AUBURN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
November 3, 2003 at City Hall Conference Room
Commissioners Present: Chris Bennett-Collins, Mary Impaglia, William Jacobs, Cody Laxton, Connie Laxton, Joe Leogrande, Mark Locastro, Mary Ellen Perry, Chuck Savage, Barb Spicer, Marg DePalma
Excused Commissioners: John Donovan, Zinc Ladouce, David McCarthy
Minutes From October 6, 2003 – Change Barb Spicer to Excused not Absent
Minutes & Agenda Accepted
No Public Heard
Correspondence: Citizen Community Calendar - Group learn-to-skate lessons available at Casey Park – 5-week program
Commissioners had scheduled trip to new skate park in Syracuse on Nov. 11, but was cancelled do to weather, although Connie & Cody did drive over to view the facility. In Cody’s words “it’s awesome”. The concrete facility has everything a skate boarder & stunt biker could ask for, although the two are not on the court at the same time. It’s a lot like Ithaca’s facility only bigger & fenced in. There is also a $3.00 charge for the day.
Much discussion went into the Mayor’s response to Commissioners demand to see draft of summer recreation program pamphlet before it goes to print next year, as well as being involved with scheduling of the music & movies. The Mayor has reminded the commission we are an advisory board with no decision-making powers. Point taken…. We do want to stress our willingness to work as a team with the Parks Department and hope this can be accomplished from this day forward.
Bill Jacobs to provide copy of Parks Commission Charter for our records.
Commission has requested all questions & answers are mailed/emailed before our actual meeting to make better use of our meeting time allotment.
Mary Impaglia stated Jim Kehoe’s bid was accepted of $600 for 2 teams of horses & wagon rides December 20-21 at Hoopes Park Holiday Festival.
Marg DePalma shared her Auburns Christmas past slide show her former students had created. It was a walk down memory lane for all but Cody.
Parks Commissioners on hand for the City tree planting November 8th, with Walt Aikman were Bill Jacobs, Joe Leogrande, Cody & Connie Laxton. It was a cold but meaningful day.
Pending Action:
· Status of junk on private property abutting Benton Street Playground – Letter was mailed to property owner (64 & 66 Clark Street) to remove the trash. Codes Office will drive by property week of 10/27 to see if trash was removed. If not City will clean & bill property owner.
· Janurary 2nd – Request new display board from City Manager
· Syracuse Crunch – Jerry Delfavero to contact for exhibition at Casey Park
· Casey Skate Park – Commission advises we hire an expert if not original company to review the current set-up – would also like a recap on City Insurance Policy in reference to supervised vs. unsupervised as is Ithaca’s park. Commission also wondered if moving park to St. Frances might be an alternative. Also we would like to know what the attendance figure was for the skate park season.
· St. Frances Park – Are metal I beams going to be boxed in?
· Renting fees cost structure - there working on standardizing the fees as well as the rental form will be ready for 2004 season
· Auburn High Hockey & Box Lacrosse Summer League – Are these organizations given special rates through exchange of services with the City?
· Mary Impaglia is wondering how deep the ice is at Hoopes pond. Stating other communities are using plows to clean their ice and the snow blowers were using are causing a problem on our ice. A better solution must be found if were going to have successful skating.
· Joe Leogrande to put request in writing to City Manager for involvement of City Fire Department with ball drop on New Years Eve – Joe has this been done?
· Ice skates sharpened – Is this a once a season performance or are the skates maintained frequently?
· Signage at all parks and playgrounds with emergency city phone numbers to call when potential hazards are noticed – Mayor recommended to City Manager – What is status of Managers response?
· Increased advertising of parks events – via web site, cable channel 4/6 – posters, news releases, more complete summer pamphlets. Is this doable?
· Mike Long – City grant writer – Is it possible to get a grant to improve on Casey Skate Park? Bill Jacobs suggested the City involve New Visions Student Government and Mr. Plume to assist in this potential. Involving corporate sponsors as well.
· Soap Box Derby Essay – Commission recommends retired teachers to select the winner – Donna Johnson #253-2991 – Helen Gower of Hamilton Ave (to be asked) – Mark Locastro is also asking his father to volunteer (answer pending).
Next meeting: December 1st at Hoopes Park at 4:30 p.m.
Meeting Adjourned at a record breaking 6:10 pm
Connie Laxton, Secretary
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