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prbm20110912 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, September 12, 2011 Approved, as amended, 10/10/11 Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 6:02 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, September 8, 2011. Present: Ald. Kert Harenda, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde (departed 6:45 p.m.), Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. William “Butch” LeDoux, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson Not Present: Mr. Gary Boisits GUESTS: Ald. Borgman, Aaron Robertson of MUSKEGO PATCH, Bob & Kathy Mueller, Marge & Ray Ingold, Louis Aranda, Eileen Glazier, Suzi Link-Mason, Lloyd Hawes, Bill Schneider, Mike Klamert, Rex McCoy, Mary Murphy, Russ and Kris Reger, Renee Kaebisch, Tom Rukowski, Tom Ralston, Michael Pierski, Mark Oliver, David Davis, Ald. Schaumberg, Ald. Soltysiak, et. al. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 8 Minutes Mr. Hyde moved to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2011 meeting, seconded by Mrs. Koble. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Board President Whipple read a statement on how the public comment portion o f the meeting would be conducted. Public comments would be addressing the purchase of Dillworth/Cherek properties for a public park on Little Muskego Lake. Tom Ralston spoke in favor of the proposal for the park. It should be considered a last chance opportunity for the community to have a park on the lake. William Schneider commented that the city had the chance to purchase the land back in the „80s which was vote down even after by referendum in which the residents voted for it. This would help promote businesses in the downtown area. Bob Mueller talked about Idle Isle and no signs for Idle Isle. Also, spoke about the lake accesses not being readily accessible. He supported the proposal. Michael Pierski spoke of the proposal as a golden opportunity for a focal point in the community. He wanted more information and to move forward on the proposal. He would like to see a cost analysis and have all the facts and have a vote on the proposal. Kathy Mueller shared that she was on the original committee that looked at purchasing Dandelion Park in the „80s and recommended that the land be purchased. Now is the opportunity to purchase it again. She addressed the lake accesses and their accessibility. Margaret Ingold supported the proposal for the city to purchase the properties as it may be the last chance to Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12, 2011, page 2 help all the city residents enjoy the lake and help develop the downtown retail area. Susie Link said she supported the concept of a downtown park. She believed that it was good for downtown and that it would trigger economic development. However, the current proposal is ridiculous as (a) without knowing the numbers, (b) the most expensive real estate on the lake, (c) reduce the taxes that will be paid by the two parcels because you reduce the frontage artificially as you‟re not gaining any parkland on those two wings. Also, being able to see the lake from downtown is not possible with the fire department between the Cherek house and Janesville Road so the goal of connecting downtown with the lake with the Cherek property is not met. There are other properties to the west that have shore lines that would cost considerably less. She would encourage them to make a decision that would benefit the citizens of Muskego and not to benefit developers. Ellen Glazier was against the proposal. At present, the city has Idle Isle and it is hard to take care of that park. Her husband is a boy scout leader and they have volunteered along with neighbors in the community to take care of issues at that park. They are striving to make that park nicer for the community. She was concerned about the maintenance of a new park; who‟s going to take care of it. She mentioned the cancellation of the swimming program because funds weren‟t available. We are spending our money in ways tha t are not helping the community. We have a park and she didn‟t know necessarily if another park was needed. Mark Oliver was concerned about the proposal as it stands. The property since the 1800s has been done by the private sector, not city money. What is being asked is for all to invest more money into personal property on the lake to give possibly 100 parking spots to add people from other communities including our own to use the lake. The concept of using the lake is wonderful, but agreed that there wa s a beautiful parcel on the north end of the lake and taking some of the tax dollars to improve that park is a much better venture. Mike Klamert stated that 40% of the visitors to Idle Isle are non-residents so they find their way there even though we don‟t have signage. He mentioned that the park district is running a $520,000 deficit annually and without the numbers, do we want to add more to it right now. The properties as they exist would bring roughly $60,000 in tax base until everything is developed. As a taxpayer, we are facing a $30 million school referendum, a Parkland Mall law suit which has a $120 million figure on it and there appears to be some movement on going ahead with that law suit and with that resolution, we may kn ow where our downtown is in Muskego. As right now, he wasn‟t sure where it was but felt that area was more downtown than the area currently being discussed. Without the cost benefits for this, he was opposed to the idea and as far as the last chance effort, with the real estate bubble, without knowing where we are, he didn‟t want the city to spend $4 million or $5 million dollars for property that they could get for $2 million or $3 million dollars if possible. David Davis mentioned that after being a lake resident for quite a few years, he moved away from the lake primarily because of the concentration of activity on the lake which increased substantially over the years. The Bay Breeze condominiums added excessive amount of traffic to the lake. He added that the DNR would report that the occupancy of boats to the square footage or acreage on the lake is comparable to Lake Geneva on a weekend and is almost dangerous and it is continuing to grow. He could not support the proposal. He believed the city had enough parks. NEW BUSINESS: Recommendation regarding the purchase of Dillworth/Cherek properties for a public park on Little Muskego Lake Director Anderson referred to the letter from Attorney Boisits on the presentation he had made to the Committee of the Whole. The proposal was presenting an opportunity for the city to purchase parkland on Little Muskego Lake, approximately 4.5 aces with 650‟ of lake frontage beach. The Committee of the Whole members wanted to know if the Parks and Recreation Board was still interested in a lake park as per the conceptual plan which was approved by the Parks and Recreation Board. The Board was to answer the question, is the Parks and Recreation Board still interested in the city pursuing the purchase of land in this proposed area to be used for a public park? Mr. Hyde moved to approve. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Ald. Harenda inquired if there was any way to maximize or improve the 19 lake accesses or address the parking Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12, 2011, page 3 issues. Director Anderson stated there was no way of improving the parking w ithout taking away from the green space on the accesses. Ald. Harenda also asked about the swimming program being taken away. Director Anderson shared that it was a Council decision. The Board did not recommend it. The Council acted on their own. On the Exhibit B, noting the wings, Ald. Harenda questioned if there were any issues of security, relative to public and private properties. Director Anderson indicated those questions would be addressed with the development of the park. Mr. Hyde read his statement to the Board members mentioning several issues that need to be worked out before it goes before the Common Council. He is interested in having a park on the south side of the lake but expects many specifics to develop and to change before they start th e process. Mrs. Koble voiced her concern about the burden to the taxpayer , can we afford the park, and thought the park was a great idea, but it needed to go before a referendum, everyone needed the opportunity to vote on whether or not their dollars to the city be changed in such a drastic way. Mr. LeDoux commented that if the Council did purchase the land, the Board would be in charge of that property. Ald. Harenda would not be in favor of selling any parkland to offset the cost of the purchase. He would be in favor of looking at a referendum possibility. What do the people want? Mr. Hulbert shared that as a long -term resident, he wanted to see a park there. Mr. Hyde called for the question which passed 5-1, with Ald. Harenda voting no. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 5-1 with Ald. Harenda voting no. COMMUNICATIONS Woods Road Trail Director Anderson gave a brief introduction relative to Robbie Kanelos request for a trail along Woods. Road. A petition with 126 signatures was submitted which will be forwarded to the Mayor for her budget meeting. He added that the trail was supposed to be done in 2014, but Mr. Kanelos would like the trail to be built in 2012. Mr. Kanelos presented his request to the Board members. He would like the trail to be com pleted along with the Janesville Road construction. With the Janesville Road construction, he foresaw that Woods Road would be busier so it was a matter of safety not only for him but for others that are walking or biking. Mr. Hulbert asked what other trail portions would be put on hold if this trail portion was brought forward. Director Anderson said that Janesville Road is being done as part of that plan and Durham Road is being done right now so none would be put on hold. Mr. Hulbert moved to accelerate this Woods Road trail portion in the next budget cycle as a recommendation to be completed for 2012. Mrs. Koble seconded. Director Anderson stated that the funding would rest with the Common Council. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Parks Vandalism Director Anderson reported that the vandalism at Idle Isle Park was graffiti on the fishing pier and barrels. Staff removed it. Letter of Appreciation Director Anderson shared that the department had received a letter of appreciation from a citizen next to Horn Park. The citizen was impressed with the great job the parks employee did. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Nothing more to share. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Park Arthur The grading aspect near College Avenue is almost complete. They are waiting on some structural fill for the last parking lot. He encouraged the Board members to go and take a look at the park. The sledding hill has sloping of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 and it is wide enough to accommodate a number of individuals. This park will have Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12, 2011, page 4 year-round use with the sledding hill and other activities. Director Anderson has a meeting set up with M.A.A. personnel to discuss funding issues for creating the baseball fields quicker. BCF Construction should be done by end of September. Mr. LeDoux has received several inquiries about the equestrian trail. He directs them to the web site and people are thinking that is the trail and if that is not the trail, he would like a more accurate trail displayed on the web site. Director Anderson said that once the grading is done, the Board will be going out on site to determine where the equestrian trails can be placed. Water Bugs Report No complaints received during the season including the month of August. In Director Anderson‟s rev iew, there were no noise issues during June, July or August. He believed that they have changed their public address announcer within the last three or four weeks. They have been testing different people out and this change has led to very positive results. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Anderson provided the Board with a report on the following: Movies in the Park The last movie in the park was on August 19 and about 275 people showed up for the event. This movie event was teamed up with the last night of the G.A.P. program so parents that came for the grill out event stayed for the movie. This year was the biggest attendance with 175 for the first movie and about 250 for the second. Fall Staffing The individual that instructs the Ready, Set, Grow program has fallen ill and can no longer teach the classes. A new teacher has been hired and she should work out just fine. Mowing Costs Staff put together a list of all the different equipment and depreciation costs over the life span of the equipment as well as salary information including benefit information. The department mows 82 acres which includes parks, lake accesses, trail shoulders, boulevards, shooting range. The summer mowing department costs per acre came to $326.26 and the mowing contract for 68 acres came to $566 per acre. Next year, the department will be showing the happy medium between the contractual and the employee -related costs, presenting a cost- break analysis. Aud-Mar Trail Cutting ATC and We Energies asked the department to cut back the growth on the section of trail parallel to Aud-Ma r Drive. The work was done by a contracted service. There were a lot of wood chips flying around into private residences and resulting in some damages. Director Anderson and staff responded in per son to the email reports promptly. The property owners were favorably impressed with the department‟s response to their concerns. Mrs. Koble resides in the area and commented that it now looks really good. Previously she had informed the Board that areas of the trail were being reduced down to two feet from an eight-foot wide path where grass has encroached on to the trail. Director Anderson stated different trail sections have been prioritized. The department has to determine how to deal with the growth and it may involve using chemical treatment to keep the growth at a minimum. Parks Surveys Director Anderson reviewed the park surveys that were done for Idle Isle Park and Jensen Park. Fifty surveys were handed out to the persons using Idle Isle and 48 were marked as excellent or good for that park. Most of the ratings on the amenities were excellent or good. Some areas for improvement were to expand the beach Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, September 12, 2011, page 5 and more parking. For Jensen, 45 were mailed and 23 returned. Nineteen of the twenty-three rated the park as excellent or good. Some areas of improvement were wood chips being dangerous and they would like sand, but sand is not ADA acccsssible; also, to repair and update park and groom the baseball field. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER BUSINESS: Ald. Borgmann voiced his concern about the accessibility of Park Arthur with the grading being done and the access roads being available. He mentioned weekly last year and increasing this year, more and more complaints of trucks driving in the park, etc. His concern was that the work done on the baseball fields would be torn up by this type of activity. He would like the Board to come up with some measures to keep people out of the park while the development is being done. He would like to see more signage so the police department could locate the park when they receive calls. Director Anderson stated there would be more signage up by the end of the year. Mr. Hulbert asked about the goose problem at Idle Isle. Director Anderson said they had about 30 geese . The Geese Police can manage that number. The next meeting is October 10, time to be determined. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:25 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Harenda. 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