Common Council Services Committee

1. 0:41meeting is August 6, 20. We have Jen here. Miss Lola is here. Is the name anyone?
2. 0:53Gary is online.
3. 0:54Gary's online. Okay, great. We do have a porum in the room. Uh the first thing is senior center. Uh rating note today that uh the county is still running their programs. Uh the yoga and uh um Zumba I think it was
4. 1:19uh is uh still uh going and then also strength strengthening is going at at the at the club.
5. 1:28I mean at the senior center.
6. 1:30Yeah. Some strengthening. Uh she said it was um
7. 1:34I read about it at the library has a core strength.
8. 1:39Core strengthen. Yeah.
9. 1:40Okay. Yep. Yep.
10. 1:42That isn't the senior center. It's the library.
11. 1:45Oh, is it? Because you put it on for Are they doing it at
12. 1:51Oh, okay.
13. 1:53It's not I looked at it today. I looked at every program that they're running.
14. 1:59Um so, um just brief briefly, uh this this survey, Jen and I, we went uh what was it? July.
15. 2:09Yeah. 16th, right?
16. 2:1117th.
17. 2:1217th.
18. 2:13Yep.
19. 2:16And uh it's I I think that um Jen's idea to put it online, which we did, right? You put it on you sent it to I thought I thought
20. 2:27to the mayor's office. They made it a Google form and they're it should be up and running.
21. 2:34Okay.
22. 2:34I probably have access to it and I haven't looked at it, but I do have the hard copies.
23. 2:38Okay. term bless.
24. 2:40Yeah, I think we probably um see how give it to next to September to see what it looks like.
25. 2:47I I I talked to Leticia.
26. 2:52Yeah.
27. 2:53I mean, what was
28. 2:54Yeah, I talked to Leticia
29. 2:59and I left it with her and I made a little poster that says here, fill out our thing. We're going to leave it there for a couple more weeks because we only got five back.
30. 3:09And um then I also went to uh pro uh
31. 3:15Providence.
32. 3:17I always want to say prospect and I talked to Kim.
33. 3:22Okay.
34. 3:22Who is the manager there. And I did the same thing with her. And I'm going to go back.
35. 3:28No, they're closed Fridays, aren't they? So I'll go back Monday and see how how that's going. if they're getting more answers than we got at Bliss.
36. 3:37Um, but so far from Bliss, everyone who filled out the survey,
37. 3:42um, they've never been to the senior center at all.
38. 3:46Oh, wow.
39. 3:46Every single one of them. Um, all but one had problems getting there. They do have transportation issues. Um and they were and then the question are you familiar with the programs and activities at the senior center and not a single one was. And then what kinds of activities do you uh would you like to see there? Um most people said workshops.
40. 4:16Mhm.
41. 4:17A couple people said field trips. One person said arts and crafts. And one person wrote in bingo. That's always
42. 4:27So, so, but I put bingo on on our activities list that we started. Um, so I wrote a a list of
43. 4:39um senior center activities um that we could possibly do. Uh we get a commissioner and we have the funding. Yeah. Um, so arts and making, creative writing and poetry, history, field trips, history lecture series,
44. 4:59um,
45. 5:00practical how-tos, workshops, so like how do how do I do my taxes and when do I file them and who do I file with?
46. 5:08Medicaid Medicare signups. Um, then I wrote natural dying because that could be fun. um flower crowd making and I know people who can do those things. So um gardening and plant swap. So you could give a somebody could give a talk on gardening and then there could be a plant swap. Uh underground railroad um because I know that there's that wonderful center in Albany. Uh oiling, there was already a big talk on railing, but we could have someone come back and do that if anyone was interested. Uh Hudson River and
47. 5:48conservation. So there's the maritime museum and then there's the schooner abalonia and I'm sure that we could get someone to come talk about that. um games with friends and under that I put drag bingo, regular bingo, music trivia, board games. Um and then movement and exercise. We already have a lot of programs going on under that. We've got aerobics at the waterfront. We've got yoga with Ed. We've got Chiang with Tai Chi. And now that um uh core uh strengthening. Yeah. I think also we should uh look at uh Mashand or
48. 6:28something to do senior scams.
49. 6:30Oh, great idea. I'll put that under how to.
50. 6:35Now, there is um the possible dream is coming September 4th. The possible dream is the ADA compatible catamaran.
51. 6:50Oh. and they're they can do free which is which would be on they're here fourth and the fifth. Uh but I thought that would be great if we can figure out how to do a field trip there
52. 7:02fourth and fifth of September.
53. 7:05So we can figure out how to get seniors interest signed up because they have to do waiverss and everything. So if I can have a point person to try maybe Reagan to see help them sign up because I have to do it online to do a waiver. uh you know to participate, but it's a free 2hour trip up and down the Hudson.
54. 7:25That'd be amazing.
55. 7:26Um and the catamaran is a is it's a great Oh, it's a great uh little little boat. Um it's the only one in the um you know, in existence that is ADA compatible.
56. 7:41That's cool. And it was um and the woman that owns it actually uh lives right down in Kingston Hudson Valley. And uh it was meant for they they made it for her and now she uses it as a as a um you know fundraiser and also free for people to use it so they can take advantage of it. So
57. 8:03I think if I can tap into Reagan and try to coordinate with her to see if I can get the information even if there's five, right? I mean, they can hold up to 15 at 16 at one trip, but even five or six and take advantage of it. It was a great trip. Uh, if we can figure out how to coordinate transportation down there uh to do it, I think that'd be great. Um,
58. 8:24I'm looking at Calvin because maybe we can
59. 8:28mention um perhaps you said to support that effort, which is a which is an issue. Oh, thank you. And um and so that was that. And then and I I like those um events too. We And the other thing too is your idea. I think we really need to do a Facebook. I forgot how to
60. 8:54Yeah.
61. 8:54bring that back because all these things can go something can go you know, you know, the survey can go on whatever. But I think
62. 9:01we could have the survey on there. We could have what's going on right now, you know, also what we're thinking and they can leave suggestions in the comment area and I'm happy to do that. I just
63. 9:13cuz we can even share that on the community boards, right? Boom. Boom. Boom. Right here. Look at our Facebook page.
64. 9:19Yeah. I'm not I'm I'm not good with that stuff. So, so start starting up and uh
65. 9:27and uh maybe get um
66. 9:30maybe get a photo of of the senior center like empty or whatever so people can get a look see of what it kind of looks like, right?
67. 9:38Um
68. 9:39or go at lunchtime and take a picture of what the lunch is or you know and that's another thing that we could post is
69. 9:46the menu.
70. 9:47The menu. Yeah.
71. 9:49Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It's more crowded Monday and Wednesday.
72. 9:55I don't know if we even need people in the photos. We just need
73. 9:59No, that becomes a little iffy.
74. 10:01Yeah.
75. 10:02Then you have to Yeah.
76. 10:04Yeah.
77. 10:05Okay. So, I think that's anything else for seniors.
78. 10:09What was what was the name of the vote again?
79. 10:13The impossible dream.
80. 10:14Perfect.
81. 10:18I'll send you guys the page. Okay.
82. 10:22They came uh a couple years ago during Waterfront Wednesday.
83. 10:26Oh, great.
84. 10:27Uh and then uh they were coming back and then last last year the boat broke down. They didn't come back last year. So they're coming back this year again. They they go from the whole East Coast. Uh that's all they do for the whole summer. Oh, that's
85. 10:42they start in May and they they make the it's it's a it's a great little crew and uh
86. 10:49and they're in Kingston.
87. 10:52Uh she's lives in Kingston. Okay.
88. 10:55Right. When it gets docked during the winter in Florida
89. 10:59and they do things down in Florida and everything during winter time. They still they still do it, but it's in Florida.
90. 11:04Okay.
91. 11:05Uh last time they came up was they they they had a big like dog like a massive dog. It was like like the captain. It was very cool. And I would just rode and just like just enjoyed I never seen a dog enjoy a boat ride so much. Just like not being afraid or whatever.
92. 11:21And it's a catamarine.
93. 11:22Catamarine.
94. 11:23Mhm. Yeah. It has like a wheelchair lift and Yeah. It's it's it's amazing. It's amazing. Even has like uh you know for the dozer can there's a net that you can actually lay like a hammock.
95. 11:37Uhhuh. They lay over and lay over the water in in the am. It's amazing.
96. 11:45Yeah. Um Okay. So, uh we have nothing else for seniors. Thank you, Jennifer.
97. 11:52You're welcome.
98. 11:53Um guess we have Mr. Elvin. I know you're not busy in the month of July, so I figured you right. I hate to see you all. Um, so here to give the, uh, Department of Police report for August. Um, so for us, uh, going to start with a overview of campa. Uh this summer we had 179 uh campers registered and uh on an average we had about 85 campers uh each day. Between the three pods um we had 5 to 7 8 to 10 and 11 to 13 and again a daily average
99. 12:40about 85. Um majority of the campers landed in the 5 to 7 pod and 8 to 10 pod. uh the 11 to 13. They typically are a smaller bunch, but they are they they are very impactful. They are essentially our our young leaders um at camp. And um for the 13 year olds that are turning 14, they become age eligible to um possibly work at Odale um whether it's through the workforce with uh co-ra um over at the college um or through our CIT program which is a counselor and
100. 13:18training. Um some of the key partnerships that have made us uh successful throughout the summer has been with the school district. Uh they provide both breakfast and lunch uh to our campers. Um in addition to the the weekend uh meal bags um every Friday they deliver 120 um weekend bags uh to to campers and we make that available um as as needed. So um if there's two kids in the household, we don't limit um the uh the the bags to just two. Um it's really as needed. and
101. 13:56that that's been working out pretty well. Um, anything that's left over we just um make available in terms of like snacks and such uh throughout throughout our camp. Um, also uh a key partnership has been uh with the DSS with the county through uh means of transportation. uh without busing, a lot of our campers are unable to get to camp. And so that uh helps us keep our numbers uh steady and our impact of community. And um next next Friday, actually uh next Friday um is the 42 um is our uh
102. 14:38camp finale. So that is our uh
103. 14:41Yeah. Yeah. No, that's a a beach party which uh includes um a talent show.
104. 14:47Oh.
105. 14:47Um and so it's the talent show um uh beach party and then after the beach party we do our legendary title award and so uh they have fun. Um we certainly invite all of the council.
106. 15:05What time you guys probably start to get started?
107. 15:08Yeah. So um so the talent show kicks off at 11.
108. 15:11Okay. So that's um that's our the big showcase. Uh the um the three pods are doing a banner contest. So they're they have some really cool creative banners. Um this year it was the theme of superhero. Um so the three pods are going to um kind of have a contest on who has the the coolest banner. Uh they put a lot of effort into it. Um and you really get to uh see the the skill set um of our campus. So that starts at 11:00 a.m. and it's
109. 15:44Friday.
110. 15:44Yep. Next Friday. So So the fanatic the theme is superheroes for the canal
111. 15:50for the for the banner contest. Gotcha. Yep.
112. 15:55And u there'll be um a mix of uh bike games, uh water games, um beach games, different activities uh throughout the day. Uh this here is just an overview of uh some of the programming that we have at camp. Um we have a canoeing which was made available by the way volunteer Peter. Uh he's been with us for about four years now. Um and canoeing was um specific to the to the older group. It it takes u you know a bit more coordination and responsibility um being
113. 16:33on the lake and canoes. Um so uh we prioritize that to the 11 and 13 pod. Um circus you know gym in the community we continue to work with them. They come to camp and work with all uh three age uh three um pods um Columbia conservancy that's um CLC uh they uh come in and do the uh the nature component. They go frog catching. Uh the kids love it. Um, and actually we had a kid uh take a spill today in the pond actually and uh
114. 17:08I think he handled it like a champ. You know, he got in there. He was kind of doggy paddling. Uh didn't panic at all which I think is a you know just a you know just his bravery and um it was yeah kind of cute at the same time. Yeah. All was well. We got it cleaned up. Um, and something new that we uh offered this year was a uh theater component through open air Shakespeare. Uh, they came in and did improv and acting um uh lessons
115. 17:38uh with our our campers. Um, unfortunately the instructor um had a had a medical um uh concern and we had to cut that short. Um, but it was a it was a great uh turnout and I think it it uh engaged a lot of kids that didn't ordinarily um see theater as something of a of an interest. And so that was really cool and we're actually looking to continue that as we go into the after school year which is uh really around the corner. Um and uh last but not least
116. 18:16uh we had the bike shop um at Oell as well. Uh traditionally that was um led by uh by Aaron. Um but uh Aaron uh recently uh gave birth to her her son. And so this year we had Cory Parks who came in as our lead mechanic to oversee that operation where we have uh two junior mechanics on um they are there to support. Um and then uh whether it's the bike riding each day with with our chambers and or build the bike which can take place after program hours for the
117. 18:56public as well. And this is just more uh information about the meal uh the weekend meal program. Um again collaboration with the school district uh the the meal land to the um park at on Friday. We make that available so that campus have something to hold them over until they return on Monday. And that just gives you an overview of what to expect in your weekend bag. Um this be just again just an overview of some of the um activities of partners. Um one of uh another one that
118. 19:41is uh pretty cool was the um hey DJ program which takes place at the at the library. Um it's a introduction into music um DJing as you as you might envision and uh that was a that's always a cool one. They have a pretty much they have like a party um as a as a send off. Yeah,
119. 20:01it was good.
120. 20:03I almost went in there was good.
121. 20:08Absolutely. And um another uh program that we collaborated with the library was uh beads across borders um where they um I would say it was comparison to uh to to to being a pen pal but instead they're they're um instead of the letters they were making um the beads um that came from uh their peers um from from that curriculum. And so that was um a new very cool um multicultural uh program there. Um a visual of one of our bikers here. It's Noah Noah Pierce. He's been with us for a good while now. And to the left is
122. 20:52the um learners leaders board. So we put um campers on that board who've learned how to um ride a bike um at camp. And so just a good memory there to to keep on going at camp. And of course every um every bike rider has to wear a helmet. Here are some of our little um five to 75 um with circus. Um doing a variety of of skills. Um eventually uh once they gain interest and they stick with it, these uh young campers can become some of the older campers that do still uh still walking that you see at different
123. 21:34events throughout the community. This is our our crew um on the on the canoes um at Old Jail. always in a light fashion. And uh this frog catching as you can see that's yeah that's that's a wonderful smile there. And of course swimming swimming is uh is um made available every day uh to our campers um when we're at Oakdale. And um yeah, just a snapshot there. Uh this is a overview of the trips and events that took place throughout the summer. Um our first field trip was a
124. 22:18trip uh for um our noodles 5 through 7 they went to Cascan for bowling. Um and the rest of the camp went to fight bus in um sies. Um and then the following Friday it was a campwide field trip to Urban Air which is a uh trampoline park in uh Albany. And then the um last last week uh folks went the whole camp went to Zoom um which is probably our biggest uh field trip. Um everyone shows up that day even if they haven't come to camp which is okay. We love to have them each day. Um, but Zoom folk is one of our most um popular uh field trips. Uh, and it also
125. 23:04probably takes the most planning. It's certainly the most uh supervision provided, you know, we're we're at a water park.
126. 23:11Do you bring your life charge with you?
127. 23:13Yes. Um, yeah. This year we brought uh three lifeguards with us.
128. 23:19And I hang out at Lazy River. best route. You would find me I believe your favorite.
129. 23:23So director can't attend the camp the trips, but that is definitely my favorite ride as well.
130. 23:30And um yesterday uh we attended uh the national night out um at the waterfront. It was it was a really great turnout. Um probably one of the probably the best one yet in my opinion.
131. 23:42Yeah, there's a lot of people out there. And uh next next Friday, as I mentioned, will be our beach party uh talent show uh barbecue. Um so again, please join us if you have the time. Um the talent show kicks off at 11. Um and throughout the day, we're just going to be doing a variety of different um events, games, and activities. Karaoke because Jen likes karaoke. She might make it up and we can make it happen. be careful again.
132. 24:17So some photos of uh 5 through seven um at less and we uh we always um return the bowling um this year the campers um sign the bowling pin and that becomes another part of the the memorabilia if you will um at at the beach house. This was um Urban Air, the trampoline park in Albany. A familiar face in there.
133. 24:45Yeah.
134. 24:48Some more photos of Urban Air. Actually, a little guy in front in the middle there. He was the one who took a dive in the uh we play. He was he was the champion. I think this was um yesterday at um National Night Out. Um in the center there you have Nikira. She's our program coordinator. To her right is uh Tiana. Tiana is our uh team staff uh during the evening. Uh these are some of our campers at uh Zoom Zoom. Uh see uh Lee on the middle. This was
135. 25:28his first year at camp. that was also his um first field trip um that he attended with us over the summer. So, as you can see, he was really excited about that.
136. 25:41Uh this is an an overview of um specific to the to the to Odale Beach and hours of operation. Um as camp winds down, the beach hours are going to shift and become more available uh to the public. Um, so here and now, uh, the Beach View comes available to the public Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 and then Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. After the 14th, the beach will be made available to the public 7 days a week, 11 to 7, and that'll go out um, shy of
137. 26:20uh, Labor Day. Um so again I know it says I know it's summer we are already preparing for the fall. Um this is uh just something upcoming. Uh currently we have registration out for YDS uh for um our soccer league. And so that is available on our social medias and our um our website as well. And so, uh, if folks have any questions about soccer, whether it's registration or the fee or how to access it, please contact us. Um, you can email us, you can call us, you can you can pop in. Um, throughout the day,
138. 27:05we are at uh, Oakdale. Um, and so, uh, you know, if if you arrive at the center, you won't get anyone um, until about 5:30. and that's only Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. So, we do encourage folks to give us a call or send us an email. Uh, just some thank yous to folks that have helped us make this successful summer. Um, as I'm looking at the list, I am forgetting the fire department. Um this summer we did not have um the school as a venue so we had to divvdy up
139. 27:47between three locations. Um our 5 through 7 group is located at the library which we do that during the after school year so that wasn't too much of an issue aside from Thursdays because that's where they have uh the core um training uh program. Um, our 8 to 10 group was at the youth center and our 11 to13 group is at the central firehouse. So, a huge thank you to them for allowing us to use their space um as needed this year. We were indoors more
140. 28:20than we have been since I've started. Um,
141. 28:23fires.
142. 28:25The fires. Yep. We had that came up and just just the weather, you know, it was we had a lot more rainy days this year. uh which you know uh forced us to pivot to our England locations. Um it uh it it uh merged up the trails at Oakdale. Uh Poison I grew back a lot quicker. Um so you know we we had to make a pivot to uh indoor locations and we were able to do that with the help of both the firehouse um and the library
143. 28:54and you having that plan in place worked out well. Contingency plan. Look at that. Indeed. Thanks. And uh certainly huge uh thank you to the school district um Lisa McGovern. She oversees um the the food operation at the district. Um it was certainly a partnership because at camp we have to account for every meal that we give to a camper which is relative to school funding. And so that was certainly a collaborative effort that we look forward to continuing there. um DPW, they help us um any way that we
144. 29:31need really um and especially with digging out the pit for our tug of war battle. Uh DSS of course um provided the the transportation funding trails who uh they they give us the transportation for our field trips. First Student um is the company that we use for transportation to and from camp. um Columbia workforce uh Columbia green uh workforce. They uh this year we had uh five uh five youth uh from that program uh working with us. And last but not least uh parents um in
145. 30:09the in the community at large. Um thank you for their support. Thank you for sending their campers. Thank you for for believing in us. Um this year we had off the top of my head we had about three or four new families. Um I want to say at least two of them reside in Athens which I thought was um noteworthy. Um they're traveling.
146. 30:35Yeah. They have YMCA over there that they chose to bring their camper to to Old Park and so that that stood out to me. And these are our um these are our websites and social media accounts. Again, uh you can you can go to that for any information relative to our sports leagues, uh beach hours, and any ongoing events and programs that we have. That concludes certificates have to actually close camp.
147. 31:20I know it's the first competition tight but we did close camp last week uh Wednesday the rain the rain.
148. 31:28Yes with the with the rainfall but yes aside from that we were open um every day.
149. 31:34Great. Now with the uh DJ program, are you is your thoughts on transition that into the youth center program?
150. 31:45I think it's worth some of that camp specific I should say specific.
151. 31:52Yeah. Um, but I don't think why we couldn't
152. 31:56cuz you know there's this um there's this device which is really cool and what it is is it gives you it's like a little has an antenna and you can plug in like a mixing board
153. 32:10and it gives you a radio station that will travel probably five blocks. So, think about the kids can have their own radio station where it's free. Uh, but they can have their own radio that just in a neighborhood, right? What it's used for is is um real estate. Um, people use it for like uh when somebody drives past the property,
154. 32:37there's a frequency they can turn on the radio and they can hear about the house.
155. 32:41But with this one, you could either do a pre-recording or you can do live on air. So it would actually the kids would be live on air, right?
156. 32:49Um you know with a radio show that they can develop in you know you know 20 six blocks or whatever kind of they can you know um but I I'll see I got one at the house but I'll see if I can dig it out to see see how we can make that fun for you know for the area. I think that might also be kind of cool if there's things going on, people pull off or if you know they could turn their radio station and they can hear your voice
157. 33:21saying what's going on, registrations or or whatever in certain areas, but I think that'd be kind of neat. I think it's really cool about that, you know, we can start a career path for our next anchor on channel 6.
158. 33:35Absolutely. That would be great. Um any questions from the counsel?
159. 33:39Oh, I just had one more comment. Um the four strength and balance classes, it is inside the second floor of the seating center, but it is being led by the library. Okay. Yeah.
160. 33:58Gary, did you have a question?
161. 34:00Yeah, I do. Thank you for noticing. Um hey, Calvin, nice job. Thank you. Um, how has the uh assistant that was that you had to negotiate to hire and so uh came in maybe later than you would have liked to. How's how's that working out?
162. 34:18Yeah, it it's worked out really well. Um, she's been a staple at camp. Um, you know, as I as I may have mentioned, she had a lot of uh pre-existing relationships from the school uh with our campers and so it made for a good match at camp. Um, you know, as you might have imagined with the elements being outside, just hot and what have you, the kids get a little ir irritable and, um, having, uh, having, uh, Randy there to really just, uh, check in with
163. 34:48them on a social emotional level was, uh, was really helpful this summer.
164. 34:53Great. Small something.
165. 34:56Um, anyone else? Anyone in the public? Thank you, Calvin. Hope I see you on Friday for my hot dog again.
166. 35:12Oh, absolutely. I'll do it for you. I don't want to go lose tugof-war. So, I don't want to end up in that. So, I'll be I'll be standing on the side next to Lola. Uh the uh any any anything else? So, can I get a motion to adjurnn?
167. 35:35Second. All in favor?
168. 35:37Thanks, Gary.
169. 35:39Thanks, everyone.
170. 35:39Thanks.

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