MINUTES
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS,
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: V. Pinto. Members: W. Ryan; B. Spreckman.
BOL & STAFF: B. Dodds; C. Ryer (Sec’y.).
ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glickstein (CE’s ofc.).
DISCUSSION:
Chair Pinto called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. The minutes of March 26th were reviewed and with minor corrections, approved on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Ryan. The minutes of May 14th were also reviewed and accepted, as is, on the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Pinto. Both minutes were carried with a vote of 3-0.
Chair Pinto thanked the committee members for meeting (last week) with the Budget Committee to approve and sign-out the proposal on the Glenwood Lake property.
Other pending issues was discussed next. With regard to the last meeting (with Dave DeLucia) about the horse trail/stables in Eastchester and WC/DOT, there will be a follow-up discussion to review the status of any action taken on this issue. Chair Pinto emphasized that the responsibility of maintenance and upkeep needs to be addressed and clearly defined. Regarding the Town of Eastchester, there is a unique situation involving an IMA to install a traffic light. Part of the IMA, is an agreement (resolution) with the Parks Department, to remove a pump station and tank on California Road and Highland Avenue, in exchange for a traffic light at Harney Road. It was also noted that Mr. DeLucia would follow-up on the status of the proposed pedestrian trail along the Putnam right-of-way in Yonkers and supply the Parks Commissioner with the necessary information.
MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON PARKS, REC. & CONSV.
With regard to the remaining agenda items, Chair noted that he would follow up on the status of the items previously discussed during committee meetings. The following items were received and filed on the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, and carried with a vote of 3-0: #32-00; 2; 3; 4; 5; 14 and 15. The special referral item (SI-#1) from the Committee on Community Affairs was forwarded to Parks Commissioner Motley for his review, and to be placed on the Parks Board agenda for their action and feedback. While reviewing the agenda, comments were made and several items were briefly discussed. Chair Pinto reflected on some of the golf issues, which had been presented at the Parks Board meeting. The issues regarding Saxon Woods Golf Course and the length of playing time, are currently being looked into by that Board. The Playland Ice Rink issues have been addressed. Barbara Dodds will contact the interested parties to request another meeting for a final update. Chair Pinto added that he recently met with the Metropolitan Golf Association, which is interested in obtaining a small parcel of land near the V.E. Macy Park (Ardsley/Greenburgh), to convert into a 4-hole golf course for use as an educational (golf) training facility.
Legislator Ryan reiterated his concern with the lack of playing fields for organizations such as the Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club, the Hispanic adult and youth soccer leagues in White Plains, and the White Plains Youth Soccer League to use. He requested that the Parks Department be asked to attend our next meeting on July 9th, to provide an update on soccer and other athletic fields. Chair Pinto noted that the Parks Board is scheduled to meet on July 21st, and he would like to invite members of the County Parks Board and the Parks Commissioner(s) to give an update on their findings and progress. Chair will send memo to the Administration to request the status in obtaining a proposal to create a quad-field facility.
With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.