[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Artificial Surface Football Field Advisory Committee acceptance.]
Bill Dest and Neil Brickley went over the different prices for artificial surfaces they had found out about from other municipalities. They felt that the estimates given by Kaestle and Boos were too high based on information they received from the other communities.
Bonnie passed out the draft Request for Proposal.
The Committee decided that the Request for Proposals would only deal with Alternatives A, B and F. Jon Cathcart spoke about wanting a synthetic infield surface as the type of surface he would like to see. They have this type of surface in Rocky Hill, Central CT. University and Trinity. Bill Dest felt that the surface must perform in the same manner as a grass surface and should be uniform. Jon said that artificial surfaces have been in the industry for 5-10 years. Bill said there are limitations to artificial surfaces, for example, in the summer, the surfaces become very hot - up to 140 degrees - and they must be cooled down with water before someone plays on the surface. The surface must be kept clean at all times. Jon Cathcart said there would be an annual maintenance fee. Ron Rodd recommended that there be a yearly "g" test and there is a fee for this.
Bonnie explained the Request for Proposal process and how this differs from a bid. She also explained the trigger price for a referendum.
Sheila Suppicich felt that other items should be brought to the Council's agenda, such as the lights, need for new bleachers and that these items should be budgeted over the next 5 years. Tony DiCiocco said that he does not want to go to a referendum with all of these items included with the football field.
Jon Cathcart felt that the Committee must narrow down the choice(s) as to which schematics should be addressed in the RFP. Ron Rodd said at this point the Committee is looking at schematic A, B and F. Jon felt we should only deal with schematics A and B (with B as an option) and F should be left out of the RFP. Ron said F was only there for discussion but the Committee should look at all options. Jon felt that Cottone Field should be done first as it was horrible last year. Ron felt the Committee should do a critical analysis of each scheme. Jay Cottone felt in an ideal world, scheme F would be the perfect choice with Scheme A, but it will not fly financially. He also felt that we should recommend to the Council that they phase in all of the other stadium components.
Ron said that the drainage problem at Cottone is much worse then the track field area. Bill Dest is that Ron was right but it would cost too much to do Scheme F. Ron felt the Committee should bring to the Town Council the best ideas for the betterment of the Town. Jay felt the Committee must be realistic with how much people can afford to spend. Bill Dest is the RFP must have a good engineer on the job to develop the specifications.
Neil Brickley felt the Committee should recommend a design/build concept to the Town Council. Bill Dest was against this as the Committee has to carefully scrutinize each proposal and make sure the contract is air tight. Ron Rodd said that he does not want to vote on the project based on the money and timing issues. There has not been enough time that the Committee has spent in making good decisions that the committee has not asked for all of the information necessary to make good decisions. He wants to publicly say that and have it on the record.
Sheila said she felt insulted by this comment as she, as well as all of the other committee members, have done a lot of research. She has read a lot about artificial surface projects and has seen where other Towns' projects have moved along quite quickly.
Jon Cathcart said that he was very upset with the letter Ron Rodd read to the Town Council at their last meeting. He should have worked with the Committee and not spoken for the Committee. Ron felt that no one has spoke about environmental issues or the specifics of the lighting or the parking situation.
A motion was made by Neil Brickley to have the Committee deal with only Scheme A, with lights; Tony DiCiocco seconded this. Ron reiterated that the Committee has not discussed lights at all. Neil Brickley said that the Committee has heard a lot from Sheila Suppicich, who is a lighting expert, and he has heard enough. Brian DiCicco said that lighting the field will allow the field to be used to full capacity. Sheila made an amendment to the main motion to have as a first alternate, the practice field as grass and then as artificial turf; Jon Cathcart seconded the amendment. Everyone voted yes to the amendment except Ron Rodd, who abstained. Ron made an amendment that any consideration for a lit field must have public input from the neighbors adjoining the field and others of the public; Bill Dest seconded this amendment. Ron feels the Committee needs to formalize this so that all residents have a voice in the lights. Ron voted yes; everyone else voted no; Bill Dest abstained. Everyone voted yes to the main motion except Ron Rodd who voted no.
Brian DiCicco made a motion that the Request for Proposal should be a design and build process; Tony DiCiocco seconded this. Neil Brickley, Brian DiCicco, Jon Cathcart and Tony DiCiocco voted yes; Bill Dest and Ron Rodd voted no; Sheila Suppicich abstained. The motion passed.
Bonnie said handed out the minutes from previous meetings and said they would be reviewed at the Committee's next meeting, which will be next Wednesday in the same place.
Brian DiCicco made a motion to adjourn at 10:09 pm; seconded by Neil Brickley. The vote was unanimous.