Park and Recreation Commission
July 10, 2017
Meeting Minutes
Present: Kevin Jones (Chair), Scott Palmer, John Board, and Ronna Brier (7:46)
Also Present: Rob Blick, 2 Members of the public
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Jones called the meeting to order at 7:37pm
PUBLIC COMMENT
2 members of the public gave the Commission an update on the status of the Redding Dog Park project. The Park location is in the process of being marked so that the organizers can receive bids for the required fencing. Fundraising efforts will resume once the bids are received. Also discussed was the use of woodchips to fill in areas of the park.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Blick reviewed his written report: Camp programs are underway, with our first week matching last year’s participation number, and our second week exceeding last year’s number by 2. The new boats and lifejackets at Topstone are being well used. Season Pass sales are up, daily gate sales are down, meaning more people are taking advantage of the great rates for the season at Topstone. The Resounders Fundraiser last month raised money for Danbury Hospice. Mexican night at Topstone , despite being pushed back a day due to heavy rain. Events at Topstone will continue throughout the summer. Field maintenance continues, including the areas around the tennis court fence, garden fence and field fences. A part-time worker was added to help complete the work on time.
LETTER OF CORRESPONDENCE
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM June 5, 2017
Motion Palmer, Brier, Approved 3-0-0.
PREVIOUS BUSINESS
The Commission is down to six members. Currently, the Commission is set to have 9 members. Mr. Board and Mr. Palmer asked if there has been any progress on reducing the number of commission members needed to 7, or possibly 5 with two alternates. No progress has been made in this area, but will be added to future agendas to revisit the topic.
SPECIAL EVENTS POLICY AND PROCEDURE
The June meeting had a review of an extensive policy written by Mr. Board regarding large and/or special events at Topstone. Mr. Jones began the discussion by stating the “Topstone Park Regulations” (see town website) would be revised slightly. Item 17 needed to add the words “may be reserved by residents or pass holders” for after hours “or off-season” events. He also added a sentence to the end of Item 17 to read, “Special Events may be restricted (see Redding Park and Recreation Special Events Policies and Procedures).”
Mr. Jones stated that in reviewing the policy as submitted at the June meeting, he believed that it was written in such a way that it was intended to be a policy that would govern all large and/or special events for the town of Redding. He stated the purpose of the Commission is to provide policies and procedures for events at Park and Recreation properties, not set policy for the entire Town. As such, Mr. Jones submitted a separate proposal that took all the pertinent and necessary sections of Mr. Board’s policy and condensed them down to one page, while eliminating all of the areas that do not fall under Park and Recreation control (zoning, permits, health, parking, police, etc.).
Mr. Board stated his opposition to the changes. Mrs. Brier and Mr. Palmer agreed with many of the changes. It was agreed that Mr. Palmer would take the revised document and separate the items under two headings: Policies and Procedures, with the goal of creating a document that event organizers could use to guide them through the proper steps to hold an event of 75 attendees or more on Park and Recreation properties. The revised document will be submitted at the August meeting.
ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESS
None
SUPPLEMENTAL PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion Brier, Palmer, Approved 3-0-0, Adjourned at 8:30 pm
Submitted: Kevin Jones