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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_02_02 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2021 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Graham Gutter William Paonessa Rita Plansky Terry Rainaldi Susan Sigel Brian Welsh ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Rob Lunde, Ice Rink Manager Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Board Liaison Vicky Laoutaris, Recreation Supervisor Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary CALL TO ORDER: The meeting held via Zoom was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Druker. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBER: Ms. Fisher introduced new Commission Member, Mr. Graham Gutter. The Commission welcomed Mr. Gutter to the Recreation Commission. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Meeting Minutes of December 16, 2020 were unanimously approved as amended. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1 . The winter session of programs are currently underway. A list of all program offerings with current enrollment numbers are enclosed for review. 2. The Rye Figure Skating Program is not renting ice at this time due to low enrollment numbers. 3. Registration for spring programs will begin on Tuesday, February 16th. Fliers for spring programs are enclosed. 4. The fall session of Recreation House Hockey concludes on February 6th. This program had an enrollment of 84. The spring session is scheduled to begin on February 9th with 85 currently enrolled. 5. Enclosed for review is a report on the Hommocks Pool public swim attendance numbers from October 27th — January 28tn 6. We are planning on offering a modified camp program this summer. The Westchester County Health Department has stated that summer camps are permitted to operate under several new guidelines, and regulations. Protocols will include limits on capacity, the creation of camper/staff pods, enforcing screening protocols, and mask wearing. 7. We have been informed by the School District that Central School will be provided as the site for Camp Rockingstone program this summer. The Teen Travel Camp will not be offered this summer due to COVID-19 restrictions. 8. Current photos of the ice rink locker room renovations are enclosed for review. The estimated date of completion is early March. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2021 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 9. On Friday, January 22nd, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, announced high-risk high school sports can proceed starting February 1st. Mamaroneck High School Hockey will resume, and will be renting ice thru mid-March. We have shared our facility protocols with the school district, and they will be sharing their protocols with us. 10.The following Capital Projects for 2021 have been approved: Renovations to Memorial Park Playground, and the purchase of a new Zamboni. Ms. Fisher will continue working with Town Engineer, Robert Wasp to re-initiate the park project. Mr. Lunde will follow up on current pricing for the new Zamboni. 11 .The installation of the solar panels on the Hommocks Park Ice Rink roof is scheduled to begin in the next four to six weeks. 12.Maria Gallagher, Assistant Superintendent is now officially retired. The Recreation staff will share in Ms. Gallagher's current program responsibilities. 13.We are waiting on the final invoices for the ice rink compressor replacement project. Upon receipt, the insurance company will provide a final determination of what is being covered. Ms. Fisher will update the Commission when those final numbers are available. 14.Steve Altieri, Town Administrator is retiring at the end of March after 38 years of service. Recruitment is underway for Mr. Altieri's replacement. I am hopeful that the next Administrator also has the understanding of the importance and value that recreation plays in the community. SPRING ICE RENTAL RATE: Chairman Druker, stated that he received a phone call from Mr. Brendon Collins, President of Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association requesting a discount for the spring ice rental rates. Mr. Collins pointed out that they spend over $300,000 a year on ice rental fees as one of the main users of the rink, and would like a discount for the spring. Mr. Collins stated that a lot of parents are currently hurting financially. Mr. Lunde, Rink Manager has discounted a limited number of hours for Mamaroneck Youth Hockey spring ice rental fees in the past. Mr. Lunde informed the Commission that this season there are limited sources of revenue coming into the rink. There is still no public skating, skating school or freestyle time. The Town is planning on continuing its house hockey program up until June. Mr. Lunde has been given discretion in discounting spring ice rates in the past and has done so on a limited basis. Mr. Lunde has proposed discounting the spring ice rental fee by $100 for this season. This would reduce the spring fee to $425 an hour. After further discussion, Chairman Druker made a motion to discount the spring ice rental fee to $450 per hour for all ice rentals for the spring season which runs April 1 st through June. All in favor. Commissioner Sigel expressed her disappointment with the lack of other programs such as the figure skating program not taking place at the ice rink. Mr. Lunde explained that due to the fact that we did not have ice time for the figure skating program at the beginning of the season that skaters, and instructors made commitments at other facilities. We hosted a cooperative program with the Rye Figure Skating Club for freestyle time but due to lack of interest, and low enrollment they will not be continuing to rent ice from us. Mr. Lunde stated that since there is more availability of ice time in the spring, and we can now charge a lower spring ice rental rate, we are planning on offering our own Freestyle ice skating program for the spring season. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2021 CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE: Chairman Druker, stated that he has been asked by Mrs. Nancy Seligson, Town Supervisor to join the Long-Range Planning Committee for the Town. Chairman Druker informed the Commission that Mr. Ralph Engle has reached out to him with a suggestion to build a playground on the field across the street from Memorial Park. Mr. Engle feels this is a beautiful piece of grass that is being underutilized. Chairman Druker asked the Commission to take a look at this space and envision whether a children's playground would be suitable for this site. 2021 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DATES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Plansky, the Commission unanimously adopted the following meeting dates for 2021 : March 9th April 6th May 11th June 8th July 13th August 10th September 14th October 12th November 9th December 7th* * At the Hommocks Park Ice Rink. All meetings will begin at 7:15 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 Sigel, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M.