Loading...
PRB090996minutesMINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, CITY OF MUSKEGO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 The monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, was called to order at 6:lO p.m. by Chairperson Jerald Hulbert. PRESENT: Debbie Carlson (departed at 12:OO a.m.), Jerald Hulbert, Richard Manchester, Ron Stephens, Toby Whipple, Gordon L. Jacobson (Recreation Director) and Peter Theis (Parks Director) LATE ARRIVAL: Alderman Pat Patterson (6:55 p.m.) ABSENT: Howard Schneider (excused) GUESTS: Steven Bast, Richard Johnson, Mayor David DeAngelis Notice of the meeting was posted on September 5 in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Richard Manchester to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on Monday, August 12, 1996, as mailed. Ron Stephens seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Jet ski racinq Steven J. Bast passed out a proposal to Board members. The three dates proposed for the jet ski racing were June 14, July 12, and August 9 at Idle Isle Park. There is a possible conflict with water ski lesson dates. This would be a non-alcoholic event, Budweiser non-alcoholic beers, etc. with possibly vendor tents selling merchandise and food. Local radio station to broadcast live at the site. In regards to safety, they will have two safety watercraft available on site, flags utilized to control event similar to auto racing. They will have an ambulance service on site. Bleachers set up on beach front. They will arrange for drop off and removal of bleachers. "Closed course" race, boats blocked off during event; 100 feet off shore minimum. DNR policy is decision to approve the event is up to local municipality. Chairman Hulbert posed question if local community groups being involved with this event? Steve Bast stated that he was not opposed to community groups being involved: (1) Water base is physically large enough for event. (2) Parking available. Anticipating 1,000 people. Busing package set up with local Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, September 9, 1996 - 2 restaurants/businesses. (3) Track is eventually the same size as Water Bugs event track. (4) 3-5 boats in any given qualifying race at a time. Not all 20 or more boats at one time. Richard Manchester stated he was against the event due to the complaints received already. He felt the proposed event was not in the best interest of the lake. Debbie Carlson asked what the cost to spectators would be? Mr. Bast said it was projected right now at $7.00 a ticket, but nothing set yet. They will try and keep it as low as possible. Access to launch is closed to the public during this event, but perhaps if it becomes an issue, they could snowfence off a designated portion. Chairman Hulbert inquired of the Board members (1) Do we want to rent out the park to a private group? (2) Do we want to tie up access to the boat launch for one date? Ron Stephens felt closing down the park all day would be a problem due to the numbers. Ron Stephens made motion to deny the request. Richard Manchester seconded. Discussion followed. Motion carried, all in favor. Proposal for combined departments Mayor De Angelis handed out proposal calling for the combining of the two departments. Mayor De Angelis stated main reason for combining departments is to streamline the administrative responsibilities under one person and relocate Recreation Department to one location (Parks Building). Mayor felt this is necessary to attain a more efficient situation. Richard Manchester and Chairman Hulbert recalled how Park and Recreation Supervisors were created. Council at that time felt management was too heavy so recommended to separate the two departments. Chairman Hulbert stated that Council is now expecting more from Parks and Recreation and possibly favors the combining of the departments. Mayor De Angelis feels that the long term of combining the two departments would be best for the City. The downside is how this proposal will affect the people presently based on his present proposal. Ron Stephens asked the Mayor if the person to be selected as Park and Recreation Director is to be qualified in both areas of Parks and Recreation. Mayor and Jerry Hulbert both responded "yes . 11 Mayor stated that the Park and Recreation Director position would be posted internally and externally. Richard Manchester asked the Mayor if there have been complaints for both departments. Mayor stated not as much that the Board hasn't already seen. Richard Manchester felt if the system wasn't broken, why try to fix it? Mayor stated he wanted to be positive for the future and set a direction. Do we want to continue in the direction we are currently going? Richard Manchester questioned the use of one secretary versus two secretaries for both departments. Toby Whipple asked if departments are having problems operating currently, why not Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, September 9, 1996 - 3 combine departments at one location, but keep separate7 Chairman Hulbert stated in favor of the restructuring due to the rapid growth of responsibilities in the Parks area. He feels that things are not being done. Pete responded mowing goals were met. A letter of appreciation was received from the M.A.A. regarding athletic field maintenance, and a $90,000 acquisition grant was awarded to the City that Pete wrote. Chairman Hulbert feels that the Maintenance/Mechanic position should not be supervising seasonal people in the field. Council put more funding towards grass cutting privatization. Toby Whipple felt this was the right direction in terms of privatization. Pete felt that 1995 was an unusual situation and should not be viewed as a benchmark for changes. Toby Whipple wants funds put towards help out in the field. He does not see hiring an administrative person will solve that area. Pete noted the increased role in administrative projects. Toby Whipple asked what is the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Board? Answer was advisory in nature only. The Mayor and Council can make the decision without Parks and Recreation Board endorsement. Toby Whipple expressed reservations. Toby Whipple asked whether everyone else reapplies for their jobs. Mayor responded that after the Parks and Recreation Director is chosen, it would be his decision to alter personnel. Toby Whipple asked if Council discussed this yet? Mayor stated "no," only in a broad sense. Chairman Hulbert asked for timeline for implementation? Mayor felt within July-September of 1997. Parks and Recreation Board members felt that any endorsement should be made down the road. Ron Stephens felt that the two departments being relocated to the Parks Building has merit. Chairman Hulbert stated that this be an agenda item for October. (At 7:30 p.m., Toby Whipple requested to be excused for 30 minutes. Approved.) WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Request for refund Mr. Daniel Booten submitted a letter requesting a refund of the season pass fee. Richard Manchester moved to deny request. Ron Stephens seconded. Discussion followed. Richard Manchester felt the permit was held all summer 5/24-E/27. Mr. Booten's pass was valid at Idle Isle Park where he could have launched a few times. Motion carried, all in favor. (A copy of letter and response is filed with the official minutes.) M.A.A. letter Chairman Hulbert acknowledged positive comments. Peter pointed out that the part-time seasonals were paid more this summer and the help stuck around all summer instead of seeking other employment. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, September 9, 1996 - 4 OLD BUSINESS: Kurth Park facility for in-line hockey Discussion on in-line hockey. Perhaps basketball standard could still be installed in addition to the in-line hockey boards. Gordy and Pete will investigate. Alderman Pat Patterson motioned to approve convertinq the tennis court for basketball/in-line skating for Kurth Park renovation. Ron Stephens seconded. Discussion followed. Motion carried, all in favor. Thiesenhusen property acquisition Option to purchase was sent to Myrtle Thiesenhusen which was sent on to her attorney. Pete has not heard from D.I.H.L.R. as of yet. Waiting for the offer and Myrtle is prepared to close within 60 days. Any contact with Mr. Kreuzpainter? No response for purchase of Kurth Park property. A follow-up letter to be sent to Mr. Kreuzpainter regarding the status of purchase inquiry. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: RECREATION Proaram status Gordy shared program status with the Board members. Irene Schuder shared with the Board as to how the swim lessons went at the Fountainwood outdoor pool for this past summer. Discussion on usage of outdoor swim lessons for the future. Also cost savings potential. Recreation operatinq budqet The Board members reviewed the recreation operating budget (1) (2) (3) (4) Gordy to investigate volleyball standards rental, should department purchase another? Park Board members recommended to inquire with school district for partial purchase for rescue boards. Investigate dollar amount to roll over to '97 for volleyball standards with City Clerk. Richard Manchester moved to increase the cost to cover T-shirts for playqrounds. Alderman Pat Patterson seconded. Discussion followed. Debbie Carlson felt increasinq fees for families of more than one child to be a hardship. Motion denied, 3-2. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, September 9, 1996 - 5 (5) Alderman Patterson moved to remove mailinq of trip list and copyinq from seniors. Debbie Carlson seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. (6) Ron Stephens moved to reduce 60% to 50% for subsidized busing for senior trips with the intent to continue reduction until the proqram is self-sufficient. Toby Whipple seconded. Motion carried, with Debbie Carlson opposed and Richard Manchester abstaining. (7) Motion by Ron Stephens to approve recreation budqet with changes. Richard Manchester seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. PARKS 1997 Operatinq budget (1) In the matter of the launch fees revenue account, Alderman Pat Patterson moved that each watercraft be charged each individual launch fee. Ron Stephens seconded. Discussion followed. Motion carried, all in favor. In the matter of the season pass, it was the concensus of the Board members to leave the pass the same for 1997. (2) Alderman Pat Patterson motioned to go with one parking a attendant. No second to the motion. Ron Stephens motioned for parkinq attendant to arrive at 7:00 a.m., add another shift, hours to be determined includinq Wednesday evenings for a total of 17 additional hours per week. Toby Whipple seconded. Discussion followed. Motion carried, all in favor. (3) Ron Stephens moved to add an additional $5,000 to contracted services, increase to $27,000. Toby Whipple seconded. Discussion followed. Motion carried, all in favor. (4) Richard Manchester moved to approve Park Department operatinq budqet with chanqes. Ron Stephens seconded. Discussion followed. Motion carried, all in favor. Muskego Historical Society budget Richard Manchester moved to approve the Muskego Historical Society budget with the deletion of the liability insurance. Toby Whipple seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. Denoon Escrow account le motioned the Denoon boardwalk and stone path as Ron Stephens seconded. Motion carried, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, September 9, 1996 - 6 Parks Dedication accounts (1) (2) (3) Ron Stephens moved to remove liqhts--$25,054 and Big Bend section of Muskego Recreation Trail--$8,645. Alderman Pat Patterson seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. Richard Manchester moved to remove $10,000 commercial exhaust fan out of Idle Isle building (concession stand). Alderman Pat Patterson seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. Ron Stephens moved to spend up to $1,200 for chain link fence on south and finish northern property line at Horn Field. Richard Manchester seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. Ron Stephens moved to approve Park Dedication accounts budqet with modifications. Richard Manchester seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. Denoon Park shelter Toby Whipple and Pete Theis reviewed the quotes. The department will stick with a 12" base and no. 1 posts. Toby Whipple recommended a sub-committee sit down with the low bidder, specifically regarding his bid figure. Toby Whipple moved to approve low bid with continqency of review of the sub-committee. Richard Manchester seconded. Motion carried, all in favor. Auqust cuttinq report Pete shared with the Board members the August cutting report which againmet pre-assigned goals. Police Department reports Pete shared the Police Department reports with the Board members. NEW BUSINESS, OTHER BUSINESS Plan Commission subdivision plans There were no plans submitted from the Plan Commission for the Board to review. Park Tour October 12 is the date set for the Park Tour. Chairman Hulbert to meet with Peter to compile an agenda and itinerary. Pete will check when bus company is open and available on Saturday morning. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, September 9, 1996 - 7 COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW: Chairman Hulbert stated that department heads limit agenda to two hours for October meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Ron Stephens moved to adjourn, Toby Whipple seconded. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 1:35 a.m. Respectfullymtted, for Parks and Recreation Board sjd pc: Board Members, Mayor, Aldermen, City Clerk, Parks Dir., Plan Dir, Recreation Dir, Recreation Supvr, News Media