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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-06 - 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 March 6, 2012 Convene Meeting: Chairman Marc Zimmerman called the meeting to order at 8:35pm The following Members of the Council were present: Advisory Council Members: Chairman Marc Zimmerman Committee Members Ken Frankel, Frank Carbone, Kevin O'Neil Brian Funtleyder, Jamie Schutter, Adam Berman, Glenn Brettschneider Absent Council Members: None Recreation Department Member: Robert Bertolacci, Parks &Recreation Superintendent Carmella Swick, Sr. Office Assistant Paul Rosenberg, Village of Rye Brook Trustee George Latimer, New York State Assemblyman I. Minutes: Chairman Zimmerman asked for a motion to accept the February 7, 2012 Minutes. Committee Member O'Neil made a motion to accept the February 7, 2012 Minutes and Committee Member Berman seconded the motion. The February 7, 2012 Minutes were approved and accepted, with Committee Member Jablon abstaining from voting. IT. Public View Points: Paul Rosenberg, Village of Rye Brook Trustee, asked the committee to comment on whether specific attention was given to the girls Little League softball program in connection with the new coaching rules and the new format for Rye Brook's Little League. He expressed his opinion that it would be more difficult to find a 5th and 6`h grade dad to coach together as opposed to two dads with kids in the same grade. He believes the girls' softball program is more relaxed and laid back than the boys program, and it is difficult to get dads even to volunteer to coach the girls' teams in the first place, and asked the committee to be more flexible about requested coaching pairings for the teams. Paul said this was not a personal issue, since he has not signed up to coach a girls' team this year. Superintendent Bertolacci said we will take a look at who the coaches are and we will spread them out evenly. Paul also brought up a fairness issue that occurred last year where one of the top rated players was placed on his team, but decided not to play softball. Paul was told that the teams could not be redrafted once the teams are made public and there was nothing that could be done. 1168377.1 1170180.1 Superintendent Bertolacci said that no player will be placed on a team unless they have paid for the program which may help to eliminate that issue. Committee Member Berman suggested that the fee for a late sign-up be $100 which may deter anyone from signing up late and causing the teams to be unbalanced. Paul said that he would bean advocate of the $100 fee. Committee Member Berman said as a Major League coach, there were times where conflicts prevented both him and his assistant coach from attending a game, and asked if there was a way someone from the rec department or high school could be available to fill in. Chairman Zimmerman said that Janice, Lauren and/or Meagan are always at the games and step in and help out when necessary. Committee Member Berman and Frankel received an e-mail from a parent saying the Rec basketball program this year was great. There was one issue in the older grades about serious constraints about meeting the 60% game attendance requirement for eligibility to make the County Center Team. Some of these players are in CYP, AAU etc., and it is very hard to play the 60% of required games. it was suggested by this parent that a game be played during the week instead of a practice. Another issue raised by a parent was whether we would consider an "open gym" one night a week for open practice as an alternative to having just 3 or 4 kids show up for a team practice. Committee Member Jablon said you can't expect these kids to do it all, and they have to pick and choose what their commitment is going to be. Superintendent Bertolacci said that these issues can be revisited by the basketball sub-committee for next years program. III. Superintendent's Report: a. Rec Basketball Wrap Up Superintendent Bertolacci reported that Janice sent out the basketball evaluations. We received 2 responses so far. b. County Center Tournament Superintendent Bertolacci said 8 teams are entered in the County Center Tournament. Before the County Center teams were made, an e-mail was sent out to all rec players stating you would get an e-mail if you made the County Center team. Committee Member Jablon stated that sending an e-mail to the kids who made the team was an excellent idea to make it a more private issue. c. RBLL Update—Presentation to Board of Trustees Superintendent Bertolacci presented the 2012 Little League rule changes (including issues involving coaching and the use of metal bats) to the Village Trustees at Tuesday's BOT meeting. There is one unresolved issue as to whether there is a need for a summer travel baseball for 11 and 12 year olds, since there may be too many of our kids involved in other travel programs. There will, however be enough players for us to assemble an all-star team Chairman Zimmerman said Bert made a great presentation to the Village Board and the Board was very receptive to the Little League changes. The only questions posed by the Board were as 1168377.1 1170180.1 to the changes involving coaching and use of metal bats. Chairman Zimmerman said Superintendent Bertolacci handled these issues consistent with the Council's discussions and to the Board's satisfaction -- particularly the bat issue, about which Chairman Bertolacci explained the most important issue at this level is to teach the kids the proper way to play baseball using the right equipment they can handle. Chairman Zimmerman noted that the BOT expressed it was in favor of a summer program and they are ready to recommend and approve whatever program is needed. IV. Old Business a. Rec Basketball Sub-Committee i. Three Point Line Committee Member Berman said he had sent an e-mail to Superintendent Bertolacci regarding the 3 point line at the Ridge Street School new gym where Rec plays games for its basketball program. Since Blind Brook High School and the BelleFair gym already have a 3 point line, it makes sense to put one in all arenas in which the program schedules games. He asked if it would be feasible to have the 3 point line installed at Ridge Street School new gym. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that he has a meeting with Jim Spano, Blind Brook School Athletic Director, and that issue would be discussed at that meeting. b. Rye Brook Little League Sub-Committee Committee Member Carbone stated that the baseball coaches' clinic at the high school was very well run and attended. We have enough coaches for the Major League and was able to distribute 3 coaches per team for 5`', 6`' and 7ffi grade. After the coaches are distributed, Kyle will start making the teams. There are 46 players in the Major League and we will have 4 teams of 1 1 or 12 players each. There are 56 players in the Minor League. Committee Member O'Neil suggested taking a look at this year's Little League registration and compare the numbers from previous years. Maybe we can figure out where the kids are going and why. Superintendent Bertolacci said he will compile the figures and get the results out to the Council. The baseball draft for the Minor League is on Tuesday and for the Major League draft is on Thursday of next week. The girls Minor League softball draft is on Monday and the Major League softball draft is on Wednesday of next week. Also, tomorrow night is the last chance for ratings for Minor and Major League baseball from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Ridge Street School. Committee Member Frankel said one issue from last year is the condition of the catcher's equipment for the Minor League program. The chest protectors are very thin, and for the protection of the kids, last year we used some of the travel baseball gear. Committee Member O'Neil asked if buying new chest protectors would have to go before the Board for approval. Superintendent Bertolacci said Little League sponsorships would pay if we need to purchase new chest protectors. 1168377.1 1170180.1 Committee Member O'Neil asked when the indoor practices for baseball and softball are going to take place. Superintendent Bertolacci said there will be practices once a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with 2 teams combined. There can't be any practices on the fields until the fields are safe to play on. V. New Business a. County Center Tournament Team Committee Member Berman said the County Center teams get a T-shirt at a cost of$15. When you go to the games at the County Center other teams are wearing jerseys. Committee Member Berman thinks there wouldn't be too much resistance to pay $17 or $20 for a jersey. Superintendent Bertolacci said this item can be discussed at the next basketball sub-committee meeting. VI Adjournment Chairman Zimmerman asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Committee Member Berman made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Committee Member O'Neil seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. The next meeting of the Advisory Parks and Recreation meeting will be on April 3, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. Minutes prepared by Carmella Swick. 1168377.1 1170180.1