Parks and Conservation-Minutes 04122021 Approved
CITY OF MUSKEGO
PARKS AND CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 12, 2021
5:00 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Whipple called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Toby Whipple, Terri Boyer, Matthew Bughman, Barbara Erdmann, Bill Miller and
Barbara Schroeder
Also Present: Tammy Dunn, Recreation Manager; Scott Kroeger, Director of Public Works
and Development; Tom Zagar, Conservation Coordinator; Aaron Blazer
Absent: Ald. John Terrence
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
This meeting was noticed in accordance with open meeting laws on April 9, 2021.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Boyer made a motion to Approve the Minutes of October 19, 2020. Mr. Miller
seconded. Motion was approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Update on Parks and Open Space Plan 2017 – 2021
Manager Dunn presented her memo with timeline stating it takes approximately nine months
from prep work through Common Council approval to complete the new Parks and Open
Space Plan. She will include the Committee members in as many aspects of the planning as
possible.
Manchester Park Ribbon Cutting Event
Manager Dunn recapped Miss Pacocha’s accomplishments and invited the Committee to the
ribbon cutting planned for May 20th at 5:00 PM.
Parking at Marshland Camps Preserve
Mr. Zagar explained this 49 acres is a conservancy area leftover from the development of Big
Muskego Lake Estates. The City is requesting to create six parking stalls for use by those who
want to hike through the conservancy. The small parking lot would be done with recycled
materials from our annual road program and the work completed by our own DPW staff. The
project cost will be very minimal.
Mr. Miller made a motion to approve the Parking at Marshland Camps Preserve
Mr. Bughman seconded.
Ms. Erdmann resides in Big Muskego Lake Estates and voiced her concern over the detention
pond and liability issues for the HOA. Mr. Aaron Blazer, who is on the HOA Board, spoke at
length regarding his concerns about an easement and liability. Director Kroeger stated the
conservation land belongs to the City and the public is allowed to access the land. The
easement is directly around the pond only. Trespassing signage is in place because no one is
allowed to go near the pond except the HOA for Big Muskego Lake Estates. The easement is
for the HOA to pass through the conservation land to reach the pond for maintenance. Mr.
Zagar explained the City has small parking lots in our other conservancy areas without issues.
He also stated that Bluhm Park and Moorland Skate Park both have detention ponds from
neighboring subdivisions on public land, again without issues.
Mr. Miller changed his motion to defer the Parking at Marshland Camps Preserve until
the City Attorney could give more clarification on the easement language. Motion was
approved unanimously.
Lake Access Hours of Operation
Director Kroeger gave background on how this subject started with a complaint to the Public
Works Committee. After researching our codes, we have determined the best course of action
was to treat all Lake Access points the same as our Parks. By providing clear and defined
hours and future signage, the Police Dept. will be able to enforce these hours or possibly write
tickets as needed. All Lake Access points are adjacent to homes and we have had complaints
over the years regarding late night partying, camping, bonfires, snowmobiles, and even large
tents being erected. Upon approval, this will go to Common Council and lastly the municipal
code will be revised.
Mr. Miller made a motion to approve the Lake Access Hours of Operation. Ms. Boyer
seconded. Motion was approved unanimously.
Update on Capital Projects 2021 – 2022
Director Kroeger presented his 2021 report and gave an in depth explanation about the
reconstruction of Park Arthur Fields 1, 2, and 3. Ms. Dunn and the Committee continued to
discuss and ask questions about the baseball diamonds and game day prep. She also stated
Muskego teams always have priority and that some games are now played at the high school.
Director Kroeger continued onto his Capital plans for 2022. He asked the Committee to
provide feedback for future park upgrades.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recreation Manager’s Report
Manager Dunn presented her report.
Conservation Coordinator’s Report
Mr. Zagar presented his report.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Miller made a motion to adjourn at 6:05 PM. Ms. Boyer seconded.
Motion was approved unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy Fredlund
Recording Secretary