SEPTEMBER 15, 2004

ROLL CALL

ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Peter Wien; Kenneth Baker; Richard McQuaid; Carvin Hilliard; Betsy Bain; Leona Williams

STAFF: Mike Mocciae, Director of Recreation and Parks

MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2004

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO TABLE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2004 UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business this evening.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Bondi requested that they take the agenda out of order. There were no objections.

10. Approve the use of Veterans Park (Parking area adjacent to launch ramps) by the Coachman Rod and Custom Car Club for their Cruise Nights every Wednesday from Late April until early October 2005. Estimated attendance 200.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Art Keylin thanked the committee for adding this to the agenda; he suggested that Veteran’s Park wouldn’t be a good fit due to the lack of parking facilities, facilities for food, drinks etc, also that it would be too far to walk.

Mr. Mocciae explained that the area they had in mind would be by the launch ramps.

Mr. Keylin questioned the area when boats would be launched.

Mr. Mocciae replied that this area is not used during the week. He added that it would be close to restrooms and there would be adequate parking spaces.

Mr. Bondi noted that this group would have the availability of six dates at the beach next year. Mr. Keylin thanked Mr. Bondi.

Mr. McQuaid suggested that Mr. Keylin use the area in a couple of weeks on a trial basis to see if it is a good fit.

Ms. Bain asked if it would be beneficial to table the item until both parties are comfortable with the agreement.

Mr. Mocciae noted that his department was comfortable with agreeing with Mr. McQuaid’s suggestion of approving a trial date.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO ALLOW THE COACHMAN ROD AND CUSTOM CAR CLUB TO USE VETERANS PARK FOR THEIR CRUISE NIGHT FOR ONE WEDNESDAY IN OCTOBER ON A TRIAL BASIS.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

1. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute an agreement with the Greenwich Kennel Club Inc. for the use of Taylor Farm Park for their 75th Annual AKC All-Breed Dog Show & Obedience Trial on June 11, 2005 from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Set up to take place 7:00 am June 9, 2005. Breakdown on June 11, 2005 5:00 pm. Estimated attendance 1000+

** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Ms. Bain asked where this event had taken place in the past.

Joy Brewster (President) replied that it had taken place at SUNY Purchase for the last 20 years but this year there will be soccer play-offs on the same day and parking has become a problem. She said their wish was to go back to coastal Fairfield County.

Mr. Bondi made mention of the size of the dog show and what electricity would be needed.

Ms. Brewster said that it is usually 5 acres, however they would anticipate it to be smaller this year as it is in a new location. With regard to electricity she said they are self-contained.

Mr. Bondi asked if this would affect parking in the summer.

Mr. Mocciae said that it would not.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute an agreement with the Round Hill Highland Games Inc. for the use of Cranbury Park for the Annual Highland Games to be held on June 25, 2005. Set-up will take place 7:00 am June 23, 2005 and clean up by 5:00 pm June 26, 2005. Estimated attendance 1000+

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Bondi commented that this is a great thing for the city.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Approve the use of the Norwalk Visitor Docks and launch ramps by the Water Sports Center to hold an interscholastic rowing regatta on Sunday November 7, 2004 from 6:00 am – 7:00 pm. Estimated attendance 200.

** MR. BAKER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Mocciae indicated that this group has held regattas here in the past.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Approve the use of Cranbury Park Pavilion and immediate surrounding grounds by St Jerome’s Church for their annual picnic to be held on Sunday September 26, 2004 from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Estimated attendance 400.

** MR. WIEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Bondi referred to the late timing of this application saying that they are taking it under consideration because there was no meeting last month.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Approve the use of the grounds at Fox Run School by the Fox Run PTO for their Family Fall Festival to be held on Saturday October 16, 2004 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Estimated attendance 200.

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

6. Approve the use of the Thomas O’Connor Park by the Organization of Chinese Americans for the re-dedication of their plaque on Heritage Wall to be held October 2, 2004 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Estimated attendance 100.

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

7. Approve the use of the Shady Beach by the Connecticut Yankee Council of the Boy Scouts of America for a City Wide Campfire & Recruitment Program to be held on Sunday October 24, 2004 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Estimated attendance 250.

** MS. WILLIAMS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Baker indicated that he would be voting against this item, as the boy scouts organization does not allow homosexuals and agnostics. He said they do not need a sign that will not allow certain people to join.

Mr. Wien echoed the sentiments of Mr. Baker. He said that Norwalk is a city a diverse population and a blatant attack on certain individuals is not his vision of the city or God.
Mr. Hilliard said that he too could not support an organization that excludes folk. He suggested they needed more guidance on the matter.

Mr. Baker said while this has been a gray area in certain cases, he suggested that exclusion of anybody in a public place is not in their best interest and is not a gray area.

Mr. McQuaid asked if this item would go before the Common Council.

Mr. Mocciae replied that it would not.

Greta Angels stated in Norwalk they do not exclude anybody. She indicated that flyers had been handed out to all students from first to eighth grade, with no exclusions. Ms. Angels noted her concern saying that this had been approved previously and no issues had come to light then, she questioned why they were now.

** MS. WILLIAMS RESCINDED THE MOTION.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO PASS THE ISSUE TO BE HEARD BY THE COMMON COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 TO ALLOW BOTH PARTIES TO DISCUSS.

Mr. Baker agreed that the item should go before the Common Council.

There was discussion on who should be present at the Council meeting to best represent the local boy scouts.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Bondi stated that if there is any notion of exclusion they cannot allow this to take place on city property, as exclusion is not allowed.

8. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute an agreement with the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital to use Calf Pasture Beach for their annual “Walk This Way… With Us” to be held on Saturday May 14, 2005 from 6:00 am – 3:00 pm. Estimated attendance 500+.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

11. Approve the use of the Witch Lane Park by the United Church of Rowayton for overflow parking on 15 Sundays starting September through May 2005. The Park would be used between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Estimated attendance 20 vehicles per Sunday.

** MS. BAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO TABLE THE ITEM AND TO RE-VISIT IT IN JANUARY 2005.

Ms. Bain indicated that there has been discussion between the Mayor and members of the 6th Taxing District regarding the management control of the park so that issues could be decided in a more local fashion. The discussions are not concluded and she suggested that they re-visit the item in January 2005.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ray Meurer said they had a trial period from February to May where they had made use of the park five times. He asked if the change in ownership would make any difference.

Ms. Bain replied that if the 6th Taxing District does gain control they could make some changes. She said this has been a topic of considerable discussion and would not like to go forward without first hearing the results of the talks.

Mr. Meurer pointed out that during their last meeting, eight to ten people had initially been opposed to the parking, he said once all of the facts had been explained about their intention to create the least amount of impact the people had changed their minds. Therefore the topic has already been aired to the community.

12. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to execute an agreement with NEON Early Childhood Program for the expansion of the existing playground area at the Nathaniel Ely School at 11 Ingalls Avenue.

** MR. HILLIARD MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Mocciae indicated that he had received a telephone call from a representative of Rudner Court who had requested that they be allowed to look at the plans before any action is taken.

Mike Callis (Director of Neon) staed that they are seeking expansion of the Nathaniel Ely playground to run a head start program for children ages 3-5. He said they would be receiving federal money to run the program and no money would be coming from Rudner Court.

Ms. Williams suggested the concern of the residents of Rudner Court is to discuss how this would impact the nearby residents.

Mr. Mocciae said that he had walked the area and there would be no impact on the field.

Ms. Bain asked how much of an extension is being planned. She also noted that the original intent was for this to take place at the elementary school and she presumed the space has already been allocated for the playground.

Mr. Bondi said this would take place on the existing playground; he said this coincides with the expansion to accommodate more children after the closing of Carver and Miracle – everything is now at Nathaniel Ely.

Mr. Mocciae added that the existing playground is for older children so it will be modified to serve younger children.

Mr. McQuaid confirmed that this item would go before the Common Council and suggested that in the meantime they get together with the residents of Rudner Court to get a discussion going.

Mr. Mocciae asked about the timing of the project.

Mr. Callis indicated that the timing is critical as it is federal money and if is not used by the year end they will loose the money.

Mr. Mocciae requested a better map including the size of the expansion.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Wien left the meeting at 9:00 pm.

9. Authorize payment to Raymond Construction Company in the amount of $4,450.00 and Tony Somma Mason Contractor in the amount of $3,400.00 for the construction of the Storage Shed behind the Concession Building at Calf Pasture Beach as per terms of the Lease Agreement with Stew Leonard’s.

** MR. BAKER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Bondi indicated that the money has been appropriated for this.

Mr. Mocciae gave a little background information noting that it has worked out to be cheaper to let Stew Leonards do the construction.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

13. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to enter into an agreement with the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in providing funding under the Clean Vessel Act for the operation and maintenance of a Marine Sewage Disposal Facility for an amount of $8,485.34 effective from December 1, 2003 through November 30, 2004.

** MR. BAKER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

14. Authorize the Mayor, Alex A. Knopp to extend the existing contract with the State of Connecticut of Environmental Protection and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program under Personal Service Contract 2003-3077. The one year no cost extension will being October 1, 2004 and terminate on September 30, 2005.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Mocciae stated that Mr. Griffin had presented plans for doing eight mooring renovations to the docks to make them more user friendly.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
15. Review and approve proposed Calf Pasture Beach Parking lot layout, refer project to Planning Commission for Section 8-24. Review and authorize to go out for bids to create the islands and lighting.

Mr. Mocciae showed plans of the area giving a detailed explanation of where the proposed stands and lights are proposed. He said all of the islands will be planted with trees and they will be adding speed bumps.

There was a discussion on how the speed bumps will improve the current situation.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Bondi indicated that there was an addendum to the agenda and requested a motion to suspend the rules for the two items to be added.

** MS. BAIN MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO THE AGENDA.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

16. Approve the use of Irving Freeze Park by the Mayor’s Office for the Taste of Wall Street and Wall Street Celebration to be held on Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Estimated attendance 100+

** MS. WILLIAMS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Ms. Bain noted that this had been an enjoyable event in the past.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

17. Approve and forward to the Ordinance Committee a new ordinance stating: All users of the Norwalk Skate Park must wear a helmet, failure to do so will incur a $99.00 fine payable by the user or guardian.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.

Mr. Baker commented that he considered this to be a reasonable fine.

Mr. Mocciae noted that it is as serious as glass in the park.

Mr. McQuaid asked if the constables and police would enforce this. Mr. Mocciae stated that they would.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

DISCUSSION

Mr. Bondi indicated that their next meeting would be held in the Mansion at Cranbury Park, as the assistant dog warden will be present for discussion of the dogs.
Mr. Mocciae suggested they take a better look at things given to the city – he used an example of little league dugouts that get smashed apart and they have to pay to have them repaired.

Hungarian Monument located in Freese Park

Mr. Mocciae referred to rock monument donated by the Hungarian Society that is currently in a state of disrepair – he said it is on city property and maybe a safety issue.

Mr. Bondi suggested that he would speak with the Pastor of the Hungarian Reform Church to find out about the possibility of a fundraiser to repair the monument before any plans are made to remove it. There were no objections.

Fodor Farm – Special Appropriation Request

Lastly, Mr. Bondi noted that the Board of Estimate and Taxation had appropriated $16,000 for them to repair the buildings at Fodor Farm so they can be sold.

Mr. Mocciae explained that there are three properties on the parcel; two of them are anticipated to be sold to an entity that will preserve the historic value. He added that there has been a slight hold up on this but the Mayor is now working on it and they have had the area surveyed.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye
Telesco Secretarial Services

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