TENTH REGULAR SESSION
Johnstown, NY
October 12, 2021
Roll Call – Quorum Present
Supervisors: Argotsinger, Blackmon, Born, Bowman, Bradt, Breh, Callery, Fagan, Goderie, Greene, Groff, Horton, Howard, Perry, VanDenburgh, Wilson, Young
TOTAL: Present: 17 Absent: 3 (Supervisors Kinowski, Lauria and Potter)
Chairman Callery called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Callery asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to address the Board.
Mr. Stead advised that there will be a presenter here today to update the Board regarding the Parkhurst Field at Legends Park project. He also stated that midway through this meeting, there will be another important announcement related to Destination: Fulton County.
Mr. Stead then introduced Mr. David Karpinski, President of the Parkhurst Field Foundation Board of Directors.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/SCHEDULED SPEAKERS
1:10 P.M. DAVID KARPINSKI OF THE PARKHURST FIELD FOUNDATION WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE LEGENDS PARK AT PARKHURST FIELD PROJECT
Mr. Karpinski thanked the Board of Supervisors for inviting him here today. He provided a synopsis of the history of Parkhurst Field dating back to the early 20th Century. He noted that 116 years ago, today, there was an article in the Fulton County Republican newspaper that discussed the future vision of the Parkhurst Field and commencement of its construction.
He stated that site preparation work had begun in the Spring of 2021, after trees were removed in the winter of 2020. He also stated that the Grandstands and Premier Field phase is where the $1 million grant from Fulton County will be utilized. He met with Gloversville Little League and advised them that the Parkhurst Field Foundation had received a commitment from Fulton County which changed what fields and buildings were going to be constructed first. He stated that “the question mark” is the timing for the main Concession Stand, because that is dependent on future fundraising.
He advised that Nicole Battisti, a Board member of the Foundation, has completed a virtual fly-through rendering of the Parkhurst “Field of Dreams” facility and he presented it to the Board while describing some of its features. The Grandstands will have aluminum bench seats that will be painted brown. It will have steel supports with wood surrounds to make it look vintage but have modernizations for upkeep purposes. He stated that beneath the Grandstands there will be three rooms, a museum, an office for the Gloversville Little League and a Gift Shop.
He stated that the main Concession Stand will be built when the Foundation raises another half million dollars, which will hopefully be by the Summer of 2022. If the funding is there by then, the Concession Stands could be built at the same time as the Grandstands and Premier Field.
Mr. Karpinski stated that the construction should “break ground” by July 2022 and should be complete in April 2023.
He noted that the commitment that the Board of Supervisors has made has drawn a lot of interest from public supporters.
Supervisor Blackmon asked if there would be changing facilities and restrooms on premises. Mr. Karpinski stated there are multiple restroom facilities and advised that most players come dressed so changing rooms are not necessary.
Mr. Karpinski then proceeded to highlight the economic benefits that Little League Tournaments can foster for a community. Mr. Karpinski stated that throughout the Country, parents spend on an average of $7 billion just in “travel sports”. He stated that 70 percent of children are ages 6-17 and are at least in one team sport. With that being said, the Field of Dreams would create a “50 to 1 return” by creating this destination in Fulton County. He stated that an average pf 16 teams per week at 13 players per team would result in approximately 450 visitors and/travelers per week. Mr. Karpinski then provided percentages related to the potential local economic return that Fulton County could see once the Parkhurst Field of Dreams project is complete.
Mr. Karpinski thanked the Fulton County Board of Supervisors again and the members of the Parkhurst Field Foundation Board.
Mr. Karpinski introduced Nicole Battisti, Betsy Emory, and Ron Peters who have all helped with the planning and outreach of this project and asked them to come to the podium.
Chairman Callery then presented a $1 million giant facsimile check to Mr. Karpinski and the Parkhurst Foundation Board representatives on behalf of the Board of Supervisors.
COMMUNICATIONS
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2021 NYSAC Fall Seminar Resolutions Booklet, dated September 13 – September 15, 2021
Subj: Resolutions adopted by county delegates at the NYSAC 2021 Fall Seminar in Onondaga County. |LS|Priority Reading Rack|RS|
UPDATES FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance Committee: Mr. Argotsinger stated that the Finance Committee has been diligently working on the 2022 Tentative Budget and stated that the full Board should receive it in November for review.
REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Soil and Water Conservation District: Supervisor Horton stated that business has been as usual and noted that culvert pipe sales have been “brisk”. He also noted that prices still continue to go up on items such as fabric and drainage pipe.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Callery stated that he and the Chairpersons from the involved Standing Committees had a lengthy meeting with Planning Director Scott Henze that was related to the Route 30/30A Corridor Sewer Project and noted that preliminary planning is coming along well.
Mr. Callery congratulated Charlie and Kayla Potter on the birth of their daughter Gianna Josephine Potter. Mr. Stead stated that, in the last three decades, this is the first Supervisor to have a child while being a member of the Board of Supervisors.
RESOLUTIONS
No. 314 (Resolution Authorizing Application to the NYS Department of Health to Obtain a Municipal Certificate of Need to Establish, Contract for and/or Operate an Ambulance Service Under Contract(s) within the County’s Boundaries): Mr. Groff stated that the County has to continue with this Certificate of Need (CON) and look for a solution so that a person isn’t caught without an ambulance somewhere within Fulton County.
No. 317 (Resolution Reallocating Funds to Repair and Maintain the Jet A Fuel System at the Fulton County Airport (2021 Capital Plan)): Mr. Stead expressed that the County has many things going in the right direction right now and moving LifeNet to the Fulton County Airport was a great step. He also recognized Planning Director Scott Henze and his staff for their hard work.
No. 328 (Resolution Establishing Accounts for the Great Sacandaga Lake History Museum Project: Phase 1 (Destination: Fulton County, 2021 Capital Plan)): Mr. Stead presented an Information Release publicly announcing the Great Sacandaga Lake Museum site and provided copies to the public and to the members of the Board.
Mr. Stead stated that he has submitted the Interim Report to the U.S. Department of Treasury that was required for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. He stated that the County is well underway to following through with the initial reporting requirements from the U.S. Department of Treasury with Planning Director Henze, Deputy Administrative Officer Beth Lathers and himself all having roles in the reporting.
Mr. Stead stated that this purchase is a huge accomplishment for the County and is a step in “taking off” on Destination: Fulton County.
A motion was offered by Supervisor Fagan, seconded by Supervisor Bradt and unanimously carried, to waive the Rules of Order to take Action on Late Resolutions 1 and 2.
No. 332 (Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light): Mr. Stead noted that the County did its own “Operation Green Light” last year when it created a lighted façade to honor Veterans and Police Officers on the outside of the Annex to the Courthouse.
The New York State Association of Counties has now initiated a similar effort for counties across the state to participate in.
Upon a motion by Supervisor Fagan, seconded by Supervisor Howard and unanimously carried, the Board entered into Executive Session at 1:55 p.m. to discuss employment history.
Upon a motion by Supervisor Groff, seconded by Supervisor Argotsinger and unanimously carried, the Board re-entered Regular Session at 2:59 p.m.
Upon a motion by Supervisor Argotsinger, seconded by Supervisor Howard and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Certified by:
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Jon R. Stead, Administrative Officer/ DATE
Clerk of the Board