JUNE 16, 2004

ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Carvin Hilliard, Rick McQuaid, Peter Wien, Betsy Bain (arrived at 8:20 p.m.)

STAFF: Mike Mocciae, Director of Recreation and Parks

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes - May 19, 2004

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOULSY

Minutes – April 13, 2004

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOULSY

OLD BUSINESS

1. Approve a fee waiver to enter Calf Pasture Beach by the Norwalk International Little League for Tournament Players for out-of-town teams, and their fans for the month of July 2004

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE

Mr. Bondi said they should supply the dates to Mike Mocciae. The representative present said the only date they had was July 3 at 10:00 a.m. He noted it would be Norwalk playing Weston.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NEW BUSINESS

1. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Pavilion and immediate surrounding grounds by the Carol Piro for a Birthday Party to be held on Saturday September 4, 2004 from 12:00 pm -8:00pm. Estimated attendance 100

The representative was not present.
2. Approve the use of Shady Beach by Tauck World Discovery for a Company Family Picnic to be held on Thursday July 22, 2004 from 4:00 pm-9:00pm. Estimated attendance 150-200

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Pavilion and immediate surrounding grounds by Mercer Human Resource Consulting for a company Picnic on Monday, July 12, 2004 from 11:30 am-5:30pm. Estimated attendance 150

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Approve the use of Cranbury Pavilion and the surrounding grounds by Modern Media for a summer party to take place on Thursday July 8, 2004 from 1:00 pm-6:00pm. Estimate attendance 200

Mr. Bondi asked where Modern Media was located. The representative said in East Norwalk.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED TO APPROVE

Mr. Bondi asked if this event was the same date as the Alumni picnic at Norwalk High School. Mr. Mocciae said that event was being held at Shady Beach.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Approve the use of Mathews Park by the Veterans of Foreign War of Norwalk for a “Hike-Bike for a Veteran” to be held on Saturday August 14, 2004 from 9:00 am-2:00pm. Estimated attendance 100

The representative stated the date was changed to September 25, 2004. Mr. Mocciae said that was the weekend of the boat show, but there shouldn’t be a problem because that event was being held at another area of the park farther away.

Mr. McQuaid asked if this was a new event. The representative said yes.

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Authorize the Mayor Alex Knopp to execute an agreement with the Norwalk Seaport Association for the 27th Annual Oyster Festival to be held in Veterans Park on the following dates:
Friday – September 10, 2004 from 5:00 pm -11:00pm
Saturday – September 11, 2004 from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday – September 12, 2004 from 10:00 am-9:00pm
Access to the Park would begin Saturday August 28, 2004 through September 30, 2004. Estimated attendance 50,000+
** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE

Ms. Bain asked if there would be anything different from last year. The representative relayed that there would be more of a variety of entertainment and bands that would play this year.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

7. Approve the use of the Norwalk High School Athletic Complex by the Norwalk Marching Band for their annual Cavalcade of Bands Competition on Saturday November 6, 2004 from 3:00 pm – 9:30 pm. Estimated attendance 2000+

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE

Ms. Bain asked about last year, in relation to the stipulations that were made as part of the approval . And she questioned whether or not these conditions were honored; such as, turning off the engineers and not parking in areas they were not allowed to park in.

Mr. Bondi said those were the stipulations and if they approved this event this year, they must abide by them. He further stated the representatives were asked to come to two meetings, but no one showed up.

The representative said he responded to Mr. Mocciae’s secretary and let her know he couldn’t attend the meeting, he said this was based on his conversation with Mr. Bondi. He went on to say they were asked not to park the buses at Naramake School. The representative disagreed and he said they made it a point to make sure this didn’t happen and the only time it happened was when the kids where taken out of the facility, but he was adamant that it didn’t happen.

Mr. Bondi said they were also asked to curtail the event to a certain time. The representative said they were asked to start the competition early, this was done; they were asked to complete the competition by 10:00 p.m. and this was done, but what wasn’t done was that they left the stadium lights on by mistake, they forgot to turn them due to exhaustion.

Mr. McQuaid said as an employee at Naramake School, he heard complaints and he was evidence himself of them not doing what they were conditioned to; he stressed that he personally witnessed this. He further expressed that he thought the representative being argumentative wasn’t helping the situation any.

Ms. Bain said issues were raised about the buses and the committee never heard there was any resolution of the issues, so if the conditions can be met, she would be in favor, otherwise, she thought more discussion was warranted.

Mr. Bondi said they went overtime, but this was discussed due to a band that showed up late. The representative said that was correct and as a result of the additional band and a judge that was late, the competition was done at 9:30 p.m. and the awards concluded at 9:47 p.m., however, the lights were left on at 10:30 p.m.

Mr. Bondi stated when they were told nothing was to take place after 10:00 p.m., it was because the field must be shut down at 10:00 pm., this was clearly expressed and the committee gave their word to the neighborhood. He further stated that with all the other activities going on, they would hate to close down everything else, just because rules weren’t being followed, he emphasized that everyone must abide by the rules. And with that said, he suggested they put up a bond and if the event wasn’t done by 10:00 p.m., the bond would be forfeited.

Mr. Bondi said the competition was scheduled to end at 9:00 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. it should be clean up time.

Mr. Mocciae said if it ended at 9:30 p.m., the buses would be lined up on the street, but the problem was, they still have to come up to pick the kids up.

The representative said they have twenty (20+) bands marching.

Mr. Bondi asked where they were parking people. The representative said spectators parked at Norwalk High School and load up at Andrews Field. Mr. Bondi said he’d rather they use Naramake School for overflow parking instead of Andrews Field.

There was open discussion on parking that occurred elsewhere that caused problems.

Mr. John Tourney, a resident of King Street said he received a letter from the association stating the competition would start at 9:00 p.m., but this stipulation never materialized and the only people that were stopped and hindered from getting to the street where the residents; many cars came in and hindered them from doing so. Also, they had (23) bands, not (20) as stated and last year there were (50) buses and the last bus left at 10:55 p.m. He also expressed that the lights shone in his window and he questioned why they can’t park on Andrews Field. Overall, he said the production was too big for the site, noting that he was all for the event, but it should be cut down in size and it doesn’t belong in the residential area. He further felt they have no intention of agreeing to the stipulations and he stressed his displeasure at how the situation has transpired. He strongly asked that the neighborhood be given back to the residents because Naramake School is not the place to park buses, also, the police never stop the band people, however, they are known for saying something to the neighbors. He ended in saying he would like the following:
· The number of bands stipulated
· The time the competition would start and end
· Enforce the bond

Another representative present said that she and Pat McNichols were taking over this year and they would do everything possible to make this event work.

Mr. Bondi said they probably wouldn’t want to enforce more police be there to control the parking because it would be too costly, but people can come in from Maurice Street and park on the side street, but he noted, no one wants to go into a parking lot and wait 15 minutes to get out, noting there is a problem there daily, but they need cooperation by everyone. He stated they thought they had this cooperation last year, but there were problems, so again, he suggested they put up a bond.

Ms. Bain asked why they had to take a band in after the schedule was already set. The representative said the band was added at the conference, but he was never notified, so it was a last minute thing.

Ms. Bain asked if there was any way to control something like that happening. The representative relayed this was the first time problems have occurred and since then, they have put in place better communication, but if they took a late entry, he thought that maybe they could start a half-hour earlier.

Mr. Mocciae said they should set a stipulation that the competition is over by 9:00 p.m. and he felt that time should be honored and all the lights should be off at 10:00 p.m. He further emphasized there has to be a parameter and whatever number of bands there are, they have to fit into the designated time slot period!

Mr. Bondi clarified the following:
· The competition must be finished by 9:00 p.m.
· The lights must be off by 9:30 p.m.
· Everyone should be out by 10:00 p.m.

The representative said he didn’t think they could make those time lines. Mr. Bondi asked the time he thought they could have the lights off. The representative said they could have had them off by 9:50 p.m. last year, but again, they forgot, but they could have them off this year by 10:00 p.m.

The representative stated that any requirements or conditions should be submitted to them in writing. Mr. Mocciae reminded him that all the information was contained in the minutes.

Mr. Bondi said they would table this matter and they would stipulate everything in writing and vote at the next meeting. The representative asked the number of complaints they received about last year. Mr. Mocciae said he received two to three complaints and the main concern was the timing.
Mr. Bondi stated they would hold them to lights out by 10:00 p.m.

The representative asked how much the bond would be. Mr. Bondi said $5,000.00. The response was, that was a large amount and it was asked what would happen if something unforeseen happened. Mr. Bondi said the situation could be looked at then and a decision made regarding the bond.

The representative asked if any other organization was ever asked to put up a bond that used the facility. Mr. Mocciae said yes for major events; he explained the bond is usually for maintenance, vandalism etc, and other factors deemed necessary.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO TABLE THIS MATTER UNTIL THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

8. Approve the use of Veterans Park by the Wyland Foundation for their National Wyland Ocean Challenge Clean Water Coastal Awareness Tour to be held on Sunday August 8, 2004 from 7:00am – 6:00pm. Estimated attendance 450

The representative said he thought the date should be Saturday, August 7, 2004 not August 8, 2004. Mr. Mocciae noted this and said it was okay to be held on Saturday, August 7, 2004. Mr. Bondi noted the form read August 7, Sunday. The representative clarified he thought August 7 was a Saturday and August 8 was a Sunday. Mr. Bondi said okay, then Saturday, August 7, 2004 was okay.

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The representative gave some background information on the event and he said that Wyland was an artist that was committed to the oceanic way of life. He said they would have speakers to talk about the recycling programs and water clean up.

9. Approve the use of 50 Washington Street by the International Performing Arts Inc. for 2 concerts on Thursday July 15, 2004 and Thursday July 29, 2004 from 12:00 pm-1:30pm. Estimated attendance 200

** MR. WIEN MOVED TO APPROVE

Mr. Joseph Chelli said they came last year for permission. He circulated a poster showing the concert series they did last year and noted it was very successful and they had great weather. He said this year, they were projecting two (2) concerts that would attract between 100-200 people.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD TWO ITEMS TO THE AGENDA
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Other Business:

1. Showmobile for the SoNo Arts to be held on August 7 and August, 2004

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO APPROVE
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Approve the rules, regulations and fee schedule for Anchor vessels and moorings for the year 2004

** MR. McQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE

Mr. McQuaid asked if there was a time constraint on approving this item, since they only received the information tonight. The Harbor Master stated they’ve needed these items implemented for a while now and he said it’s in the best interest of the harbor. He reviewed what the rules involved:
1. If a spouse became deceased, can a surviving spouse maintain vessel space in the harbor.
2. There are problems with vessels anchoring in the harbor and people obtaining a mooring permit.
3. There are people not renewing their space in the time frame that was approved in the past, so they were proposing a re-instatement fee.

Ms. Bain asked if it was possible to schedule a brief Special Meeting to vote on this matter before the next Common Council meeting. It was suggested to possible avoid that, all they needed to do was read over the pertinent portions on pages 8, 9 and 10. Ms. Bain added that she would like to read over the entire document though. Mr. McQuaid said they should put the matter on Tuesday’s agenda as a Special Meeting. Mr. Bondi suggested someone move the item to the Common Council with the stipulation to have a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.

** MR. McQUAID MOVED THAT THE ITEM BE MOVED TO THE COMMON COUNCIL TO BE TAKEN UP AT A SPECIAL MEETING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2004 AT 7:30 P.M.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

ADJOURNMENT

** MR. WIEN MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Diane Graham
Telesco Secretarial Services

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