PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Frazier called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Frazier, Ms. Green and Mr. Pawlowski were present. Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Boetcher, and Ms. Sanders were absent. Others present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carr and Stacey Bashore.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 28 REGULAR MEETING. Ms. Green moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Pawlowski. Mr. Frazier, Ms. Green, and Mr. Pawlowski voted to approve. Motion carried 3-0.

3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Carr stated he initially expressed concern with a Senior Property Tax Levy having a negative impact on any future Joint Park District levies, but with the small amount that they are on the ballot for his concerns are much less.

Mr. Pawlowski stated he had been hearing comments about multiple age playgrounds being removed and not being replaced. Mr. Carr stated he would agree that there is a need for additional equipment for the 5-12 age group when the opportunity presents itself as far as funding. He further stated that it may be a good project to apply for another Nature Works grant.

4. PARK DEVELOPMENT / IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

A. Community Pool – Mr. Carr stated there will be a $39,000 carryover balance from the pool and Finance Committee moved on to Council for approval of $52,000 for fall improvement projects. Ms Green asked if the previous owners of the pool would be part of it for next year and Mr. Carr stated they were on a limited consulting contract and those hours will be exhausted from this season. He stated that we have learned a lot this season and we know what questions to ask and will be having a community pool roundtable to ask what other cities are doing with their pools. Mr. Carr stated we are looking into concessions and whether or not to keep it in house or contract it out. Ms Green requested a report of what comes out of the meetings and discussions on the pool. She also requested that it be looked into whether City residents could have some one day opportunities to go to the pool. Mr. Frazier asked if the concession stand made money this year and Mr. Carr stated he didn't have the final numbers on it, but it hasn't been that profitable.

B. Simsbury Disc Golf Course – Mr. Carr reported that we are planning on seeding in mid-September.

C. Victory Park Playground Improvements – Mr. Carr stated we will be ordering two pieces of equipment later this week that will cover ages 2-12. He stated that we hope to have project completed by late summer or early fall.

D. Community Gardens – Mr. Carr stated that this project is scheduled for the fall with the gravel entrance and small parking lot being completed.

5. RECREATION AND EVENTS- Mr. Carr stated the Fall Program Guides were mailed last Friday and we started registration for City residents today.

6. JOINT PARK DISTRICT – Discussion Mr. Carr stated there is an Income Tax issue on the ballot for November and if that passes we would need to start discussing the Joint Park District in January. Mr. Pawlowski stated he was not sure of how much the Board could do on it because there needs to be some background work done first on the administrative level. Mr. Carr stated he could talk to Mrs. Sanders as far as what the role of this Board would be and we would have to get all three of the entities to pass resolutions to get it to the ballot. Ms Green asked if there would be any additional money for the Parks Department if the Income Tax Levy passes and Mr. Carr stated it would be incremental and make more projects fundable. Ms Green asked what the next step would be to start the process of a Joint Parks District and Mr. Carr stated a survey had been completed and people said they wanted a community center but didn't necessarily want to pay for it. Mr. Carr stated he would speak with Mrs. Sanders as Council liaison on the exploration of a Joint Parks District and have conversations with the other entities.

7. OTHER BUSINESS - None

8. ADJOURNMENT. Ms. Green move to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Pawlowski. Roll call was taken with Ms Green, Mr. Frazier and Mr. Pawlowski voting "AYE". The Parks and Recreation Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m. on August 25, 2008.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:

____________________________

Stacey L. Bashore, Deputy Municipal Clerk

Attest:

Stephen A. Carr, Director