Commissioners Present: Joe Leogrande (Chair), Bill Jacobs, Kiki Impaglia, Mary Ellen Perry, Dave McCarthy, Mark Locastro, Mike and Barb Speck, Connie Laxton and Cody Laxton.

Excused: Chris Bennett-Collins, Zinc LaDouce, John Donovan, Chuck Savage and Barb Spicer.

City: Michael Talbot

The meeting agenda was accepted on a motion from W. Jacobs, second M. Perry. Previous minutes accepted on a motion by W. Jacobs, second Cody Laxton.

No public present to be heard.

J. Leogrande welcomed newly appointed commissioners Connie and Cody Laxton.

Correspondence:

1. Mayor Carnicelli to J. Leogrande supporting idea of additional playground equipment at Melone Village and suggesting that funding for the movie presentations might be available.
2. Nicholas Fedor wrote complaining about the severity of restrictions on skateboarding claiming that some skateboarders have been arrested in front of their own homes. M. Locastro rebutted this statement saying that no such arrests have taken place.
3. John Plume (School Superintendent) to W. Jacobs stating that he agrees that all school properties should be included in skateboard ban.

Success of the Pre-Christmas and New Years Eve events at Hoopes Park were again discussed.

M. Talbot Report:

1. The Casey Park Arena enclosure is progressing with no firm completion date anticipated.
2. Summer playground activities were discussed. While all playgrounds are planned to be open with equipment available, not all playgrounds will be staffed for the summer.
3. Pomeroy Park may be considered for some improvements with details not yet available.
4. Success by Six summer reading program will be part of the summer playground program.
5. Movie showings planned for Casey Park School will not take place due to budgetary limitations and logistical problems in setup.
6. Grant money may be available through the Community Development Block Grant program for some programs.
7. Discussion about adding several venues for summer concerts (instead of concentrating them at Hoopes Park was discussed. While there might be positive features to this plan, there would be the added difficulty of moving the portable bandstand to these locations and setting it up. Additionally, the best crowds are usually present in the Hoopes Park setting. Locations such as Boyle Center or Stryker or Schwartz Towers bring in little attendance from the general public.
8. Debate ensued concerning the nature of the Parks and Recreation Commission as currently set up. M. Talbot and J. DelFavero complain that the commission has more recently acted more as a managerial body than an advisory group. They feel that the commission meetings should be chaired by a city official and act only to recommend programs and activities. They cite recent Pre-Christmas program at Hoopes Park as an example of an event where the commission set up a program and "spent money" without going through a budgetary process. Several commissioners agreed while others argued that the commission has neither acted in a managerial style, nor spent money since the city officials have an absolute veto power over any spending. There is also concern on the part of some commissioners that with a city official as chair of meetings and setting the agenda, the commission will become no more than a "rubber stamp" organization. Input on the correct operation of the commission will be sought from the corporation counsel.
9. Hoopes Park is open for skating. The ice is uneven and difficult to skate on. Questions on flooding the pond to improve the conditions were raised.
10. The DEC fish-stocking permit has not been applied for. J. DelFavero would have more information on this issue.
11. Parks and Recreation Department has purchased a soapbox derby car and would like to sponsor an essay contest on the topic of "What I like about living in Auburn" to choose a driver. An April 1, 2003 deadline would be necessary.
12. The Hoopes Park Pond island reconstruction was mentioned. The cost would be estimated to be in excess of $50,000 as previously discussed and is probably not feasible.
13. Algae reduction chemicals are slated to be applied in Hoopes Park pond again this year.