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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_09_26 Recreation Commission Minutes TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 26, 2023 PRESENT: James Druker, Chairman Graham Gutter Darren Moss William Paonessa Susan Sigel EXCUSED: Brian Welsh ALSO PRESENT: Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation Jeffery King, Town Board Liaison Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Eileen Puleo, Commission Secretary CALL TO ORDER: The meeting held at the Senior Center; 1288 Boston Post Road was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Druker. ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES: On a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2023, July 11, 2023, and August 8, 2023, were unanimously approved as submitted. TOWN BOARD LIAISON UPDATE: Mr. Jeffery King, Town Board Liaison updated the Commission on the hiring of an engineer to perform a study on the Carpino-Steffens Fields. This study should provide additional information on the borings, since the current information from Woodward and Curran seems to be insufficient. The Town of Mamaroneck is also going to pay additional fees to do a geo-technical study. Fields For Kids have been notified that we are doing our due diligence on the field study. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE: Ms. Fisher reported the following: 1 . The fall facility requests for use of the Carpino-Steffens Fields by Ms. Bari Suman and Mr. Simon McCarthy were approved as requested. 2. Registration for most fall programs began on August 21st. The Recreation brochure is available online, and we will also continue to send out monthly newsletters. 3. Copies of upcoming events at the Senior Center was enclosed for review. 4. Registration for Session 1 of Skating School was held on September 18th Current registration for Session 1 is at 174. Enrollment in 2022 for Session 1 was 177. 5. The ice rink hosted a Learn to Skate Open House on Sunday, September 17th This was very well attended with 60 — 70 in attendance. 6. The Freestyle Skating Program began on September 10th with an enrollment of 5. Enrollment last year was 15. The new Wednesday afternoon session has an enrollment of 7. Enrollment last year was 10. The enrollment numbers for this program are very low compared to previous years. We will need to keep an eye on this program, and if numbers don't improve, we may need to give up some ice time for this program. With these numbers, the program is running at a loss. 7. A copy of the October Public Session rink calendar is enclosed for your information. Daily public skating sessions will begin on Saturday, October 1st Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 26, 2023 - Page 2 SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE CONTINUED: 8. All fall swim lessons will begin the first week of October, and are fully enrolled as follows: Swim Lessons: 74 Dolphins: 40 Aqua Jog/Zumba: 11 Lifeguarding: 3 B Water Triathlon: 8 Adult Swim Lessons: 10 9. The Recreation House Hockey program begins November 7th. We will be hosting Learn to Play Hockey Clinics with the New York Rangers from September 9th — November 18th and December 2nd — February 24th 10. Fall tennis programs began the week of September 9th 11.We held our last Movie in the Park this season with a showing of "Tooth Fairy", which took place on September 8th 12.The fall session of Kayaking ended on October 1st. The kayaks will be stored for the winter season. 13.Our Annual Fall Food Truck Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 30th 14.The Senior Center will be hosting events during Crime Prevention Month in October. A program flyer was enclosed for review. 15.The Senior Center will be the host site for a free collaborative community class on reducing food waste. A program flyer was enclosed for review. 16.The annual maintenance to the fields was completed on August 17th by Landtek, and the fields reopened for play on September 5th 17.The outdoor pool is being checked for any leaks before closing for the season. 18.Public Wi-Fi and security cameras were installed at Memorial Park at the end of August. 19.A ribbon cutting ceremony held by Fields For Kids was held on Saturday, September 9th for the new Hommocks outdoor play space. 20.On September 5th — 7th Memorial Park Tennis Courts had some patch repair work done to the courts. These are temporary patches to help maintain the court's safety. 21.The ice rink concessionaire, John DeMairo is behind on his monthly rent payments. Mr. DeMairo has been contacted and legal counsel has been informed. Ms. Fisher will keep the Commission updated on this matter. 22.Enclosed was a copy of Chapter 148 of Local Law No. 7-2023 of the Town Code that prohibits smoking in parks and fields in the Town of Mamaroneck. 23.A landscape designer was hired to assist with the completion of the landscaping at Memorial Park. The plantings will take place in the spring. 24.On September 13th, we received a grant of approximately $275,000 which will cover the cost of the design and development stage for renovating the Hommocks Outdoor Complex. 25.Ms. Fisher made some staff announcements. Stephanie Hart-Lobo, Senior Center Director will be going on maternity leave at the end of October. Michelle lannarelli, Office Assistant will be retiring in early November, and Kathy Flynn, Recreation Assistant, Senior Center will be retiring at the end of January. 26.Ms. Fisher enclosed a photo of the Carpino-Steffens field. This photo was to reference the condition of the fields and to show that the fields are overused and not in good shape. When these fields were built, it was for game play only, as they are sand based fields, and not soil. The Hommocks Middle School uses the fields 4 days a week during the school day. The fields are closed on Wednesday for cutting, maintenance, and rest. The Hommocks PTA expressed their concerns that the fields should be open every day as they use them for gym classes. Ms. Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Supervisor will respond to the Hommocks PTA. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 26, 2023 - Page 3 REVIEW OF 2023 SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS: Vicky Laoutaris, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation presented to the Commission the 2023 camp season overview. Hommocks Camp and Camp Rockingstone had a successful summer. Both camps enjoyed many activities and visits from both the local Fire Department and Police Department. Camp Director, TJ Ostruzka has announced that this is his last year with us at Hommocks Camp. Charles Schiller, Teen Travel Camp Director was new to our camp this year and did a great job. Parents really liked the two 2-week sessions for Teen Travel Camp. 2024 RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET: Ms. Fisher reviewed the Proposed 2024 Recreation Department Budget. This is just the preliminary budget; it still needs to be presented to the Town Board for approval. New to our budget this year is the Senior Center's budget. The 2024 Department Goals were reviewed: Memorial Park 1. Host more Town-wide group events held at the park. 2. Expand the Tennis/Pickleball program offerings and increase participation. 3. Continue to increase the sale of memberships and use of the courts. 4. Plan to resurface, and possibly expand the courts. Adult Recreation 1. Continue to increase participation numbers and offer a variety for adult programming. Ice Rink 1. Replace non-working air conditioning and heat unit in the rink lobby and office. 2. Increase birthday party reservations. 3. Continue to increase enrollment of all programs and public sessions. 4. Repave the Hommocks parking lot. 5. Continue to increase summer sport court rentals. 6. Continue to increase ice rentals during the spring season. 7. Make repairs to the floor in the Skate Rental Room. Pool 1. Increase annual pool membership sales and revenue opportunities. 2. Expand and improve the outdoor pool complex, and aquatic features. 3. Increase the program offerings for adults. 4. Increase our lifeguard and swim instructor personnel. Youth Programs 1. Continue to increase participation numbers in all youth programs. 2. Provide new program offerings. 3. Increase enrollment numbers in the day camps. 4. Provide the Teen Travel program again this summer. Senior Center/Programs 1. To be a focal point in the community that is a source of information, community education, advocacy, and opportunities for older adults. 2. To provide a broad range of group and individual activities, and services that respond to the needs and interests of older adults in the community. 3. Enhance the quality of life of local seniors through recreational and nutritional services. 4. Complete renovations of front porch, hallways, and Yellow Room. 5. Make adjustments to the parking lot. 6. Increase participation in the Congregate and Home Delivery Meal programs. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 26, 2023 - Page 4 2024 RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET CONTINUED: 7. Continue to create new collaborative programs with local groups, associations, institutions, and not for profits with the prime purpose of assisting to help identify those in need and provide information about the services provided. 8. Enhance volunteer recruitment, retention numbers, and strategies for meals on wheels services. 9. Continue to improve the exterior landscaping around the Senior Center building. The 2023 Recreation Accomplishments were reviewed: Memorial Park 1. Increased the number of Tennis Memberships sold. 2. Provided outdoor programming events including four summer concerts, three movie nights, the spring 5K and Lil' Bunny Run and Fall Food Truck Festival. 3. Completed renovations of the playgrounds within the park. 4. Had the largest enrollment yet for the 5K and Lil' Bunny Hop. 5. Increased tennis program offerings to provide both youth and adult tennis lessons. 6. Added pickleball court lines under the tunnel. 7. Installed a sprinkler system to care for the new landscaping around the playground area. 8. Patched and repaired the tennis courts. 9. Installed cameras within the park and playground area for security. 10.Hosted numerous youth programs on the grass lawn at the park. Ice Rink 1. Added additional ice rental revenue by securing "off peak" agreements with new organizations. 2. Increased revenue with additional programs such as Stick Time, additional Freestyle times and Skating Camps. 3. Resumed our birthday parties, for the first time since 2020. 4. Increased enrollment in all programs. 5. Created a new Pond Hockey League with great success in its first year. 6. Recruited and filled a new full-time position -Assistant General Manager. 7. Made exterior landscaping improvements around the front entrance to the rink. 8. Installed new exterior doors. Pool 1. Hosted three day camps this summer (Flint Park Camp, Co-op Camp, and Hommocks Camp). 2. Had three individuals that successfully completed the Lifeguard Certification Employee incentive program. 3. Repaired 2 leaks in the training pool. 4. Hired and maintained a full staff of lifeguards for the summer season. 5. Certified 20 lifeguards throughout the year. General Recreation 1. Designed and published the Fall/Winter Recreation Department Brochure in-house. Youth Programs 1. Added a variety of new programs during the year. 2. Had increased enrollments in many of our youth programs. 3. Successfully operated (2) day camp programs and resumed the Teen Travel Camp. Adult Programs 1. Added new fitness programs and offered a variety of programs during the year. Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 26, 2023 - Page 5 2024 RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET CONTINUED: Senior Center/Programs 1 . Completed parking lot renovation project while continuing to offer senior services. 2. Provided a variety of social, educational, recreational programs, and monthly special events. 3. Enhanced access to the Bocce Court and installed benches for seating. 4. Increased attendance of Senior Center programs. 5. Increased enrollment in Senior Center membership by 47 people. 6. Increased marketing of Senior Center programs and created a partnership with local businesses through the Senior Services Fair Event. 7. Established an information area with flyers, calendars, and photos to promote Senior Center activities. 8. Continued to promote a healthy aging initiative by offering physical, emotional, and educational programs. 9. Increased the number of trips taken each month and started going to new destinations. 10.Resumed medical transportation services. 11 .Received a financial donation from Larchmont Ave. Church for outstanding efforts in maintaining the meal program for homebound seniors. 12.Home Delivery Meal (HDM) fulfilled 100% of its meal deliveries with several dedicated community volunteers without any service disruptions. 13.Delivered 3,159 meals to twenty-one frail, homebound seniors as of September 2023. 14.Received 100% senior satisfaction survey with Home Delivery Program, and food vendor (Horizon Food). ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, on a motion by Chairman Druker, seconded by Commissioner Paonessa, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.