HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-21I�
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Recreation Partnership Board
Minutes of the Sept. 21, 2000 Meeting
Attendance: Phil Dankert W. Lansing) Rich Andersson (T. Caroline),
Elsie Dentes, Mark Stuart and Mary Russell (T. Ithaca); Bambi.
Hollenbeck (T. Dryden), Kathy Lind (T. Danby).
Excused: Sorel Gottfried (V. Lansing), Joanie Spielholz (C. Ithaca)
and Bill Murphy (C. Ithaca)
Absent: Jane Murphy (T. Enfield)
Staff: Alice Green (IYB) and Nancy Zahler (TCYB)
I. Minutes of the July Meeting were approved
II. Old Business
• 2001 Budget
Final copies with all revisions for projected spending and revenues
were distributed to those who had not received them earlier.
• Sponsorship Policy
Draft policy for accepting sponsors for recreation partnership
®programs was generated, and will be sent along to the new Partnership
Board. The policy will include the following elements.
Sponsorships for Partnership programs will be sought in order to
keep programs more affordable for participants.
No sponsor will be accepted if its revenues are derived from the
sale of a product or service that might be harmful to children or
families, eg. Alcohol, tobacco, etc.
Sponsors will be required to provide documentation that there is
no bias or discrimination in their organization
• Orientation Session Celebration
A combined final meeting of the Rec.
Planning Group (RPG)b will be held to
welcome the new members of the Board.
16th, at Town Hall from 7 -9P.M.
Partnership Board (RPB) and Rec.
celebrate the work completed and
It is scheduled for Thurs. Nov.
Suggested items for the agenda.
- Planning group can review goals and recommendations for new members
to make sure there is continuity.
Review progress from the prior goals set in 1997,
opportunity for outgoing RPB members to talk about the 'spirit of
the Rec Partnership," the "softer side" of decision making on
issues.
Discussion: Concern was expressed that the new board comprised
primarily of elected officials, may not be in touch with service
issues. Rich noted that he hopes the new board will be respectful of
the needs of all participants, and not just focus on the bottom lane
of money. There is a need to consider low- income families. The
programs are not just about sports- a variety is needed.
Members were asked to reflect on the spirit of the partnership, and.to
come to the November meeting prepared to share their thoughts, wishes
and concerns for the future of the Partnership. Alice will review past
discussions and prepare some thoughts in advance of the orientation
session.
Tot Spot Fees
Linda Cimakaski - Originator of 'Tot Spot Program spoke about the
impact of fee increase in July..A rise from $3 - $4.and from.$2 -,$3.
Staff have heard from several regular customers that the price
increase will cause some families to drop out and find other things to
do. Playworld, a similar business, didn't last due to high prices of
$6 /visit.
Linda noted that Tot Spot creates future customers for other
partnership programs. Most families decline to use scholarships for
this drop in program; instead they will reduce the number of visits.
With current fees, it will cost $7 for a family with a toddler and an
infant to visit once for two hours..
Her Request: At least alter price for infants to make it $2. Set fee
for season rather than waiting for Jan. 1 3t
- Motion by Rich to reinstate baby fee from $3 to $2.
Discussion:
Question: If fee is lowered how will you fix projected budget
proposals? Answer: These revenue figures are projections -it is not
known for sure the effect of the fees on exact amount of participants.
It's possible the fee increase would have decreased the revenue. It
does not make sense to alter projections based on these speculations.
Staff has and will carefully document participation and revenues
-Is there a surplus anywhere that could cover cost if fee was lowered?
Tin Can Fantasy 2001 extra sponsorship money will be used for other
and new program developments.
-One way to cover the gap between costs and revenues: A Business might
want to sponsor program, ex. Creative Kids,.library.
Action: Motion to restore -the Tot Spot Baby fee ato$2 instead of $3.
P_pproved 6 yes 1 no.
r
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III. New Business
• County Wide Track.
Request to include this independent program in the Partnership:
't'hi's program, founded and run by Kevin Thompson for the past three
years, serves children throughout the Ithaca City School District.
Kevin has been volunteering his time but now has to care for his
daughter and will not be able to do it. Came to the IYB for help.
-IYB Staff suggested it could be a developmental track program
provides an umbrella for other County School Districts to start
and sponsor meets allowing countywide play. Kevin has developed
complete manual on how to create program in other schools. Kids
that
teams
a
in
current program pay $150 for year round membership. Ages range from
grade to 7`'' grade.Staff requested that Kevin prepare a projected
budget for the new board to consider.
Request: Staff asked for authorization to pursue the development
proposal for a county wide track program that could be presented
the new board.
Action: Unanimous decision to proceed with preparing a proposal
• Program and Scholarship Report
Participation
Handouts were distributed showing:
-Rec. Partnership Registrations through
Value of Scholarships granted in the
It was noted that the Rec. Partnership
Difference is filled by Every Child Has
endowment to the Ithaca Youth Bureau.
the
2 nd
of a
to
Sept, 2000
same time period
has set a cap of $151000.
Opportunities (ECHO) Fund
Program planning
-Plans are going forward to use the I -H =S facility for a full day
sports camp, with a choice of morning activities, and single sport
intensives in the afternoon. Participants could choose morning or
afternoon only, or full day.
-Club Ithaca
is being conducted by Ide's Bowling in
conjunction with
the Teen Community
Center without a partnership subsidy
two Saturday
evenings per
month.
Aram deKoven, the Partnership's
Club Ithaca
coordinator
for the
past two summers is still on board
with many of
the youth program
managers,
and working with Toshav
Storrs, from the
Teen Center.
They
have secured school busses, which
will transport
youth from 5
sites
around the county to and from the
programs.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm
Notes by Kevin Foresti, recreation specialist
November 2000 Program Report
Rotary Fall Soccer
A Saturday, Dec. 2 Luncheon is scheduled to recognize the more than 60 volunteer coaches who
made the 2000 season the best ever. The Rotary Clubs have donated additional funds to cover the costs of
the lasagna lunch. The event will include a display of team pictures, stories of highlights and memorable
moments from coaches, certificates of appreciation and recognition of the Rotary Club contribution to the
program. More than 800 youth were registered in the program this fall. The number of girls playing has
incre;tsed by 40 percent in the last four years.
Small Fry Football/Flag Football
In spite of a last minute announcement that our League Director, Bob Gneo, had accepted a
position as Varsity Football Coach at IHS, he continued at the helm of the Small Fry program and it
flourished. The Junior Division Program grew to a point where a second team was created, and the Senior
Division 'ream had a strong season. The Dryden Recreation Program loaned extra helmets to
accommodate an unexpected increase in registrations. (In return, Lacrosse helmets were loaned to a
fledgling Dryden community youth lacrosse program this past fall.) Total registrations for the Small Fry
program were 80, up from 60 in 1999.Flag football proved popular for a first year offering, with more
than 20 registrations. It is expected that some flag players will graduate into small fry next year, and we
are planning for four full teams,
Fall Youtheatre / Imagine That Programs
Some 25 youth participated in this Saturday morning program, held at Ithaca College's
Dillingham Center and taught by a talented crew of college theatre majors, under the director of Terry
Tumminia. Four different schools and a group of home schoolers participated in six -week Imagine That
drama programs: Northeast, Trumansburg, Fall Creek, and Cayuga Heights. Five college instructors and
one high school student work with Terry on these programs.
Basketball
Small Ball, a new Saturday afternoon program for first and second graders at the Youth Bureau
has been so popular a second session has been added to serve 15 additional children. Taught by Nate
Smith, an experienced local coach and Sports Camp Instructor, the program offers wintertime exercise
and beginning ball skills. Middle School Basketball for Girls and Boys will add a second night of practice
to the Sunday afternoon sessions, and will include opportunities for games with other county area middle
school basketball teams.
Fencing
This program continues to grow, with more than 40 fall registrations and an inter- generational Tuesday
evening drop -in program that includes, youth, adults and two parents participating. The addition of a
fencing option at Sports Camp and additional advertising has paid off in more registrations.
Tot Spot
Attendance is holding steady, in spite of grumbling about the increase in prices. A Sunday, January 21
Tot Spot Benefit concert with Mrs. McPuppet (Elizabeth McMahon) is planned to raise funds and bring
new users to the Sunday afternoon timeslot.
Staffing Changes
With the planned retirement of Ithaca Youth Bureau Director Sam Cohen at the end of December, Alice
Green will assume the role of Acting Director. The city's Common Council and Civil Service
Commission have approved a plan to reinstate a former position of recreation coordinator, which will be
filled by a promotional exam from among the Bureau's current Recreation Supervisors. The vacancy
created by that promotion will be filled through a full affirmative action open job posting,
Recreation Leader Jill Adams left in September to take a teaching job, Since her duties were mainly data
management and publicity in recent years, her position was reclassified as an Administrative Assistant, at
the same salary level. That vacancy is currently being advertised.
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