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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
City of Norwalk
Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Council Committee
Regular Meeting
October 15, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chair; Steven Serasis, Richard McQuaid, Richard
Bonenfant, Amanda Brown (8:05 p.m.)
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Recreation and Parks Director
OTHERS: Laurel Lindstrom, Council Member; David Park; Atty. Peter
Nolan,
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
** MR. BONENFANT MOVED THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
** THE MOTION PASSED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 AS SUBMITTED.
* Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with Columbian American Family Entertainment, Inc. (C.A.F.E., Inc.) to hold their Annual Columbian Festival in Veteran’s Park to be held on Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Estimated attendance 3,000+.
** MR. SERASIS MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Bonenfant asked about an admission fee. Ms. Ruiz said that she wasn’t sure if the group was going to collect a gate fee. Mr. Bonenfant asked that the Committee be notified if C.A.F. E decides to collect a gate fee.
** THE MOTION PASSED WITH THREE IN FAVOR (SERASIS, BONENFANT, AND BONDI) AND ONE ABSTENTION (MCQUAID)
NEW BUSINESS
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the Greenwich Kennel Club Inc. for the use of Taylor Farm for the 77th Annual AKC All-Breed Dog Show to be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Set-up to begin Thursday, June 4, 2008 at 12:00 Noon with break down on Sunday, June 4, 2008 by 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 2,000.
** MR. SERASIS MOVED THE ITEM.
Ms. Brown joined the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Mr. Bonenfant stated for the record that he was a member of the Exchange Club and that the Exchange Club works with the Kennel Club. He said that the Kennel Club leaves the Park in good condition.
It was noted that the breakdown date should read June 9th rather than June 4th.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEM WITH A BREAKDOWN DATE OF JUNE 9TH:
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with the Greenwich Kennal Club Inc. for the use of Taylor Farm for the 77th Annual AKC All-Breed Dog Show to be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Set-up to begin Thursday, June 4, 2008 at 12:00 Noon with break down on Sunday, June 4, 2008 by 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 2,000.
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Approve the naming of the press box at Testa Field in honor of Norm Scully.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Allbretche said that Mr. Norman had done over 35 years of emceeing the various sports games, along with band functions for Norwalk High School, ended in 2001.
Mr. McQuaid said that for those who didn’t know Norman Scully, he stayed very active with Norwalk High School long after his children graduated from the school. Mr. Bondi said that it was important to honor people while they are still alive.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to enter into an agreement with First Student to utilize Andrews Field Parking starting November 1, 2008 – November 1, 2009 on Monday – Friday from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM to set up a static course for bus training purposes.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Moccia explained that the Laidlaw bus company used to do training at Calf Pasture and at Andrews Park for many years. More recently, the bus training was done off site, but now that First Student has the company, they would like to use Andrews Field again. Ms. Taylor gave a quick overview of the training needs and it was agreed that if there were any problems, she would contact Mr. Mocciae.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
A) Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to enter into an Amendment to the Mathews Park Lease Agreement with Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Inc. (Museum) to include the following Terms:
* Expand the boundaries of the Lease Premises to include area behind the existing old Police Headquarters as presented by the Museum in order to provide approximately 75 additional parking spaces, which includes 35 spaces that the City had agreed to provide as part of Amendment #1 executed in 2002.
* The Museum will be responsible for the construction and Maintenance of the additional parking area.
* The additional parking spaces will be available for all park users.
* The City reserves the right to relocate/reconstruct the additional parking area in the future at the City’s expense.
* The Museum agrees to explore options for green features and/or permeable parking.
B) Approve the Museum’s proposed building expansion plans as required in accordance with the Lease Agreement.
Mr. Bondi said that there had been several meetings with Stepping Stones and others about this issue. Mr. Mocciae said that an application had been submitted for 8-24 the previous evening.
Ms. Brown had several questions about the proposal. Atty. Nolan and the architect came forward and reviewed the details with Committee. A short discussion about removal of a fuel tank from the immediate area where the police station was followed.
Mr. Serasis had some questions regarding the location of a future unpaved road for the Mansion, which the architect reviewed with him.
Atty. Nolan explained that Zoning has not yet approved the finalized plans.
Mr. Bonenfant then said that he appreciated the response to his inquiries, and also the willingness to work with the City in the future. Atty. Nolan pointed out that permeable area is not practical for the area that will be used every day. Other areas that won’t be used on a daily basis or has to be plowed will be permeable.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion
Sweet Peas would like to adopt Bouton Street Park.
Mr. Mocciae briefly reviewed the request, indicated that Sweet Peas is directly across the street from the PARK and mentioned that Bouton Street has been recently cleaned up by one of the local churches. Mr. Bonenfant encouraged Mr. Ferguson to keep in touch with the other volunteer groups in an ongoing effort to keep the park clean.
Resident Stickers
Mr. Mocciae explained that the fee will help with income to the Department. Chairman Bondi said that he felt that it would be helpful for upkeep for the parks. He said that it would be a nominal fee and felt that the residents like the condition of the parks.
Ms. Brown said that the beaches were public and that she was opposed to this. Mr. Bondi explained that there had been situations where the stickers had been abused.
Mr. Mocciae pointed out that there was no other community along the shoreline that did not have a fee for beach stickers. Mr. Bondi pointed out that Westport charges $25.00 per year, while Norwalk would be charging $20.00 for two years. Discussion followed regarding some of the abuses and the wording of the proposal followed.
Mr. Mocciae then suggested that this item would be put on the agenda for Ordinance. Mr. Bondi said that the wording needed to be reworked before it went to Ordinance. Mr. Mocciae said that there were 44,000 stickers issued, which he believed about 10,000 could be fraudulent.
Stew’s will exercise option to extend the Term of Agreement for the 2009 Season through November 15, 2009.
Mr. Mocciae said that Stew Leonard’s lease for the concession was expiring. He then reviewed the benefits of having Stew’s as the concession lessee. It was generally agreed that having Stew’s at the beach would be a positive thing.
Mr. McQuaid then said that at the Seaport Association, the issue of moving the Seaport headquarters down to the beach was discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
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