July 26, 2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – CULTURE, PARKS, AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Subject to Vote of Approval – Regular Meeting Minutes – Thursday, July 26, 2018 – 2 pages

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by David Bush, chairman, in the main meeting room of Town Hall. Other commission members who were present included Gerry Wetjen, Kelly Kearney, Sarah Cramer, and Gerry Post. The C. P. & R. Director, Thomas Tyburski, was also in attendance.

Public Session

Mr. Bush made a change to the regular order of the agenda. A public session time was conducted before consideration of the last meeting’s minutes. Ms. Linda Schofield and Ms. Diane Moody of “Try Simsbury” Adventure Triathlon made a presentation. Five years of proceeds from this event have added up to more than $20,000. They are proposing using the funds to create eight site-specific signs along the River Walk and the Farmington Canal Heritage Trails. Each display sign will contain pictures and text that will highlight Simsbury’s unique history, ecology, and architecture. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to approve the proposal for the bike path signage presented. Ms. Cramer seconded the motion. Ms. Moody requested that the wording in the original motion be changed from “bike trail” to “multi-use trail” to recognize the various ways the trail is used. The amended motion was seconded by Ms. Cramer. All were in favor. The amended motion passed. The public session was closed at 7:20 p.m.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

No changes were made to the June 28, 2018 Special Meeting Minutes. Mr. Bush declared the minutes approved and requested that they be put on record.

Friends of Simsbury Farms – Report

The current net profit from the 2018 FoSF Charitable Golf Event is almost $17,000. Most of the sponsors will not be available next year. The Friends are looking at other viable fundraising ideas, including soliciting donations through memberships. Mr. Wetjen noted that volunteers who can donate their time and expertise are needed. There is a critical need for professionals with skills in marketing, public relations and communications. Mr. Bush felt strongly that the C. P. & R Commission should show its support of the Friends by always having at least one of its members be present at a FoSF board meeting. He also stated that, going forward, he expects commission members to be involved in and present at other subcommittees which are C. P. & R-related.

Golf Course / Summer Programs – Report

Mr. Tyburski distributed two spreadsheets. The first was titled, “Simsbury Farms Golf Course Annual Income.” It compared 18 years of greens fees and rounds from March through December 2000 to 2018. Figures were collected through the end of June. June greens fees and rounds are up from last year. Mr. Wetjen reported that the golf course continues to be six-figure profitable. He gave special recognition to Mr. Wallace, Mr. Verrengia and their staff for keeping equipment costs down by meticulously maintaining their older models. The second report was titled, “Golf Surcharge Accounting.” It compared four years of revenue and expenses. Mr. Wetjen noted that the new point-of-sale system, which may be installed later in the fall, will more accurately code golf surcharge revenue.

Mr. Tyburski distributed a 1-page report titled, “Summer Program Revenues and Registrations Comparison,” which equated camp, swim class, and pool pass numbers from 2017 and 2018, through July 25 of each year. In general, revenues and enrollments for swimming are up from last year, but down for camps. Mr. Tyburski will work with staff to evaluate adventure camp field trips for next summer.

Capital Projects – Update

Mr. Tyburski reported that the SF basketball court is 99% complete. The RFQ for a new golf course irrigation system was recently sent out.

Carry in Carry Out Policy - Update

A copy of the town’s Carry In / Carry Out Policy, revised on July 9, 2018, was distributed. Under Section IV: Exceptions, part C was added. It states, “Trash receptacles will be provided at Rotary Park located on Iron Horse Boulevard.” Requests to fund the associated maintenance costs will be made to local organizations.

Old Business. None.

New Business

2018-19 Simsbury Farms Winter Fees. An “Annual Recreation Fees” report was distributed. It showed skating and paddle tennis fees from 2013 through 2017, with proposed fees for 2018. Mr. Wetjen made a motion to accept the proposed 2018 skating fees, which are the same as last year. Mr. Post seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Mr. Wetjen also made a motion to accept the proposed 2018 paddle tennis fees, with slight fee increases for day and evening rentals, and for the daytime season long rate. Ms. Cramer seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.  

Simsbury Celebrates Developments. A new group of volunteers has been meeting every two to three weeks to help revive, plan and raise funds for the Simsbury Celebrates event in 2018 and beyond.

Parks & Open Space Master Plan. The last master plan was done in 1960, and it was only for parks. Since then, many parcels of open space have been acquired and added to the C. P. & R. Department’s maintenance list. With money that has been set aside, the master planning process will begin soon. The SF golf course, restaurant, and ProShop will be excluded from the new plan.

Prowda Golf Course Report. A 15-page report, written by Peter Prowda was distributed. It was titled, “Simsbury Farms Golf Course at Age 50.”  Mr. Prowda has made several philanthropic donations to the SF Golf Course in the past. He would like to make another within two years. His report proposes speeding up the game by redesigning the course in the “Play It Forward” concept. Unfortunately, it is a very involved concept which will take more than two years to plan and design. Mr. Tyburski, Mr. Wallace, and Mr. Verrengia have identified another golf course improvement project that may be a better fit for Mr. Prowda’s timeline and budget.

Adjournment

Mr. Wetjen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Kearney seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

Next Meeting
As planned, there will be no August meeting. The next Regular Meeting of the C. P. & R. Commission is scheduled for Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the main meeting room of Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorrie McElligott

Commission Clerk