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prbm20110613 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, June 13, 2011 Approved 8/8/11 Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 5:31 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, June 9, 2011. Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Ald. Kert Harenda (6:05 p.m.), Mr. Jerald Hulbert (5:45 p.m.) Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. William “Butch” LeDoux, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson GUESTS: Ald. Borgman, Ald. Soltysiak, Aaron Robertson of MUSKEGO PATCH, Larry Lefebvre, Renee Reckin, Lisa Niles APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 9 Minutes Mr. Hyde moved to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2011 meeting, seconded by Mrs. Koble. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried. COMMUNICATIONS: Park Arthur Weed Tipping Lease Mr. Larry Lefebvre of the Little Muskego Lake District (LMLD) was present to answer any questions regarding the weed tipping at Park Arthur. Director Anderson said he had spoken with Mr. Lefebvre and Mr. Reck regarding their weed tipping activity at Park Arthur. The activity has been sporadi c. The lease was presented to the Board with the caveat that during the Park Arthur east grading project, there will be times where access to the weed tipping area will have to be denied for safety reasons and project tasks. He has asked BCF Construction to give 3-4 days advance notice so he can let the LMLD know that they cannot use it. Ald. Borgman asked how often they have been using the site as a last resort. Mr. Lefebvre said they have been using it mainly on weekends as the quarry is closed on weekends. They are in the process of getting bids on a roadway for their Calhoun property in New Berlin and a conditional use permit for the area behind their barn which is on Martin Road in New Berlin. They are also looking at using the Borst property in Muskego. Over the next few years, they will have several options. They are using Park Arthur as little as possible. Mr. Boisits inquired how many truckloads were dumped last year. Mr. Lefebvre said it was minimal, less than the 20 they had projected. Director Anderson reviewed the stipulation in the lease regarding truckloads and time the site could be used. Mr. Lefebvre said this year they will be using three trucks so at the end of the day, they can leave weeds on the trucks for dumping the next morning. Mr. Hyde moved to approve the Little Muskego Lake District’s lease for use of Park Arthur weed tipping area for 2011. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Idle Isle Improvement Opportunities Ms. Renee Reckin and Ms. Lisa Niles, representing Little Muskego Lake Association (LMLA), presented their Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 13, 2011, page 2 proposal for beautification of Idle Isle Park. Director Anderson stated he had met with them discussing several projects that might be done and he recommended that they come forward with a five -year plan for the projects. They will be looking at getting volunteer groups together to help with their projects. Projects that are being proposed for improving the launch appearance: Improve pier areas Improve launch turn Provide a boat rinse station Add pier slips between public pier and swim area Improve signage They will be working with the Waukesha Department of Natural Resources to obtain approval for weed killer and select plantings. Some assistance would be requested of the Parks and Recreation Department staff. Concerns expressed by Board members included: Snowmobiling in the areas, possibly damaging the new landscaping Are they looking for a commitment of dollars or staff time to apply the RODEO/Round-up How much is Parks and Recreation Department going to be asked in terms of money Keep in communication with Director Anderson on the projects Items easily maintained by city staff Suggested putting not only the names of the volunteers on the landscaping, but also the names of the plants Are they working with Howie Schneider and his group as they are really concerned about the islands Board President Whipple recommended approval of the landscaping portion around the launch and as things developed such as the boat rinse station, to come back before the Board for discussion and action. Mr. LeDoux moved to accept the proposal as laid out in regards to the landscaping portion. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Water Bugs Roster Copies of the Water Bugs roster were provided to the Board members. They have 37 members with 22 from Muskego which is roughly 60%. Tent Set-up on July 13 by Chamber of Commerce Board members reviewed the request for the Chamber’s annual Waterbugs sponsorship event at Idle Isle Park on July 13. They will be setting up a tent and not reserving the shelter. Director Anderson stated no problems had been experienced with this event in the last three years. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion ca rried with Mr. Boisits, abstaining. Bike/Walking Paths along Hillendale for Eventual Access to Borst Property Director Anderson announced that he had received an email from Ald. Soltysiak regarding a trail plan to gain eventual access to the Borst property. This would involve a trail along Hillendale and Field Drives. It is being proposed to include this in the Parks and Open Space Plan which should come before the Board in October. He mentioned that all trail sections are prioritized. It is up to the Common Council on what they are willing to fund; therefore, the aldermen should be discussing if it is something they want to do up front and part of the borrowing plan. When they borrow the funds, they get the access in right away rather than having to wait for the access to the property. Mr. LeDoux inquired if there was enough room along Hillendale for the trail. Director Anderson was advised by Director Muenkel that it would be easier to go in by way of Hillendale (Field Drive will be more difficult.). Mr. LeDoux suggested going in the back way and possibly having the cost Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 13, 2011, page 3 recouped by a developer. Mr. Hulbert asked if the property owners along Hillendale were advised that there may be a trail going along the front of the property. It would be advisable for the alderman to let them know. Discussion of this item will continue at the October meeting for inclusion in the Parks and Open Space Plan. NEW BUSINESS: Park Arthur Thiesenhusen Lease This lease would be for the west portion of Park Arthur. Mr. Thiesenhusen has leased the area in the past. The park development project has been put on hold. The lease will be for $55 per acre. He will be mowing the area to get the hay and will not affect the department putting trails in. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the lease for 2011. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. New ADA Rules for Trails & Shared-use Paths Director Anderson advised the Board that the Department of Justice decided the burden of proof as to whether a particular other power-driven mobility device (OPDMD) should be allowed on a given trail will now be on the trail manager to determine if such a device can or cannot be used. If a trail assessment is not done and trail not signed accordingly, then people with mobility issues can go on the trail with almost any OPDMD. In view of this, Director Anderson presented a proposed policy for trail assessment wording on use by OPDMD’s. Board members discussed the not to exceed 7 miles per hour speed limit on the trail. Director Ande rson said this was the recommendation of the parks supervisor who is an avid cyclist. Mr. Hulbert made the recommendation to reduce it to 5 miles per hour. Director Anderson stated that signage would reflect the items in a bulleted fashion. The policy will also be included in the Parks and Conservation Plan, posted on the department’s web site and printed in the program guide. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the policy with the reduction to 5 miles per hour. Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. City/School District Facilities Agreement The facilities agreement will be for two years and this was effective with 2010. The only changes in the agreement is their policy which is at the end of the agreement. The department is still second priority to the school district. If the department has functions like the club basketball program, where there are multiple teams and it is a neutral facility, the school board indicated that one team has to be Muskego. This is in order for other Muskego users to book the facility. The department needs to have its request in to the district by August 1 for the whole year. The organizations would have to have theirs in by August 8. He did not see any problem with the changes that had been made. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the facilities agreement for 2010- 2012. Ald. Harenda seconded. Mr. Hyde offered his disclaimer that he serves both on the school board and the Parks and Recreation Board. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Ald. Harenda brought forth the question how can they make the parks better. Board members responded by adding more staff and more money. Mr. Hulbert suggested he put together a priority list on his vision and the Board can react to it. Mr. Boisits said to get more groups involved to take on a park. Director Anderson added that in Muskego, parks are developed/maintained with non-tax dollars which strictly comes from park dedication. With development not occurring, the money is now being used for maintenance efforts and not improvement. The department has been in maintenan ce mode for the last four years because of reduced available park dedication dollars. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Park Arthur Brian from BCF Construction reported to Director Anderson that he is about three weeks behind due to the wet weather. It will be almost the end of July-early August for the project to be completed. They have the detention Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 13, 2011, page 4 pond almost done. Once that is done, the rest of the grading will go faster. The latest schedule was shared with the Board members. Some discussion on the maintenance of the city’s detention ponds ensued. Water Bugs Report Review of the compliance report showed no complaints. The Waterbugs haven’t really been out yet. Mr. Hulbert inquired if the park manager could make some of the calls. He could, but Director Anderson said the police would be more subjective. Also, it is the sound from the speakers going out over the lake that complaints are received from across the lake. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Anderson provided the Board with a report on the following: Summer Programs Summer programs started today and the department was very busy on Friday with registrations. There are record numbers in the All Sport Camp, over 215. The participant numbers are back up to the 2009 numbers. People are coming back and enrolling in recreation programs. With the heavier use of the boardwalk during the summer, Mr. Hulbert questioned if it needed extra maintenance, sealant. Director Anderson said the staff usually takes care of that in the fall. Fall Program Guide Staff is starting to work on the fall program guide. Mrs. Koble asked if the department was interested in new programs. Director Anderson replied always. He added that the pickle ball court has been striped and the nets are on backorder. Boxhorn Boat Launch/Launch Permits/Potential Grants Director Anderson has had emails with people that own the property by Boxhorn. Complaints have been received about using the Boxhorn launch because of the water level. The DNR dropped the water level down a foot and on June 1, they raised it up to where it was only 6 inches below and in September it will be a full lake. There is nothing the department can do about the level by the launch. If the department went through the permitting process to improve Boxhorn launch, then it would not be grant eligible. He had emailed the individual that owns it if the lease could be extended as then the department could go for a grant if the lease was extended to 20 years. He did not want to unless there was more money. Two days later, he indicated that he would be willing to sell the launch. Is this Board interested in purchasing it so it would become the property of the city forever? Board members were interested in pursuing it. Mr. Hulbert asked if the Durham launch could be abandoned if they purchased the Boxhorn. Director Anderson stated it could not as it was purchased with DNR funds and they want their launch sites. As the Board is interested, Director Anderson will now get a letter out to Jim Ritchie to obtain a letter of retroactivity so they could be eligible next year for grants if this launch was purchased. Director Anderson stated that some work needs to be done on the lake accesses for Little Musk ego Lake. The original boat launch permits that were received had a five or six year window on the maintenance that could be done. The department may have to reapply because of the finalized date. He would recommend getting one permit to cover everything. This issue may have to be revisited in the fall for next year. Mr. Hulbert questioned if the launch money collected was being kept separate to fund work to be done at the launches. Director Anderson said some of the fees that are collected at Idle Isle funds staff, portable toilets, etc. The money collected at other launches is segregated into their own account. OTHER BUSINESS: Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 13, 2011, page 5 Mr. Hulbert asked if there were any questions on the historical society report presented at the last meeting. Board President Whipple stated no. Mrs. Koble shared that she noticed between Sandy Beach Drive and Ladwig that the WEPCO trail has gone from 8 foot to 4 foot and is quite narrow. She couldn’t say if people were putting topsoil and grass seed down. Orange construction cones, the barrels, and some that were rectangular were down in the stream by Sandy Beach Drive near the old railroad trestle. Then, going west from there, there is another barrel in the bushes and she thought that would not be the best for the waterway. Director Anderson reported that the Finance Committee tossed back the ski jump to the Board which has no authorization and that any recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Board is an empty recommendation because their jurisdiction ends at the shore line. He informed Ald. Snead who sits on the Public Services Committee that the Board would revisit the issue as far as options but the Public Services Committee is the one to make the recommendation. Everyone involved has agreed to this process. The next meeting is July 11, time to be determined. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 6:45 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Koble. 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