At a glance
The Services Committee met to review programming at the Senior Center and Youth Center. Senior Center operations remain minimal, with no commissioner in place and only county programs plus Zumba. Youth Director Calvin Collins reported that Oakdale summer camp registration is open with 75 campers and over 30 counselor applications, and the committee pushed for faster hiring of an assistant director position before the May 15 target date. The committee plans to survey seniors about transportation barriers and coordinate outreach to housing facilities.
Senior Center Update and Transportation Survey
A committee member reported minimal activity at the Senior Center, which has no director or commissioner and relies mainly on county programs. The committee discussed creating a simple survey focused on transportation barriers to gauge interest and plan outreach.
Key points
- Senior Center currently offers only Zumba in addition to county programs, no local director or commissioner is in place
- No database exists for contacting seniors with newsletters or program information
- Committee drafted a transportation survey to distribute at senior housing sites including Bliss Towers, Promenade, Providence Hall, and the Terrace
- Committee plans to visit housing sites in person to help seniors complete the five-question survey and have direct conversations
- Target is 50 completed surveys to assess transportation barriers and interest in Senior Center programs
- Committee discussed coordinating with county Office for the Aging director Nina Benonito for program flyers and information
Hudson Senior Center programming is primarily delivered through Columbia County Office for the Aging, which operates programs at multiple locations countywide.
Many proper names and specific details were unclear in the auto-caption transcript. Speaker identities could not be reliably determined.
Senior Center Programming Ideas and Outreach Strategy
Committee members discussed expanding the survey to capture what activities seniors want, beyond just transportation. They emphasized the value of in-person conversations and suggested partnering more closely with county programs.
Key points
- Committee proposed asking seniors about their interests (arts, ceramics, sewing, etc.) during survey visits rather than just transportation questions
- County offers bingo on Tuesdays and other activities, but seniors may not be aware of available programs
- Attendance at Hudson Senior Center is much lower than other county sites, possibly 20 people compared to hundreds elsewhere
- Discussion of whether Hudson should maintain a separate senior department or integrate more fully with county services
- Committee acknowledged the Senior Center staff person is a clerk-typist, not in a director role, so there's limited local program development
- Members emphasized the need for a database to communicate with seniors about available programs
Committee members will coordinate visits to senior housing facilities during mealtimes or events to conduct surveys and talk with residents about their interests and needs.
Transportation and Shared Services Discussion
A public commenter and committee members discussed transportation challenges. They explored ideas including better bus service and potentially using Youth Center vans during daytime hours when they're not needed for youth programs.
Key points
- Public comment noted that improved, more frequent two-way bus service would help everyone access the Senior Center
- Transportation is expensive and would require grant funding and insurance coverage
- Committee member suggested using Youth Center vans during the day as a shared service, since they're idle while youth programs aren't running
- Discussion of gas being shut down (context unclear from transcript)
- Committee acknowledged transportation is likely the primary barrier keeping seniors from attending programs (estimated 99.9% certainty)
- Attendance at Senior Center reportedly was higher and better funded seven or eight years ago before COVID
References to gas being shut down and some logistical details about county services were garbled in the transcript and could not be verified.
Youth Center Staff Recognition
Youth Director Calvin Collins highlighted staff and student achievements for the month. He recognized staff member Renee as employee of the month for stepping up during another employee's medical absence, and named three students of the month.
Key points
- Renee, a four-year employee, was named staff of the month for being reliable and flexible
- Renee adjusted her hours to cover cleaning duties while staff member Bisham was out for medical reasons
- Three students of the month: Maline Weiss Rodriguez (grades K through 2), King Saiiah Shivers (grades 3 through 8), and Markeel Johnson (teen group)
- Markeel Johnson is also on the boys varsity basketball team
- Youth Center hosted a celebration for the Blue Hawks basketball team on the evening of this meeting
Youth Center Spring Programming and Easter Egg Hunt
Collins described current spring session programs and a recent Easter egg hunt event. Programming includes arts, cooking, circus skills, drumming, and hip-hop dance, with the dance group planning to perform in the Memorial Day parade.
Key points
- Spring programs include Sylvia Center (cooking), Mettlesteed (circus), art with Joan, drumming with Miss Elena from Operation Unite, and hip-hop dance with Raz's dance studio
- Hip-hop dance group will perform in the Memorial Day parade
- Youth Center held an Easter egg hunt where kids decorated paper bags, then collected candy eggs hidden throughout the building
- Golden eggs contained extra candy
- Art class is working on 3D wire sculptures covered with plaster cloth, turning flat drawings into three-dimensional art
Polar Plunge Fundraiser Results
The annual Polar Plunge at Oakdale Beach on March 7th raised approximately $15,000 split among three organizations. The Youth Center used its share to purchase essential equipment including AEDs (automated external defibrillators).
Key points
- Polar Plunge took place March 7th at Oakdale Beach
- Event raised roughly $15,000, with approximately $5,000 going to each of three organizations: Youth Center, Hudson D team, and Perfect 10
- Youth Center purchased AEDs (life-saving heart emergency equipment) with funds from previous year's event
- All lifeguards are trained in AED use, and at least two staff per pod at summer camp can operate the devices
- Event demonstrated community collaboration between organizations
Blue Hawks Basketball Team Support
Collins described how the Youth Center supported the Blue Hawks basketball team during their tournament run by providing free busing to games. Many team members are Youth Center participants, making it feel like supporting family.
Key points
- Youth Center provided busing to Blue Hawks games for members and community members during the team's tournament run
- Many basketball team members are Youth Center participants
- Youth Center hosted a celebration for the team on the evening of this meeting to recognize their achievements
- Committee member mentioned a three-year-old nephew who attended every game including an overnight trip to Binghamton
- Discussion of having the team sign basketballs for display at Youth Center and potentially for the Hudson history archives at the library
Mayor Ferris suggested the basketball team could sign a ball to be sent to the history department at the library to preserve this moment in Hudson history.
Oakdale Summer Camp Registration and Staffing
Collins reported strong registration numbers for summer camp and described the hiring process underway during spring break. This year will pilot before-and-after care in response to parent feedback.
Key points
- As of April 2, summer camp has 75 campers registered, over 30 counselor applications, and about 20 lifeguard applications
- Youth Center is using spring break week to conduct interviews for counselors, lifeguards, and logistics positions
- Many staff are returning from previous years
- New this year: before care (8 to 9 am) and after care (3 to 4 pm) in response to parent requests from previous years
- Before and after care will cost $50 per week, with $25 for each additional child
- Financial assistance available for families who need help affording the fee
- Camp will provide breakfast and lunch meals
- Registration materials available in three languages: English, Spanish, and Bangla
Before and after care is a pilot program this summer based on parent feedback. The Youth Center emphasized that financial help is available for families who need it.
Summer Camp Locations and Rainy Day Plans
Since the school is unavailable for 80 days this summer, camp will use three locations: the Youth Center, the library, and the firehouse. Committee members discussed rainy day and heat protocols.
Key points
- School facilities not available for 80 days this summer, requiring alternative locations
- Three locations secured: Youth Center, library (continuing from previous years), and firehouse (with permission from Hoffman)
- Alternative locations will be used on rainy days and extreme heat days
- Oakdale Beach has shade, water, and sprinklers allowing camp to operate in most heat conditions
- Youth Center tries to be proactive, planning pivot to indoor locations when extreme temperatures are forecast
- Committee member suggested starting mornings at the Youth Center with breakfast (like former Camp Adventure program at Boys and Girls Club) then transporting to Oakdale, especially helpful on rainy days
Camp Facility Maintenance and Safety
Committee asked about pre-camp facility inspections. Collins confirmed he's coordinating with Tyler Pressman and Darren Collins from DPW to assess the grounds and address any hazards before camp opens.
Key points
- Committee member mentioned hearing about a fence issue around the rink or skating area at Oakdale
- Collins confirmed planning a meeting with Tyler Pressman (DPW) and Commissioner Darren Collins to do full grounds assessment
- Inspection will check fencing and identify any hazards to address before camp starts
- Committee member noted Tyler Pressman was once a camper himself
- Collins expressed gratitude for working with staff who have camp experience and passion for the program
The specific fence or rink issue mentioned was not clearly described in the transcript.
Assistant Director Position: Urgent Push for Hiring
The committee pressed on the status of hiring an assistant director for the Youth Center. Collins said it's in active pursuit with the mayor's office and budget director, but not yet approved. Committee members declared May 15 a target hire date and June 1 the absolute deadline.
Key points
- Assistant director position is a former position being restored, job description already exists
- Collins having preliminary conversations with mayor's office and budget director Heather, but position not yet approved
- Committee suggested provisional appointment could speed the process
- Position is critical for summer camp, would likely serve as camp director
- Committee members agreed June 1 is the absolute latest acceptable hire date, preferably May 15
- Strategy discussed: eliminate a recreation position and blend that salary into the new assistant director position
- Committee wants to know by the April 20 informal meeting where the holdup is and whether additional funding is needed
- Committee discussed potentially sponsoring a resolution to move the hiring forward
Committee member said they would call to find out status before the April 20 informal meeting, and the committee is prepared to sponsor a resolution if needed to move hiring forward.
The committee emphasized this is not a discretionary position but a necessary supervised professional role to oversee staff and children during camp.
Senior Commissioner Vacancy Discussed
Committee members circled back to the lack of a senior commissioner, questioning how effective oversight can happen without leadership. They drew parallels to the urgency of the Youth Center assistant director hire.
Key points
- Committee noted there's no commissioner for seniors, making oversight and planning impossible
- Budget includes only $1,000 for a senior commissioner position, essentially nothing
- Committee members questioned whether money saved by not having senior staff could go toward the Youth Center assistant director
- Discussion noted everything is already budgeted for the fiscal year
- Committee expressed frustration that a commissioner should be providing information rather than committee members having to seek it out
The discussion about budget reallocations and the $1,000 senior commissioner line item contained unclear or contradictory statements in the transcript.
Adjournment and Technical Difficulty
The committee moved to adjourn. A member of the public (Bill) attempted to speak via video but experienced audio problems and could not be heard despite unmuting attempts.
Key points
- Committee member Bill raised his hand to speak remotely
- Technical issues prevented Bill's audio from working despite multiple unmute attempts
- Committee could not hear Bill and eventually moved to adjourn
- Motion to adjourn was made and seconded
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