COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION
MINUTES: APRIL 5, 2004
Chairman Astorino called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: CHAIR: Astorino; Legislators: Alvarado, Pinto, Spreckman; GUESTS: Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation—Commissioner Joe Stout, Bob Reno (Director of the County Center), Deputy Commissioner Joe Montalto; Office of the County Executive—Andrew Neuman
Also present were the members of the public affiliated with the biannual stamp and coin collector show at the County Center.
I. MINUTES:
Without objection the minutes for the March 15, 2004 meeting of the Parks Committee were approved.
II. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Item A4. Bond Act—County Center Parking Lot, County Executive: Bond act authorizing the issuance of up to $170,000 to finance the reconstruction of the County Center parking lot (referred on March 22, 2004; also referred to Budget and Appropriations)
Executives from the Parks Department were present to lead discussion and answer questions on the item, which included the following points:
The item is the design portion of a rehabilitation and reconfiguration project for the parking facilities at the Westchester County Center, to be financed by $170,000 in bonds
The total project, after the design is complete, is expected to total $1.8 million.
There will be a reconfiguration of the parking lots, swapping green and asphalt spaces to the end of consolidating parking areas and freeing up additional green space along the Bronx River Reservation.
The current overflow lot is actually located on the Bronx River Reservation, and leaves the county susceptible to possible state sanctions or law suits, but the project will correct this problem by moving the overflow lot off the reservation
The existing lots are in terrible condition, the project will rehabilitate all surfaces.
Current parking rates are $5 before 9:00 a.m. and $ after 9:00 a.m.
There will be a net loss of 80 spaces after the rehabilitation, from 690 down to 610.
The project will also include the connection of both ends of the Bronx River Pathway, so that pedestrians and cyclists no longer have to cross Hamilton Avenue.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item was approved by a vote of 4-0.
Item B6. Stamp and Coin Show, Hon. James Maisano: Memorandum expressing concerns about scheduling the 2004 stamp and coin show at the County Center (referred on February 9, 2004; also referred to Community Affairs)
A discussion on the referral item included testimony from Parks Department officials and members of the public regarding the scheduling of the biannual Stamp and Coin Show at the Westchester County Center. After a lengthy discussion on different aspects of the scheduling, the committee came to a consensus that it should not become involved in the internal scheduling issues of the Westchester County Center, managed by the county’s Parks Department. The discussion ended without action.
III. RECEIVE AND FILE:
Item B6. Stamp and Coin Show, Hon. James Maisano: Memorandum expressing concerns about scheduling the 2004 stamp and coin show at the County Center (referred on February 9, 2004; also referred to Community Affairs)
Following the discussion on the previous item, a motion was made by Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, to receive and file the item B6. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0, and the item was received and filed.
IV. ADJOURN:
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Spreckman and without objection, the committee adjourned.
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