the staff. One resident offered to make flyers with regulations and rules listed and distribute them at the park for the visitors. Ms. Canterbone gave a list recommendations to the Committee for their review. Ms. Canterbone suggested installing a gated fence around the playground area to keep the dogs out. She also said that the dog warden should do better patrol and be more visible to the park visitors. Ms. Elizabeth Mayfield said that there was a sunken area in the gravel walk that should be investigated before someone was hurt. She also said that signage and stricter enforcement was the key issue to help the park. Ms. Mayfield said that non-residents use the park also. Mr. Mocciae said that the park couldn’t be limited to Norwalk residents only because of federal funds.

Mr. Bondi said that he would take anyone’s name that was interested in volunteering and informing the department of park abusers on a confidential basis.

Mr. Mocciae said that he would print the flyers and the volunteers could hand out to the park visitors. Mr. Wien said that an interest group could be started to put energy into saving the park and neighborhood. He said that the city does not have the money but the parks should not go without public concern. M. Baker said that he would suggest using a video camera to catch the vandals.

Mr. Bondi said that he would like to see more usage by everyone and for everyone to co-exist at the park.

7. Approve the use of the Cranbury Park Pavilion and Immediate surrounding grounds by Media Space Inc. d.b.a. Media Space Solutions for their Annual Company Picnic, Friday, July 16, 2004 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Estimated attendance 65.

Mr. Bondi asked if there was any discussion on this item.

** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Approve the use of Veterans Park Visitors Ramps and parking area to the Norwalk River Rowing Association for the SoNo Sprints Regatta to take place Saturday, April 17, 2004 from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Estimated attendance 200.

Mr. Bondi said that he would like to table this item because there was no one from the organization tonight to speak on this item.

Discussion took place on whether or not to penalize the association by charging a double fine and not allowing them to use the ramps. Ms. Bain suggested that the association were charged a penalty plus the usage fee. She said that this was about changing people’s behavior. She also said that this would send a strong message to the association that they cannot wait until the last minute to ask for a permit and then not show up at the meeting to answer questions.

Mr. Mocciae said that the association should not be allowed to use the ramps at all because of not following the procedures. He said that he does not have the staff to monitor this group but that this group knows the procedure. He also said that the association was selling t-shirts and food last year but did not tell him. Mr. Mocciae said that he would meet with them to go over the ground rules. Mr. Wien said that the association was not lawless could not make their own rules.

Mr. Bondi called Mr. Barringer by cell phone to tell him that the item was on tonight’s agenda but no one was present to answer any questions. Mr. Bondi left a message for Mr. Barringer that the event could not be held unless there was a call back from him for a meeting to discuss this item.

** MR. WIEN MOVED TO DOUBLE THE PARK USAGE FEE AND CLOSE DOWN THE ASSOCIATION IF ALL NECESSARY PERMITS ARE NOT OBTAINED AND ARE PROPERLY LICENSED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach – Shady Beach by the Word Alive Bible Church for a community out-reach evening (Leave No One Behind) Concert Friday, June 25, 2004 from 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Estimated attendance 40-80.

Mr. Mocciae said that this was a new event. Mr. Hilliard asked if the group was notified that this was on the agenda tonight. Mr. Mocciae responded yes.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO TABLE THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE OPPOSED (Mr. Hilliard).

1. Approve the Department of Recreation and Parks proposed facility, usage and parking fees for the 2004-2005 season.

Mr. Bondi said that he agrees with Ms. Bain that a park fee should be charged and the fees used for the security in the parks. Mr. Hilliard asked what the boat sticker fee was for. Mr. Bondi said the fee was to administer the permit because the budget has been cut by thousands of dollars. He added that vandalism in the park was costing more and more each year but that the budget was being cut each year. Mr. Mocciae said that there were 600 stickers issued for boat sticker use. He added that this money goes into the general fund. Mr. Bondi said that the committee could show that part time help was needed from this in next year’s budget.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO REMOVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE $15.00 BOAT STICKER FEE PRIOR TO JULY 1ST.
** MOTION FAILED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MR. WIEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE OPPOSED (MS. BAIN).

Mr. Bondi asked for a motion to adjourn.

** MR. WIEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Lane
Telesco Secretarial Services

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