CITY PARKS, RECREATION & CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting held Tuesday, March 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, March 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
Commissioner Jim Walsh
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 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 Walsh and seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2019 meeting. Carried.
Opportunity for Persons to Address Commission.
None.
Reports of Committees and Projects.
Report from the Riverfront Management Council/Riverwalk Project Update: No RMC meeting in February.
Allen Park Ice Rink Lease Update: John said the Frewsburg Soccer Club (FSC) signed the lease and they’re already doing practices and clinics. They’re doing a lot of work including hoping to add batting cages. The city can still hold the Easter Egg Hunt, if needed, and the Halloween Fun Fest at the rink. FSC is working with the Roller Derby team as well. Cindy DiNapoli asked where the turf came from. John said FSC bought it from the Northwest Arena. As they raise more money they want to add features. John Bauer asked if they’re paying a flat lease rate. John said they are and they have the option to sublease the facility. Russ Diethrick asked what major repairs they could be facing. John said they will look at the roof this Spring. The City just put in a new fire alert system. John B. asked if they will be maintaining it as a no-smoking facility. John W. said they will.
Ash Tree Update: Dan Stone said crews cut down 180 trees so far and have 25 left to cut down. Not all the Ash trees will be cut down due to access for some. The take-down list doesn’t include Ash trees in the parks, so there will be dead trees in some of the parks. Dan is printing out a stump grinding list that’s 17 pages long. Russ Diethrick asked when the Emerald Ash Borer came into the area. Dan said it was just over 10 years ago. Russ what the lifespan of the borer is. Dan said it’s one year. He said he received more money from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation for planting trees. Normally, he receives $5,000 but he went after more money because of all the take-downs and they’re giving him $7,000 this year. He said tree prices were finally going down after being higher due to the tree damage from storms in Buffalo, but the Ash trees dying will probably cause prices to rise again. Russ asked if the borer would go to another tree with Ash trees gone. Dan said he’s been told no but it remains to be seen. He said we’ve been very fortunate during the last few windstorms. He’s still determining which trees to replace the Ash with. He wants to stay with native species even though climate change indicates he could change to a warmer climate tree. He just needs time to plant. 230 trees need to be planted this Spring. Dan said we’re up to between 313 to 323 different varieties of tress we’re planting. He said a lot of the Ash trees are going to seed so they’re trying to survive. He has one tree he might try treating to see if he can keep it alive. He took down 14 trees on Falconer Street from Jeffords to Buffalo Street. 10 Ash trees were taken down on Euclid and Prendergast Avenue had a lot of trees cut down as well. Russ asked if a fly-over was ever done of the city. Dan said not yet. He added the ten to 12 streets really impacted by the take-downs will be the focus of the plantings with the money from the CRCF.
Easter Egg Hunt: Julia said the CRCF is providing a donation to the event this year as a sponsor since Sertoma has dissolved. The plastic eggs, candy and small prizes have been purchased already. Cindy DiNapoli said there will be stuffed animals donated again for prizes.
City Rec Baseball: Julia said sign-ups for youth baseball will be Tuesday, March 19th from 4:30-6:30 in the City Hall Lobby.
Misc.: Cindy DiNapoli asked John Williams when he looks at the playgrounds for repairs and upgrades. John said he does that in the Spring. Cindy asked if he replaces woodchips. John said he does.
John said George Spitale asked him to bring up a citizen’s request to put a tank in Veterans Park. George is against the idea but he wanted the PRC’s input on the issue. Kim Ecklund said she’s against it form a liability standpoint and would assume the city attorney would be against it for that reason as well. Cindy DiNapoli said the members of the PRC were unanimous in agreeing that a tank would not be a good fit for that park.
Good of the Order:
Adjournment
The next meeting is Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julia Ciesla-Hanley
