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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-02 - 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 February 2, 2010 CONVENE MEETING: Chairman Marc Zimmerman called the meeting to order at 8:35 p.m. The following members of the Council were present: Advisory Council Members: Chairman Marc Zimmerman, Ken Frankel, Richard Gutner, Jeffrey Kornblum Debra Tempesta, Kevin O'Neil, Sari Jablon, Glenn Brettschneider Absent Council Members: Steven Schoen Parks & Recreation Liaison: Michael Brown Recreation Department Members Present: Robert Bertolacci, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Carmella Swick, Sr. Office Assistant Port Chester Resident: Allison Tresher I. Minutes: Chairman Zimmerman asked for a motion to accept the January 12, 2010 Minutes. Committee Member Gutner made a motion to accept the January 12, 2010 Minutes and Committee Member Brettschneider seconded the motion. All approved and the January Minutes were accepted. II. Public View Points: Allison Tresher, Port Chester resident of 74 Perry Avenue was present to discuss the issue of dogs and the dog policy in Rye Brook parks. Ms. Tresher presently is the membership chair of "Friends of Crawford Park" and also part of the dog owners group that congregates at Rye Hills Park and Crawford Park, but stated that she was not representing either group at the meeting. Ms. Tresher recalled that during a prior Rye Brook administration (Morabito), the lower area of Crawford Park had been designated as a dog area so long no parties or sports events were going on at the time. She and others contributed money and purchased a couple of benches and bag dispensers for the area. During the past year the presence of dogs in the park became an issue. Ms. Tresher stated that she was told there would be discussions between Town of Rye and Village of Rye Brook and things would get "worked out." She also was aware that the issue was on the Rye Brook Village Board's agenda, and after attending the Village Board meeting and after a discussion with Mayor Feinstein, understood that the issue was to be discussed by this council for recommendation to the Village Board. Ms. Tresher stated that Port Chester charges $12.50 for dog tags, while Rye Brook charges only $2.50. She said that by enforcing the licensing process, you know that a dog has had its rabies shot. She proposed a new permit available to people who want to have their dogs off leash in the parks, but not on the playground or ball field area. Such permit would have the dog's picture and demonstrate 1 1106848.1 proof of residency (or permissible non-resident use) and that they have a valid license. This information could be coded on a system that the Rye Brook Police Department could access. That would allow for some off leash times at any of the designated parks. Ms. Tresher stated that Rye Hills would be a perfect area for the dogs. She also stated that such process must first include a discussion with Rye Brook residents whose backyard abuts Rye Hills Park, then erecting a fence to have an enclosed area for the dogs. Committee Member Brettschneider asked Ms. Tresher to explain exactly what she was asking of the Council. Ms. Tresher responded that she understood from attending the Village Board Meeting on December 15, 2009 that this Council was going to provide recommendations to the Village Board concerning park signage and what the rules about dogs in Rye Brook parks should be. She stated that if there were a permit process, there could be accountability, including losing a permit if rules are not followed. By having the permit and following the rules, you can have your dog off leash. Committee Member Brettschneider stated that we had previously discussed dogs off leash at one Rye Brook park, but that it was more in the context of resident concern with dog poop in the park than having dogs off leash in the park. Chairman Zimmerman stated that the present rule is there are no unleashed dogs permitted in Rye Brook's active parks. Our residents, and particularly children, playing on the ball fields and the playgrounds should not have to deal with unleashed dogs, dog waste or even remnants of such waste left behind even after an owner picks up after a dog. He further stated that, while the Council discussed the issue of dogs in Rye Brook parks at a previous meeting, we did not take a specific position on whether a dog should be allowed (or not allowed) in the parks. Instead, we recommend that the Village Board update the signage in our parks specifically to identify prohibited activities consistent with the Village Code. For example, the Village Code presently provides for no dogs at large in the Village of Rye Brook other than the premises of the owner unless it is on a leash no longer than 5 ft. Chairman Zimmerman encouraged Ms. Tresher to attend future Village Board meetings to follow the issue. He also noted that creating a designated dog park in Rye Brook—particularly if it is the only park dogs are allowed in— could cause excessive crowding and become a resident nightmare. III. Pitch, Hit and Run Committee Member Frankel stated that he spoke with Rye Brook resident Cliff Shaw who ran the Pitch, Hit and Run event in the past. Mr. Shaw graciously volunteered to help the Recreation Department run the event. Committee Member Frankel was trying to schedule a date for the program, and spoke with John Dakers, Blind Brook High School coach, who said his team would be willing to help coordinate the event if they are available on the scheduled date. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that in the past, Pitch, Hit and Run was on opening day of Rye Brook's baseball season, but there was too much going on to run it on opening day this season. Committee Member Gutner said we should not have the event too late in the Spring because the kids will have games going on. Committee Member Frankel stated that the event would take a total of 3 to 4 hours using both fields at Pine Ridge Park, and would be open to boys and girls ages 7 through 14 at no cost. He believed we would need approximately 16 people to volunteer for the event. He said that Mr. Shaw believed his 10th grade son and some friends would volunteer to run the event. Committee Member Frankel asked Superintendent Bertolacci to propose a date and time. Superintendent Bertolacci said he would provide available dates as soon as possible. 2 1106848.1 IV. Superintendent's Report a. Sponsorship Superintendent Bertolacci reported that he has 5 sponsorship checks. The 5 sponsors paid are from Drs. Avrutin, Statman, Applebees, Sportech and Woodrow Jewelers. Chairman Zimmerman reported that he spoke with the owner of Q Restaurant and they are committed to be a sponsor. Committee Member Brettschneider said he would approach Last Licks and also Strauss. Committee Member Frankel will contact Family Discount for sponsorship. Committee Member Tempesta will e-mail Chipotle Restaurant which is due to open in the spring at the Rye Ridge Shopping Center. Chairman Zimmerman will contact the Rye Brook Travel Baseball Club for sponsorship. Committee Member Tempesta brought in a coupon book with all business advertisements. Her suggestion was to contact some of the businesses listed. Committee Member Tempesta asked whether if a business just wants to make a donation, what would we do to recognize that business. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that he would send out a list of business cards with the schedules so the businesses would be recognized. Committee Member Tempesta asked if we could a thank the businesses that give a donation on our web site. Trustee Brown suggested that we send them a certificate of their donation and they can display the certificate at their place of business. Chairman Zimmerman asked Superintendent Bertolacci how many sponsors we had last year and how many do we have this year. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that we have commitments for 18 sponsors and last year we had 26 sponsors. Chairman Zimmerman thanked all Committee Members for their efforts and encouraged all Council members to reach out during February to close out the sponsorship drive with a final strong push for additional sponsors. b. Babe Ruth The Village Board approved Superintendent Bertolacci's presentation and request for a Rye Brook Recreation Babe Ruth baseball league program for children between 13 and 15 years of age, with a fee of$150.00 per participant. Chairman Bertolacci stated that games will be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays (the Blind Brook High School baseball field will be used on Saturdays and the Ridge Street baseball field and Blind Brook High School baseball field will be used on Sundays. Superintendent Bertolacci said the program will go forward with a minimum of two teams with no maximum number of teams. V. Old Business a. Rookie League 3 1106848.1 Committee Member Frankel asked whether the 1st and 2nd grade Rye Brook Recreation Rookie Baseball program would be run like last year—with 1St and 2nd graders being split into separate teams. Superintendent Bertolacci said it would. VI. New Business At last month's meeting, Committee Member Brettschneider asked about a Lacrosse program, and specifically noted that it is very difficult to start playing modified Lacrosse with any level and degree of ability if the kids do not start playing at an early age. He stated that Rye accepts Rye Brook residents, and offer a great Lacrosse program at a fee of about $125.00. He also noted that Mamaroneck has a great Lacrosse program, as does Greenwich, but that Greenwich does not allow non-residents in the program. Superintendent Bei-tolacci stated that the Recreation Department will have Bowling Teen Night, no matter how many teens sign up for the program. He stated it was important to get the program started up again. VII. Adjournment Chairman Zimmerman asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:55pm. Committee Member Gutner made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Committee Member O'Neil seconded the motion and all approved. The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Council meeting will be held on March 2, 2010 at 8:30pm, Village Hall. Minutes prepared by Carmella Swick. 4 1106848.1