Loading...
Park & Rec Board Minutes - 10/13/2014 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, October 13, 2014 Approved Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 5:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on October 8, 2014. Present: Ald. Borgman, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. “Butch LeDoux, Mr. Paul Peardon, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson. GUEST: Ald. Kubacki, Ald. Madden, Ald. Engelhardt, Rick Nelson, Jim Prusinski, Harvey Schweitzer, Jackie Schweitzer, Atty Korom, Mayor Chiaverotti, Towne Realty Representatives, et. al. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 8 Minutes Mr LeDoux moved to approve the minutes of the September 8 meeting, seconded by Ald. Borgman. Director Anderson noted a correction to be made under Director Reports, it should be 2015 Capital Budget, not 2010. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve as corrected carried. Communications: 2014 Water Bugs Review Rick Nelson, President of the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. was present. Director Anderson reviewed the summary of compliance checks for the 2014 season. In regard to the flashing yellow light, he felt the officers thought the light should be flashing when it’s in use; however, it’s only when in storage that it should be flashing. There were no reports on the volume of the public address system during this season. Veterans Memorial Park Vandalism Director Anderson reported that on September 20, staff noticed the men’s urinal water feed bent and leaking. It has since been fixed. Moorland Park Vandalism On September 29, between 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Moorland Park skate equipment was vandalized by graffiti. The police were notified and able to view the tape. Pictures were taken as shared in the Board packet. The graffiti was removed the next morning. Old Town Hall Waiver of Fees The Chamber has requested the usage fees be waived for the Old Town Hall for their event on November 22. Director Anderson stated the usage fees have been waived in the past, but not the cleaning fee. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that they would be using the lower level so that, too, would need to be cleaned after the Country Christmas event. Mr. Hulbert moved to waive the usage fees for the Old Town Hall. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 13, 2014, page 2 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Boxhorn Warehouse Director Anderson said he and David Simpson have been working with the current owner as well as the potential new owners. Right now they have made requests to the city of what they want and different options have been made available to them. It has been communicated with both parties. Once they decide, it will then move on to the Finance Committee and the Common Council for their review. If it is sold, then the city’s equipment will have to be moved. . NEW BUSINESS: Freedom Square Parking Lot Sign Board members reviewed the mock-up of the sign for Freedom Square. They added the word usage to the portion of the sign; i.e. Park Usage Hours: 5:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M. The sign will either be posted on the fence or a pole. This would enable the police to issue citations. Mr. Hyde moved to approve the signage with the addition of the word usage. Ald. Borgman seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Warriors Donation for Kurth Park Ball Field Improvements Jim Prusinski was present to address any questions or concerns the Board had on the Warriors’ proposal for improvements to Kurth Park ball field and with these improvements being done by the Warriors, an extension of their priority rights for use of the field to 2021. Mr. Prusinski elaborated on the improvements that would be over seeding the infield arc, re-grade the infield and add baseball dirt mix and Turface to the infield. They had received one quote of $8,250 for the project work and are seeking additional quotes. They are trying to bring up the field to the same level as the Muskego High School fields and Park Arthur fields. Director Anderson stated that the Warriors are looking to make a donation to the city of the full amount.in exchange for first priority of field usage to 2021. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the proposal with their payment in full. Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Ald. Borgman had nothing to add as all his items were on the agenda and under discussion. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Park Arthur Director Anderson reported that the light panel has been done. The panel of lights for 1, 2, and 3 are on a 10-minute delay. The grading on the shelter’s east side, the developer is looking into talking to another excavator and getting some topsoil to get the area to drain properly. There is work to do around the hydrant. All punch items for the building have been done. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Winter/Spring Program Guide The guide will be going to the printer on November 5 and mailed out November 12. The department will be looking at some new programming for 2015, focusing on teens and seniors, providing a one-day painting class and fitness classes for all ages. Also, providing more co-ed leagues such as pickle ball, soccer, dodge ball, softball, kickball. The department will also work with school staff to see if they can provide art rooms, classrooms, etc. for programs. Gleanings Board members were in receipt of the September issue of the Gleanings. Customer Surveys Director Anderson reviewed the surveys from the customers. The response on the department’s service was positive. Park Surveys Director Anderson went over the surveys, sharing the comments, for Horn and Veterans Memorial Park and for the most Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 13, 2014, page 3 part, they were positive. One of the ongoing issues was dogs in the park not being allowed, yet their presence was in the parks. OTHER BUSINESS Wildflower Farms Board members were in receipt of the Plan Commission packet regarding the Wildflower Farms subdivision. Director Anderson refreshed the Board on what had occurred a few years ago on usage of the conservation lands for a park. Representative of Towne Realty stated they are working with Ald. Madden for a park, dealing with wetland delineation and making the configuration along Priegel Drive a little wider for park space. Director Anderson said the Board was being asked to make a recommendation for the trail along Highway OO that would be along the frontage of the property; if there would be interest for a trail along Priegel to the entrance of where the parking lot would be, accepting park dedication fees. Towne Realty representative shared that they had received consideration of the fees when they had donated other land for conservation lands and the well house in the Big Muskego Lakes subdivision. Mr. Hulbert expressed that he would like to get a larger park area though he did recognize the residents wanting the trail. Towne Realty representative pointed out that since they do not own all the properties along OO, there would be segments of a trail and how did the city want to deal with those segment gaps. Back to the dedication and park fees, Mr. Hulbert inquired if the value would be pre-development or post-development for the fees. Towne Realty representative shared that when it came to the Big Muskego Lakes Estates, the city assessor had come up with a value on that water utility dedication. He felt that again the city’s assessor would come up with a value. Then the discussion about working with the developer for grading and seeding of the park land because of economics of scale and paid from the park dedication monies. Discussion continued on the trail, park land and land dedication. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the proposal of Wildflower Farms to put in the Highway OO trail and a connecting trail to the new park from Durham Drive along Priegel Drive and have land set aside for an area park. Ald. Borgman seconded. Mr. Hyde would like to see the plans on the trail before the development. Mr. Hyde mended the motion that the Finance Committee/Common Council see about connecting the segment gaps. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the amendment carried. Upon a voice vote, the amended motion carried. Communications Parks and Recreation Department Structure Mayor Chiaverotti and Attorney Koram were present to explain the recent decision of the Common Council to transfer the care and maintenance of the parks under the Public Works department. Attorney Korom said a fair amount of parks maintenance is already done by the public works. The proposal is to do all the parks maintenance by public works. Some reasons given behind the proposal were they were looking at a savings of six figures; duplication of public works employee and parks employee; efficiency in buildings and work and equipment; centralization of leadership. Overall they believed the transition would be more efficient; a reduction in cost to the taxpayers. They did not believe there would be a loss of service to the community in terms of park service and quality. They said council voted this unanimously in closed session. Board members expressed their viewpoints on the matter throughout the meeting especially since it was done in closed session and the members of the Parks and Recreation Board were not included. Board members felt that at least Board President Toby Whipple should have been in on the discussion. Discussion and debate between the Mayor, Attorney Korom and the Board members included such issues as effect on youth programs, response time when there is a problem at the parks, priority Public Works will give to the parks, the quality of programs, the quality of customer service, Board’s role as steward for the parks, comparables with other cities, budgeting and projected cost savings, monitoring and taking care of buildings and grant writing. On the issue of staffing, DPW will be hiring three new employees. Two will be dedicated to park issues and the third will be a mechanic seeing to the maintenance of the city’s vehicles. Current displaced staff would have the opportunity to apply for these positions. The DPW director would be overseeing all parks maintenance. The recreation department hasn’t changed. The city administration is counting on Craig to help out during that transition. The Mayor believed that he would help the transition of communications and getting details worked out. He is working with Wayne to get up to speed but once Wayne is up to speed, it would be DPW’s responsibility for parks, park maintenance and park issues. Director Anderson understood that any recreational pursuit within the parks would stay with recreation. Near the Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 13, 2014, page 4 conclusion of the discussion, Board President Whipple recognized Mrs. Schweitzer’s desire to comment on the issue. As the former recreation director, she would like to see created within the DPWS a parks division and that there would be some level of responsibility. She agreed with Mr. Hulbert that when something comes up, you pull everybody for the project and the other projects slide. She, too, was disappointed that the Parks and Recreation Board weren’t involved in the closed session. COMMUNICATIONS & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Next meeting date is November 10 ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:46 p.m. Mr. Hyde seconded. Motion carried. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary Pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson; email: Peter Theis, Tammy Dunn; posted: www.cityofmuskego.org .