| | |
RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
JANUARY 16, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chair; Steven Serasis, Richard McQuaid,
Amanda Brown, Rev. Phyllis Bolden, (8:05 p.m);
Richard Bonenfant (8:15 p.m.)
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Recreation and Parks Director
OTHERS: Mayor Richard A. Moccia, Diane Cece, Mary
Osborne, Shakespeare on the Sound, Iven Rodriguez,
American Heart Association, David Hirx, American
Cancer Association
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 19, 2007 MEETING
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 19, 2007 MEETING
AS SUBMITTED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS
Rev. Bolden joined the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED THE FOLLOWING ITEM:
1. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to enter into an agreement with the Norwalk Karting Association for the use of Calf Pasture parking Lot for their Spring and Fall racing season on the following 2008 dates:
Spring Season 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 29**
Saturday, April 5**, 12**, 19**, 26**
Saturday, May 3**, 10**,
*No Sunday Rain Date
** Early Dates in March and April depend on the current contractor.
Fall Season 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 27
October 4*, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15
* No Sunday Rain Date
Estimated Attendance: 200
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Approve the use of Witch Park for the Parking of 75 cars by Shakespeare on the Sound for the annual event to be held from Thursday, June 12, 2008 through Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Pinkney Park. Estimated attendance not more than 75 cars.
Ms. Osborne was present. She said that last year; the parking problems had been carefully monitored and that there did not seem to be a problem. Rev. Bolden asked how many cars were parked in Witch Park last year. Ms. Osborne said that they had only parked 50 cars there. She said that the group would like to keep all the cars off the side streets, but understand the neighbor’s concerns. Mr. Bondi commented that there was only one other group that was allowed to use Witch Park for parking, so that this was a very limited situation.
Mr. Bonenfant joined the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO AMEND THE PROPOSAL AS FOLLOWS:
FROM : APPROVE THE USE OF WITCH PARK FOR THE PARKING OF 75 CARS BY SHAKESPEARE ON THE SOUND FOR THE ANNUAL EVENT TO BE HELD FROM THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008 THROUGH SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 AT PINKNEY PARK. ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE NOT MORE THAN 75 CARS.
TO: APPROVE THE USE OF WITCH PARK FOR THE PARIKING OF 50 CARS BY SHAKESPEARE ON THE SOUND FOR THE ANNUAL EVENT TO BE HELD FROM THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008 THROUGH SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 AT PINKNEY PARK. ESTIMATED ATTENDANCE NOT MORE THAN 50 CARS.
** THE MOTION TO AMEND THE PROPOSAL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the
American Heart Association for the use of Calf Pasture Beach for he 2008 Fairfield
County Heart Walk to be held Sunday October 19, 2008 from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m.
Estimated attendance 2,500.
Mr. Rodriguez was present to answer any questions from the Committee. He said that Calf Pasture was a great location and explained that the walk begins at 10:00 a.m., but that the staff needs to get into the beach early to set up. Mr. Serasis asked where the event had been held last year. Mr. Rodriguez said that they had been at Sherwood Island State Park. When asked what would happen with overflow parking, Mr. Mocciae said that they would use Taylor Farm for overflow parking.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL ITEM REGARDING
AN APPLICATION FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Authorized the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the American Cancer Society for the use of Brien McMahon High School Field and grounds for the Rely for Life of Norwalk on Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15, 2008 from 12:00 Noon to 12:00 Noon. Estimated attendance 500.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Hirx was present to answer any of the Committee member’s questions. Mr. Mocciae said that this was the first time that the group would be meeting in Norwalk. Brien McMahon is an ideal location because of the location of the bathrooms and other outdoor facilities.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
OLD BUSINESS
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to enter into an agreement with C.A.F.E. for the annual Columbian Independence Day Celebration to be held in Veteran’s Park on Sunday, July 20, 2008 form 10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Set up to take place on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 6:00 A.M. with break down no later than 12:00 Noon on Monday, July 21, 2008. Estimated attendance 5,000+
No one from C.A.F.E. was present to answer the Committee’s questions.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO TABLE THE REQUEST.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the Maritime Rowing Club/Water Sports Center LLC for the use of Veteran’s Park for a Club Members parking. All members would purchase a $50.00 Season Pass the same as the Norwalk Sailing School members at Calf Pasture Beach. Use of the parking lot would be prohibited during large events or programs.
Mr. Vengenofskiy was not present to answer the Committee’s questions.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO TABLE THE PROPOSAL.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Bonenfant then asked for a point of clarification. He asked if there was any way to know if questions that had been raised in the caucus about this event had been answered. Mr. McQuaid said that he believed that the questions had been forwarded to the Council.
Mr. Mocciae said that he would make sure that Mr. Vengenofskiy was present when the item went to the Council floor.
** REV. BOLDEN THEN MOVED TO RECONSIDER THE QUESTION AND PASS THE PROPOSAL
TO THE COUNCIL.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION
Capital Budget
Mr. Mocciae said that he would present the Capital Budget at the next meeting. Rev. Bolden asked if there was anything for Ryan Park. Mr. Mocciae said that he would check.
Ms. Cece said that she had not gotten a copy of the Capital Budget. She then asked whether the $30,000 had been approved for the Veteran’s Park Master Plan. Mr. Mocciae stated that the funding for the Master Plan had been approved. Ms. Cece then asked what this amount was based on. Mr. Mocciae said that the figure was based on other plans for the park and for the overall scope. Ms. Cece then asked how this related to the 1994 Master Plan for the park. Mr. Mocciae replied that there had not been a Master Plan in 1994, only construction plans. In 1996, an inventory of the parks had been done. Ms. Cece asked what the basis for the Master Plan in 1996 was. Mr. Mocciae repeated that the work that was done in 1996 was only an inventory and a Master Plan had not been discussed.
Ms. Cece said that she felt that the City was putting the horse before the cart by not having soil tests done first to find out whether there were contamination issues. Mr. Mocciae said that the soil testing would be part of the Master Plan. Ms. Cece replied that she thought the soil testing should be done now so that the City did not waste funds on a Plan. Mr. Mocciae explained that the Plan does not only deal with construction issues, but also with plans for the use of the park. He pointed out that the State had given the city some 2 million dollars in 1983 for the park and said that he would find it difficult to believe that the State would give that money if there were toxic waste issues.
There being no additional questions, Mr. Mocciae said that he would like to speak about Fodor Farm. He said that he had worked on a grant with the Health Department and was able to secure $100,000 for community gardens. At the next meeting, the Committee will be asked to consider approving the grant.
Mr. Mocciae said that the garage on the property had been demolished and that a meeting with the District had been scheduled to discuss installing a water main. Soil samples have been taken and are in the process of being tested. The garden plots will be 10’ x 10’ and 20’ x 20’
Mr. Bonenfant commented that he had toured the Farm with another group before he came onto the Council and that he was surprised at how nice it was. Mr. Mocciae agreed and said that a number of foundations had come forward with offers to financially assist the project. He said that the rules and regulations for the garden plots are being drafted.
Mr. Bondi said that there would be a bus tour of all the parks in the spring.
Mr. Mocciae said that the Waldorf School, which has a green, organic philosophy, has approached the City about putting a preschool on the site.
The discussion then moved to the Columbian Festival. Rev. Bolden said that she had attended the public hearing and that while she understood the complaints from the residents, she pointed out that those who lived next the parks knew that the park were there when they moved in.
Mr. Bondi said that there were other events at other parks, such as the Scottish games at Cranbury, and other festivals. Mr. Bondi said that he lives near Norwalk High and the band practices from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Naramake School also has events outside. The letter to the editor in the paper on the 15th was great. He pointed out that Norwalk is a city. Mr. Serasis said that he had read a back issue of the Advocate and there was a letter to the editor about the same issues.
Mr. McQuaid said that it was important with the recent negative events, it is important to have the events for young people. Mr. McQuaid said that there was very little positive input about the parks last week. The public hearing just allowed people to say the same things over and over again.
Ms. Brown said that it is the responsibility of the City to make sure that the parks are used wisely. It would be important to find the balance.
One of the issues, Mr. Bondi said, was that there were people who illegally park on Seaview Avenue. This year, there will be extra patrols to ticket illegally the car.
Mr. McQuaid said that when a group organizes an event, they must be careful to keep the structure of the event and not let it get out of hand.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** REV. BOLDEN SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
 |
 |