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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_12_12 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 12, 2023 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Graham Gutter William Paonessa Susan Sigel Brian Welsh EXCUSED: Darren Moss Jeffery King, Town Board Liaison ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Supervisor Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary Joyce Mackler, Commission Secretary CALL TO ORDER: The meeting held at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink Community Room, 140 Hommocks Road, was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by Chairman Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Welsh, the Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2023, were unanimously approved as amended. RESUME TABLED DISCUSSION TO ALLOW USE OF THE CARPINO-STEFFENS FIELDS THIS WINTER: Ms. Fisher reviewed the enclosed response letter as requested from Landtek expressing their opinion and concerns for field use over the winter months. They continue to strongly discourage the use of natural grass athletic fields when the grass is dormant. Use during this time would contribute to high wear areas, and bare soil, creating an unsafe playing condition. Extended time would be required to bring the turf back to good condition. Hommocks Middle School students, Oliver Berman, and Bryce Bernstein, presented to the Commission their request for use of the Carpino-Steffens fields during the winter months. Also in attendance was Mrs. Wendy Sayles, PTA member. A copy of their presentation and a signed petition was distributed to Commission members as they presented their request. As quoted from the National Institute of Health, "students need at least sixty minutes of exercise a day". They provided a few reasons as to why they would like to use the fields, including benefits such as providing for a more organized recess, lowering injuries, the fact that the basketball courts are too crowded, and the fields could offer more activities. There is a student body of approximately 1 ,500 students who estimate that half of the students would opt to go outside for recess. The students also asked if they could raise money to help with any additional maintenance costs. Chairman Druker thanked the students for their presentation and stated that a solution may be forthcoming with the addition of one turf field in the future. Chairman Druker stated he believes that allowing use in the winter will hurt the fields for the spring season and is voting against the fields being used during the winter months. Commissioner Welsh requested a call be made to Landtek asking if there is any way that the fields can be used in some capacity such as rotating the fields, using for limited Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes December 12, 2023 — Page 2 hours, or a limited number of days. Ms. Fisher stated she would contact Landtek again for feedback on these different scenarios for winter field usage and will report back. REQUEST FROM MAMARONECK HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY HOCKEY TEAM TO WAIVE ADMISSION FEE: Several members of the Mamaroneck High School Varsity Hockey Team, along with Coach Michael Chiapparelli, and Kristin Rainaldi, Coordinator of Student Life, attended the meeting to request the Recreation Commission to waive the admission fee of $4.00 for Mamaroneck students for their home varsity hockey games. Captains, C.J. Soropoulus, and Jonathan Dobkin presented their reasoning by stating that there is no charge for students to attend other varsity sport home games. They also feel more students would attend the game if there was no fee. Chairman Druker stated that the games used to be on Saturday nights, and questioned if games being on Friday evenings may have impacted attendance. Ms. Fisher reviewed the enclosed Revenue to Expense Report related to hosting a Varsity hockey game and explained that the admission fees collected help offset the Town's additional expenses for hosting high school hockey games. These costs include two cashiers, two skate guards, and a police officer. Ms. Fisher explained that hosting a hockey game which is open to the public is very different than a typical ice rental for practice time which only requires one manager to be on duty. Ms. Rainaldi mentioned that the school does provide school advisors to monitor and supervise the students. Commissioner Welsh suggested that we consider charging more for ice time rented for game slots or see if the school district would split the staffing costs with the Town. Ms. Fisher will be speaking with Bari Suman, Mamaroneck High School Athletic Director, about the possibility of the school assisting with the associated staffing costs for games. After further discussion, on a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Commission unanimously approved the elimination of the admission fee for Mamaroneck High School students with their school ID for regular season varsity hockey games. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1 . As of December 5th, we have 168 children registered in the Recreation House Hockey program. Last year at this time we had an enrollment of 133. 2. Session 2 of Skating School will conclude on December 18th with a total enrollment of 318 participants. In 2022, enrollment was 303. Session 3 registration began on December 11th, which includes the new Aspire level class. We are also promoting the new Guest Coach opportunity for Freestyle skating sessions. 3. Enclosed is a copy of the December newsletter highlighting our upcoming programs. 4. Many fall programs are concluding within the next week or two. We were very happy with our registration numbers. Our winter classes will begin in January. The final 2023 Revenue and Expense Reports will be shared once the books are officially closed. 5. Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, we had a nice crowd at the ice rink. The total number of admissions was 1 ,670 with revenue of$21 ,434. Last year, we had a total of 1 ,456 admissions and revenue of $19,468. 6. Enclosed is a copy of the November 2023 Rink General Admission attendance numbers. 7. On Saturday, December 9th, we hosted Breakfast with Santa and Skate with Santa. Photos are enclosed. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes December 12, 2023 — Page 3 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 8. The Carpino-Steffens Fields were seeded and fertilized at the end of November. The fields are now closed until April 1st, weather permitting. As soon as the final maintenance invoices are received, a copy of the invoices will be sent out to the Mamaroneck School District, Larchmont Jr. Soccer League, and Larchmont Youth Lacrosse for reimbursement for their share of the field maintenance cost. 9. The ice rink has been decorated for the season, and the snowflakes have been hung along the rink's pathway. Matt, Patrick, David, Michelle, and the entire rink staff did an incredible job decorating the facility. 10.We recently hired Joyce Mackler, our New Senior Office Assistant, to replace Michelle lannarelli who retired on November 9th. We want to welcome Joyce. 11.Stephanie Hart-Lobo, Senior Center Director had a baby girl, Amelia Rose, on November 19th. Stephanie is currently out on maternity leave. 12.Due to the favorable weather in November, we were able to keep the courts open for most of November. The courts are now closed for the season, and the park building has been winterized. 13.We have received notification that we have officially received the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) grant award of$250,000 for the outdoor pool renovation design costs. Town Engineer, Robert Wasp has reached out to Weston and Sampson to update their proposal for design services, originally submitted in 2022. Their proposal is due back in mid-December. We will continue to keep you updated on this exciting new proposed project. JAINE ELKIND ENEY, TOWN SUPERVISOR UPDATE: Supervisor Eney updated the Commission that the Town Board will be presenting the Preliminary 2024 Town budget at the December 20th Town Board Meeting. The Comprehensive Plan results should be finalized after the new year. The Waverly Street bridge is now closed, and traffic is being diverted with the help of the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department. 2024 RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DATES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Sigel, the Commission unanimously adopted the following meeting dates for 2024: January 16th February 6th March 12th April 9th May 14th June 11th July 9tn August 6th October 1st — Joint Sept./Oct. Budget Meeting November 12th December 10th** ** 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 Sigel, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.