CITY PARKS, RECREATION & CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting held Tuesday, February 5, 2019
PROCEEDINGS BY AUTHORITY
State of New York, City of Jamestown
The regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission of the City of Jamestown, New York, was held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 5:00 in Jamestown New York.
Those present representing the Commission were:
Commissioner John Bauer
Commissioner Russ Diethrick
Commissioner Cindy DiNapoli
Commissioner Kim Ecklund
Commissioner Chris Prinzi
Commissioner Aubrey Russell
Others Present:
Julia Ciesla-Hanley, Recreation Coordinator
Dan Stone, Arborist
John Williams, Parks Manager
Absent:
Commissioner Dave Anderson
Commissioner Tamu Graham-Reinhardt
Commissioner Dave Reinhardt
Commissioner Jim Walsh
Commissioner Bob Whitney
Commissioner James Ventura
The meeting was called to order by Julia Ciesla-Hanley.
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Prinzi and seconded by Commissioner Diethrick to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2019 meeting. Carried.
Opportunity for Persons to Address Commission.
None.
Reports of Committees and Projects.
Report from the Riverfront Management Council/Riverwalk Project Update: Julia said the Illumination project went to bid in January. We’re waiting to hear who got that project.
Diman Smith from the Cassadaga American Legion is working on holding a walkathon on the Riverwalk in April. The walk coincides with other walks happening across New York State that weekend and money raised will go to the VA Hospital.
The Empire State Games Torch Relay took place last month on the Riverwalk. Mayor Teresi ran the first leg of the relay over the pedestrian bridge. John said the weather was really cold.
Allen Park Ice Rink Lease Update: John Williams said the Frewsburg Soccer Club is working on doing a permanent lease of the former Allen Park Ice Rink. City Council approved the lease but FSC still needs to sign it. The lease involves them taking over the utilities and taking over renting out the facility to other organizations who might be interested in using it as well. The City will still be able to use the rink for the Halloween Fun Fest and the Easter Egg Hunt. The Warrin’ Wrecking Dolls Roller Derby team also is part of the lease in terms of being given the option to continue using the rink for their bouts. Cindy DiNapoli asked if they will be holding indoor soccer games. John said it would be mainly used for practices. Russ Diethrick asked if the use is limited to children from Frewsburg. Dan said there are children from Jamestown and other areas on the team. John W. said a lot of groups were interested in a lease of the rink but only FSC had a plan and money to move it forward. Cindy asked if the nursery next to the rink is still ours. John said yes and that FSC only has lease of the building. Cindy asked about the parking lot. Kim Ecklund said she has confidence in the city attorney to get the language right. John said the one downside is that the Parks Department lost storage space. Russ mentioned that the Allen Park Rink was a back-up ice rink for the arena downtown. John said the city sold the compressors to Jamestown Ice 5 years ago and hadn’t made ice in 12 year.
Easter Egg Hunt: Julia said April 20th will be this year’s Easter Egg Hunt at Allen Park. She said Sertoma has dissolved as an organization and since they were a main sponsor of the event, she’s looking into new leads there. Stephanie Wright from the City Department of Development will be taking over as the Easter Bunny this year. She has already spoken with veteran Easter Bunny, John Bauer, about that role and she’s psyched. Russ Diethrick thanked John B. for all his years of service.
New PRC Members: Julia said that with Councilmember Vanessa Weinert’s resignation, Tamu Graham-Reinhardt has been named to City Council by Mayor Teresi. She will be replacing Vanessa as one of the Council representatives to the Parks Commission. Jason Stronz also has resigned from the PRC and Bob Whitney has been appointed as his replacement.
Trees: Dan Stone said he started tree trimming last week. John Bauer said there’s a lot of sun shining on his house on Euclid now with the Ash trees gone.
Good of the Order:
Adjournment
The next meeting is Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julia Ciesla-Hanley
