HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRYC 2024-10-23DRYC 2024-10-23
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Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission (DRYC)
October 23, 2024
Hybrid
Present: Leslie Debo (chair), David Peck (vice chair), Jenelle Carr*, Julie McLean*, Will
Olson, James Whalley
Absent: Rhonda Kowalski, Ron Szymanski
Liaisons: Jason Leifer (Town Board)
Shelly Lester (Tompkins County Rural Youth Services Coordinator)
Athena Steinkraus (Cornell Cooperative Extension – Tompkins County)
Staff: Marty Conger (Recreation Director)
Allison Kjellander-Cantu (Deputy Town Clerk)
“*” Denotes attendance via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
Review and Approval of Minutes from August 28, 2024
On a motion given by D Peck, seconded by J Whalley, the minutes of August 28, 2024,
were approved as written. Vote: Debo- Aye, Peck- Aye, McLean- Abstained, Olson- Aye,
Whalley- Aye
Review and Approval of Minutes from September 25, 2024
On a motion given by L Debo, seconded by J Whalley, the minutes of September 25,
2024, were approved as written. Vote: Debo- Aye, Peck- Aye, McLean- Aye, Olson- Aye,
Whalley- Aye
Reports: Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Services
A Steinkraus reported they have submitted their over-target request for funding help
with the OURS program. Legislative did not pass the first open round, and she wanted to thank
all those who sent in supporting letters. There was more support for this budget item than they
had received for any other request. Tompkins County's target of $47,225 did not include the
$25,000 picked up by the legislative chair, Dan Klein, with a unanimous vote. The final vote
will be at the next legislative meeting.
S Lester, Rural Youth Service Coordinator, passed around the proposal for the Dryden
OURS program position. The senior program manager position has been vacant for several
years due to the job requirements needed based on education, experience, and pay rate. There
have not been any interviews since early this year. She read out loud the proposal, see
attached. The overall goal would be more after-school and summer programming in several
locations. She is looking into other areas that may allow a place for the kids to go after school
and programming such locations as the schools, fire halls, and churches would be other
venues for these programs.
M Conger informed that Freeville is the only district with no after-school programming.
She mentioned some hurdles that may come with using Dryden schools.
Various ideas were raised that there is more activity after school at the middle and high
schools than at the elementary schools. Another option would be to investigate fire halls or
community centers as another resource for space.
DRYC 2024-10-23
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S Lester if that doesn’t work then another option would be to see if busing is an option
for the students this year to 4H acres, and other places not just for after school but during the
summer programs. This would also allow Dave Hall the ability to use it during the summer for
Dryden Lake or field trips.
Discuss and Approve the Proposal for Dryden OURS Programming
On a motion made by D Peck, seconded by J Whalley, the Proposal for Dryden OURS
Programing, was approved. Vote: Debo- Aye, Peck- Aye, McLean- Aye, Carr- Ayes, Olson- Aye,
Whalley- Aye
Reports: Town Board
J Liefer has nothing to report.
Reports: Recreation Department
M Conger is applying for a youth sports grant to help buy new soccer goals and nets.
The haunted house is ramping up and is almost ready for this weekend. This Saturday there
will also be a 5k ghost run, and hayrides instead of Halloween.
Discuss and Approve Consultant Service for Land Development
L Debo opened the floor up for discussion on the two proposals submitted: CHA and
EDR. Members agreed on several factors:
1. CHAs cost is significantly less than $20,000
2. CHAs had glowing reviews while EDRs references did not respond
3. CHAs more specialized in this type of project scope
4. CHAs a larger company with more in-house specialists with resources to pull from
On a motion given by J Whalley, seconded by L Debo, hiring CHA for Consultant
Service for Land Development, was approved. Vote: Debo- Aye, Peck- Aye, Carr- Aye, McLean-
Aye, Olson- Abstained, Whalley- Aye
L Debo will be applying to Cornell Design Concept for their input on the Methodist
Church being transformed into a community center. We hope something comes from that.
Respectfully submitted,
Allison Kjellander-Cantu
Deputy Town Clerk