Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - 4/27/2017

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – CULTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION –

Subject to Vote of Approval – Regular Meeting Minutes – Thursday, April 27, 2017 – 2 pages

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 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, Sarah Cramer and Steve Spalla. The C. P. & R. Director, Gerry Toner, and the C. P. & R. liaison from the Board of Selectmen, Mike Paine, were also in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

In a change to the order of the agenda and in deference to the speakers who were present, Mr. Bush made two motions: To move the “Approval of Minutes” until after: 1. The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, and 2. The Skate Park presentations. Mr. Kearney seconded both motions. All were in favor. The two motions passed unanimously.
 

No changes were made to the March 30, 2017 Special Meeting Minutes. Mr. Bush declared the minutes approved, and requested that they be put on record.

Proposed SMPAC Ticket Booth Donation

A site plan and an elevation drawing were emailed to commission members prior to the meeting. Mark Deming presented larger versions during his presentation. The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center is proposing the creation of a 16’ x 12’ ticket booth building. Its design will replicate the architecture of classic railroad buildings. Set back about 25 to 30 feet from the bike path, the building will include four walk-up ticket windows, plus an extra “Will Call” window that will be ADA compliant. It will be seasonal, but can be used year-round by other groups. Electricity will be provided for computers and air conditioning. All financing for the project—which is estimated at about $45,000 to $55,000—will be covered by grants, donations, in-kind services and volunteers. Much of the discussion focused on the flow of human traffic. Would it would be better than before, and what plans were being made for long lines? Mr. Deming noted that since a total of five windows—including the Will Call window—are to be staffed at all events, lines will flow much better than previously, when only two windows were open. Mr. Deming expects construction to begin in July. Mr. Wetjen made a motion for the C., P. & R. Commission to approve the ticket booth donation, subject to the Zoning and Planning and Design Review Departments’ approval of the drawings and site plans. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Skate Park Proposal

Jarrod Moss, town resident and adaptive snow sports instructor at Ski Sundown, and Sarah Nielson, executive director of Simsbury Main Street Partnership made a joint presentation about transforming the current skate park at Memorial Park so that it could attract younger users. They are proposing: 1. Looping a little-kid-sized, contoured concrete bike track around the existing footprint, 2. Upgrading older features of the park, 3. Offering regular adaptive sports programming/classes at the park to encourage maximum use, 4. Raising about $6,600 to $7,000 through private fundraising and grant writing, and 5. Creating some type of governance or formal structure to oversee the park’s use and maintenance. As a 501(c)(3) organization and the original fiscal sponsor of the skate park, Simsbury Main Street Partnership will take the initiative on items number four and five. Mr. Moss will help with the design of the new track as well as with organizing item number three. He was inspired to create an alternative sporting outlet after having his own small children wait to use local skate parks dominated by tweens and teens.

Friends of Simsbury Farms – Proposed Golf Practice Facility

The next project for the FoSF will be a 3-hole short-game golf practice facility that will be separate from the clubhouse. Consultants determined that property next to the 8th hole would be an ideal spot. Preliminary design work must be done first. Mr. Wetjen expects the construction will run about $50,000. He sees this facility as an additional golf course amenity. Not only will it attract new members and be used by adults, but it can also be used by children and youth groups for clinics and camps. He noted that the SF Men’s Club has offered to pay for half of the preliminary design costs, and the FoSF will make annual contributions towards the required maintenance and mowing. Commission members discussed whether there was a demand for such a facility. When Mr. Wetjen told them that he will be emailing a five question survey to a list of 600 golf course users—asking their opinion about a short-game golf practice facility, and what other projects they would like to see funded at SF by the Friends—Mr. Spalla suggested that the survey be emailed to all SF users. Commission members agreed. The C. P. & R. Department’s more comprehensive email list will also be used. The next big fund raiser for the Friends will be a golf tournament held on Friday, May 26.

Parks / Fields Trash Removal Policy - Discussion

Mr. Toner wrote and distributed a 1-page “Proposal – Parks/Athletic Field Trash Removal.” Essentially, trash receptacles will be removed from all town parks and playing fields, except for the SF Golf Course. Users will be notified by signs and direct e-mail communication to carry out what they carry in. Youth sports groups will have the option of contracting with a private trash handler, and deducting the cost from their field use fee. Mr. Toner noted that this proposal was driven by three things: 1. Shortages in the C. P. & R. Department’s budget and staff, 2. A shift by the state and other nearby towns to adopt similar policies, and 3. A way to stop illegal dumping. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to adopt the proposal for a carry-in and carry-out trash removal policy for the town, to start on July 1, 2017. Mr. Fallon seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Park Signage – Discussion

Mr. Toner distributed a 1-page architectural drawing of a park sign prototype. Each sign will be placed atop concrete footings and be made from two timber posts connected by high pressure laminate horizontal spans. They will all include the town seal, the town and park names, the park address, and a “Culture • Parks • Recreation” line. In addition, all will share the same fonts, colors, and design. Mr. Toner noted that the C. P. & R. Department will be responsible for maintaining the signs.

Old Business. None. 

New Business. None.

Adjournment

Mr. Kearney made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wetjen seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Next Meeting
The next Regular Meeting of the C. P. & R. Commission will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the main meeting room of town hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorrie McElligott

Commission Clerk