Recreation Advisory Board

CITY OF NORWICH RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING September 30, 2015 6:00 PM 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich, CT Present: John Iovino, Victoria Daniels, Lee-Ann Gomes, Alderman Mark Bettencourt, Ray Stewart Absent: Angela Duhaime and Bill Nash 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order by Chairman Iovino at 5:58 pm. 2. Approval of Minutes Motion to accept the July 15, 2015, August 11, 2015 and August 18, 2015 minutes, as presented. Made: Alderman Mark Bettencourt, 2nd Ray Stewart, motion unanimously approved. 3. Old Business a. Basketball Program Update Chairman Iovino reported that he met with Maloyid about the Basketball program. Vicki reported that Norwich Recreation is associated with the National Youth Alliance and background checks on coaches can be done at no cost. Vicki also reported that she spoke with Mike and Bill regarding registrations and that Recreation can accept registration forms and money for the program as long as the registration form is clearly marked that the program is not a Norwich Recreation sponsored event. (Norwich Recreation is supporting the league.) Vicki & Lee Ann offered to make the 4,000 copies of the registration forms, organize them and drop off at schools for distribution. Maloyid will email Vicki the registration form and she will distribute the form to the committee via email for approval. Once approval is given, she will begin copying. The committee discussed a press release regarding the program. It was agreed that any press release should come from Maloyid stating that Rose City will be offering the program and how to register. Vicki will talk with him about this press release & Lee Ann offered to assist him with drafting the press release. b. Recreation Programs Update i. Fall and Winter Vicki passed out some flyers on programs that are being offered. She reported that she is working with the 4H group and they are starting two new programs (Kids in the Kitchen and STEMtastics) at their facility. She also reported on new programs being offered: Advanced Belly Dancing Group, Ballroom Dancing, Social and Romantic Night Club Dancing, and a parent-based social group for families with special needs children. The bus trip has 15 spots before it is filled, she noted that she needs 39 spots to cover the trip but can accept up to 52. ii. Spring & Summer: No report.  c. Budget 2015-16 Vicki reported that she has $30,000.00 left in building improvements. The roof quote is $23,500.00. The furnace is cracked and needs replacing; the quote is $2,095.00 for purchase and installation. Mini splits are $2,794.00 each and she needs 2 for the Recreation Department. She is waiting on a quote from FW Webb to install them. Lighting project - Not sure where that project stands now - other than it's stalled. Alderman Bettencourt talked about future recreation department budgets for staffing and programs. This should be an item for discussion in November. He stated that there is a need to place a higher priority for certain things here and that expansion cannot happen without staffing. He added that expansion would help with the funding for staff (neutrality). Lee Ann stated that she and Vicki will put a budget together and can bring to the committee for review, but that would not be ready for November. Chairman Iovino noted that the committee could discuss positions in November. Lee Ann noted that she would speak to the City Manager regarding the staffing issue. d. Program Brochure Vicki reported that she did not have the time to create a brochure. However, she did place an advertisement in the paper, placed flyers on the website and distributed flyers to the schools. She noted that Rec Trac (online registration) would be used in the future rather than brochures. She has received training and will start using the program with a Zumba class registration to see how the system works and correct any problems (if experienced). 4. New Business  ByLaws were discussed. Chairman Iovino will email a draft to the committee for their review. This will be a November agenda item.  Meeting attendance/membership was discussed.  An update on the Community Center proposal was given. 5. Other Business  Ray Stewart asked about an incident at Stanton School on the basketball court. 6. Adjournment MOTION: To adjourn at 6:49 pm Made: Ray Stewart, 2nd Alderman Mark Bettencourt, motion unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Kayser, Recording Secretary.