APPT-2023-17 : Appointment of James Donohue, 31 Gooch Street, to the Melrose Parks Commission, for a five-year term set to expire on the First Monday of May 2028.

Transcript (~15 min @ 9:11)

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▶ 9:10 Robb Stewart: um, order on docket is appointment number 2023 dash 17, the appointment of James Donahue of 31 G***h Street, uh, to the Melrose Parks Commission for five year terms set to expire on the first Monday of May, 2028. And, uh, Mr. Mayer and Mr. Donahoe, would you like to come forward and Sure.

▶ 9:35 Paul Brodeur: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Um, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse that I did not bring my notes. We'll just have to, uh, we'll just have to see how it goes. I would like to start by saying, um, I think you all know that, um, this nominee, um, if he's approved by the council, will be taking the place of, of John McLaughlin. I do think it's appropriate to take, uh, quite frankly, more than a moment to thank, uh, John McLaughlin and his family, quite frankly, for all that they have done. Um, certainly a lot of time and energy put into the Park Commission, but we also know, um, there, the Arts Foundation and the work, uh, John in particular did on the campaign to get the middle school, uh, uh, off the ground and established was a, that was, uh, a great success. Um, though I will say that sounds like it's a kind of a valedictorian, valedictorian speech, and it's not, I don't think John is, uh, going anyways still on the retirement board. And I know it's still gonna be an important, uh, factor in the community, uh, that been said. Um, I think many of you, if not all of you are familiar, uh, with Jim Donahue. Jim comes to us as a long time Melrose resident with, um, you know, active kids. Uh, it's out and about at this point, um, uh, to be sure. But, um, also comes to us with a, with an MBA from Boston University, which, you know, the, some of the, the sophisticated work that the Park Commission has to do around budgeting, monitoring business operations at the golf course. Um, you know, that kind of, that kind of credential I think is critically important, um, and can make a real unique contribution to the, to the work of the commission. Uh, Jim also, uh, importantly, again, I think you all note, was the president of Melrose Soccer for five years, which is, uh, yeoman's work. Uh, you probably have known Jim can give you the facts and figures on this. It is the most popular athletic program in Melrose. Probably a thousand kids, Lord knows how many families, uh, participate. So not only does Jim understand that need, and also not, not to be dismissed, is the fact that the program, um, under Jim's leadership has grown dramatically in terms of getting girls involved and having women, uh, involved at the coaching and organizational level as well, which is an important, uh, and I think an important milestone for the city. Uh, but he's also been through the day-to-day of, you know, we got this much need and this much place to play and navigating that, which is something we know that the Park Commission faces, uh, on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis. Um, so I really can't think of anyone who's more better qualified to take the reins. And with that, I will turn it over to Jim for, for his thoughts and comments. Thank you, Paul. So, um, as Paul said, I'm, my name is Jim Donahue, and I appreciate the opportunity to, uh, come before you today. Uh, and for your consideration of my application for the Parks Commission. Um, we actually, we, my wife and I, um, have lived in Melrose for 21 years at this point in time, and raised three children, uh, all of whom attended, either attended or currently attend Melrose Public Schools. Um, and we've been involved in taking use of the resources, the open space resources that the city's had to offer, um, both through active, um, recreation, through youth sports in high school, as well as passive recreation. Um, and it's been a significant part of our lives. Um, as Paul alluded, I've been an active member in the community since we've been here. Uh, in particular serving on the board of Melrose Youth Soccer for 10 years, including, uh, five years, uh, serving as president. Um, I stepped down about nine months ago or so, um, uh, and, uh, would view an opportunity to sit on this board on, on the Parks Commission rather as an opportunity to continue, uh, to contribute and be involved in a formal way within the community. Um,

▶ 13:52 Speaker 4: my work at Melrose Youth Soccer, um, brought an understanding and appreciation of the value of active, uh, recreation, uh, for the health and wellbeing of children and, and for their development, frankly. Um, you know, have both in terms of those who are at the highest level, but even for those who are, you know, viewing it more, um, recreationally, but still have the benefit of those experiences. Um, I think that the experience in working with Melrose Youth Soccer both gives me that appreciation, but also, um, exposure and experience in working with a, a large and and varied group of, of, of, of children in various constituents. They're about 1300. Um, they sold a short, you sold a short 1300, um, 1300 kids, um, between kindergarten and eighth grade, participate in, uh, me's Youth Soccer. There are, um, this number's probably dated, it's probably more than this, but about 300, um, volunteer coaches as well as a board of about 15. Um, so it's a pretty involved group. Um, and I think provided some experience that, uh, that would be relevant, uh, to this, this, um, to the role in the Parks Commission. Um, I also recognize in, in value and appreciate, um, the passive recreation resources that the city brings to bear. Um, both, um, you know, uh, you know, as, as we see it in either the passive use of the, uh, the various open spaces that have been in discussion, I know, you know, particularly around the Noel, um, but also in, um, I think oftentimes the, um, there's not as much recognition of the value that we have in terms of the other open spaces, um, and hiking trails, et cetera, within the city. We're really extraordinarily fortunate. Um, anyway,

▶ 15:47 Paul Brodeur: I think those, so those are my comments. I would be happy to take any questions Before you do. I wa I, I was remiss cuz I don't, I didn't have notes in front of me. I think you're all familiar with soccer night in Melrose. Soccer night in Melrose is perhaps like the most successful new thing we've done in terms of family and community involvement over the last 10 years or so. And that is, to the credit of Jim, it really is a, uh, well, I think, I think you've probably all been there, but it is a, a terrific event for the entire community and builds more and more momentum for the program. Again, as Jim said, at all levels, not just the kids that might go on to, um, you know, be varsity players or boys or girls soccer, but for, for kids that might be a little bit reticent about just kind of getting out there, uh, and give it a go that has really been, you know, an extraordinary addition, uh, to our programming. I'd love to see, you know, spread out to other activities that the city sponsors.

▶ 16:52 Robb Stewart: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Donio, uh, any questions from the council?

▶ 16:59 Mark Garipay: From the committee? Council Gar, thank you. Thank you Mr. Donny, for being here. Uh, what would be, uh, your first goal, uh, being on, on the,

▶ 17:07 Speaker 4: Well, I think the first goal would be to learn. Um, I recognize that I'm, you know, stepping into a new role. I think I bring qualifications that'll help me to learn quickly. But, um, but there are gaps. Other things that I know and I think I can bring a lot of, um, experience to who I've got experience in sitting on boards and, uh, negotiating contracts. But I recognize, I don't know any, I do not have experience in the operation of a golf course. Uh, and I'd need to become, um, need to learn, learn from the other members of the, uh, of the commission, um, and, uh, go out and do my own work to become smart about the areas where I've got gaps. Um, you know, I think beyond that, I, I think that, I don't think that was yours question. I think your question was probably more in terms of the things that the Parks Commission could accomplish. Um, I think, um, one of the clear needs is, um, we've seen a significant growth not just in soccer, but also in the other sports of participation. Um, I'm most acutely aware of it in soccer, but, um, in soccer we're at the point right now where we're needing, we're, we're really at the wits end in terms of, you know, the ability to allow all kids to play. So there's not a needs test. There's not a tryout for participating in soccer. Every kid who wants to participate does in, and they're able to participate in, uh, in meaningful ways. We don't want to get into a position where we're gonna have to start to either shorten the num, you know, shorten the number of practices, or, um, even worse thinking about having a cutoff in terms of the number of kids. So, um, we need to increase the ability to utilize the space We have to its full extent, meaning using it in a variety vari, various weather. Um, that doesn't, I'm not solving for turf, but it needs to be something that withstands weather in ways that, um, the null in particular does not now. Um, and also can be used for a longer period of time, particularly in the fall when it gets dark early. Um,

▶ 19:06 Mark Garipay: Um, one of the things that, that this council, um, approved a couple of years ago was a feasibility study. Yep. And I know it's kind of, um, been kind of stuck. It hasn't really gotten momentum, but Yep. I would love to see, um, that whatever the, whatever the results are Yeah. That we need to, to move forward because, uh, we just don't have enough fields where, you know, and they have to, we need to keep 'em open in inclement weather. Absolutely. Whether it's graph grass or turf, I prefer turf cuz I think the, you know, utilization will be up. But, um, I'd like to see the feasibility study actually. I, I would with A, with, with a, with a solution. So anything you can do to advocate that, what you're on there would be,

▶ 19:47 Speaker 4: I would as well. I, I, you know, I I think absolutely we need to, I know that when, you know, there were a few different iterations of that when the feasibility study was first, uh, funded. Um, I was actually, uh, you know, this, I think this was like two versions ago. I was on a, um, on the, among those, um, involved in, uh, in looking at and defining what some of the needs would've been. I know that it went through some different processes. It got stalled through, you know, pandemic. And then prior to that with, uh, Rob as, as Rob was making his transition, you know, transitioned out, um, things got stalled and John Shena leaving. I think there are a number of things that, that cause things to pause, but it needs to happen.

▶ 20:27 Speaker 2: Uh, thank you. No more questions. Thank

▶ 20:30 Speaker 4: You Council Karen Charity.

▶ 20:31 Manjula Karamcheti: Hi, Mr. John, you, thank you so much for being here. Thank you. Um, one of the things that I've observed, um, that happens a amongst like the Parks Commission is sometimes there are competing priorities between different organizations in terms of, you know, the four square miles that we have mm-hmm. Um, and the different things that people really want and are advocating for. So I'm just curious, when, in those situations, what is your approach, like, your philosophy for like, working with the community around issues where different groups are advocating for different things that are sometimes competing? Yeah,

▶ 21:11 Speaker 4: I mean, I think the pro, you know, from, you know, an experience that I've had in professional life as well as, um, in, uh, in one of the things I do in professional life, I negotiate contracts, um, for, I negotiate con contracts for hospitals and health systems with payers. And so, um, there's a need to navigate, um, through different priorities and perspectives, um, and, uh, engage in a process to understand those. Also with the role, you know, with Melrose Youth Soccer, as you can imagine, there's gonna be a varied perspectives when you get that many people involved in terms of whether or not are we an organization that's about producing the best soccer players or making sure everyone can be included and, you know, and all of the other things. And so through that, there's a process that you go through of listening to folks, of asking the questions, uh, doing it sincerely, um, um, but also adding structure to the way that you engage in the process. In terms, you know, one of the things I would think about if we were to talk about, um, the use of the, um, of the, of the Noel Fields, um, would be, um, defining what the criteria are, what are we trying to accomplish? Um, and then evaluate, um, you know, you know, which of the options that are available would meet the requirements that we have. Um, I think it becomes a lot easier if you, you know, have those criteria and the lens through which you can look through it. Um, you know, at a certain point there's also a need to make a decision cuz you're never going to fully, um, reach consensus, particularly in a body where you've got, you know, but, but I think that, but the process is important.

▶ 22:48 Speaker 5: Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Thoughtful answer. Yeah.

▶ 22:57 Robb Stewart: Anyone else? President, we Gregory. Thank you

▶ 22:58 Jen Grigoraitis: Mr. Chair. Thank you Mr. Donahue, for being here as a fellow Ward six resident. I'm thrilled to see. Thank you. Um, your resume before us? I did, while we're, we're filling in some of the gaps that you left, I just wanted to highlight, um, for those watching that you led Melrose Youth Soccer during the Covid 19 pandemic. So you were responsible for the health and safety of those 1300, um, children and 300 volunteers. So I think that's a really critical experience and lens that you bring as we talk about health and safety through a recreational perspective. Um, and also that I know you're the parent of a girls varsity soccer alum, so you have that high school experience as well. So I'm really thrilled that you've seen youth sports from K to 12. Um, and I'm thrilled to recommend you for passage by the full council. Motion to recommend Second.

▶ 23:44 Robb Stewart: Who did the second. Okay. We thank you. We have a motion to, uh, recommend full council by made by President, uh, Gregory, seconded by, uh, council Kche, uh, under discussion. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. Okay. So this will go to the full council, uh, which I believe will be next Monday the 12th. Uh, you do not need to be there. Uh, we'll be voting on it at the full council. Great. Thank you Mr. Chairman Committee. And, uh, shall we talk more turf? That's up. Thank you very much.