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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-11 - 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 April 11, 2007 CONVENE MEETING: Chairman Steve Schoen called the meeting to order at 8:30pm. The following members of the Council were present: Advisory Council Members: Chairman Steve Schoen, Cliff Shaw, Richard Gutner, Jeffrey Kornblum Absent Members: Debra Tempesta, Kenneth Finder and Steven Epstein Recreation Department Members Present: Robert Bertolacci, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Carmella Swick, Sr. Office Assistant Paul Rosenberg,Village Trustee and Rye Brook Recreation Liaison George Latimer, State Assemblyman Coaches' Code/Final Revisions/Vote Chairman Schoen stated that Committee Member Finder put together a draft for a Coaches' Code. The code was put together from some different documents. Chairman Schoen stated that he added two paragraphs and a signature on the second page. One of the things that is good about the code is it doesn't get at what a coach needs to do in terms of coaching during the game. It doesn't place restrictions. Chairman Schoen asked what the Little League's feedback was regarding the coaches' code. Committee Member Shaw said that basically, the title was sort of dictating what a coach does. The Little League committee suggested that the code be called the Coaching Reference Guide. Committee Member Gutner stated that you're taking the handcuffs off; otherwise, your telling the coach that these are the rules and this is what you have to follow. The coach should be able to use his own discretion because he is the one out there with the team and you have to give him some flexibility. Also Little League Committee Members Shaw, Gutner, Tempesta and DiCamo agreed that 99 % of the code is common sense. If the 1% of parents come to the Superintendent with a problem he will have to diffuse the issue. Committee Member Shaw stated that some coaches are easily excitable and we should come up with a screening process for the coaches to be done at a later date and time. Also, on the second page of the code, Committee Member Shaw stated that the suspension and banishment of their child should be taken out because it's not fair to the child. The committee could not come up with a penalty but it should be along the lines of the severity of the problem. Committee Member Kornblum asked if the coaches' are evaluated at the end of the season and is there a determination made whether the coach is invited back to coach the next season? Committee Member Shaw responded that there is an evaluation sent out to the parents but there is little response to the questionnaire. 1 Superintendent stated that this is the first step and violation to this code will force the Advisory committee to look at the coach differently for future seasons. Committee Member Shaw asked if there is any recourse if someone is told that he/she cannot coach. Superintendent said this is the start of a paper trail that can be built on for that coach. Village Trustee, Paul Rosenberg suggested we add to the code that coaching is a privilege and subject to the approval of the Recreation Council at the beginning of every year, and if you so choose to, the Recreation Council can remove a coach. Superintendent said that the situation is very time sensitive and it puts a lot of burden on his staff which is short staffed as it is. Chairman Schoen stated that if there were a situation with a parent, the Little League sub- committee "review board" which is made up of Cliff Shaw, Ken Finder and Debra Tempesta, would meet with that parent to discuss and resolve the situation. Superintendent stated that we can review any current coaches' at the end of the season and if any coach is in question, we can have that coach come in for a meeting and tell them that he/she is on probation and their future in coaching is in question. Committee Member Shaw stated that depending on the sport that is being played, the code may have to be tweaked to accommodate that sport. Committee Member Gutner agreed to make the revisions to the second page of the Coaches' Reference Guidelines and suggested that the signature page be an acknowledgement receipt. Committee Member Shaw made a motion to accept the documents with the recommended changes to the title and to revise the paragraph on page 2 subject to the approval of the Recreation Council members. Committee Member Kornblum seconded the motion and all approved. Opening Day Logistics Committee Member Shaw said he was working with John to set up the Pepsi Pitch, Hit and Run. Volunteers are needed and if anyone is interested, please call the rec office and let John now. The kids would be using wood bats, no metal bats are allowed. Chairman Schoen stated that the Little League players in uniform would meet at the lower parking lot at Ridge Street School and the parade would proceed to Pine Ridge Park. Superintendent stated that Mayor Rand would say a few words and the first pitch would be thrown out by the Village Board. Committee Member Shaw stated that 3 stations would be set up for the Pepsi Pitch, Hit and Run and the new and old field will be used. There will be a table at each station and when the participant finishes each section, his/her card will be scored. Last year we had 82 kids tiyout and this year we expect over 300. The winners will go on to the next level of competition which will be held at Sleepy Hollow. Committee Member Shaw stated that last year Ethan Weiss from Rye Brook was the winner and participated at Shea Stadium. The age groups are 7 —8, 9 — 10, 11 — 12, and 13 — 14 year olds. Superintendent stated that the Little League concession stand would be run by volunteer parents. Little League sub-committee member Debra Jond and Park and Recreation Advisory Committee Member Tempesta would set up the volunteer list for each Saturday of the Little League season. Rookie Evaluation Superintendent stated that 84 1" and 2"d graders signed up for the program. There was one rating held and second rating scheduled for next week. The participants are recommended to show up 2 for both ratings but it is not mandatory. Committee Member Gutner stated that it was somewhat chaotic with everyone showing up at one time. Perhaps we could tell them to show up anytime during the time allotted so everyone doesn't show up at one time. Superintendent stated that in the future, we would keep the kids there the entire time and rate them as they go through the drills. Public View Points There were no Public View Points. Public Meetings Chairman Schoen suggested that we have a meeting at the end of the baseball season so people can come to an open forum and share their thoughts regarding wood bats vs. metal bats. If we don't decide on a date tonight, we can set up a date via e-mail. Chairman Schoen stated by having this open meeting it connects the residents and it helps them to understand the process of the programs. Before the basketball season starts, we should have the same kind of meeting which will introduce newcomers to the program and we could answer any questions they may have. Chairman Schoen stated that having these meetings is a good idea because the department is reaching out to the parents. Superintendent stated that we could notify the public about the meetings through our web site and putting the announcement in the Westmore News. State Assemblyman Latimer said he would be interested in knowing what feedback we get on the issue of metal bats vs. wood bats. Mr. Latimer stated there is a lot of legislation going on in New Jersey and New York City and there is some discussion in the State regarding the usage of metal and wood bats. Mr. Latimer was invited to attend the public meeting. Rental of King Street Fields Chairman Schoen asked Superintendent if the Rye Brook Athletic Fields are being rented out to other organizations in addition to the Rye Brook Youth Soccer Club. Superintendent stated that Rye High School used the field for a month, Rye Soccer uses the field every Saturday after our program, FC Westchester, men's soccer on Sunday mornings, Rye Brook Rec Flag football uses the field from September to December on Sundays, Men's Softball and we will be hosting the Empire State games in July on the turf field. Chairman Schoen asked Superintendent if the non- resident groups are paying the non-resident fee to rent the field and Superintendent replied"yes". Chairman Schoen said the Soccer tournament that was held at our turf field the weekend of March 24th went exceptionally well. Approximately forty soccer teams from around Westchester used our turf field. Village Trustee, Paul Rosenberg stated that after the soccer tournament event the Village spent a significant amount of money to clean up the field in terms of trash that was left. At our budget workshop it was discussed that there is going to be a new fee next year to cover the costs of cleaning up the field. If you rent the field for 8 hours or more, it is considered a special event and there will be a special fee. Superintendent stated that it took the park's staff 1-�/z days to clean up the turf field. Superintendent said that next year there will be a dumpster on site. Committee Member Shaw asked if the turf field gets spruced up after a few days use. Superintendent stated that the field is swept every 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Our park staff uses a sweep similar to a broom that rakes the field. 3 Chairman Schoen said he sent an e-mail out to the Advisory committee stating he would like to invite Ed Kulik to the next meeting and give him a token of our appreciation for all his years of service. Superintendent stated that the Mayor already recognized Ed with a plaque for his years of service to the Village but we still can invite Ed to our next meeting. First Aid Kits for Baseball Chairman Schoen asked about first-aid kits at the baseball fields. Superintendent said the first aid kits are in the equipment boxes and the boxes aren't opened during the practices. Chairman Schoen said this is something that needs to be addressed because teams are practicing at the fields. Updates to Previous Items on the Brainstorming List Chairman Schoen asked for updates on some of the programs that were discussed at the previous meeting. Superintendent reported on the programs listed below: Teen Night: The Program will start in September and we will offer different activities in the gym for different age groups. There will be 2 Teen Nights a month and we will rotate the activities. Big Apple Baseball: Big Apple baseball will give us a proposal of what they will have to offer US. Basketball: During the last weeks of the basketball season, we will schedule games instead of practices. Lacrosse: The High School now has a JV and Modified team. Rye also has a league. Rye Brook Recreation is actually doing a Lacrosse Camp through an outside contractor the last week of June and 2nd week of July on our turf field. New Brainstorming List Items Stats and Standings Stn Grade & Up: Committee Member Shaw said the problem the 5th grade is having is that without the standings recreation basketball and baseball become low on the scale of importance. The kids talk about who won and what the score was from the other leagues they play in. We can reward them at the end of the season with a better trophy for 1st place. If they are working for something you will get more kids coming to the rec games. Our credibility is good but not the importance. Superintendent stated we try not to put emphasis on winning. Committee Member Shaw said it's OK for the lower grades but when you get to 5th grade, sports become much more competitive. Superintendent stated that John keeps the stats for 81h and 9th grade boys' basketball and they look forward to seeing their stats. Chairman Schoen stated that someone has to keep track of the figures and compile those figures which are an extra burden for the department. If we decide to keep the standings, at the end of the season we could have a championship game for each age bracket or playoffs with a single elimination. Committee Member Shaw said if it is just standings for baseball, you could put the standings in the Westmore News each week. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that we would get input from the Little League committee and they would give the Advisory committee their recommendation. Chairman Schoen suggested that before any motion is made, he would like all the council members present before we entertain a motion. 4 Travel BasebaWSoftball: Chairman Schoen stated that if we have a travel baseball team during the rec Little League season, it would take away from the Little League program. Superintendent stated there would be no practice time and a lot of the kids play soccer on Sunday and that would be the only day travel baseball/softball could be played. Committee Member Gutner stated that last fall we let the kids play travel baseball and soccer and we still had a soccer issue. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that we would only be able to host games on Sundays then play away games during other days and that would affect the rec teams. Chairman Schoen suggested that the Little League committee research the issue and see if they can come up with a solution. Also, the kids should know that if you are in a competing sport and you have a Little League baseball/softball game and a practice in another competing sport, you are expected to be at the Little League game. Committee Member Gutner stated that the Little League committee is there to give us advice and to do research and tell us their views about baseball and we decide to implement the powers of voting yes or no to whatever the issues are. When an issue comes to this board, it should automatically go to the Little League committee. We shouldn't vote on anything unless the Little League has a chance to research the issue. Committee Member Shaw feels the Little League is there only if we get stuck on an issue. Chairman Schoen's prospective with basketball is that there are only 3 people on the sub- committee and as issues come up we talk about them and resolve the issue. Little League has 9 people involved with making recommendations on an issue,but it needs to be more of a working subcommittee. With baseball there are more issues that need to be researched and resolved, but this requires people taking ownership and investing time. For example, something that the Little League subcommittee can take over is sponsorship. If the Little League subcommittee did the sponsorship it would be a huge benefit to the rec department. Committee member Gutner said the Little League sub-committee deals with baseball issues. If an issue comes to the Advisory Council, regardless of the issue, before we vote on it, we should hear what Little League has to say and then we can vote on it. Committee Member Shaw's opinion is that not every issue has to go to the Little League committee to get their view on it. Chairman Schoen asked why did we want to reformulate the Little League committee and why did we decide to ask them to take on more responsibility in terms of issues around baseball/softball. Superintendent Bertolacci said the Little League subcommittee is a working group to work on issues and report back to this committee. They discuss the issues and then bring us their recommendations so this group can make a decision and vote on it. Village Trustee, Paul Rosenberg agreed that there are some issues that don't need the pro-longed discussion, especially if the issue needs to be acted upon immediately. The Little League subcommittee is there to think about only baseball and it gives them the opportunity to harness their expertise and gives the Advisory Council more time to focus on other things. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Council is the decision-making body. Available Land Committee Member Shaw asked what the acreage is on Lincoln and King that belongs to the Village? Superintendent stated that there is a total of 21 acres on that parcel. Committee Member Shaw suggested that we build an ice skating rink like Ebersol in White Plains and we can rent it out and make some money. Maybe we can make it productive for our children. 5 Village Trustee, Paul Rosenberg stated that there is cost involved. There were studies done on that area and it is mainly wetlands. The ratio is for every one acre of wetlands used you have to give back 2 somewhere. Mr. Rosenberg doesn't think there is enough space back there in the area where it is not wetlands to be able to put something that large. That is why the board thought of something passive but they also thought it wouldn't be used. There was a committee that met 3 years ago and brainstormed about putting a dome facility, tennis court, swimming pool, but the consensus was it would be very expensive to build in that area because of the wetlands. Committee Member Shaw suggested the property at the entrance to Crawford Park. Superintendent stated that there are two acres on the Crawford Park parcel that is allocated for recreational purposes. It may be the two acres behind the house and Superintendent thinks it is not bound to Edna Crawford's will. Superintendent would like to explore a community center/gym plus parking on that site. The Rye Brook firehouse was built on 3/4 `s of an acre. Potentially, we could possibly swap Elm Hill for that property but I don't know where the town is with the Elm Hill property and a location for a garage. As an initial step, Superintendent will verify whether or not the Crawford Park parcel is bound to Edna Crawford's will. Adiournment Chairman Schoen asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Committee Member Gutner and seconded by Committee Member Kornblum. The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 8:00pm. Minutes prepared by Carmella Swick 6