HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRYC 2025-10-22Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission (DRYC)
October22, 2025
HybridPresent:Leslie Debo (chair),Julie McLean*, Rachel Sumner, James WhalleyAbsent:David Peck (vice chair), Jenelle Carr, Will OlsonLiaisons:Jason Leifer (Town Board)Athena Steinkraus
(Cornell Cooperative Extension – Tompkins County)Kate Shanks-Booth (Tompkins County Youth Services)
Staff:Marty Conger (Recreation Director)
“*” Denotes attendance via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
Commission Introduction
The committee formally welcomed its newest member, Rachel Sumner.She brings a professional background,including research on purpose in life and work with 4-H and positive youth
development.
The commission currently has one remaining vacancy to be filled.
Review and Approval of Minutes from September 24, 2025
On motion made by L Debo, seconded by J.Whalley, the minutes of September 24, 2025, were approved as written. Vote:L Debo-Aye, J McLean-Aye, J Whalley-Aye
Reports: Tompkins County Youth Services
K Shanks-Booth shared exciting news that theTompkins County Legislature has successfully voted to include a 3% funding enhancement for both the Rural Youth Services program and other
funded agencies in the 2026 county budget.The approval came after a contentious, four-hour legislative meeting where it was initially defeated before a vote was reconsidered. This will
increase Dryden's specific funding from the country by (3%) $39,490.
The department is actively looking to hire a Youth Service Specialist, with nine highly qualified candidates. We have scheduled interviews over the next two weeks and will determine
where they can fit within the county.
A significant leadership transition is underway, as the department's deputy director is retiring at the end of June after 36 years of service.
Reports: Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Services
A Steinkrausupdated Rural YouthService Program, Dave Hall. All programs are currently full, with registration for the next session already open.
The programs operate under the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model, emphasizing youth voice and choice. An example is the Monday Makers program, where participants select their own
activities and outings, such as a recent trip to the Paleontological Research Center.
A significant challenge has been hiring a coordinator for the Dryden Hours program, which has been paused for too long. The previous candidate declined our offer, so now we have a promising
candidate who has emerged. This individual is relocating from the Adirondacks, where they served as theday camp director and have experience with after-school programming. While the
candidate's stay in the area may potentially be for one year, the committee agreed that getting the program operational, even for a year, is a top priority.An interview with this candidate
is scheduled for October 30th.
Primary expenditures from the Dryden Hours budget were for youth wages (e.g., employees at the library, a summer assistant for Dave Hall's programs, and an employeefor the summer Olympics.
Reports: Recreation Department
M Conger submitted the recreation department's budget last week to the town board. The only major funding increase requested was an additional $2,000 for the summer music series.There
were no questions from the board about the proposed budget.
Fall Sports: The soccer season concluded successfully with approximately 180 participants. The football season is wrapping up after hosting four home games, which was noted as a significant
logistical undertaking.
Winter Sports: Basketball registration opened on October 1st, with some teams filling within 90 minutes. Wrestling registration is also open, but the program faces a league-imposed limit
of one team per grade per town due to potential gym space shortages across the league. This may prevent the creation of multiple Dryden teams where numbers would otherwise allow it.A
new program led by local coaches from TC3 and Ithaca High School to include a winter soccer program at Vestal and training opportunities for modified-level boys, including those who
may not have made the school team. The group has taken over the Dryden Soccer Clubentity and plans to offer additional teams.
JV Boys Soccer: It was noted that a JV boys soccer team will be formed next school year.
Shooting Stars Basketball: The K-2 program will run again, with varsity players assisting
The annual Haunted House event will not take place this year. The primary organizer and creative lead, Jason, is unavailable. The commission decided against finding a replacement, reasoning
that they would rather mess it up than have somebody else and risk a lower-quality event that could damage their reputation.
Recreation Fields Grant Writer Selection
The focus of the meeting was the strategic decision of how to secure funding for the development of a new recreation field. The project's scope was previously condensed due to the discovery
of state-protected wetlands on the property. The Town Board requested the commission to solicit three quotes for grant writing services to finance the approved plan.
The commission evaluated three potential partners for the grant writing process.
CHA
Proposed a comprehensive, all-inclusive process within six weeks.
Immediately identified three potential grant opportunities.
Included a 25% placeholder for future engineering costs in their planning.
Possesses deep, specialized knowledge, having developed the initial project plans.
Staff to include experts who can answer technical questions directly.
Demonstrated proactive knowledge of relevant grant cycles and timelines.
Strong preference from the commission.
Choice Words
Proposed an initial fee solely for the purpose of researching potential grants.
The initial phase does not include actual grant writing.
The timeline for completion was undefined.
Murphy Grant Consulting
No cost information was provided.
Will not have the capacity for a project of this scale until 2026.
Unable to meet the project's current timeline.
After discussion, the commission concluded that CHA was the most viable and strategically sound option. The primary rationale was CHA's existing, in-depth knowledge of the project, which
would prevent redundant work and streamline the grant application process. It was noted that procurement policies often allow for selecting a vendor with specialized knowledge, even
if they are not the lowest bidder.
A motion was made by L Debo and was seconded by J Whalley to have the Town of Dryden hire CHA for grant writing services for the recreation fields project,and subsequently passed by
a unanimous vote: L Debo- Aye, R Sumner- Aye, and J Whalley- Aye
The next action for the committeeis to formally communicate this recommendation to the Town Board, specifically to the supervisor's office, for final approval and execution.
The committee also discussed the town's procurement policy. It was noted that the requirement for three formal bids is often flexible for professional services contracts under $10,000.
The policy also allows for selecting a specific vendor when they possess unique, specialized knowledge integral to a project's success—a condition the committee agreed CHA satisfies.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Allison Kjellander-Cantu