Recreation Commission

City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Meeting Tuesday, September 28, 2021 6:30pm Recreation Center Please submit questions via email to Recreservations@saratoga-springs.org. Agenda Attendance Public Comment 1. Discussion and Vote: Minutes 2. Discussion: Review “Free Little Library” presented by SEEN. 3. Discussion and Vote: Recommending the dedication of the East Side Rec Major League baseball field in honor of William J. McNeary, III. 4. Discussion and Vote: Requesting to waive the gym fee for Saratoga Springs Public Library Repair Café. The estimated cost $120. 5. Discussion and Vote: Update Rec Fee- Open Gym Free of charge. 6. Discussion and Vote: Recommending to change the East Side Rec outdoor court lights schedule. 7. Discussion: East Side and West Side Park Vandalism and Behavior 8. Discussion and Vote: Capture Point – Stripe 9. Discussion and Vote: Request to grant a lifetime pass to participate in City sponsored recreation programs to Linda Terricola. 10. Discussion and Vote: Recommend the City Council approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the Saratoga Springs School District and Recreation Department for the work base learning program/experience. 11. Discussion and Vote: Appoint a new liaison to the open space plan steering committee. 12. Discussion: Thank you Cheryl Smith for her service on the Recreation Commission. 13. Discussion: Capital Budget Meetings 14. Discussion: General Budget 15. Discussion: Directors Report 16. Discussion: Program Report 17. Discussion: Outdoor Basketball Court Request 18. Discussion and Vote: Independent Contractor Game Rate Change Approval Basketball Referee Certified Change from $35.00 to $40.00 and Non-Certified from $20.00 to $25.00. Adjournment - Next Meeting – Tuesday, October 26, 2021 6:30pm at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 1 of 7  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Meeting Tuesday, September 28, 2021 6:30pm Recreation Center Please submit questions via email to Recreservations@saratoga-springs.org . Minutes Attendance – Alphonse Lambert, John Dowd, Michelle Merola, & Amy Smith John Hirliman, Guests: Sabrina Houser, Erin Leary and the McNeary Family The September 28, 2021 Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 6:35pm by Amy Smith. Public Comment – No one spoke during Public Comment 1. Discussion and Vote: Minutes – The motion to accept the July 27, 2021 Recreation Commission Minutes, May 25, 2021 Recreation Commission Minutes and the August 3, 2021 Recreation Commission Notes was made by Amy Smith and seconded by John Dowd. Discussion: No quorum at August 3, 2021 meeting. (All Ayes). 2. Discussion: Review “Free Little Library” presented by SEEN. The motion to recommend to the City for the Recreation Center to have “Free Little Library” in front of the Recreation Center that would include SEEN sign/plaque on the library and stickers on the books was made by Amy Smith and Michelle Merola. Discussion: Sabrina Houser and Erin Leary spoke to the Recreation Commission regarding the “Free Little Library” Take a book – Share a Book. They explained that this was one of two locations in the City. The Library was installed on the hottest day. The other location was by the Franklin Community Center. SEEN purchased the books and neighborhood SEEN volunteers replenish the books as needed. A person could take a book and give a book or just take a book. The organization was requesting to allow SEEN signage on the library and stickers on the books. There were 10 adult books to over 100 children books. There were 50/50 picture books. The books included illustrations from people of color, experiencing making friends, going to school, and celebratory things. DPW had approved the structure. The Recreation Commission was told that the Franklin Community Center library had gone through City approvals. (All Ayes). 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 7  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola 3. Discussion and Vote: Recommending the dedication of the East Side Rec. Major League baseball field in honor of William J. McNeary, III. The motion to recommend the dedication of the East Side Rec. Major League Baseball Field in Honor of William J. McNeary, III was made by Alphonse Lambert and seconded by Amy Smith. Discussion: Bill McNeary and the McNeary Family were at the Recreation Commission meeting. Bill McNeary wanted to thank the Recreation Commission for offering to help him with dedicating the East Side Rec. major league field in his father’s memory. He had contacted Commissioner Franck. Included in the agenda was the picture of the plaque that is in place now. Years ago, he had a draft of a joint resolution he was hoping to have introduced by the council, but he never put it forward. If the language in there was of any use, please use it. He had also included the editorial that was written by former mayor Ray Watkin describing how he had appointed his father as the first chairman of the Recreation Commission and his efforts in that regard. It was Ray’s acknowledgement of his father’s work that prompted him and his mother to fund a $25,000 request from the Saratoga Little League in return for the honor of naming one of the baseball fields. The money was used to install the lights on the field for evening play & field improvements. He was not sure the Little League had the authority to make such an offer, so he was requesting that the appropriate authority recognize and forever dedicate the field in his father’s name. Given his work on the Recreation commission, they thought it was a fitting and appropriate dedication. The people that worked on the SLL board that the Commission could speak to in order to confirm this arrangement were Susan Brienza-Gordon and Chris Hart. Alphonse Lambert said it was a no brainer. He “Bill McNeary” was one of the greatest at giving back. The request will go from the Recreation Commission to Commissioner Franck, then to the City Council and then to the School District. (All Ayes). 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 7  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola Raymond Watkin’s July 9, 2021 Saratogian Reader’s view was submitted to the Recreation Commission. 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 7  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola 4. Discussion and Vote: Requesting to waive the gym fee for Saratoga Springs Public Library Repair Café. The estimated cost $120. The motion to waive the gym fee for the Saratoga Springs Public Library Repair Café was made by Michelle Merola and seconded by Amy Smith. (All Ayes). 5. Discussion and Vote: Update Rec Fee- Open Gym Free of charge. The motion to operate Open Gym free of charge was made by Amy Smith and seconded by Alphonse Lambert. Discussion: A fee was added due to City Council’s requirement that all programs must break even. Now that the department can self fund the program within the budget, the department was requesting to offer the program for free again. (All Ayes). 6. Discussion and Vote: Recommending changing the East Side Rec outdoor court lights schedule. The motion to change the East Side Rec. Outdoor Court lights schedule was made by John Dowd and seconded by Michelle Merola. Discussion: The Current schedule is Dusk to 8:30pm: Spring Season, Dusk to 10:00pm: Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, Dusk to 8:30pm: Fall Season & No Lights: Mid Fall to Mid Spring. The Proposed schedule will be the School requested not go beyond 9pm in spring/fall. The Recreation Commission was recommending Dusk to 9:00pm: Spring Season, Dusk to 10:00pm: Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, Dusk to 9:00pm: Fall Season and No Lights: Mid Fall to Mid Spring. John Dowd wanted the lights to go to 10:00pm during the summer. Ending earlier would only give players a short period of time. John Dowd stated there was a demand for the courts. Michelle Merola was concerned about the neighbors and the noise. People will use it and enjoy the courts. The lights were visible. The lights will be adjusted from 8:30pm to 9pm this fall until the lights are turned off for the season. The Director will contact the school to discuss the Recreation Commission’s recommendation to extend lights during the summer to 10:00 pm. (All Ayes). 7. Discussion: East Side and West Side Park Vandalism and Behavior The Recreation Commission discussed the Vandalism at the East Side and West Side Park. John Hirliman reported that Skateboarders were being disrespectful. The Skate Park was vandalized. John Dowd said if the vandalism continued at the Skate Park, then the City should pull the funding for the Park. The East Side Rec. and West Side Rec. bathrooms were destroyed and dispensers were ripped off the walls. The Police had to come and break up an incident at 3:00 am. Fight Clubs happened with approximately 100 kids. Alphonse Lambert reported the vandalism and damage at Veterans Memorial Park dugouts. East and West Side Recreation Parks were owned by the school and maintained by the City. The members of the Recreation Commission recommended RING notification devices to help monitor the Parks. The recommendation was to setup an email to get a notification if someone was in the dugouts after hours. 8. Discussion and Vote: Capture Point – Stripe (Community Pass is updating its Ecommerce Onboarding process from Together Pay to Stripe.) The motion to recommend to the City Council authorizing the Recreation Department to update the online Ecommerce Onboarding Process including agreeing to the CapturePoint-Stripe online Payment Processing Terms and Conditions was made by Amy Smith and seconded by John Dowd. Discussion: Community Pass is updating its Ecommerce Onboarding process from Together Pay to Stripe. The system is requesting the Department agrees to the new terms and conditions. As part of the online agreement, the system is requesting “I agree to the Payment Processing Terms & Conditions, and I certify that I am authorized to sign and enter into this binding legal contract for the company.” (All Ayes). 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 of 7  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola 9. Discussion and Vote: Request to grant a lifetime pass to participate in City sponsored recreation programs to Linda Terricola. The motion to approve a life time pass to Linda Terricola was made by Alphonse Lambert and seconded by Michelle Merola. Discussion: Linda Terricola served as the City’s Recreation Director for over 20 years before retiring in 2011. Linda Terricola among many accomplishments helped build the City’s Recreation Center on Vanderbilt Avenue. To show our appreciation for her dedication to the City’s Recreation programs the department was requesting to give Linda Terricola a lifetime pass to participant in recreation programs for free. Alphonse Lambert stated Linda Terricola had done a lot of good things. Amy Smith asked if the Commission was opening up a Pandora’s Box and not saying not approving. The Commission would look at each unique situation. John Hirliman had mentioned there were lifetime passes given out for the Skate Park. (All Ayes). 10. Discussion and Vote: Recommend the City Council approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the Saratoga Springs School District and Recreation Department for the work base learning program/experience. The motion to recommend the City Council to approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the Saratoga Springs School District and Recreation Department for the work base learning program/experience was made by Amy Smith and seconded by Michelle Merola. Discussion: The Recreation Commission discussed the work base learning program. Participants will begin volunteering at the Recreation Center during the school year on Wednesdays with a job coach. The Department will work with the City. (All Ayes). 11. Discussion and Vote: Appoint a new liaison to the open space plan steering committee. The motion to appoint Derrick Legall as the new liaison to the open space plan steering committee was made by Alphonse Lambert and seconded by John Dowd. Discussion: Derrick Legall was nominated to be the new liaison to the open space plan steering committee. (All Ayes). 12. Discussion: Thank you Cheryl Smith for her service on the Recreation Commission. Cheryl Smith was unable to attend the Recreation Commission Meeting. The Recreation Commission members wanted to thank Cheryl Smith for her service on the Recreation Commission and as the Open Space Plan Steering Committee liaison. 18. Discussion and Vote: Independent Contractor Game Rate Change Approval a. Basketball Referee Certified Change from $35.00 to $40.00 and b. Non-Certified from $20.00 to $25.00. The motion to recommend Independent Contractor Game Rate for Basketball Referees - Certified $35.00 to $40.00 and non-certified $20.00 to $25.00 was made by Alphonse Lambert and seconded by Amy Smith. Discussion: The Commission discussed the shortage of referees. The increase will be an additional $2,216.00 that was within the budget. (All Ayes). 13. Discussion: Capital Budget Meetings – The Recreation Commission discussed the Capital Budget items including the Playgrounds and Skate Park. The Comprehensive Budget will be announced at the City Council Meeting on October 5, 2021. 14. Discussion: General Budget - The Recreation Commission received August General budget in the Agenda. John Hirliman explained that the Recreation Fees received were projected to come in over budget. Field fees should be close. The Indoor Recreation Facility Revenue was at $149,000.00. Basketball should bring in $40,000.00. Every program had been bringing in increased revenue. Tracking Parking was slightly under budget after paying taxes to the State. Summer Program (Camp Saradac) Revenue and Expenses were down. Clinic revenue and expenses increased. The Department will make a budget amendment to offset expenses. 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 of 7  City of Saratoga Springs Derrick LeGall RECREATION COMMISSION Recreation Commission Chair Alphonse Lambert 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Amy Smith Robert Manasier 518-587-3550 x2300 Fax 518-584-1748 Cheryl Smith w.SaratogaRec.com John Dowd Michelle Merola 15. Discussion: Directors Report – John Hirliman gave his Director’s report. 16. Discussion: Program Report – John Hirliman gave the Program report. The Clinic numbers increased from 585 to 984. Pickleball League and Workshops were popular. This year’s program numbers were not the norm. 17. Discussion: Outdoor Basketball Court Request Discussion: The Administrative Director-Recreation received a request for an outdoor basketball court at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center. The Recreation Commission discussed the request. Research would need to be done to see how it would work and be creative with the location. Adjournment – The motion to adjourn was made by Amy Smith and seconded by John Dowd. The Next Meeting will be Tuesday, October 26, 2021at 6:30pm at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. (All Ayes). Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Lanfear 2021-09-28 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 of 7