HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_12_14 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2021
PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman
Graham Gutter
William Paonessa
Rita Plansky
Terry Rainaldi
Susan Sigel
Brian Welsh
ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation
Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation
Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Board Liaison
Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary
Anthony Zavaglia, Fields for Kids
Heather Mahland, Fields for Kids
Alison Tarrant, Fields for Kids
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting held at the Senior Center, 1288 Boston Post Road was called to order at
7:15 P.M. by Chairman Druker.
ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES:
On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Rainaldi, the Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2021 were unanimously approved as amended.
FIELDS FOR KIDS PRESENTATION AND REQUEST FOR SURVEY:
Mr. Anthony Zavaglia, Ms. Heather Mahland, and Ms. Alison Tarrant representing Fields
for Kids, made a presentation to the Recreation Commission outlining their desire to
conduct a community wide Master Plan survey with the ultimate goal of finding
additional field space. Part of the Master Plan would include adding a regulation size
outdoor track. It is their belief that this can be accomplished by looking at the school
district and the tri-municipal communities as a whole. The process would include
assessing the spaces, identifying what project would best work at that location and then
putting resources toward it.
One of their first areas of interest would be looking at the Carpino-Steffens Fields, Alma
Field and the back parking lot of the Hommocks Middle School. Fields for Kids would
like to see if it is possible to redesign this space in order to create more fields within the
community. Fields for Kids would pay for a survey and would also raise the funds
necessary for any modifications and changes required. The ongoing maintenance of
these areas has not yet been considered.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Chairman Druker, seconded by
Commissioner Sigel, endorsing Fields for Kids to proceed with conducting a survey of
these areas at their cost. All in favor.
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE:
Ms. Fisher reported the following:
1 . The fall session of the Recreation House Hockey program has an enrollment of
90. Last year at this time we had 93 enrolled.
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2021 — Page 2
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED:
2. Session 2 of skating school will conclude on December 19th with 288 participants.
Session 3 of skating school registration begins on December 27tn
3. The December Recreation Newsletter is enclosed for your information.
4. Many fall programs are concluding within the next week. The winter session of
programs will begin in January.
5. Our 2021 tennis programs had a total enrollment of 441 participants. In 2019, we
had a total enrollment of 517 participants. No lessons were offered in 2020.
6. The General Admission revenue at the ice rink for the Thanksgiving weekend
totaled $16,680.
7. The November, 2021 Rink General Admission attendance numbers was
enclosed for your information.
8. The Carpino-Steffens Fields were aerated, seeded, and fertilized on November
23rd. The fields will be closed until April 2022.
9. A few of the "Letters to Santa" received were shared.
10.The ice rink has been decorated for the season. Rob, David, and Michelle did an
incredible job decorating the facility.
11 .The recycled lumber has been delivered to the ice rink for the locker room
benches. The temporary benches will be replaced with the permanent black
recycled lumber as time permits.
12.We have begun selling pool and rink permits. Now that permits have been re-
established, we would like to put Monday nights back into the public swim
schedule at the pool. Currently, Badger has been given this space and time
since we were not using it. We are currently in discussions with Badger to share
the space with them until the end of the school year. We are currently sharing
the pool with Badger on Wednesday evenings with no issues.
13.A report outlining the Monday afternoon public ice rink attendance numbers of
2018 — 2020 was enclosed for review. The Monday 12.30 — 2:30pm session
does have low attendance numbers but it is a tough time of the day when most
people are not available. As of now, it has been decided to continue with the
public session. Ms. Sigel suggested a Mommy & Me Skate program be offered
during this time to attract some additional skaters. Ms. Fisher will look into this
suggestion.
14.The new Zamboni is scheduled to be delivered within the next few weeks. The
current Zamboni will become the backup and the current backup Zamboni will go
up for auction.
15.The sale of pool & rink permits will resume on December 7th. With permits being
reinstituted, all pool programs will require a pool permit for registration. This has
not been well received by all users but it is necessary to help support the pool
revenue.
16. Interviews for the Ice Rink General Manager position were held the week of
November 22nd. There were 11 applicants for the position, 5 applicants met the
qualifications for an interview. One applicant was brought back for a second
interview but unfortunately, he withdrew his interest in the position and decided to
remain at his current job. We will need to start the process all over again.
17.There is no update at this time on the Memorial Park playground renovation. The
architect firm has our latest design suggestions. Ms. Fisher will invite them to
review it with the Commission when completed.
18.Two proposals were received for the Operation of Food and Refreshment
Concession Services at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink/Outdoor Pool Complex.
After thorough review of both applicants and checking references, Strada Foods
has been recommended to the Town Board for authorization. After approval,
Strada Foods states they can be up and running in approximately three weeks.
Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2021 — Page 3
SKATING SCHOOL REFUND POLICY:
With Skating School registration starting only one week in advance of a new session,
the current department refund policy is not applicable for Skating School. Due to the
limited time frame for registering, we are recommending that there are no refunds
granted for Skating School unless a doctor's note is provided. This is similar to what
other rinks are doing. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Welsh,
seconded by Chairman Druker. All in favor.
ICE BREAKER TOURNAMENT 2022 — START TIME AND ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES:
The Ice Breaker Tournament committee has asked Ms. Elkind Eney, Town Board
Liaison to bring to the Commission a new start time for the Sunday tournament. The Ice
Breaker would like to start at 12:15pm instead of 12:30pm. Ms. Elkind Eney also
requested that the Sunday start time be a permanent change, so that in future years we
would not need to have further discussions on this. Superintendent Fisher stated that in
order to allow this we would need to cancel the Sunday public session time.
Ms. Elkind Eney has also asked the Commission for approval to allow beer to be made
available by the Tournament committee and its players during the tournament. After
further discussion, a motion was made by Chairman Druker, seconded by
Commissioner Gutter for the 12:15pm start time on Sunday on a permanent basis for
their event and that beer is allowable during the Ice Breaker Tournament. All in favor.
2022 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DATES:
On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Rainaldi, the
Commission unanimously adopted the following meeting dates for 2022:
January 11 th
February 8th
March 8th
April 19th
May 10th
June 14th
July 12th
August 9th
September 28th — Joint Sept./Oct. Budget Meeting
(Wednesday)
November 8th
December 13th*
* At the Hommocks Park Ice Rink
All meetings will begin at 7:00 P.M. at the Senior Center, 1288 Boston Post Road in
Larchmont, except where noted.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by
Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the meeting was adjourned at
8:50 P.M.