Recreation & Community Services Commission

RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION June 18, 2020 MEETING 6 PM MINUTES RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION – In attendance via WebEx: Lincoln Everest, Anthony Jaskot, Winfred Lee, Philip Pessina, Salvatore Uccello, Jeanette Blackwell, Dan Deconti, Ed Dypa Absent: Matt Fraulino, Kristen Jensen Staff: Cathy Lechowicz, Director AGENDA: Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Pessina called the meeting to order at 6:03pm. Public Hearing: No Comments Approval of the Minutes: Deferred until September meeting (need to approve January and February) Department Reports: Building Updates Geothermal Updates Complete. John Sima was able to complete the project while the building was unoccupied. Will do a little more work to increase air flow and put in new filter Working on getting bidding package putting together for exterior work. Program Updates Senior Dept Keep Connected Program – created and implemented program in response to COVID and staying connected to seniors. Called all 1400 members to start, then focused on residents, on average called 800 people weekly for 10 weeks with the assistance of Russell Library staff. Food Distribution Program – partnered with Amazing Grace to deliver food to homebound seniors. Online Exercise – worked with instructors to created videos of their classes. Created a YouTube channel for the videos and also have them running on Channel 19 (public access channel) for those that don’t have internet access. Senior Center without walls – month of July will have outdoor programming and also activity kits to go for seniors. Recreation Dept Very active on social media during Covid providing info on how to stay active and healthy Preparing for camp – felt strongly that camp is an essential service and wanted to be able to provide that service to the community; many changes/modifications guided by the Office of Early Childhood including smaller camp size, staying in the same group of 10 all week, no field trips and no transportation Crystal Lake upgrades – the Parks Bond supported significant renovations at the site including a complete renovation of the camp building, new playground, new sand and walkways to the beach. Vet’s Pool closed –the recommendations were not feasible to follow with the physical layout of the facility. The July meeting for Public Works includes starting the process for renovation at that facility. Woodrow Building – -the City hired a firm to create a cost breakdown of what it will take to get the building up to code and in good working order for the Recreation Department to use. We’ve been actively meeting and discussing the department needs. Updates will be shared as they become available. OLD BUSINESS: none NEW BUSINESS: Budget Updates – a flat budget was approved for the department (the only increase was for professional staff contracted salary increases), we should be fine this year as we anticipate some less expenses due to Covid, next year will be very tough without any increase on the seasonal wage line. Phases and Re-opening 6/17 recreational leagues can use the fields –they must submit a Return to Play to the Health Department demonstrating how they will adhere to the guidelines. 6/29 – playgrounds and basketball courts will re-open with recommendations posted at the sites. Sports Grants Recommendations – the commission discussed the sports grants and the possibility of delaying a decision since some teams may not play due to Covid. Concerns were raised that a delay would negatively impact the fall teams as they are still planning and may incur expenses even if they are ultimately unable to play. Director Lechowicz stated she would check with legal to see if we can put any language on the award that if they are unable to use it this year, they will need to report on it in next year’s application and it could affect their grant award next year. The commission agreed and then moved to make recommendations. Ed Dypa made a motion to maintain the funding awarded last year and not fund the Monarch grant, seconded by Dan DeConti. There was a roll call vote and all were in favor. The awards are as follows: Ahern Whalen - $4,400 Middletown Youth Soccer, Inc. - $6,000 Middletown Youth Lacrosse - $7,200 Middletown Jr. Dragons - $9,000 Prof. Galitto Girls Basketball - $2,000 Prof. Galitto Boys Basketball - $3,200 Little League - $8,200 MISCELLANEOUS: none ADJOURNMENT: Ed Dypa made a motion to adjourn, Tony seconded. All in favor.