SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION
MINUTES
JUNE 3, 2002
MEMBERS: Mosiello, Spreckman, Alvarado
STAFF: Neglia, Ettere & Boland
OTHERS: Joe Stout (PRC); Stanley Motley (PRC); William Randolph (CE office); Ralph Butler (PW); Andy Natale (Parks Board)
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 PM.
Legislator Mosiello invited Parks Board Chairman Andy Natale to the table to open up a channel of communication between the Parks Board and the Special Committee on Parks and Recreation. The Parks Committee would like to know a little bit more about the Parks Board; its relationship to this Committee, how they interrelate and in what areas.
Mr. Natale informed us that the Parks Board are appointed by the County Executive. Basically their functions are:
1. to set certain fees and certain rates throughout the Park system.
2. to approve the budget of the Parks system
3. to give the Commissioner and his deputies a view of the publics opinions and suggestions
He feels that he would love to sit down with the Legislature and work with us on a continual basis. Mr. Natale applauded the Committees efforts to open a continuing dialogue.
Legislator Mosiello asked some questions to Andy Natale and Commissioner Stanley Motley:
Q. How many people are on the Parks Board? A. Nine
Q. How does something reach the Parks Board Agenda? A. Commissioner Motley and Andy Natale decide which items should be on the Agenda that month.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS & RECREATION
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If the public wants to speak they contact the Parks Board secretary and they are permitted five minutes to speak.
Commissioner Motley reviewed the Parks budget process. The Parks department makes a presentation of their operating budget to the Parks Advisory Board. They approve the fees based on the input and recommendation of the Parks department. They also do the same with the Capital Budget. The Parks department makes a presentation of their entire Capital Budget to the Parks Board in an effort to keep the Parks Board very well informed. The Parks department brings most anything concerning policy or concerning Capital to the Parks Board.
Legislator Mosiello asked if the Parks Board is more than an oversight board. Q. Is it a Board that actually controls the policy of the Parks and Recreation department? Q. Can they reject proposals that are made by the Administration or the BOL?
Commissioner Motley responded that the Parks Board is an Advisory Committee but as Andy Natale very clearly said the fees are a requirement that they set; everything else the Parks department brings to them as far as Capital and Operating budgets are informative dialogue.
There is a requirement that after nine years on the Parks Board, a member has to get off for a year; there are no terms.
Parks Board meetings are held a minimum of once a month and any kind tree removal needs Parks Board approval.
Peter Neglia will receive copies of the Parks Board Agenda and Minutes prior to the Parks Board meeting and share that information with the members of the Special Committee on Parks and Recreation.
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RLAS1 – Authorizing the issuance of $100,00 in bonds – Design and construction management of the replacement of the overhead electrical service along the main road to an underground conduit @ Lasdon Park in the Town of Somers – this bond act was recommitted to the Parks Committee.
Acting Commissioner Ralph Butler (DPW) spoke on this item that is to complete the electrical distribution system; this is the last phase in a series of projects since 1991. He explained further that there are two aspects of this project: to increase the service provided and put the overhead to the underground system.
Legislator Mosiello stated that in his opinion the financing part of this item properly belongs in the B&A Committee. The concern of this Committee is not the funding part of it as much as the “park” effect. ‘Do we want to take down these wires and put something underground as it affects the park and the aesthetics of the park?’ “Continuing, I think the Chair of the BOL would agree that I’m on target on the scope of this Committee’s involvement with relation to these types of issues; so understand that the Parks Committee is going to look for these types of issues to come into it but we intend to focus our attention on the effects it has on our Parks as opposed to budgetary concerns.”
The B&A Committee had concerns on the financing of this bonding and the Special Committee on Parks and Recreation will not take any action until B&A’s requests are satisfied.
A & C Agenda – May 30, 2002 – Item # 19 – Parks – Request authority to amend an agreement with Vollmer Associates, LLP, to provide the department with Phase Two of a Master Plan to serve as a guideline for the development, management, and preservation of County park facilities through the year 2010, by extending the term through 12/31/02.
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Joe Stout, Deputy Commissioner PRC, stated that the scope of this Master Plan has been changed not to conflict with the current Master Plan proposal for Playland. The “new” Master Plan would take up the “slack” of the original Master Plan including Edith Read. The ‘Vollmer’ study and ‘Canlan’ study are two different projects.
Legislator Mosiello stated that a total “Master Plan” should include the ‘Vollmer’ and ‘Canlan’ recommendations.
The Special Committee on Parks and Recreation had no further concerns with this A&C item.
The meeting was adjourned @ 2:20 PM.