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prbm20120109 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, January 9, 2012 Approved 2/13/12 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 Thursday, January 5, 2012. Present: Mr. Gary Boisits. Ald. Kert Harenda, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. “Butch” LeDoux, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson Not Present: Mrs. Koble (excused), Mr. Hyde (excused) GUEST: Ald. Borgman, Ken Fries, Denise Konkol of MUSKEGO PATCH, Larry Lefebvre, Ald. Soltysiak APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 14 Minutes Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2011 meeting, seconded by Mr. Boisits. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS: VFW Post 8171 Request for Waiver of Fees Board members were in receipt of the annual request from VFW Post 8171 to waive the usage fees for their rental of Veterans Memorial Park on July 8, 2012. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request, seconded by Mr. Boisits. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: 2012-2016 Parks & Open Space Plan Previous to the meeting, the Board members were requested to review chapters of the Parks & Open Space Plan and submit their comments. Director Anderson advised there are four sections of the plan that apply to the Board; Chapter 3 which is the trail inventory. The Board had previously approved the map. There were some additions to it. Ald. Soltysiak had brought up a section west of Racine Avenue on Janesville and then also a linkage to the Borst property/Field Drive. Director Anderson had spoken to Tom Zagar to note that a trail would go there so there would be access from Racine Avenue to the Borst property on road or off road. These scenarios would be included in the trail inventory. He asked for comments. Mr. LeDoux asked for clarification on the page relative to what people can do in the parks. In regard to Park Arthur, it mentioned natural conservation area and a pond? Director Anderson stated the pond referred to the retention pond. Mr. LeDoux further noticed that the horseback riding was not checked off. Director Anderson explained that as amenities become available, then they are checked. Chapter 5 is the parks land needs assessment. Sections were added on goals and objectives. A running list would be kept in the plan. As they were accomplished or removed by the Board, they Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, January 9, 2012, page 2 would be taken off. They set up the plan for the next chapter. Chapter 6 is the recommended park plan. One thing is looking at the recreational facilities for the recreation programs; Horn, Jensen and the Old Town Hall. During the last budget, a facilities plan was approved for the city. He had asked the Mayor to include looking at the operational life of the current buildings. He believed that some of the buildings have gone past their operational life and there is going to have to be an investment made in some of the facilities whether or not it is where they currently are or newer facilities and including it in the city’s plan. Mr. Hulbert commented that the Jensen facility had been addressed many times in the past, but never completely. Director Anderson stated the recommended park plan takes those recommendations in the long list and includes them underneath each park. Chapter 8 which is the individual trail recommendations. a color coded map for when trails would be coming before Council for approval. There were a number of trails that moved up on the list of things to do this year. He would like to add a design phase and a build phase so it’s not all done within one year. A plan would then go in to play where the public can view it, Parks & Recreation Board and Council can view it. This would make it easier for planning and for budgeting. The next step is for the Conservation Committee to go over the plan for their updates. The maps will be done to complement the narrative. Then the plan will be going on to Common Council and the public hearing. Mr. LeDoux moved to approve the Board’s modifications to the Parks and Open Space Plan for 2012 -2016. Ald. Harenda seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 2012 Park Arthur Farm Lease--Thiesenhusen Director Anderson advised the Board that Mr. Thiesenhusen is interested in leasing the west section of Park Arthur again for 2012. He mentioned the one caveat in this lease is #5 that possible equestrian trails may be created by the owner. The lessee will work with the owner to leave established trails as is, once developed. Mr. Thiesenhusen is fine with it. Mr. Thiesenhusen asked if he would be able to plant corn and Director Anderson informed him that for 2012, it would be just for hay and if he wanted to do corn, he could come back to the Parks and Recreation Board for 2013. Ald. Harenda moved to approve the lease for 2012. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 2012 Park Arthur Farm Lease--Schaefer Director Anderson stated that Mr. Schaefer is again interested in leasing the western side of Park Arthur even though it is a small area. Ald. Harenda moved to approve the lease. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 2012 Parking Agreement with Horn Brothers Director Anderson reviewed briefly the history behind the agreement with Horn Brothers for using the parks lot for parking. The parameters for the agreement have not changed: Parked vehicles cannot interfere with the Parks Department operations. If this short-term parking area is needed for future city use, this agreement will be terminated. The city will not be held liable for any damage to the parked vehicles. Short-term parking for business customers shall be on the street and not in the designated parking. Parked vehicles must fit in the designated parking area. Employee parking in this designated area is for work shift parking only. No overnight parking is allowed. Mr. LeDoux moved to approve the agreement. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Hulbert abstaining. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, January 9, 2012, page 3 2012 Little Muskego Lake District Weed Tipping Agreement Director Anderson shared that this is an annual agreement. It started as two acres and now has gone down to one acre. The one stipulation that he added to the agreement is that some type of barrier needs to be at the curve so as they enter to go to the right into the weed tipping area to keep people from driving straight through the grass and into the park where they can do damage at night. Mr. Lefebvre was okay with the stipulation. They will be using it after hours and some weekends. They are using it less and less. They only expect to dump up to 20 truckloads and as they approach that, they will remove the weeds to the quarry and spread the balance. Ald. Harenda inquired if they had any complaints on odor to which Mr. Lefebvre replied they had only one call last summer and Ald. Borgman said he did not receive any complaints. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the agreement. Ald. Harenda seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Lake Park Update Ald. Harenda presented an update on the lake park issue. He wanted to make sure the Board was aware that the city is relying on the Board to have an understanding that they can handle another park, considering maintenance fees and development and improvement fees. He stated the city is wor king on the purchase price now which is one piece; the other piece is maintenance and the improvement piece. He has had discussion with Director Anderson on maintenance issues and improvements. He did note that maintenance would be a continued item and wanted to talk about the cost associated with it. In comparing the lake park with Idle Isle Park maintenance figures as supplied by Director Anderson, he figured the cost would be roughly $60,000. He asked if they could hold a public hearing. Board President Whipple replied that until they have the property, it would be premature to hold a public hearing. Mr. Boisits, referred to Park Arthur, and asked how the Board addressed the issues regarding Park Arthur; was there a budget hearing before the purchase, or anything like that? It seems premature to discuss when you don’t know what is going on. If you’re talking just grass, it is probably less of an expense than Park Arthur. Director Anderson stated that Muskego has been very frugal in developing parks and has not used tax dollars. They have relied on park dedication fees an d landfill fees. The Board spreads their money out in order to get parks developed. If Council is looking for the Parks and Recreation Board to develop the park, it is going to be awhile. It would be an inventory of lan d like some of the other parks and would sit there idle. Once money is set aside or saved, then development for the park would occur. Until the Board knows what is going to be there, Mr. Hulbert did not see how they could put any numbers on it. He could not see development happening until they had money in place. Mr. LeDoux questioned if the Council purchases the park, are they going to design it and the Board maintain it, or is the Board going to look at its best uses for the acreage? Ald. Harenda’s perception was that the Parks and Recreation Board would take the lead on the park. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Park Arthur Director Anderson reported as a result of the Durham Road reconstruction project, Park Arthur inherited the three trees not needed by the project. The park is now closed up for the winter. He had no update on the cost- sharing for the ball fields. He has contacted some of the leagues and he thinks they are still interested; however, believed they are being cautious. He felt they would come forward when they are ready. Mr. Hulbert asked how that affected the time frame in getting the fields developed. Director Anderson stated that the cost- sharing would need to be in place before development of the fields. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Anderson provided the Board with a report on the following: Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, January 9, 2012, page 4 Recreation Department staff is working on registration, etc. Truck Sale Completed The sale of the 1985 GMC is completed. It was sold for $1211.11. Woods Road Recreation Trail The department is on target for the trail development. The f irst information hearing is scheduled for January 23 starting at 5:00 p.m. There is a meeting schedule with the DNR next week regarding wetland impacts. Also, another meeting scheduled with Graef. Several letters were sent to the public. He believed it w as very well received as the department did not receive a lot of complaint calls. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Hulbert requested that the road end at the end of Park Drive be placed on a future agenda. He had heard from a concerned resident that the access would go away due to the Janesville Road reconstruction. Director Anderson will check with the city engineer. Ald. Harenda asked about the time frame for DNR grants regarding the lake park. Director Anderson stated a letter of retroactivity has been submitted. If the land is purchased now, they can apply for grant money. Director Anderson advised that the city’s agreement with the Muskego Historical Society will expire at the end of 2012. He asked that the item be removed from Tuesday’s Coun cil agenda. This would give the historical society time to review it and then to the Parks & Recreation Board for their review. The changes on the electrical charges, etc. will be in that document. Once both committees have reviewed it and made their recommended changes, it can go to Finance and Council for their action. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 6:11 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Boisits. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson email: Peter Theis, Tammy Dunn posted: www.ci.muskego.wi.us