CITY PARKS, RECREATION & CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting held Tuesday, March 6, 2018
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 6, 2018 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 Jason Stronz
Commissioner James Ventura
Commissioner Vanessa Weinert
Others Present:
Julia Ciesla-Hanley, Recreation Coordinator
John Williams, Parks Manager
Absent:
Commissioner Dave Anderson
Commissioner Chris Prinzi
Commissioner Dave Reinhardt
Commissioner Aubrey Russell
Commissioner Jim Walsh
The meeting was called to order by Cindy DiNapoli.
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ecklund and seconded by Commissioner Bauer to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2018 meeting. Carried.
Opportunity for Persons to Address Commission.
None.
Reports of Committees and Projects.
Report from the Riverfront Management Council/Riverwalk Project Update: The sheet piling in the Chadakoin River by the Jamestown BPU has gone out to bid. John Williams said that bid has been accepted and the pilings will come out this month. Kim Ecklund said council hasn’t seen it to approve yet. Julia said the city and Clark-Patterson Lee have received an award for the pedestrian bridge design. John said Chautauqua Soil & Water is hoping to be able to work on the bank restabilization project before April since they can’t do anything once fish spawning season begins on April 1st and lasts until June 30th.
Easter Egg Hunt: Julia said the event is scheduled for Saturday, March 31st. The weather will determine whether we’re on the playground or inside the Allen Park Ice Rink. Sertoma Club of Jamestown, Mark Hess’ family, and the Allen Park Women’s Club are main sponsors of the event. Julia said Girl Scout Troop 20029 filled all 3,000 eggs. Jason Stronz asked if volunteers will be needed. Julia said we will need help to disperse eggs and help with crowd control, especially if we’re inside. Kim Ecklund asked if National Honor Society could be useful. Julia said she’d welcome them too.
City Rec Baseball: Julia said City Rec Youth Baseball sign-ups will be Tuesday, March 20th in the city hall lobby from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Julia thanked Kim Ecklund for her work in raising funds for a scholarship fund that will go toward pay entry fees for families in need of assistance. Kim said she’s raised $640 so far and the total might be close to $1,000. She recommended that one of the main donors receive special thanks. Russ Diethrick asked what will happen to excess funds not expended this year. Julia said the money will be rolled over to future years. It’s being kept in the Recreation Trust Account.
Summer Programs/Events: John said Soap Box Derby sign-ups will be March 10th from 1 to 5pm at the Northwest Savings Bank Arena. The fee is $35. He’s trying to get the STEM program to be part of the Derby through the Education Coalition. The race is June 9th at Diethrick Park. John is trying to work through obstacles with a Jammers game on the Friday night before. The races are 9am to 4pm. John said the STEM cars would race first. He said it will be tough to get in practice runs. Vanessa asked how many usual sign up. John said they usually have 30 local cars. We get around 40 cars at the rally in September. There are 4 races that weekend. Russ Diethrick said the radio station will be at the Derby.
Summer Bandshell Program: Julia said the Chautauqua Theatre Company has committed to putting on a performance of “As You Like It” by Shakespeare on 2 dates as part of the bandshell performance series this summer. Julia said she also spoke with Jamestown Municipal Band Director Rick Lundquist and he said the band has received funding for concerts and is optimistic that other funding will come in that will allow them to put on possibly more than 8 concerts. She said we will be looking for a group to perform the week of June 20th as the municipal band isn’t able to start that early. Julia said when you combine the municipal band performances with the other groups and there might be 14 to 15 performances this season. If there are issues with weather, we may have to look at alternate days of the week to make up concerts.
Playground Program/Summer Work: Julia said we are still in great need of applicants. John said he only has 4 out of 15 positions filled. We’re hoping that we’ll get in more applications this month as students come home on Spring break.
Diethrick Park: John said he’s gone out for bid for painting at the Stadium and that bid has been accepted. He’s working on traffic coating. John said we’re waiting for the weather to break so the roof can be checked out. He said the scoreboard comes in next week. The first game scheduled is a Jamestown Community College game for April 8th.
St. Patrick’s Day: John said the Chamber of Commerce will be turning the river green at 10:30am on Saturday, March 17th. The BPU will be putting the dye into the river. It is a safe substance.
Good of the Order:
Jason Stronz said to wish fellow Commissioner Dave Reinhardt a Happy Birthday.
Adjournment
The next meeting is Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julia Ciesla-Hanley
