PRB012086minutesMINUTES
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
Monday, January 20, 1986
The meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board for the City of Muskego was called
to order by Richard Arrowood at 7:Ol PM.
PRESENT: John Schaal, Alderman Patrick Patterson, Joseph Weitzer, Richard
Arrowood, Jackie Schweitzer (Recreation Supervisor) and Peter Theis
(Parks Supervisor).
ABSENT: Don Kangas (excused); Richard Manchester.
GUESTS: Harry Udvare, Wil Vidal, Mike Decker, Ron Ford.
The minutes of the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board held on
November 18, 1985 were approved as mailed. There was no meeting held in December,
1985.
COMNUNICATIONS:
Personal Appearances
Laurie Fischer was introduced to the Board as the department's intern for the
Spring of 1986.
Wil Vidal of the Little Muskego Lake Association appeared before the Board to
discuss the concerns about the privately-owned piers located on city-owned
lake access lots. A main concern of the Board is the liability and ownership
of the piers: Should someone be hurt, they will seek compensation from the owner.
Wil Vidal suggested that the piers be donated to the city; and then possibly the
neighborhood group who donated them could put them in and take them out and
maintain the piers; and the city's insurance would then include the liability
coverage. John Schaal moved to accept the donation of the piers from the LMLA.
Alderman Patterson seconded the motion. Alderman Patterson then moved to defer
the motion and John Schaal seconded. The motion to defer carried.
Mr. Vidal then discussed with the Board the Little Muskego Lake Association's
request for the use of Idle Isle for their annual Lakefest. He presented a
description of his needs and a list of guidelines which they will be using.
The dates being requested were July 25th, 26th, and 27th, with the .aft&rndon of
July 24th being.used to start setting up. Mr. Vidal further requested
that the beer tent be left open until 11:30 PM. This particular issue will
need further review since the city ordinance dictates the city park hours as
closed at 11:OO PM. Alderman Patterson moved to approve the Little Muskego
Lake Association request for use of Idle Isle Park on July 25th, 26th, and 27th
for the Lakefest activities following the same program, format and layout of
last year. John Schaal seconded the motion and it carried. The issue of ex-
tending the beer tent hour will be looked at in the ordinance, and reviewed at
the next Board meeting.
Minutes, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, January 20, 1986, page 2.
Mr. Harry Udvare appeared before the Parks and Recreation Board requesting the
use of Bay Lane for a new program, Co-ed Flag Football for 6-8 year olds. This
program would run from August through the second week of September. Alderman
Patterson moved to support the new MAA (Muskego Athletic Association) program
of Flag Football. The city would provide grass cutting and possibly Metros,
while the MAA would line their own field. John Schaal seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. Udvare was requested to coordinate the use of the facility with the school
district.
Mr. lldvare then presented plans for steel equipment boxes to be used for storage
of their (MAA) softball/baseball equipment. The cost of the storage units will
be totally absorbed by the MAA; however, they are requesting permission for an
area in which to put these boxes. John Schaal moved to accept the boxes for
storage of the MU's equipment at Mill Valley. The dimensions and details
regarding the storage area are to be worked out with Pete Theis, Parks Supervisor.
Alderman Patterson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Ron Ford, representing the Women's Softball League, appeared before the Board
to discuss some areas of concern. First, Mr. Ford noted that funds from the
Women's Softball League might again be available to be donated to the city for
an in-house project such as last year's project, the infield improvement at
Bluhm III. The concern being the project is expected to cost twice as much as
last year and the women's league would not have that kind of money available.
The Board was uncertain if matching funds would be available to accommodate this
request. The suggestion was made that perhaps the schools should be contacted
for some of the funds if the project for improvement was going to be the high
school diamond: Then maybe a combination of funding could be achieved from the
schools, the city, and the Women's Softball League.
Next, Mr. Ford requested that restrooms be placed out at Bluhm III. Peter will
work out some prices on this proposal. There is no money in the Parks budget
at this time for this additional request.
Finally, Mr. Ford questioned whether the fees ($200) for their tournament and
all-star games might be lowered if the group would drag and line its own diamonds.
He was informed that this might be possible provided the equipment was inspected
and approved by Peter before it is used. The Board will discuss this further
at a future meeting.
Mr. Ford brought up the possibility of adding a parcel of land to be checked
out as a possible addition to the Comprehensive Master Plan. The particular
piece of land mentioned could be basically maintenance free and yet provide
good winter activities. The parcel is just off Tans Drive and Racine Avenue.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update--Status of Denoon Park
A recommendation was made by the consulting engineers, Howard, Needles, Tammen
& Bergendoff, to retain $2,000 in escrow until the final work of the project
has been completed. Joseph Weitzer moved to approve the recommendation made
by the engineers. John Schaal seconded. Motion carried.
Liability Insurance--Damage to Ballfields
A report was submitted by Arenz, Molter, Macy and Riffle (city attorneys)
regarding the liability insurance for property damaged by baseball teams. If
Minutes, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, January 20, 1986, page 3.
the city charges a maintenance fee, they can still require them to carry their
own insurance. The problem is that these teams probably don't carry this type
of insurance. Nothing was resolved regarding this issue.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Parks
An error was made in communications when discussing the "seasonal employee".
Originally the employee was to be a 52-week 19-hour employee. Money was placed
in the City budget for this employee, but it was brought to Peter's attention
that this was to be a 14-week seasonal employee.
In reviewing the ballfield usage/policy/tournament policies, the Board was
basically in strong agreement for maintaining the present starting and ending
dates as listed in the policy for ballfield usage.
The Common Council approved the recreation department's request for additional
storage in the lower level of City Hall. Space was also set aside for the
Cable Club to meet.
The program registration for upcoming winter/spring classes is not going well.
Publicity seems to be a problem; and therefore, some of the classes which are
not filling and not breaking even, will be cancelled.
Jackie submittedalist of employees for the spring 1986 session. Alderman
Patterson moved to approve the employees as presented. John Schaal seconded.
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Snowmobiling on Park Property
Alderman Patterson brought a concern before the Board over the ordinance which
prohibits the use of snowmobiles on city property. The Parks and Recreation
Board will review separately each request of clubs who might need an area in a
park to connect a trail they might be constructing. It has worked best if this
is coordinated with a club because they patrol the use and provide the necessary
maintenance.
Baseball/Softball Subcommittee
The Baseball/Softball Subcommittee will meet at 6:00 PM on February 17th, 1986.
Welcome Sign
Mr. Arrowood presented a request from the Village of Big Bend, Town of Vernon,
to put a "Welcome" sign on the backside of the "Welcome to Muskego" sign. The
Board felt as long as the Village of Big Bend would do the maintenance around
the sign that they could put the sign within the confines of the present Muskego
sign.
Minutes, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, January 20, 1986, page 4.
ADJOURNMENT :
Alderman Patterson moved to adjourn. John Schaal seconded. Motion carried
and the meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe Weitzeh
Secretary
Muskego Parks & Recreation Board
sjd/Z-5-86
pc: Board Members, Mayor, Aldermen, City Clerk, Recreation Supervisor,
Parks Supervisor, THE MLJSKEGO SUN, C. Anderson, W. Vidal, R. Ford,
H. Udvare