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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-09 - Parks and Rec Advisory Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 938 KING STREET RYE BROOK,New York 10573 December 9,2014 Convene Meeting: Parks and Recreation Advisory Council Chairman Jamie Schutzer called the meeting to order at 8:25pm. The following Members of the Parks&Recreation Advisory Council were present: Advisory Council Members: Chairman Jamie Schutzer, Frank Carbone,Brian Funtleyder, Scott Tillson,Adam Zahl Absent Parks&Recreation Advisory Council Members: Adam Berman, Christopher Dutra,Traci Erenfryd, Steve Ketchabaw Recreation Department Members: Robert Bertolacci,Parks and Recreation Superintendent Carmella Swick, Sr. Office Assistant I. Minutes: a. Approve November 4,2014 Minutes The November 4, 2014 Minutes were tabled to the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. IL Public View Points: Chairman Schutzer said that the Christmas tree and the Menorah Lighting Ceremony looked great, a very nice touch for the Village. Committee Member Zahl said having been there it was a nice event with a great turnout despite the weather. Chairman Schutzer that maybe next year we schedule an alternate date in case of inclement weather. Committee Member Zahl said that Friday night is the Sabbath and is a religious night for some people,perhaps we schedule another night instead of Friday. Superintendent Bertolacci said we would schedule another night other than Friday night for next year. Committee Member Funtleyder said there was mixed reviews on the zero tolerance. Superintendent Bertolacci said the parents don't want to read it. Committee Member Funtleyder said the report shows the 10 bullet points which could be discussed with your child. There is also a lot of positive feedback on the zero tolerance. The main part of the zero tolerance is good sportsmanship, don't yell,and don't curse. III. Superintendent's Report: a. Holiday Ceremony Re-Cap: Superintendent Bertolacci said there were about 200 people that came to the ceremony on Friday night. We lit up the tree and the Menorah; the Blind Brook High School choir 1168377.1 sang some Christmas and Hanukkah songs, and free hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Santa Claus arrived at Pine Ridge Park in the Rye brook Fire Truck accompanied by two elves. Chairman Schutzer suggested having a toy drive in connection with the holiday ceremony. People commented that it was a good idea and good to see more events to build community spirit. Chairman Schutzer suggested making the basketball court into an ice rink and there could be ice skating after the ceremony. Superintendent Bertolacci said he is going over to Kensico Dam to see their Winter Wonderland that they do outside. b. Winter Programs: Superintendent Bertolacci said we are offering an art program for kids in kindergarten through 10th grade. The program will be broken down kindergarten, I" grade, 2"d grade through 5b grade, and middle school. I am really not expecting much of a turnout for older kids for that type of a program. Chairman Schutzer asked if we ran into any issues with the PTA getting out our winter programs. We may have some issues about taking some of their programs on with our winter programs. If that happens we will deal with it then. Superintendent Bertolacci said we are also offering building a model airplane and helicopter. This program will be offered to the elementary school age, At the end of the class the kids will fly their model. Hobby Quest is the company offering the program. Committee Member Tillison suggested a theater class for young kids. Superintendent Bertolacci said we have had that program in the past. There is the Council for the Arts in Port Chester that does a nice program and we can approach them. Committee Member Carbone asked if we were going to offer the Friday open gym nights. Superintendent Bertolacci said once basketball gets underway, we will try and find some gym space for that program. Superintendent Bertolacci reported that we will be hosting 2 basketball camps in the summer with Novak and Hardaway. The Hardaway Camp will be the week of June 291' and the Novak Camp will be the week of July 20tlh. The basketball camps will be on the Board Agenda for approval next Monday. Superintendent Bertolacci said we have tickets for sale for the Westchester Knicks game at the County Center on January 24h. We will be selling them on a first come first served. The kids in our basketball league will get to play on the court for I V2hours. The ticket will cost$14.00 each. Superintendent Bertolacci said he is looking into having the Carnival again sometime in April or May of 2015. IV.Baseball Sub-Committee Report-Scott Tillson: Committee Member Tillison said the baseball committee came up with a few items that were discussed: As far as numbers go from last year,this year we can expect: Major League Boys: Approximately 60 participants if everyone comes back, 5th & 6h grade boys and eligible 7th graders. It breaks down to 9 eligible 71' graders, 26/61' graders and 31151i graders. 1168377.1 Minor League Boys: 57 participants for Minor League Boys. It breaks down to 37/4h graders and 20/3rd graders. Girls Major League: 58 participants. It breaks down to 14/7thgraders, 28/6th graders and 16/5'graders. The eligibility dates will change in the year 2018 which would eliminate some 13 year olds. It's getting to the point where it is going to become dangerous because these older kids are hammering the ball. Girls Major League: 58 participants for Girls Major League. It breaks down to 8/70' graders,21/6th graders,and 29/5 graders. Girls Minor League: 15 participants for Girls Minor League. It breaks down to 11/4t1' graders and 4/3d graders. Superintendent Bertolacci said we have to get the word out to Port Chester because they can play in our softball league. Port Chester doesn't have a softball league. Committee Member Carbone asked why the girls don't play baseball. There are 1/4 of the travel teams that have girls on their roster. Committee Member Funtleyder said the boys are too big and too strong and it gets dangerous. We would not discourage any girls that may want to play on a boys'team. Superintendent Bertolacci said the Minor and Major girls' need more participation from Port Chester which don't have a girls' softball program. Committee Member Tillison said he would like to start a spring training program in February which would include pitching especially for P and 4h graders because they are using the pitching machine. Maybe we can find a network of interested parent coaches and get started early in the season and also someone with some knowledge in softball to work with the girls. Superintendent Bertolacci said we may be able to get some local college kids to help out. Superintendent Bertolacci said we are getting a new generator and a different ball that won't get chewed up by the pitching machine. Chairman Schutzer said if you want a professional coach we used James from NY9 who came to our practices and he can oversee the coaches. Superintendent Bertolacci said if we charge a fee, maybe we can get the Pro Swing facility for one hour a week. Committee Member Tillison said he would run the training for the Major League and perhaps Andy Rogovic would ran the training for the Minors. V. Basketball Sub-Committee Report-Brian Funtleyder: Committee Member Funtleyder said there were no incidents this weekend and they are happy with the new basketball referees. We need to talk about the County Center Teams and how the participants will be picked, Superintendent Bertolacci said the first 5 players are voted in by the coaches and the remaining 5 players will be picked by the recreation staff. Committee Member Funtleyder asked who will be the coaches for the County Center Team. Superintendent Bertolacci said that whoever volunteers to coach in the basketball league could be a candidate to coach the County Center team. The rec staff will make the decision who will coach the County Center team. We will also see who the coaches are of 1168377.1 the kids that are on the County Center team. Parents whose kids aren't on the County Center team may or may not be interested in coaching. The practice schedules and game schedules are on line for all the grades. Chairman Schutzer said Kyle did a good job gathering all the outside basketball schedules before scheduling the rec games with little or no conflicts. Committee Member Carbone said he has seen some of the 8th and 9th grade basketball and the level of play is so different this year. The kids are actually playing basketball and not just running with the ball, and hogging the ball and shooting 3 pointers. They were actually playing organized basketball. VI.Grievance Sub-Committee Report-Adam Zahl: Committee Member Zahl said we are taking the Code of Conduct very serious. There were actually some parents who hadn't signed the form and were nervous and thought their kids were not able to play. Parents have indicated to me that they are taking the Code of conduct serious. The signature page can be e-mailed to the rec department. Superintendent Bertolacci said we should have had a place for a printed name because some of the signatures are not readable. VII. Playground Sub-Committee Report-Traci Erenfryd: Superintendent Bertolacci asked the council how we want to proceed with the playground for Pine Ridge Park. Do we want to pick a specific company and work with that company or do we want to talk about it and put it out to bid with our own ideas. Committee Member Funtleyder suggested that we pick a company and work with that company to design something and then put it out to bid. We need to have a discussion and then make a recommendation to the Village Board. Mayor Paul Rosenberg and Trustee Rednick were present at the meeting so they are aware of the concept. Committee Member Tillison suggested that we get a group of people and go on a field trip to Yorktown and let those kids play and see if they like that equipment. Superintendent Bertolacci said we need to have all the members of the council here at the next meeting and decide how we want to proceed with the playground. Superintendent Bertolacci suggested that we take a road trip and look at the company Miracle and Kompan. VIII. Old Business: There is no Old Business. IX. New Business: Chairman Schutzer said there is a rumor that Port Chester will not be using the lights at the Port Chester Middle School for Men's Softball. Superintendent Bertolacci said the question is if there are enough teams to warrant using the lights. Rye Brook is still paying for lights at the Port Chester Middle School. Superintendent Bertolacci said when registration goes out and if we don't get X number of teams, we will not be using the lights. Last year we had 8 Men's Softball teams and that was not enough to cover the lights. We need as least a minimum of 10 teams to use the lights. 1168377.1 Chairman Schutzer asked why these teams are not coming back. Committee Member Carbone said his team members don't want to pay$160 to pay softball. Another reason is younger guys are coming in and some of the other teams now have older players. Committee Member Tillison asked if we do have lights can we have some Little League games under the lights. Superintendent Bertolacci said we did have some games last year. Also, I spoke with the City of Rye, they don't have any lights, I am waiting for them to get back to me. The lights at the Middle School cost approximately$16,000 for the year. Superintendent Bertolacci said he will also talk to Heather at Port Chester to see if they will have a softball league. X. Adjournment: Chairman Schutzer asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting Committee Member Tillison made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Committee Member Funtleyder seconded the motion. All approved and the meeting adjourned at 9:45pm. The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be held on January 6, 2015 at 8:15pm. Minutes prepared by: Cannella Swick 1168377.1