Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-02DRC 03 -02 -201 1 Pace l of 2 Dryden Recreation Commission (DRC) Monthly Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 2, 2011 7:00 pm (February meeting) Members of Commission: Wendy Martin (chair), exp 11; Sharon Todd (secretary), exp 13; Larry Hinkle, exp 13; Jeff Humphrey, exp 13. Vicki Wilkins, exp 11; Steve Meyer, exp 12; Elsie Gutchess, exp 12 Community Association Member: Monica Knight, exp 11 Town Board Representative: Steve Stelick, Jr., & Jason Leifer ABSENT: Town Rec. Director: Melissa Bianconi Dryden CSD Liaison. Billie Downs, exp 6/11 Business Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm. 1. Reading of the Commission's Meeting Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of 1/26/2011 was made by Billie Downs and seconded by Elsie Gutchess. The motion was passed with all ayes and 1 abstention (M Knight as she was absent from the last meeting). 2. Recognition of guests and community communications D Scutt from Kiwanis was present and handed out a softball and baseball sign up form. 3. Old Business: - Community Center Grant Program Review & Recommendations This program was set up to enhance the programs that are available out in the community centers. It's a competitive process that was handed off to the Rec Commission once a process was in place to award these funds to the community centers. The committee went over the funds for the past 3 years and how much was spent on what. This is not a program that was planned to be a permanent program. Once community centers were able to get some improvements done, the plan was to put this money to another use. There is about $1000 left that has not been spent that M Bianconi is working with the Bookkeeper on rolling over to next year. One item the community centers were asked about is what their plans are for the future. Varna — roof, Etna — park, DC3 — bathrooms handicapped accessible. There is some concern about using some of funds for improving a rental property. They are looking at adding a clause to the grant application requiring a statement from the landlord that for each $2000 awarded, the facility will be able to be rented by the center for 1 year. Also, the financial statements were looked at for the centers that provided them. Two of the centers seem to be in a good financial standing, while the third is not. So another idea was to build something in to the grant process where the property owner or community center has to match the funds being awarded. Also, are the physical structure community centers utilized by a large amount of the town residents. There is a lot of money being invested with these grants. Is there a better place this money could be used to be utilized by more residents? Maybe enhancing public spaces, through the community centers or another way, is a better use of these funds. Possibly add "and public spaces" to grant title. A more active role in the grant process by the community center liaison might be helpful. We would like to be more proactive in this process. Possibly a small meeting with one person from each center could meet and go over the grant process as a group. An idea is to approach the Village of Freeville to see if they would be willing to lease the land to the Town to help improve these open spaces for the community at large. Need to separate in to two veins of thought: this year and long term. These are good ideas for goals, but this year's guidelines are in place. Any changes need to be approved by the Town Dryden Recreation Commission 03 -d2 -2011 Minutes Page 2 of 2 ® Board and at this point, changes could not be agreed upon and given to the Town Board for approval until April and that is too late for this year's applications. W Martin made a motion to include a cover letter that states the criteria that the review committee will be using for reviewing and prioritizing the grant applications. These were put in place last year. E Gutchess seconded the motion. Being no further discussion, there were 8 ayes, 0 nays and 1 abstention. The motion passed. W Martin, S Todd and M Bianconi will work on a letter and send to the rest of the committee for review before it is sent out. Asked P Millard to get information on what was communicated to centers when grants were awarded — was feedback from review process communicated? 4. Dryden Central School District Liaison monthly update — B. Downs Spring sports are starting. Gym is getting booked. Youth Development speaker is coming on Friday 8:15 -9:00 at the school. The lecture is on utilizing your strengths, overcoming challenges, being accountable for your actions. Funding decisions haven't been made yet. B Downs has talked to M Bianconi about some changes that may be coming. 5. Town Board monthly update — S. Stelick & J. Leifer The recreation master plan was discussed at January's meeting. 6. Community Centers monthly update — M. Knight Nothing this month. 7. New Business: Goals for 2011 Asked members to review handout of possible goals for this year and bring feedback and ideas to the next meeting. One idea is to possibly have a medical person at recreation events. Would like to see us utilize the college population better. Website — can we add more information to this page? Absolutely. Get ideas or items to Patty and she can make changes there. The Dryden Recreation Partnership Meeting is 3131 and M Bianconi would love to have members of the DRC attend. Will email details to folks. Next meeting date 3130111 Motion to Adjourn: B Downs Second: E Gutchess at 8:34 p.m - all approved.