CSBL Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2021 2:00-4:00 pm
Colonie Recreation Center
Present: Bob Corcione, Vince DiGiulio, Butch Ostrander, Jim Thompson, Dan DiGiacomo, Geoff Coufal
Present by Conference Call: Rick DiBlasi, Jerry Wall
Absent: Andy George, Mark White
Agenda Items:
- Development of protocol for incidence of positive covid test within the league:
Bob Corcione read the draft of a protocol proposal that was developed by Geoff Coufal with discussion of each item. There was discussion about releasing the name of an individual who tests positive with concerns about legal and HIPPA rights of the individual . It was resolved that the Commissioner would first speak with the positive individual and stress the importance and seek their permission to release their name so that anyone who had close contact with them could take appropriate measures. Lack of consent will be dealt with on an individual basis. Rick DiBlasi initiated discussion about the need for testing vs waiting period and monitoring symptoms as we are all vaccinated. Discussion followed and it was resolved to maintain the testing requirement for the benefit of the comfort and confidence of the players. It was proposed and accepted that in addition to informing the commissioner of their test results each individual must also submit a copy of their test result. It was discussed and accepted that an individual on a team exposed to a positive individual who does not have testing may not return to the gym until completing the required waiting period. Each individual must be symptom free before returning. It was decided to eliminate the CDC written guidelines from the final edition to keep the protocol clear and simple and avoid confusion. The changes were accepted by a vote of 8-0. Geoff Coufal was assigned to edit the proposal and the draft of the final edition follows:
CSBL Protocols for Positive COVID Incidents
November 19, 2021
- The individual who tests positive should immediately contact their team captain and the Commissioner
2. Commissioner will notify the Board and team captains of both teams involved if the positive individual played in a recent league game
3. Team captains involved will notify each of their players directly
4. Commissioner will notify all league participants (includes referees and score keepers) via group email stating that an individual has tested positive, providing detail of date and game time the individual was in the gym for a recent league game. Commissioner will speak to the positive individual and obtain their consent to release their name in the communications so that each person who had close contact with them can take additional extra steps as necessary.
5. The individual who tested positive will need to quarantine from league facilities and miss any games that fall within the isolation period of 10-14 days. The positive individual and everyone who has had close contact with the positive individual will be asked to self monitor and to have a rapid test or home test before returning to the league. Each individual from the games involved shall report their test results and submit proof of testing to the Commissioner
6 Each individual who had close contact with the positive player must stay away from league facilities until meeting league requirements for negative testing and notify the Commissioner when they have met the requirements Commissioner will determine when they are released to return.
7 Commissioner will report the positive incident to the school district if the incident occurred at Lishakill or to Julie McBride if it occurred at MD Sports Hall
The document was submitted to Bob Corcione by email and to the Board via these minutes for final review before distribution.
2. Bob Corcione presented information on the end of year banquet. The proposal is from league sponsor 2Shea Catering who has done the banquet for the last several years. The catering service has switched locations form the country club to the Italian American Center which would host this season’s banquet. The proposed cost of the banquet for 100 guests has almost doubled from $3500 to $6,000. Discussion followed with concern about the increased cost. It was pointed out that covid shortages has resulted in dramatic rises in food and supply costs at stores and restaurants. The league did not have a banquet at the end of the covid shortened season in 2019 so that was a cost savings. Bob Corcione reported that we do have money in the budget to cover this cost. there was a proposal that we could look to reduce other costs such as player awards but no decision was made. Jim Thompson pointed out that catering facilitates are typically fully booked on Saturdays in April and we should make a decision quickly. No deposit is required at booking. By a vote of 8-0 it was resolved to confirm the booking now with 2Shea Catering but also continue to look at other facilities to see if there could be a significant cost reduction.
3. A question was raised about the league’s arrangement with the school district and MD Sports Hall. Bob Corcione reported that he met with district representative. They are in agreement with our decision to play the remains games at another facility. Bob paid the district for the remaining months of this season as a good faith promise that the league will return to Lishakill School next season. The district accepted this and will apply this payment toward our rent for next season. So we didn’t lose any money for this season and have partially paid in advance for next season to ensure our use of the school gym. Bob reported that the cost to rent the MD Sports hall is a significant new cost but within the league current funds. He also reported that the league has a new insurance policy for $600 that is very inclusive and covers injuries, liability coverage for the Board and for the facility, and liability covid related incidences.
4. Bod Corcione spoke on the successful first day at MD Sports hall and reviewed some issues. There was some concern about the limited space along the baselines but that can’t be changed. There was concern about the 2 hoops attached to the baseline wall for use by young children. These could be a potential site for player contact. Bob will look at this on Saturday and see if these can be removed and replaced during our use of the gym. Another concern was balls coming down onto the playing court from the warmup area in the balcony. Bob plans to bring some soccer netting this Saturday and we will try to install it along the balcony wall to prevent balls from coming over onto the playing court. Another concern is that there is no AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) at the new gym. Geoff Coufal will contact Julie McBride to see if there is one at the gym. Bob Corcione will contact the local fire station to alert them to our presence and use of the facility on Saturdays and seek their advice on an AED model that the league would purchase to keep on hand. Steve Gay, head scorekeeper, is trained to use the AED. It was recommended that we also seek to do a training class for all Board members and team captains.
5. There was discussion about Glenn Richter’s move to the Albany division. There has been a high level of concern about how he has dominated the division. A vote of team captains showed a majority had concerns but resolved that he should be allowed to continue to play in that division. Butch Ostrander reported that he had a discussion with Glenn and Geoff Coufal reported that in last Saturday’s game there was a marked change in Glenn’s play where he focused much more on being a play maker and facilitator rather than being a dominant scorer. Rick DiBlasi reported that Glenn has a deep respect for the league and he does not want to make waves or disrupt the league. He will not return to the Colonie division due to concerns for injury but he would drop out of the league and play elsewhere if needed to preserve the balance of the league. It was resolved that he be allowed to continue to play and continue to mentor him as he makes this transition at least thru this season and the Board will establish a policy for the future. Butch Ostrander proposed that Colonie division players ranked or drafted in rounds 1-3 or maybe 4 not be eligible to move down to Albany division unless there is a relevant injury or medical issue. The Board will take this into consideration.
6. Jim Thompson initiated a discussion about postponing games due to limitation in number of available players after a covid positive incident. He expressed concern that this is a dangerous precedent to set as many captains may begin to seek exceptions for their teams when they have limited players for other reasons. Discussion followed about the postponement of one game this Saturday due to the covid incident. Bob reported that this was done because this is a new situation, it occurred last minute, and one team reported that it would have only 4 available players. It was pointed out that teams can play with 4 players and have done so in the league in the past. Bob will look into the handling of this particular situation and it was resolved to try to avoid postponing and re-scheduling individual games in the future. Butch initiated discussion about what level of covid positive tests would trigger a decision to postpone all games. Discussion followed and it was resolved that if there are 10 or more positive tests within one week that all games for the upcoming Saturday schedule would be cancelled. This will be monitored and adjusted as the season evolves.
Submitted by Geoff Coufal