prbm20111010
City of Muskego
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Monday, October 10, 2011
Approved 11/14/11
Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of
Muskego, to order at 5:32 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, October 6, 2011.
Present: Mr. Gary Boisits. Ald. Kert Harenda, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mr. William “Butch” LeDoux,
Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson
Not Present: Mrs. Kelly Koble
GUESTS: Ald. Borgman, Denise Konkol of MUSKEGO PATCH, Mark Moriarty, Renee Reckin, Bob Bueckers,
Rick Nelson, Lisa Niles, Mark Harrison, et. al.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
September 12 Minutes
Mr. LeDoux moved to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2011 meeting, seconded by Ald.
Harenda. Ald. Harenda offered the following clarifications and inclusions in the minutes.
Under New Business, clarify Mr. Harenda’s comment “…would not be in favor of selling any parkland to offset
the cost of the purchase because of the comments made on the open green space would contradict selling of
parkland.”
Include Mr. Hulbert’s comment in response to Ald. Harenda’s inquiry about rezoning the parcels. Mr. Hulbert
responded originally when Ingersoll developed the property, he thought they had used up all their REC units
so there would not be an opportunity under current zoning to add additional units ; if that is the case, he didn’t
know for sure not having a conversation with the city planner. On the other hand, as a long-term resident, he
really wanted to see a park there and he would be agreeable to take a look at a rezoning of the property if the
city actually gains from that and gets a park. He did not like the idea of a developer saying if you don’t do this,
I am just going ahead and do it anyway. Thinking that if you don’t have the RECs there, you may not move it
forward. If we don’t get a park there, he’d be less incline to go with the rezoning without knowing all the facts
off the top of his head.
Under Park Arthur update, Ald. Harenda wanted his comment included on establishing x amount of funding
available for finishing the parking lot and money has not been budgeted for movin g forward at this point. His
point being they still need funding to finish the park before moving on to purchase another park. He asked
about the funds for Park Arthur. Director Anderson stated the purchasing of the park has never been brought
back to the Board. He further stated, they have $185,000 that will be used next year which will be used to
finish off the road, the half parking lot, along with the other parking lot. Upon a voice vote, the motion to
approve as amended carried.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 10, 2011, page 2
COMMUNICATIONS
Idle Isle Project
Lisa Niles and Renee Reckin of the Little Muskego Lakes Association shared pictures of the improvements to
the landscaping and planters at Idle Isle Park. Board members commented that phase l of the project turned
out very nice. They are now looking forward to phase 2, the signage. They plan to put individual signs in the
planters that would identify the plants and also recognize the donors for their contribution to the project. For
the regulation signs, they would like to try vinyl wrapping (skins). Signs that would identify Idle Isle at the top of
the sign would be fixed and the changeable skins would be on the bottom section. Also, commented they
would like to put messages on the backside of the signs by the launch for boaters coming off the lake. Mr.
Hulbert commented on how well he liked this idea and the messages could relate to boating etiquette. Director
Anderson liked the idea of using the skins on the signage. He would like to see them do something as they
enter the park, mimicking whatever is done down by the launch. They will work at getting sign designs and
pricing and bring back to the Board.
Water Bugs Ski Team Review
Board members were in receipt of a summary of the compliance checks and the Water Bugs usage of Idle Isle
during 2011. In June, high water levels were brought to their attention to which they complied. In May, July
and August, there were neither complaints nor compliance checks. A compliance check was done in the month
of June and they were in compliance. They were on the lake less this year. Board President Whipple inquired
about the ski class dates and the participation. Mr. Moriarty said they had decreased the dates in 2011
because of timing. They have good participation, about 20, and the lessons are offered to those between 8-14
years of age.
Kiwanis Club Letter
Letter to Dave Taube on the archery range at Park Arthur was shared with the Board members. The berm is
done. Director Anderson will be meeting with Mr. Taube at Park Arthur. Bonestroo did hav e some regulatory
guidelines as far as the signage and where it could be placed.
Park Arthur Vehicle Vandalism
Director Anderson reported that a person was caught after doing the damage at Park Arthur. The person
admitted going into Park Arthur off the weed tipping area, continued over the little berm and did some
doughnuts in the area and then left. A neighbor in the area called the police. The department filled out the
victim restitution form which will be taken to court. The damage came to $9 90 and the contractor did the
restoration.
Mr. Hulbert felt the Board members needed to have a discussion on whether they want to have an entrance off
of College. As it is now, there is only one entrance to the park and it’s easy to maintain. If there is another
entrance off of College, this could create a thoroughfare and they have no control over it. He wanted to have
better control over the flow of traffic as he could foresee a constant problem with vandalism. He added that
Denoon Park has only one entrance. Ald. Borgman voiced his concerns once again about the area being a
gathering place for partying. He gets frequent complaints about others freewheeling in the area. He would like
to see something done to close off the area. Director Anderson said the activity has been happening in the
park for a long time, but now can be seen because of the development being done. They have taken the larger
rocks to block off some of the area. Also, there are ruts and vandalism in other parks. Last year, damage was
done to the ball field in Denoon Park. This will be an item for the November agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 10, 2011, page 3
Water Bugs Ski Jump Placement
Director Anderson introduced that the Public Safety Committee sent the placement of the ski jump back to the
Parks and Recreation Board even though the Board did not have any authority and did not have any
jurisdiction. Common Council is the body that approves the placement of the ski jump along with the WDNR.
The Board was asked to look at viable options for the ski jump placement and forward those options on to the
Public Safety Committee. He shared some of the history of the ski jump with the Board members and those in
attendance. Director Anderson, Board President Whipple and Mr. Moriarty did a boat tour of the lake looking
for viable options. Pictures of the ski jump, its present location, and the viable options were shared with the
Board members. The following options were presented:
Current location (Chiconas Island)
Behind Chiconas Island There are some limitations as to the shallowness of the water. It would bring
the ski jump closer to those on the south side to where it is 175 yards on the tip and on the south, 322
yards. Mr. Harrison would then be 715 yards from the ski jump.
Sauer Location This was a previous location. It is about 878 yards away or 1,000 and a little over 850
yards. The ski jump was moved from this location due to an erosion problem along the shore line.
They would need a WDNR permit to install rip-rap along the shore.
Holz Island This would be 283 yards from an individual and 542 yards from Bay Breeze. Rip-rap was
just installed a few years ago to protect the shore line and the habitat.
Mr. Mark Harrison has been asking for the ski jump to be moved and suggested that the location be rotated
from year-to-year. Mr. Harrison’s property is roughly 620 yards away from the ski jump. To the side, it is 253
yards and to the far south, it is 424 yards.
Mr. LeDoux questioned how difficult it would be to move the ski jump location. Mr. Moriarty said they would
have to set up another anchoring system. Mr. LeDoux felt rotating the locations would have a positive effect for
the ski team and the residents. Mr. Moriarty said it wasn’t a hardship to move the anchors, but to find a second
location. Ald. Harenda thought that Holz Island would be the alternative as it already has rip-rap protecting the
shore line. It seemed to Mr. Boisits that Sauer Island was the best location except for the fact they would have
to install rip-rap. Director Anderson said that Mr. Sauer’s previous approval was rescinded because of the
erosion problem caused by the wave action from the boats and he did not think that he’d want to get the permit
for the rip-rap. Mr. Harrison did confirm that Mr. Sauer does not want the ski jump at his location. After
discussing the viable options, Mr. Hulbert moved, Ald. Harenda seconded, to recommend the present
location and Holz Island and to rotate it after a year. Director Anderson cautioned that if Conservation
Commission is not agreeable to Holz Island, the n they would be back to the current location. The Sauer
location isn’t a viable option right now because the approval is not there. He did not want the ski jump back in
the bay. Some discussion continued on the Water Bugs using the ski jump for practices a nd training during the
week. Mr. Hulbert called for the question; all in favor. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Nothing to share.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Park Arthur
The contractor will be almost done with the work by the end of the week. Once they are done, the department
will be looking at closing off all the entrances to prevent access. There will be no use in the park over the
winter.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Director Anderson provided the Board with a report on the following:
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 10, 2011, page 4
Winter/Spring Program Guide
Staff is working on the winter/spring guide. It is targeted to be mailed November 9.
Parks and Open Space Plan
He advised that the Board will be reviewing the parks and open space plan later this year or early next year.
Members will be emailed sections of the document for their review. They will have a meeting to discuss the
complete document and then forward on to the Common Council for public hearing.
Woods Road Trail
This trail will be done in 2012. The trail will go from Racine to Quietwood. Mr. Hulbert questioned if money was
appropriated for it. Director Anderson stated it was borrowed.
Baseball League Meeting
This meeting will be scheduled later this month. He met with Mick to get estimat es for the field development.
He has had initial conversations with the M.A.A. last month. Once he has the estimates, he will meet with the
leagues toward the end of the month and, hopefully, may be able to create some of these fields next year.
Some leagues have been asking about estimates for lighting, warning tracks, etc. so they are giving it some
thought.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Boisits shared that he had toured the recreation trail with Lee Elger. He requested the Board consider
clearing the trail, or part of it in the wintertime. This will be an agenda item for November.
The next meeting is November 14, time to be determined.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hyde moved for adjournment at 6:35 p.m. Seconded
by Mr. Hulbert. 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