Loading...
Parks and Conservation Packet - 9/1/2015 CITY OF MUSKEGO PARKS AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE AGENDA September 1, 2015 5:30 PM Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 4, 2015. NEW BUSINESS 1. 2016 Budget Items · Capital Update · Park Arthur Baseball Fields · Proposed Pickleball Modifications in Lion's Park 2. Park Plan Update/Recommendations 3. Launch/Access Fee Discussion 4. Aster Hills Neighborhood Park Name DIRECTOR’S REPORT 1. Public Works Director's Report 2. Conservation Coordinator's Report 3. Recreation Manager's Report COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Announcements only. No discussion or action will be taken. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MEMBERS OF AND POSSIBLY A QUORUM OF MEMBERS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF THE MUNICIPALITY MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING TO GATHER INFORMATION; NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING OTHER THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO ABOVE IN THIS NOTICE. ALSO, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS SERVICE, MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4136. Unapproved CITY OF MUSKEGO PARKS AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES August 4, 2015 5:30 PM Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue CALL TO ORDER Toby Whipple called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Toby Whipple, Len Pilak, Ald. Bob Hammel, Jerry Hulbert, Sharon Roy, Howard Schneider, Brett Hyde, and Director Jeff Muenkel. Absent: Bill Miller and Paul Peardon STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting laws. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 5, 2015. Jerry Hulbert made a motion to approve the minutes of May 5, 2015. Len Pilak seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Budgeting Recommendations Jerry Hulbert made a motion to only do grading and seeding in the Park. Brett Hyde seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Len Pilak made a motion to install the Martin Drive trail first instead of Lannon Drive. Sharon Roy seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Jerry Hulbert made a motion to remove the Janesville Road trail until more development happens. Ald. Hammel wont for development. Motion carried unanimously. Jerry Hulbert made a motion to keep OO, Woods Road and Martin Drive trails as a priority for next year and also have discussions with the school district to include their lands. Len Pilak seconded. Motion carried unaanimously. Jerry Hulbert made a motion to install three trails including ....school district with their lands. Len Pilak seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ald. Borgman expressed concern with the bleacher area at Park Arthur being dangerous that is located within a foul ball zone. Ald. Borgman requested this be considered in the budget for next year. Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Plan Timeline DIRECTOR’S REPORT Public Works Director's Report Recreation Manager's Report Conservation Coordinator's Report COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Announcements only. No discussion or action will be taken. ADJOURNMENT Jerry Hulbert made a motion to adjourn at 6:47 PM. CITY OF MUSKEGO Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee September 1, 2015 Meeting To: Common Council From: Jeff Muenkel, AICP EDFP Subject: 2016 Budget Items Date: August 26, 2015 Capital Update A quick note that the Council will begin their initial talks on which park items they will support in the 2016 capital budget at their Tuesday September 8th meeting if any committee members are interested. Park Arthur Baseball Staff took a look at the possible foul ball safety issue at Park Arthur that was discussed at our last meeting. Upon investigation we found that all Park Arthur baseball fields are setup with bleachers like any other baseball field in Muskego as well as neighboring municipalities. However, the two northernmost baseball fields at Park Arthur seem to be the concern. Here these two baseball fields are located right next to each other. It is right to assume that a fan watching their own game can safely know when a foul ball is coming at them from the game they are specifically watching. But, there is a chance in this location for a fan to get hit with an unexpectant foul ball from the game behind them that they are not watching. This is the case in the bleachers along the first base line on the field to the west and from the bleachers along the third base line along the field to the east. Staff had conversations with MAA and Storm who predominantly use these fields. The overseers didn’t see an issue or have complaints about this area in particular. They did however bring up what they thought was more of a safety concern in that the fencing of the fields does not go all the way down to the outfield fencing at this time. Apparently this was left out of the budget due to overruns a couple years ago. Many people sit down the outfield lines and balls tend to fly thru the field and into other fields as a result of this lack of fencing. The fencing down the sidelines was originally intended. The Committee should discuss what may be of more importance for safety at the three northernmost baseball fields here. Some options that exist:  For the bleachers Option #1 - Leave as-is  For the bleachers Option #2 - Move the two inner bleachers, on fields 1 & 2, further away so that two sets are on opposite sides of the field (See white boxes in picture below)  For the bleachers Option #3 - Look to add netting from one back stop to the other to cover these bleachers (<=$5,000). If this option is desired we would need a recommendation to Council and we would include in the capital budget discussions.  Recommend the fencing to Council as well or instead. Staff will bring a quote for this to the meeting. Proposed Pickleball Modifications at Lion’s Park The new Pickleball court installed at Lion’s Park this past summer has been quite a hit. Further, there looks to be more recreational programming surrounding Pickleball leagues this fall and into 2016. Due to this, the local Pickleball leader, Keith Werner, has requested that the Committee discuss a possible recommendation to Council for more Pickleball improvements before the 2016 budgeting cycle is up. Mr. Werner understands that such a financial commitment is unorthodox since this project isn’t in the immediate Park Plan for the city. Thus, Mr. Werner will be bringing some private financial commitments to help support the project discussion at our meeting for consideration. Please find the approximate costs below for the project desired.  Add ~240 linear feet of 10’ high fence to north (120’), west (60’), and east (60’) sides; gates as needed - $6,500 (materials $3,000 + labor) Via Public Works staff  Purchase 3,600 SF of windscreen for new and old fencing - $3,000 (Online quotes; grade dependent) Via Public Works staff  Purchase three (3) Pickleball net sets/install - $1,500 ($500 per set) Via Public Works staff  Purchase benches - $1,000  Surface 7,500 SF of tennis court grade surface for four (4) new Pickleball courts $8,000 (Via Contractor)  Remove existing Basketball hoops Via Public Works staff Total Approximate Cost ~$20,000 OTHER CONSIDERATION:  Keep existing Pickleball court to east or convert to half-court basketball? Keeping as pickleball should consider fencing/screening for an additional cost of $5,000. Should private financial commitments be made and this project approved we could consider signage for the park showing park rules and Pickleball rules along with logos of the financial partners. This could be similar to the sign and deal worked out for the Center Drive launch access that was completed some years back (picture herein). As staff mentioned in the past, due to this being a transition year for the parks department and staff, we were essentially holding off on any specific budgeting items from the existing Parks Plan with the exception of the items in motion this past year (Aster Hills and trails). Thus, it will be up to the Committee if they see fit to provide any recommendations to Council for the 2016 budget regarding this specific matter/request. If private financial commitments have been attained this does give validity to the proposed project. Staff will point out that we want to plan for recreational facilities that fit a need and there is no doubt that creating such a Pickleball grouping of courts will provide a destination for Pickleball unlike any other in the county. The need seems to be here, parking is readily available in this location, and the usage would far outweigh basketball. Further, basketball options can be found down the way at Freedom Square Park (mile and a half east) and north at Jensen Park (mile north). Existing 10-foot high fence ~7,500 SF of surface -Add 3 Pickleball Courts here Existing Pickleball Court 2015 -New 10’ high fencing -New 10’ high fencing -New 10’ foot high fencing CITY OF MUSKEGO Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee September 1, 2015 Meeting To: Common Council From: Jeff Muenkel, AICP EDFP Subject: Parks, Conservation, & Recreation Plan Update Date: August 26, 2015 Staff is on schedule in putting together Chapters 1 and 2 of the proposed plan and we will start to go over drafts of those with the Committee in next months. Meanwhile we want to be sure to take down any possible recommendations for the future park plan from committee members at each of our meetings. We will take this time to discuss any possible recommendations (facilities/maintenance needs, etc.) the Committee may have to consider/research to possible be included in the 2017-2021 Plan. CITY OF MUSKEGO Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee September 1, 2015 Meeting To: Common Council From: Jeff Muenkel, AICP EDFP Subject: Boat Launch Fee Discussion Date: August 26, 2015 Commissioner Pilak requested at our last meeting that we discuss boat launch fees. Specifically, why boaters have to pay launch fees but not ATVs and snowmobile users during other seasons. Staff has been in contact with the WDNR regarding this subject and will fill in the Committee at the meeting. One other note regarding boat launch fees is that staff noticed earlier this year that many were simply not paying. The police have since stepped up patrols to help this out over the past month for the city. CITY OF MUSKEGO Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee September 1, 2015 Meeting To: Common Council From: Jeff Muenkel, AICP EDFP Subject: Aster Hills Neighborhood Park Naming Date: August 26, 2015 The request was made at our last meeting to discuss what to name the future neighborhood park that will be found at the new Aster Hills Subdivision in the coming years. The Committee should discuss what process they would like to follow to figure out the appropriate name. Once determined we can install a sign along the subdivision frontage road of what the park is to be named and what facilities will be found in the future park. Page 1 of 2 CITY OF MUSKEGO Staff Report to Parks and Conservation Committee To: Parks and Conservation Committee From: David Simpson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer Subject: Director of Public Works Report Date: August 26, 2015 I have included general information and project specific updates related to Parks maintenance for your use. Should any questions arise please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. Maintenance Items  Fox Services LLC has been completing Lawn Mowing and Grounds Maintenance for the contracted parks and certain facilities. We have not had any resident concerns.  The City’s refuse and recycling hauling contract is expiring at the end of 2015 and a request for proposals is currently being advertised.  Kurth Park Trail- The gravel portion of the Kurth Park trail is overgrown with grass and brush. We will be working to reconstruct the trail using milling materials this fall.  Denoon Park Split Rail Fence- Split rail fencing located at Denoon Park is in need of repairs. The vast majority of the fence is rotted or damage beyond repair and would need to be replaced. I would like to discuss this at a future meeting including the possibility of removing the fence completely. Facilities  Horn Park Building- Demolition of the oldest portion of this building is planned for this fall. DPW crews will complete demolition and contractors will be hired to complete the plumbing, electrical, and new wall construction. Exact schedule is not yet determined. We will also be setting the garage area up in the existing building for the Recreation Department to have additional dedicated storage of their own.  The Committee of the Whole has taken a straw poll to move ahead with potential purchase of a building adjacent to the existing City Garage in order to add additional storage that will provide the ability to decommission the old Park Garage.  The DPW has replaced the roof on the Lions Park building and the Bluhm Park south building. 2015 Park Improvements  Lions Park- The pickleball court has been added to Lions Park and has been well received thus far. Page 2 of 2  Denoon Park- All roadways, parking lots, and the basketball court will be resurfaced in conjunction with the 2015 road program. Additionally, two areas of pavement are being added to the narrow roadway that leads to the boat launch to allow an area for vehicles to pass. DPW will be completing all turf restoration as part of this project. They should be started on the project this week or the week after that.  Park Arthur- A paved pathway leading from the north parking lot to the three northern baseball fields and back to the pavilion has been completed. Concrete pads will be added to the dugouts of the three small fields as a separately quoted project which we expect to start in the next few weeks. The dugouts are also being fenced in at the expense of the MAA.  Bluhm Park- The Developer of Belle Chasse Subdivision has completed the boardwalk improvement and is currently working on the installation of the recreational pathway from Durham Drive to the Park. They are also 80% completed with the rugby field improvements with grass expected to be planted in early fall. The field will likely b e ready for play no earlier than the fall of 2016 or spring of 2017.  WE Energies Trail Improvement- The City retained all asphalt millings as part of the 2014 and 2015 road improvement programs in order to utilize them to construct and repair gravel recreational pathways with a very low material cost. We intend to begin installation of the WE Energies trail from Woods Road to the western city limits this fall with the material we have on hand that are already processed and ready for placement (from the 2014 road program). We will work until materials are gone and continue with that same procedure until the project is co mplete. I cannot estimate the distance we will be able to complete this year because we do not know what depth we will have to excavate. Memo To: Parks and Conservation Committee From: Tom Zagar CC: Jeff Muenkel Date: August 26, 2015 Re: Conservation Project Update The following is an update of projects related to Lakes, Forestry, and Conservation: · Big Muskego Lake District has hired “Clean Boats, Clean Waters” part-time launch attendants to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species. The DNR grant that supports this will also cover most of the costs of surveying Big Muskego Lake’s plant community and treating Starry Stonewort at the boat ramps. · On several occasions staff has had to remove floating cattail masses (bogs) that impeded boat ramps on Big Muskego Lake. · Work has commenced on the Big Muskego Lake State W ildlife Area (BMLSWA) wetland restoration project outlined in my previous report to this committee. This project will be completed by the year’s end and is paid entirely from grant funds from MMSD. · Staff has been attending to prairie plantings within parks and conservation sites to reduce weedy and invasive species such as burdock, thistle, parsnip, and sweet clover. Mowed trails through these plantings provide park users convenient viewing of these colorful plant communities. One particularly successful planting is a 26-acre tract that includes the southern portion of Moorland Park and Candlewood conservation lands. A mowed trail allows Candlewood Subdivision residents a more direct access to Moorland Park and connects with the paved recreation trail along Moorland Road. · Scout Projects: Staff is guiding Nick Buske in his Eagle Scout project to plant trees at Denoon Park and adjacent school District property. Emily Koster seeking her Gold Award is collecting native seed for the City’s conservation plantings. Elliot Bognar and his brother Jack have contacted the Conservation Coordinator for project ideas. It has been outstanding to have a steady stream of young people willing to conduct projects for the Community Development Department Moorland Park-Candlewood prairie. l Page 2 betterment of the community’s parks and conservation sites! · We have submitted for reimbursement from the Urban Wildlife Abatement and Control Grant to recover costs paid for controlling nuisance Canada geese in the City. · We are applying for an American Transmission Company grant to purchase trees that will include those planted by Nick Buske’s Eagle project. · We have begun prepping dedicated conservation lands at Aster Hills subdivision for sowing with native seed this fall/winter. CITY OF MUSKEGO Staff Report to Parks & Conservation Committee September 1, 2015 To: Parks & Conservation Committee From: Tammy Dunn, Recreation Manager Subject: Recreation Program Miscellaneous Updates Date: August 25, 2015 Please find the following items in relation to various recreation programs/activities in the city. Such items don’t require committee action but can certainly be discussed during the Miscellaneous Business portion of the meeting. 1. Fall Program Guide was delayed at the printer and did not get mailed to Muskego households until August 25. We published the guide online and it was available for viewing on August 20. We also started registration at that time. We won’t know what impact this delay had on our enrollment until later in September. 2. The boys and girls basketball booster clubs that have helped to support our club basketball programs (that we have ran through our department for 13 years) worked with the high school staff in the off season and made the decision to walk away from the city. This will result in our net dollars for the department to be lower than expected in 2015 as we will not have those revenues coming in this fall. 3. Baseball/Softball Field utilizing our online software use shows about 915 games played, one 3- day tournament utilizing 11 fields, one week long baseball camp at Park Arthur and roughly 770 scheduled practices. We will be in the process this winter of finding a replacement online baseball field reservation software for our games and practices as the city no longer has on staff the person who did the program for our department. 4. Pickleball Instructional program is being offered this fall thanks to the volunteer efforts of Keith Werner and other local players. These will be offered on the new court at Lions Park.