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 John Dowd w.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Adrianna Britt-Gaeta Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2022 6:30pm East Side Rec. Field House Agenda Attendance Public Comment 1. Discussion and Vote: Minutes 2. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Department Part Time Personnel 3. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Department Purchases 4. Discussion and Vote: Saratoga County Children’s Committee - $10,000.00 5. Discussion and Vote: Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs - $1,000.00 6. Discussion and Vote: Program Approval: Rock Your Fitness Boot Camp 7. Discussion and Vote: 2022 Recreation Department Fees 8. Discussion and Vote: Youth Service Project Minor Contract with County of Saratoga 9. Discussion and Vote: Establish New Full Time Program Director Position 10. Discussion: Pickleball Courts 11. Discussion: Waterfront 12. Discussion: Bike Park 13. Discussion: East Side Rec. Field House 14. Discussion: Capital Projects 15. Discussion: General Budget 16. Discussion: Director’s Report 17. Discussion: Program Report Added: Discussion and Vote: Pickleball Lines Recommendation Adjournment - Next Meeting – Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 6:30pm at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. If you cannot attend, please submit questions via email to Recreservations@saratoga-springs.org. Please note change in location to the East Side Rec. Field House, 226 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 2022-04-26 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 1 of 4  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 John Dowd w.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Adrianna Britt-Gaeta Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2022 6:30pm East Side Rec. Field House Minutes The Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission meeting was called to order by Amy Smith at 6:39pm. Attendance – Robert Manasier, Amy Smith, Michelle Merola, Adrianna Britt-Gaeta, and John Dowd. John Hirliman Public Comment – Johnny Miller, came to Saratoga Springs 22 years ago. Over the last few years, the Skate Park has been bad. People are smoking marijuana and doing drugs at 2:00pm on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Miller reported the graffiti and offered to paint the ramps. People were bullying him out of the Skate Park. People took a block and tried moving it into the pit (Skate bowl). Even though they were trying they could not push the concrete. People are smoking a joint and had to be in Middle School. It happened three times last month. It’s on school property. Mr. Miller and his family could not go to the Skate Park. People were saying FU in his face. It’s crazy. The minute that the ramps were in, they were tagged. Mr. Miller recommended allowing bikes and scooters in the Park. He would like to name the Park a Wheels Park to be inclusive. Mr. Miller’s kids would not be going to park as they do not feel safe. The Park was self monitored. Mr. Miller had recommendations. People smoke weed. People were loitering. Mr. Miller recommended removing the picnic table and the bench. People were coming who cannot skate and were “Posers”. They were the ones bringing the drugs into the Skate Park. With other sports, there were not seating in the middle of the fields or courts. Kids were spraying F_ _ _ Toga. Mr. Miller recommended having a wall area in one location not in the Skate Park where people could paint on in a constructive manner. This would give people an outlet. John Hirliman explained that the School District had brought up the same type of concerns and would be installing some cameras. Amy Smith thanked Mr. Miller for attending and he was welcome to stay for the entire meeting. #14 Discussion: Capital Projects item was moved up. The 2022 Capital Projects were discussed. Recreation Facility Design and Construction account had $148,819.75. The DPW was doing the work for the new parking lot on Jefferson Street. The Recreation Facility account had $50,000.00 for a PA system. An RFP would need to be done. The Court resurfacing account had a balance of $3,812.00 from the completed project. The Director requested funds be used for the Skate Park or Pickleball. The Playground facilities will be reviewed. The Director was going to request funding. The Skate Park project was discussed. The construction cost would be $140,000.00 and the City’s portion would be $70,000.00. On Deck had collected $55,000.00 already. There were concerns about investing into the park for people who might destroy the new construction. The Skate Park Clinc and Skate for Groms were scheduled for the Park. Camp Saradac was scheduled for East Side Rec. There was no one at East Side Rec. John Dowd asked about having a Security guard at the property like the school does at the Schools. John Dowd mentioned that the City and the School District should be proactive. Amy Smith asked if the cops walked the East Side Rec. John Hirliman explained that they drive thru. It would be great if there was a presence, after school between 4-8pm and on weekends. The money would need to be budgeted for in 2023. Michelle Merola asked to figure out what happens. John Hirliman mentioned the Department was looking for staffing. John Hirliman talked about the Skate Park vandalism and graffiti. John Hirliman reported the playground project needed $900,000.00 more and spoke about Friends of Recreation and the Grande Industrial Park. The Bike Park was discussed. The LA group had 2022-04-26 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4  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 John Dowd w.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Adrianna Britt-Gaeta information. Areas for the bike park would need to be identified. Saratoga Shedders were looking to fundraise for the bike park. The Recreation Commission was discussing the Capital program properties. John Dowd asked which programs reached the most people and which projects took care of the most people. Adrianna Britt-Gaeta encouraged upgrading the facilities because never know. She did not have the opportunity to participate in the diversity of things. Robert Manasier agreed sometimes it takes people to run something. Robert Manasier and John Dowd stated that volunteer security does not work and talked about bringing together the School, & DPW regarding the skate park. Adrianna Britt-Gaeta may have to threat to close due to the concerns. Field Renovations were discussed. John Dowd mentioned that people need to feel safe to come to the Skate Park. Amy Smith recommended getting a price for security. The Skate Park was usable. There was a camera at the park but not at the skate park. John Dowd mentioned to look at rotate the security and add the East Side Rec as a stop. Michelle Merola recommended to protect the investment. The Skate Park project had gone to the School for approval. It would need State Education approval. The School Distict had paid for the design cost. The $265,000.00 had come from the Sub division Rec. Fees. The motion to approve items 1 thru 8 was made by Michelle Merola and seconded by Robert Manasier. (Ayes All) 1. Discussion and Vote: Minutes – Discussion: The Recreation Commission approved the March 29, 2022 minutes. 2. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Department Part Time Personnel – Discussion: The Recreation Commission approved the list of staff submitted to Civil Service. 3. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Department Purchases – Discussion: The Recreation Department would be utilizing Constant Contact for $1,050.00 & purchasing 400 Camp Shirts for Campers + 60 Staff for $3,060.00 from the budget of $7,860.00. 4. Discussion and Vote: Saratoga County Children’s Committee - $10,000.00 – Discussion: The Recreation Department was requesting acceptance of the $10,000.00 Saratoga County Children’s Committee Donation for Camp Scholarships. 5. Discussion and Vote: Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs - $1,000.00 – Discussion: The Recreation Department was requesting acceptance of the $1,000.00 Rotary of Saratoga Springs Donation for a City Resident Camp Scholarships. 6. Discussion and Vote: Program Approval: Rock Your Fitness Boot Camp – Discussion: The Recreation Department was requesting program approval for the City’s Boot Camp. The Recreation Department would like to co-sponsor the program with Rock Your Fitness LLC Rebecca Weyrauch. The revenue would be split 60/40. The organization would provide the equipment. 7. Discussion and Vote: 2022 Recreation Department Fees - Discussion: The Recreation Department was requesting to update the 2022 Recreation Department fees by adding $45/$65 Pickleball One Day Workshop and Fitness Class 7 class session $105/$125 and Daily $18/$20. 2022-04-26 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4  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 John Dowd w.SaratogaRec.com Michelle Merola Adrianna Britt-Gaeta 8. Discussion and Vote: Youth Service Project Minor Contract with County of Saratoga - Discussion: The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department was requesting to submit to the City Council - authorization for the Mayor to sign the Youth Service Project Minor Contract with the County of Saratoga. This was an annual agreement. The County would sponsor the City's youth service project and pay the City a sum not to exceed $6,825.00 from the Office of Children and Families Services (OCFS) Funds requested. 9. Discussion and Vote: Establish New Full Time Program Director Position – The motion to establish New Full time Program Director position at Grade 13 Step 1 was made by Michelle Merola and seconded by John Dowd. Discussion: The Recreation Department was requesting the establishment of a new full time Program Director position at Grade 13 Step 1. The Recreation Department was also requesting the approval of a new title Program Director. The Recreation Department would be going to the City Council. This position would be 40 hours. This position would be promotional and competitive. The Recreation Commission was given the CSEA Salary information; Base $56,501 (2022), $58,920 (2023), $61,454 (2024). The Director had spoken with Civil Service and HR. 10. Discussion: Pickleball Courts – The pickleball players wanted more courts lined. The tennis players did not want the tennis courts lined. The Recreation Commission added Discussion and Vote: Pickleball Lines Recommendation The motion to recommend lining all City tennis courts with pickleball lines was made by Amy Smith and seconded by Michelle Merola. Discussion: John Hirliman asked if the Commission wanted to wait on vote as he did not prepare a budget impact for this meeting. The Recreation Commission was recommending lining all City tennis courts with pickleball lines. There would be 10 tennis courts. The Commission discussed that there were multiple lines on the Recreation Center courts. 11. Discussion: Waterfront – The email requesting a playground at the Waterfront was given to the Recreation Commission. DPW and Risk and Safety were supportive of programming at the Waterfront. A theatre area could be added to one area of the Waterfront Park. This could be used for Open Mic, stories, Brown Bag Lunch series, Concert series, and more. Michelle Merola recommended Classic Movies. 12. Discussion: Bike Park – The Recreation Commission discussed the Bike Park during the Capital Projects 13. Discussion: East Side Rec. Field House - The Recreation Commission discussed the East Side Rec. Field House. Camp Saradac would be stationed there this summer. Friends of Recreation was looking to support the East Side Rec. Field House. 14. Discussion: Capital Projects – The Capital Projects were discussed previously in the meeting. 15. Discussion: General Budget – The March 2022 and Yearend Reports were submitted to the Recreation Commission. Zero Gravity – 3 Step picked up tournaments at the Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center. 16. Discussion: Director’s Report – The Director’s report was submitted to the Recreation Commission. Camp Saradac needed more staff. 17. Discussion: Program Report – The Program reports were submitted to Recreation Commission. Adjournment – The motion to adjourn was made by John Dowd and seconded by Michelle Merola at 8:17am. (Ayes All) The Next Meeting will be Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 6:30pm at the Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Lanfear 2022-04-26 Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4