Recreation Commission

City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall Recreation Commission Chair RECREATION COMMISSION Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith John Dowd www.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Recreation Commission Meeting Tuesday, April 24, 2018 6:30 pm Minutes Saratoga Springs Recreation Center Attendance – Derrick Legall, Michelle Merola, Cheryl Smith, Amy Smith, and Robert Manasier John Hirliman and Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor. Guest: Chris Mills. The Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission meeting was called to order by Derrick Legall, chair at 6:35pm. Public Comment – Chris Mills from Saratoga Wilton Baseball spoke to the Recreation Commission about the proposal for two additional batting cages at East Side Rec. Complex. One cage being recommended is to be attached to the back of the one existing Major’s field batting cage and the Minor’s batting cage is proposed to be installed between the existing batting cages. There still will be space to get around them. This will help the Saratoga Wilton Baseball to have regional/state tournaments at the East Side Rec. Complex. Having two batting cages per field allows both teams to warm up. This will help their Rec. program and their travel program. There is only a short time to warm up prior to games. Chris Mills stated that Neil Galvin, great supporter of all youth sports in the area, who installed the existing batting cages, will be donating the labor and installation of the proposed batting cages. Saratoga Wilton Baseball will be purchasing the same materials as the others (existing batting cages). They are recommending having a turf base. Turf remnants have been donated. This will look nicer and DPW will not have to mow it. They will be upgrading wiring on the top three rails so the balls will not hit the fence when the balls hit the net. The netting will be away from the fencing. Chris Mills said he had spoken to John Hirliman. John Hirliman recommended that Chris Mills submit the proposal to the Recreation Commission. Chris Mills wanted to make sure their proposal fits in with the overall Master Plan. The two batting cages for the Minor field will be smaller. Amy Smith asked what their time line is. Chris Mills would like the project start as soon as possible and be done late May so the batting cages are installed for the upcoming July NYS Cal Ripkin Tournament. The additional batting cages are needed to host tournaments. The Tournament should get 10 teams coming to the City. It is very exciting. Chris Mills feels that it’s a great use of the park. The Recreation Commission asked was there a cost to the City or School District. Chris Mills said the installation and labor is being donated by Neil Galvin and the materials are being donated by Saratoga Wilton Baseball. There should be the same construction and materials as existing cages. Derrick Legall asked if the batting cages will be locked. The ones at West Side Rec. are locked. Chris Mills stated that the two batting cages have not been locked and the four batting cages will remain open for public use. Saratoga Wilton Baseball wants to keep it nice and wants the public to use them. It’s a Public Park. Chris Mills thanked the Rec. Commission for letting him come and speak to them. Derrick Legall said that if does not impact the park/walking trail, it’s a nice addition for it. 2018-04-24 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes to be approved 2018-05-29 Page 1 of 5  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall Recreation Commission Chair RECREATION COMMISSION Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith John Dowd www.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola 1. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Commission Minutes – The Recreation Commission members received again the January 30, 2018 Minutes, February 13, 2018 Forum, February 27, 2018 Notes (no quorum), and the March 27, 2018 Minutes. Derrick Legall asked if there were any amendments to the Recreation Commission minutes. There were no amendments requested. 16. Discussion and Vote: Saratoga Wilton Youth Baseball request to install two batting cages at East Side Rec. The Recreation Commission discussed the Saratoga Wilton Youth Baseball proposal. Derrick Legall said that if does not impact the park/walking trail, it’s a nice addition for it. Robert Manasier asked if the Saratoga Wilton Baseball spoke to the Neighbors. He had when the existing two were installed. One of the neighbors was concerned with the noise. The increased noise from the four teams increased from two teams may have an impact. Be respectful. The Batting Cages will remain open like they currently are. The nets will be left up for the Public. DPW should not have to mow inside the batting cages. The two new batting cages will have turf and the existing two batting cages have fabric down and stone dust. The motion to send the Saratoga Wilton Youth Baseball request to the School Property Committee was made by Robert Manasier and seconded by Amy Smith. Discussion: Cheryl Smith would like the organization to speak to the neighbors. Does it need a building permit? It will go to the School District’s Property Committee to decide if they will approve or does it need to go to SED (NYS Education Department). Derrick Legall said he’d be surprised that it would not be an SED project. It may take up to 16-17 weeks to process. He did not think the batting cages will be approved by late May. John Hirliman will give the proposal to Commissioner Scirocco and to the School District Property Committee. 5 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 2. Discussion and Vote: Camp Saradac Field Trips and Programs 3. Discussion and Vote: Camp Saradac Safety Plan 4. Discussion and Vote: Printed Shirt Quote 5. Discussion and Vote: Waiver Request 6. Discussion and Vote: Facility Rules Updated 7. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation for Camp Scholarships from the Saratoga County Children’s Committee - $8,800.00 8. Discussion and Vote: Accept Sponsors 2017-2018 Basketball Season 9. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation for Camp Scholarships from the Saratoga Rotary Club - $1,640.00 10. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from Stewarts Holiday Match - $ 5,000.00 11. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from Adirondack Trust Company - $ 820.00 12. Discussion and Vote: Accept Friends of Recreation Donation– Water Fountains at the Ice Rinks - $1,714.31 13. Discussion and Vote: Saratoga Casino Holdings, LLC Agreement – Soccer 14. Discussion and Vote: Pickleball League The motion to approve items #2-#14 was made by Amy Smith and seconded by Michelle Merola. Discussion: Michelle Merola was re-appointed at the City Council Meeting. Items #2-#14 were from the March 27, 2018 Meeting. 5 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 15. Discussion and Vote: Hockey and Figure Ice Skates - 20 pairs - $1,470.00 plus shipping – The motion to approve purchasing 20 pairs of Hockey and Figure Skates $1,470.00 plus shipping was made by Robert Manasier and seconded by Amy Smith. Discussion: Robert Manasier asked if the skates are replacements. Amy Smith stated that the City replaces skates for skate rentals every year. John Hirliman mentioned that the skates were replacements and some new. 5 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstain 2018-04-24 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes to be approved 2018-05-29 Page 2 of 5  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall Recreation Commission Chair RECREATION COMMISSION Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith John Dowd www.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola 17 Discussion: Master Plan Update – Survey – The Recreation Commission members reviewed and took the Recreation Master Plan survey. It took 7-14 minutes to complete the survey. Derrick Legall felt the survey was too long and people will not fill it out. John Hirliman explained that there will be a cover letter with the survey. The company will have a drawing $50 Visa gift card to encourage participation. The survey will be sent out to a random sample in the mail approximately 3,000. The survey two weeks later will be put on-line and open to the general public. The Commission felt some of the questions were redundant and survey was hard to follow. Robert Manasier felt that the Matrix #11 & #12 should have in both sections How Important is it to my household rather than asking for information important to their household and then about the Community Impact. Cheryl Smith requested a better phrase than Don’t Know on the Residency question regarding where do you live? The Company wants a response for every question. No blanks. John Hirliman explained that people do not know where they live. The Saratoga Springs mailing address does not mean they live in the City of Saratoga Springs. The members of the Recreation Commission felt that usage of the parks & facilities should have a seasonal area. Many people use the park seasonally based on what they participate in, i.e. when it’s warm or during a specific sport season. The Recreation Commission came back to question #11/#12. Robert Manasier felt if it was not important to their household, how it impacts the community would not be relevant. Michelle Merola felt they should be taken into account. Cheryl Smith explained that some people with children who aged out it may not be as important to their household, but may feel that it’s important to the community. Amy Smith asked if the public would know the difference between Fitness, i.e. Zumba and Youth Sports, i.e. Soccer. Robert Manasier mentioned if they do not know where they live, they may not know the difference. The survey may be household driven over individually driven. One person may fill it out for the entire family. Amy Smith felt Athletic fields should be added not just Parks. Derrick Legall mentioned that the survey is for Recreation for the entire City not just specific areas. The Recreation Commission members wanted information about Recreation City wide. Amy Smith suggested the Survey be tabled and GreenPlay needs to be contacted. The Recreation Commission discussed the census data. Question #2, #23 and #24 are similar. The Recreation Department looks at City Resident, Saratoga School District Resident and Non-Saratoga School District Resident. Questions #7-10 are essentially similar to #11 and #12. The Recreation Commission did not like the survey. Michelle Merola felt that should have more relevant questions. The public would need to be educated to take the survey. Cheryl Smith asked if GreenPlay had other types of successful surveys. She would like a survey that had a better flow and easy for the public to read/follow. 19. Discussion: General Budget – The Recreation Commission reviewed the budget reports. 20. Discussion: Directors Report – The Recreation Commission was given the Director’s Reports. There are 117 registered for Camp Saradac - 95 campers are all summer and 22 campers are weekly. The Campers in the weekly category could come to camp more than one week. There were 71 registered clinic participants. There are an increased number of tournaments this season. The Skate Park is still closed. The ramp company came back but wasn’t able to complete the job due to the weather. The Company will be back before Memorial Day at which time the skate park will reopen. The Recreation Department has gotten calls asking when the Skate Park will be open. The goal is before Memorial Day Weekend weather permitting. The Department with the cooperation of Troy Bianco, Engineering, took on several facility projects toward the end of 2017 and will continue to through the early part of 2018. a. The replacement and sealing of the lightning rods on the roof. This project was completed! b. The installation of 12 new electric height adjusters at each basketball hoop. This project should be completed by Thursday, April 26, 2018!! The company is just finishing the electric. Change Order Request – add Shot Clocks. c. The Emergency Exit Pads should be completed within the next couple of weeks. The façade came off the Rec. Center. It will be fixed. 2018 Spring Soccer has 430 players and 53 volunteers. There are signs at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Fields reminding No Dogs and thanking the Saratoga Casino Hotel for allowing the kids to use their soccer fields. John Hirliman is planning to work with the Saratoga Public Library. The public library is looking to have kids in their programs take recreation programs in the summer. The first idea is to have participants in the summer reading program take skateboarding lessons with us. Once a complete proposal is ready, the Administrative Director- Recreation will present it to the Recreation Commission. John Hirliman will present the 2017 Annual Report in May to the Recreation Commission and to the City Council in June. 21. Discussion: Program Report – The Recreation Commission reviewed the Program Report. 2018-04-24 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes to be approved 2018-05-29 Page 3 of 5  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall Recreation Commission Chair RECREATION COMMISSION Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith John Dowd www.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Executive Session: Real Estate Property – The Recreation Commission went into Executive Session 8:27pm and out of Executive session 8:34pm. The Parking proposal is under Planning Board review. Adjournment - The motion to adjourn the Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission meeting at 8:35pm was made by Michelle Merola and seconded by Cheryl Smith. The next Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission meeting at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center will be Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - 6:30 pm. The upcoming meetings on the last Tuesday of the month are June 26, 2018, July 31, 2018, September 25, 2018, October 30, 2018, and November 27, 2018. The Budget workshops will be Wednesdays, July 18, 2018 and July 25, 2018 6:30pm. The December 11, 2018 6:30pm Recreation Commission meeting will be held the 2nd Tuesday of the month due to the Holidays. Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Lanfear 2018-04-24 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes to be approved 2018-05-29 Page 4 of 5  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall Recreation Commission Chair RECREATION COMMISSION Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith John Dowd www.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Recreation Commission Meeting Tuesday, April 24, 2018 6:30 pm Agenda Saratoga Springs Recreation Center Attendance Public Comment 1. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Commission Minutes 2. Discussion and Vote: Camp Saradac Field Trips and Programs 3. Discussion and Vote: Camp Saradac Safety Plan 4. Discussion and Vote: Printed Shirt Quote 5. Discussion and Vote: Waiver Request 6. Discussion and Vote: Facility Rules Updated 7. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation for Camp Scholarships from the Saratoga County Children’s Committee - $8,800.00 8. Discussion and Vote: Accept Sponsors 2017-2018 Basketball Season 9. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation for Camp Scholarships from the Saratoga Rotary Club - $1,640.00 10. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from Stewarts Holiday Match - $ 5,000.00 11. Discussion and Vote: Accept Donation from Adirondack Trust Company - $ 820.00 12. Discussion and Vote: Accept Friends of Recreation Donation– Water Fountains at the Ice Rinks - $1,714.31 13. Discussion and Vote: Saratoga Casino Holdings, LLC Agreement – Soccer 14. Discussion and Vote: Pickleball League 15. Discussion and Vote: Hockey and Figure Ice Skates - 20 pairs - $1,470.00 plus shipping 16. Discussion and Vote: Saratoga Wilton Youth Baseball request to install two batting cages at East Side Rec. 17. Discussion: Master Plan Update - Survey 18. Discussion: General Budget 19. Discussion: Directors Report 20. Discussion: Program Report Executive Session: Real Estate Property Adjournment - Next Meeting – at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - 6:30 pm. at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center The upcoming meetings on the last Tuesday of the month are June 26, 2018, July 31, 2018, September 25, 2018, October 30, 2018, and November 27, 2018. The Budget workshops will be Wednesdays, July 18, 2018 and July 25, 2018 6:30pm. The December 11, 2018 6:30pm Recreation Commission meeting will be held the 2nd Tuesday of the month due to the Holidays. Meetings are at 6:30pm on the Last Tuesday of each month at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center. 2018-04-24 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes to be approved 2018-05-29 Page 5 of 5