Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - 1/26/2017
TOWN OF SIMSBURY – CULTURE, PARKS, AND RECREATION COMMISSION –
Subject to Vote of Approval – Regular Meeting Minutes – Thursday, January 26, 2017 – 2.25 pages
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. in the main meeting room of town hall by David Bush, chairman. Other commission members who were present included Gerry Wetjen, Kelly Kearney, Dennis Fallon, Gerry Post and Sarah Cramer. The C. P. & R. Director, Gerry Toner, and the PGA Golf Professional for SF Golf Course, John Verrengia, were also in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
No changes were made to the December 15, 2016 Special Meeting Minutes. Mr. Bush declared the minutes approved, and requested that they be put on record.
Election of Officers
Mr. Wetjen made a motion to nominate Mr. Bush as chairman of the C. P. & R. Commission for 2017. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. All were in favor. Mr. Bush abstained from voting. The motion passed. Mr. Bush made a motion to nominate Mr. Kearney as vice-chairman of the C. P. & R. Commission for 2017. Mr. Post seconded the motion. All were in favor. Mr. Kearney abstained from voting. The motion passed.
2017 Fee Proposals – Golf Course, Swimming Pools, Summer Camps
Golf Course Fees. Three spreadsheets were distributed: 1. “Simsbury Farms Golf Course Annual Fee Schedule,” which compared the fees from 2013 to 2016. 2. “Golf Course Fees and Charges - 2016,” which compared SF fees to those at seven comparable local golf courses, and 3. “Simsbury Farms Greens Fees and Rounds (Golf Season) 3-Year Comparison.” Created by Mr. Wetjen, it listed categories in greater detail from 2014 to 2016. In addition, an article titled, “Majority of Golfers Consider More than Price When Choosing Where to Play,” was sent by email to commission members. It was published in the January 2017 National Golf Foundation newsletter. Mr. Verrengia recommended that fees for the golf course should be kept pretty close to last year. Additionally, he and his staff are always working to keep the course in top quality condition, while offering specials to fill open blocks of time. Discount season passes, junior passes, and ‘Groupon’ specials have all been successful. Cross-marketing campaigns with the new restaurant vendor are also expected to increase traffic. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to keep the golf rates the same as the 2016 rates, with the exception of two specials: a. The ‘All-Day Weekday Special’ will go from $45 to $46 and, b. The ‘After-1-p.m.-Weekend Special’ will go from $47 to $48. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.
Swimming Pools and Summer Camps Fees. An “Annual Recreation Fees” spreadsheet was distributed. It listed both the swimming and summer camp fees from 2012 to 2016. A final column noted staff-recommended fees for 2017. Mr. Toner reported that the Department will again be offering savings for pool season passes bought before June 1. Like last year, an extra week will be added to the pool schedule. In response to swim lessons being down in 2016, Mr. Toner suggested a compressed lesson schedule which would allow the pools to be open an hour before ‘Public Swim.’ The 12 to 1 p.m. time slot could then be offered exclusively to season pass holders. This change will be well promoted. Mr. Wetjen noted that many new apartment complexes were being built locally, and encouraged actively marketing our pools to these communities. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to approve the staff-recommended Swimming Fee Schedule for 2017. Ms. Cramer seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.
Mr. Toner announced that, like last year, swimming lessons will be optional in the ‘Summer Explorers Camp.’
Mr. Fallon made a motion to approve the staff-recommended Camps Fee Schedule for 2017. Ms. Cramer seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.
Facility Report – Ice Rink
Mr. Toner handed out a 1-page spreadsheet titled, “Simsbury Farms Ice Rink Revenue Report – 2016-2017.” Figures were collected through December 2016. Mr. Toner reported that so far, it has been a good year for the rink. He noted that rink usage has changed in the last decade, and credited Mr. Thibeault with encouraging more local hockey groups to play at the SF Rink. The commission discussed ways in which the SF Rink could compete with other local rinks. Ms. Cramer shared that the SF Rink is the least expensive to rent, but acknowledged that youth hockey teams go where there is available ice time, especially between 6 to 9 p.m. on weeknights. The lack of available ice time is driving some youth teams to practice in the early morning hours. Opening the SF Rink earlier may bring in more business.
Capital Projects - Report
Mr. Toner reported that work on the SF pool and decking are moving along on schedule. Work on the ice rink warming room is still ongoing. A temporary certificate of occupancy was issued, but there is no seating. Work has been negatively affected by some design flaws and problems with the contractor. As a result, the warming room’s hours of use have been limited. When it has been open for ‘Public Skate,’ rink staff have observed that patrons have been walking in on their skates, despite the posted signs. To control this problem, a rink guard may have to be hired as a monitor. Notices about the warming room progress will be posted and sent to hockey groups who regularly use the rink.
FY17/18 Proposed Budget, Capital Improvements
Two 1-page spreadsheets were distributed: 1. “Culture, Parks and Recreation General Fund Budget Fiscal Year Comparison,” and 2. “Culture, Parks and Recreation Revenue Fund Budget Comparison.” The listed increase of 1.67% in the total FY2016/17 General Fund Budget does not include finalized salaries. When a new contract is agreed upon, the total increase will be about 2.25%. The amount of state funding that will be available to Simsbury this year is uncertain. Mr. Toner will be meeting with the finance director and the First Selectman to talk about the budget next week. Mr. Wetjen inquired whether the golf course restaurant contract stipulates that the vendor pay a portion of the propane bill. Mr. Toner answered that it does not, but could in the future. Currently, the contract estimates the restaurant uses about $8,000. But this figure is eight years old, and true propane usage for heating and cooking should be reassessed.
Friends of Simsbury Farms
Mr. Wetjen reported that the net fund balance for the Friends is about $15,500. The gross fund balance is about $23,400, but a little more than $7,900 is being reserved for the Brian Koscher Memorial Picnic Pavilion. Apple trees were planted at SF. Two sod farms were created for the golf course. This year, the Friends will pay for a new entrance sign for the SF Complex and SF pool deck chairs. Another fund raising golf tournament is planned for the last weekend of May. Matching donations from at least five corporations have already been acquired. You can now also sign up to on ‘Amazon Smile’ so Amazon will contribute to the Friends when you buy products from them.
Simsbury Farms Special Revenue Fund Subcommittee
Scheduling conflicts have made it difficult to get members of the three boards together. The next meeting will likely take place in February. Mr. Toner will contact Mr. Kimball to see if he has come up with different financial alternatives to the SRF.
Old Business. None.
New Business. Gates were put up at the Paw Meadow Dog Park parking lot to discourage patrons from driving across the gravel lot and grassed area. Mr. Toner explained that his staff can only plow a lot that is frozen. This winter’s cycle of freezing and thawing caused dangerous conditions. He reported that patrons have been moving the gates, driving in, and tearing up the gravel and grassy areas. When the PMDP Committee presented their first annual report to the C. P. & R. Commission in January 2013, they noted that all long-term maintenance of the park would be funded by the committee. As of January 2017, the PMDP Committee has dwindled to one member. Mr. Bush requested that the dog park be listed as an agenda item for the next meeting.
Adjournment
Mr. Wetjen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Next Meeting
The next Regular Meeting of the C. P. & R. Commission will take place on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the main meeting room of town hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorrie McElligott
Commission Clerk