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PRB040901minutes MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO April 9, 2001 Approved May 14, 2001 Chairperson Toby Whipple, called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 7:04 p.m. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on April 5, 2001. Present: Ms. Debbie Carlson, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ms. Kelly Koble, Ald. Le Doux, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple and Mr. Craig Anderson (Director of Parks & Recreation). GUESTS: Rich Larson, Kelly Bognar, Joe Thibedeau, Kevin McCoy ELECTION OF OFFICERS Plan Commission Mr. Manchester nominated Mr. Jerald Hulbert for Plan Commission representative. Ms. Carlson seconded the nomination. Mr. Hulbert accepted the nomination. As there were no other nominations, nominations were closed. Motion was made by Mr. Manchester and seconded by Ms. Carlson to elect Mr. Hulbert as Plan Commission representative. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. President Mr. Manchester nominated Mr. Toby Whipple for President. Ms. Carlson seconded the nomination. Mr. Whipple accepted the nomination. As there were no other nominations, nominations were closed. Motion was made by Mr. Manchester and seconded by Ms. Carlson to elect Mr. Whipple to serve as President. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Vice-President Mr. Jerald Hulbert nominated Mr. Howard Schneider for Vice-President. Ms. Koble seconded the nomination. Mr. Schneider accepted the nomination. As there were no other nominations, nominations were closed. Motion was made by Mr. Hulbert and seconded by Ms. Koble to elect Mr. Schneider to serve as Vice-President. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Secretary Alderman Le Doux nominated Ms. Kelly Koble for Secretary. Ms. Carlson seconded the nominations. Ms. Koble accepted the nomination. As there were no other nominations, nominations were closed. Motion was made by Alderman Le Doux and seconded by Ms. Carlson to elect Ms. Koble to serve as Secretary. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Richard Manchester moved to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2001 meeting, as mailed. Seconded by Mr. Hulbert. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 9, 2001, page 2 PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Horn Park Usage Mr. Richard Larsen appeared before the Board to request use of Horn Field on April 22, 2001 for a Muskego High School Varsity baseball spring league game. They would start the game at 12:00 p.m. and should be finished by 4:30 p.m. They were requesting the infield to be dragged, chalked foul lines, batter's box and bases. For the Board members, Director Anderson clarified that though it is high school team, it is the parents that are doing this as under WIAA sanctions, the coaches cannot be involved. He advised the Board that the cost to comply with the request to do the field would be 3 hours at double time, around $60, for the department's employee to do this work on a Sunday. Ms. Debbie Carlson moved, Mr. Hulbert seconded, to approve the usage of Horn Field for everything listed on the application and waive the fees. Mr. Manchester questioned as the Board charges the M.A.A. (Muskego Athletic Association), what makes this program different than the M.A.A.? He did not go along with waiving the fees. Director Anderson responded that M.A.A. pays somewhere in the neighborhood of $7.50 per hour for 12 weeks for 2 summer employees, about $7,000 for their requested services. This request does not fall in with the agreement with the school district. The school district cannot be involved as the game is before the date for WIAA sanction play. Alderman Le Doux viewed the request as a special event. He felt that they should pay the fees. Mr. Schneider felt that the department should recoup part of the cost for the staff. If they waived the fees, this would be setting a precedent. Ms. Carlson amended her motion, Mr. Hulbert accepted the amendment, that they pay half the fees. Mr. Hulbert did see that they could be setting a precedent in waiving the fees. Further, that they are requesting something out of season; but on the other hand if the Board could pick up half the fees, this would not be a precedent of waiving the fees. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the amended motion carried 5-2, with Mr. Manchester and Alderman LeDoux voting nay. Mr. Manchester questioned how the staff fees would be worked out? Director Anderson explained that the fees collected would go into the park account. Bluhm Park Request Ms. Kelly Bognar came before the Board to request the use of Bluhm Park for her cub scout pack's Bike Rodeo event. Further, she was requesting that the fees be waived for the event. In the past, they had done the event at the Muskego County Park. They prefer to use Bluhm Park as it is near the bike trail and the attendees would not have to cross a busy road such as Janesville Road to access the trail for part of their event. President Whipple questioned where the people would park. She explained that this is a family event and most of them will be riding their bikes to the park. A few would be dropping off their bikes at the park. Mr. Manchester inquired if the fees were waived at the county park? She stated they were not waived; however, they are trying to keep the cost of the event low. Ms. Carlson made a motion to approve the request for use of Bluhm Farm by Cub Scout Pack 18 on August 11 and to waive the usage fees. Alderman Le doux seconded. Mr. Manchester mentioned that he being a former scout and a scout leader and his son was in the scouts, that it was a good organization, he was in favor of waiving the fees for this event. Mr. Manchester called for the question. Mr. Hulbert asked for a vote on calling the question. Upon a voice vote for calling the question, it carried 6-1 with Mr. Hulbert opposed to calling the question. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Police Department Incident Reports Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 9, 2001, page 3 Director Anderson shared with the Board members that on March 19 the playground equipment at Idle Isle Park had graffiti spray painted on it. The staff was able to remove most of it, but on very close inspection, you can still see some of it. Also, on March 22, more spray painting at Idle Isle Park, consisting of gang signs and nazi markings. On March 27, a garbage barrel was torched at Denoon Park around on the back road. He informed the Board members that the Police Department would be doing extra patrols of the parks. Also, at Denoon Park, the portable toilet will be moved closer to the road. The department has also been receiving calls from the neighborhood watch regarding the Muskego Recreation Trail in the Loomis area. An equestrian has been using the trail. They were able to get the person's name and the police officer talked to the person who was informed that they would be cited for continued use of the trail . OLD BUSINESS Bluhm Farm Athletic Field After the last meeting and having the M.A.A.'s configuration of the fields, Director Anderson and Parks Supervisor Pete Theis went to Natural Athletic Turf and asked them for a 54' pitching radius would these diamonds work? In their professional opinion, they would increase the infield radius to 70 feet which means an additional square footage of 3,294 would have to be excavated which would add $4,150 to the base bid. Mr. Thibedeau indicated that the M.A.A. felt the 80' base pegs with 54' pitching rubber would still work for them. They did not feel the need for the additional square footage being recommended by Natural Athletic Turf. Mr. Hulbert inquired if there would be a need for the additional infield radius in the future? Director Anderson did not see a need in the future; to go with 90' bases would be regulation play. His recommendation was to build the field as Natural Athletic Turf suggested and also to do Bluhm Field #2 the same way. He also mentioned that Horn Field and Denoon Park now have 90' pegs. The Board members considered the additional cost of doing both the fields, roughly an additional $8,300. It was clear that M.A.A. was not interested in cost sharing on the additional square footage. Mr. Manchester moved that the Board does not go with Alternate #1. The motion died for lack of a second. The Board will build Bluhm Field #4 as they will go with the original proposal. Park Arthur Conceptual Plan In regard to the public hearing comments, Mr. Hulbert recommended that these be reviewed for the issues that are under the jurisdiction of the Board. Some of the issues brought out at the public hearing the Board cannot address. The relative issues should be brought back to the Board for discussion in May. He recommended that the property owner, whose land is surrounded by the park, might want to discuss selling the property with the Mayor. He would like to move the project along as there doesn't appear to be much impact on the east side. They need to address the neighbor with the electric fence. Board discussed the timeline for the fill coming into the park. Director Anderson said this was the biggest thing to get the fill in June and Alderman Slocomb is working with the Superior representative to get that fill. Getting the fill would be the first step in moving forward with the project. Mr. Hulbert asked if there was potential of getting the dredging from the Bay, Lakeview Gardens project? Alderman Le Doux was not familiar with that project. Mr. Schneider felt that they were waiting to see what happened with Parkland Mall before continuing with the project. Manchester Hill Shelter To share with the Board what he had on shelter design, Director Anderson indicated would be a lengthy presentation. Mr. Hulbert recommended that a sub-committee be set up to discuss shelter designs for Manchester Hill. The Board members to serve on this sub-committee are Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Richard Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 9, 2001, page 4 Manchester, and Mr. Howard Schneider. Ms. Carlson had noted that there is no signage on Janesville Road indicating the direction to Manchester Hill Park and could this be looked into? Director Anderson stated that the Mayor's Task Force is already looking into signage in the city and directions/locations of the parks is on the list. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Summer Brochure Director Anderson reported that the staff is currently working on the summer program guide. At this time, it appears it will be a 56-page booklet. A lot of new programs will be offered again. The cancellation rate is fairly low. The recreation supervisors are doing an outstanding job with programs and also getting qualified staff to run the programs. President Whipple asked if there were any additional advertisements. Director Anderson indicated that there were two one-half pages for advertisements. In the fall, the department will be going to three one-half pages. Mr. Hulbert had received some inquiries regarding businesses being solicited for advertising and they had questioned the value of just donating that amount of money to the department. Director Anderson reported that right now the department gets 60% off the top, amount to about $3,000- $4,000 a year for advertisements. Also, he will be bringing a contract to the Board at a later date for advertisements in the fall book. He mentioned that Time-Warner would have a big advertisement in the upcoming book. Fishing Pier Director Anderson shared with the Board that the fishing pier at Idle Isle Park after being left in the lake throughout the seasons, needs some repair. The parks staff is working on the repairs and hopes to have the pier back in service by Memorial Day. Baseball Fields This item was deferred until the May meeting. NEW BUSINESS Park Arthur Lease Director Anderson mentioned to the Board that Karl Thiesenhusen normally farms this park. Does the Board still want to lease in view of the fact that they will be expecting fill to be delivered to the park? Also, do they want to allow the weed tipping to continue in the area of the park? In checking with Sean McMullen, the city engineer, who did not recommend weed tipping in the newly acquired area of the park. If the Board is not going to lease the park, then it would be advisable to do the grading as the fill is brought into the park. Mr. Hulbert felt the Board should not be putting lease out this year if they are getting fill in mid-June. If there is no fill by June, they will make a decision. Director Anderson will contact Karl Thiesenhusen regarding the lease. Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved that they do not let a lease at this time, but make it an agenda item for the May meeting. Mr. Manchester seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Mr. Howard Schneider moved to allow weed tipping in Park Arthur. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 9, 2001, page 5 OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission No plans submitted for review from the Plan Commission. Next Meeting – The May meeting will occur on May 14. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Ms. Carlson had nothing to present to the Board members. Mr. Hulbert brought up for discussion some issues regarding the proposed community center. How large a building will they be looking at? Will it be self-sufficient? Director Anderson reported that, except for one, the committee had visited were self-sufficient. The centers were from 56,000 square feet to 138,000 square feet. Mr. Hulbert inquired if he saw the Parks and Recreation Board becoming involved? Director Anderson mentioned that some of the facilities visited were hospital-oriented and some were parks and recreation. Mr. Hulbert asked if he envisioned that it would be added to his job description? Director Anderson responded that it would be his responsibility and under this Parks and Recreation Board. He reported that some of the visited facilities were self-sufficient based on membership fees. Typically, it would be $40/member/month, $480/month for a family of three. Further discussion by the Board on the size of the communities having community centers, the competition from the local Y's, the surrounding areas that the community centers service. Mr. Manchester inquired if the city was going to have a referendum on the issue? Director Anderson did not know. Mr. Manchester mentioned that those that he had conversed with were not in agreement on the community center. Alderman LeDoux said that when it comes to the community center, they were talking about it being self-sufficient and a benefit to the community. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Manchester moved for adjournment at 8:16 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried . Respectfully submitted, Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson email: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department Heads, Peter Theis, Irene Schuder, Tammy Dunn,