HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-25Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission
July 2018 Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
25 July 2018 at 7:00 PM
Dryden Town Hall
Members present: David Peck (chair), Claudia Haferkamp-Wise, Stephanie Mulinos
Liaisons present: Alice Green (Town Board), Kathy Sevoss (Town Board), Marty
Conger (Dryden Recreation), Janice Johnson (TCYSD), Bridgett Nugent (TCYSD),
Shelley Lester (CCE Rural Youth Services)
June Meeting Minutes
The June meeting was cancelled because there would not be a quorum present.
July 2018 Meeting: Without a quorum being present, no official business was
conducted. The commission heard reports from liaisons.
Town Board & Recreation Department: A. Green
The Town Board is working on receiving grants for the Rail Trail. We have received a
grant from Tompkins County Tourism Initiative ($26,000) and an AARP Quick Action
Grant ($8,000) for seven benches and three kiosks for the section of the trail
between the Village of Freeville and the Village of Dryden.
J. Johnson asked if there was any budget discussion started.
K. Servoss stated that some discussion has happened but there is a delay related to
a transition in system software used for the budget process.
Dryden Recreation: M. Conger
Summer Camp is full (40 kids). Camp is going well.
M. Conger reported on the summer camps and activities that have already
occurred as well as upcoming camps and clinics.
Exploring the idea of having a Fall Festival on September 29. Currently seeking
sponsorship for the event but have not had success yet. Would use Montgomery
Park.
Currently getting estimates for a storage building for recreation supplies and
equipment. Equipment is currently being stored at the highway department.
Meeting with Dryden Athletic Director and Superintendent regarding field use.
Space is limited as a result of construction on campus.
Marty wanted to recognize the tremendous work of Diane Pamel from Southworth
Library supporting the summer camp. Diane has come to read to the kids, brought
books and movies, provided a green screen so kids could pretend to be astronauts,
and provided space for an program at the library. She's help them save money and
the kids love her.
A. Green recognized the great work Marty has done with the camp in its first year
Tompkins County Youth Services: J. Johnson
Noted the report that was sent and encouraging members to sign up for the
newsletter that is sent a few times a year. Introduced Bridgett Nugent, the new
Deputy Director of the Tompkins County Your Services Department, who will be the
liaison to DRYC.
Rail to Trail Commission: A. Green
Still looking to have a grand opening for the Dryden to Freeville portion in late
October. Hope to have the benches and kiosks in place by then. Still considering
possibilities for activities in conjunction with this (bike rodeo, a run of some sort).
Plans depend on the volunteer crews completing work before the end of October.
The section from Rt 13 to Game Farm is now completely open.
Cornell Cooperative Extension: Report S. Lester
Dave Hall's programs are going well. Has a group of youth competing in the Junior
Iron Chef competition. Even though Project Lead is not happening this summer, the
youth employment budget is paying for a youth employee for Dave as well as three
youth employees at the Southworth Library.
The search for a new OURS program manager has been stagnant. The position was
reposted after the initial choice declined the offer. Will phone screen some of the
candidates they've received. Shelley has communicated with the Cornell public
service center and the presidents of YOURS to help them understand the difficulty
they've had in filling the position. The programming hours is one of the hurdles to
filling the position. Programming for the upcoming year will be Monday through
Thursday with Friday as an office day so they'd have that evening off.
Project Lead proposal for 2019 is for three sessions of two weeks each that would
serve thirty youth. Possible partners would include TC3, Rail Trail, Farm to Table, other
local organizations. Both weeks of the session would be in the same location.
Youth employment will be impacted by the increase in the minimum wage. With
the increase, they'll be able to cover 183 hours.
K. Servoss shared the benefit that Project Lead was for her son.
Dave Hall's program has a camping/hiking trip in the planned. The group will meet
up with groups from other local programs.
Shelley also shared information about the youth development, youth employment,
and OURS budgets.
There is a proposal to increase the salary of the OURS/Project Lead Program
Manager in the 2019 budget.
There was discussion about the role of the DRYC in relation to both Recreation and
Youth Services.