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prbm20010514 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO May 14, 2001 Approved 6/11/01 Vice-president Howard Schneider called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 6:45 p.m. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on May 10, 2001. Present: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Ms. Kelly Koble, Mr. Howard Schneider, Ald. Wichgers (6:50 p.m.) and Mr. Craig Anderson (Director of Parks & Recreation). Absent: Ms. Debbie Carlson (excused), Mr. Richard Manchester (excused), Mr. Toby Whipple (excused) GUESTS: Betty Czarapata, Richard Barloga, Joe Thibedeau, Members of Muckey 4-H Club, Tom Reck Note: While awaiting the arrival of Ald. Wichgers, the Board members discussed non-action items. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 9 Public Hearing Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the minutes of April 9 Public Hearing on Park Arthur, as mailed. Seconded by Ald. Wichgers. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. April 9 Board Meeting Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the minutes of the April 9 Board Meeting, as mailed. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. May 1 Sub-committee Meeting Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the minutes of the May 1 Sub-committee Meeting. Ald. Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: 4-H Citizenship Project Members of the Muckey 4-H Club came before the Board. The club does community service projects and as one of their projects, they would like to help eradicate garlic mustard in the City of Muskego. They were seeking direction from the Board as to what areas they could do this project work. Betty Czarapata was in attendance and recommended that they start with Horn Field as there is a lot of garlic mustard in that area. The club members would like someone to show them how to take care of it. Board members inquired as to whom would be supervising the youths doing the project. Amanda Radish, a member of the club, said that they have adults who are willing to supervise the children. Mrs. Czarapata said it is best to collect the garlic Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 2 mustard in the spring because it is more easily recognized as it starts to flower. She had contacted Tom Zagar about the need to set up a meeting with the youths to show them how to collect the garlic mustard. Along with the collection of the garlic mustard, Ms. Czarapata recommended that when they notice garlic mustard in a private yard, that they ask the property owner to please pull the garlic mustard and ask them to please control it. Also, to place in newspaper boxes a pamphlet on garlic mustard where they notice it growing in the yard. Director Anderson stated the department staff could work with the club to arrange a date and time to meet. Director Anderson said that the department would supply the bags for them to put the garlic mustard in and the parks crew would collect the bags and take them to the landfill for disposal. Luther Parker Cemetery Ms. Betty Czarapata and Mr. Richard Barloga voiced their concerns regarding Luther Parker Cemetery. Ms. Czarapata asked that when anyone works in the cemetery that they understand what their limitations are. She mentioned the restoration work that had been done on the tombstones. The workmen had left the waste in the cemetery. She took about 50 pounds of waste cement out of the cemetery. Further, she noted that some of the tombstones had bulging and clumps of cement. Director Anderson said the contractor did a good job, with what they had to work with, in getting the tombstones up straight and in the proper place. Ms. Czarapata also discussed the fence area with the Board mentioning that there is a lot of vegetation in the fence area. Mentioned also was the unauthorized mowing of the cemetery that occurred last fall. Homeowners in the area were contacted to see who did the mowing. Since then, the department has erected a sign giving direction on the historical significance of the cemetery. Mr. Richard Barloga has been doing the burning of the cemetery for over 20 years. He contacts the district alderman, the city and the fire department when he does the burns. He explained how the burning helps the grasses in the cemetery. The next burning will probably be in April of 2002. He explained to the Board members the value that this cemetery has to the State of Wisconsin; there are only a few places that still have growing prairie grasses native to the State. He showed the Board pictures of these native grasses and also pictures of the root systems, which grow very deep. In regard to the fence, Mr. Barloga recommended a shorter fence be used. Also, assured the Board that when the burning is done, they hose down the fence and also set a backfire to help prevent the fence from getting burned. Vice-president Schneider, on behalf of the Board members, thanked Ms. Czarapata and Mr. Barloga for their efforts in taking care of this cemetery. Brochure Advertisements Mr. Edwards and Mr. Papen presented to the Board their proposed agreement for handling the advertisements for the program guide. Director Anderson gave the Board members an update on the problems being experienced with the current vendor doing the brochure advertisements. One of the problems was getting the payment percentage due the department. In their proposed agreement, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Papen will have the advertisers checks made payable to the Muskego Parks and Recreation Department and turn the checks over to the department. The department will then issue them a check for their 40% of the proceeds and furnish them with a 1099 at the end of the year. They will also provide the department with the names and addresses of the advertisers so Director Anderson can send a thank you to them for their advertisement along with a copy of the program guide. They would request that the department furnish them with a letter, to provide to the advertisers when they solicit, stating that they are the acting agents of sale for the department. Mr. Hulbert asked if the advertisers were aware of the percentages involved? Mr. Papen said he had never been asked that to date, but he believed he would tell them. Mr. Hulbert explained that one local business had Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 3 questioned what percentage came back to the department. They wanted to know if their advertising dollars were being well spent. Director Anderson indicated to the Board members that he was comfortable with the agreement they provided. He liked the idea of the method to handling the money. Mr. Hulbert moved to recommend going with this group, based on the fact that the checks will be written to the department, then the department will cut them a check for their 40% and send it to them. Ms. Kelly Koble seconded. Mr. Papen explained that if an advertiser wanted something different than what they would provide, they would have them contact Director Anderson and consider it as a donation. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Director Anderson will have Vice-chairperson Schneider sign the agreement and mail it to them. Idle Isle Building Improvements Tom Reck of the Waterbugs Ski Team, Inc. provided the Board members with a sketch of the improvements they propose to make to the Idle Isle building. The plan would be to pull the dressing stalls out and to take out the old insulation, and remove one wall. They would put in new insulation. The removal of the wall would make it easier to access equipment both for their ski club and the lifeguards. As far as they knew, the removal of the dressing stalls and the wall were not support walls. They are looking to have this work started by Memorial Day and done by the first of June so that they can have it all summer. Then, in the summer, Mr. Reck stated they are also looking at providing a better door and do some additional work. Vice-chairperson Schneider was concerned about the removal of the stalls and the wall. He would like to have the city engineer look at it to make sure the support will not be taken out should there be some heavy snow and that they would not damage the integrity of the building. Ms. Koble mentioned the entry and the asphalt lift going toward the concession stand. Mr. Reck said they are looking at addressing this in the second phase. They would like to put a curb in so that the water does not get inside the building. Mr. Hulbert moved that they agree to work with the ski club on the improvements with the contingency that the Engineering Department survey the building prior to any work being done. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Police Department Incident Reports There were no police reports. OLD BUSINESS Manchester Hill Park Fencing The Board members were in receipt of a proposal for the fencing at Manchester Hill Park. It will be a six-foot high, chain-link fence for two properties and then houses on both sides of those properties will have intermittent plantings. The property owners were notified and cleaned up the area behind it. One person had to move a shed. They are looking forward to the new fence. This should be in by the end of June. The fence will be placed on the lot line and the property has been surveyed. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the agreement for the Manchester Hill Park fence. Ald. Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Park Arthur Lease Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 4 Mr. Thiesenhusen has been calling the department to see if he can farm the area. Director Anderson has received no update on the landfill soil. He inquired if the Board wanted to allow Mr. Thiesenhusen to farm the field? Alderman Wichgers informed the Board members that Tom Zagar said that corn was the worse crop for the runoff problem that is going into Idle Isle. Mr. Zager said something should be planted other than corn if the Board was considering leasing the land. Board members discussed the runoff problems in the area. Mr. Hulbert stated that not knowing the status of the fill, he did not think they should be leasing the property. There was some discussion for allowing Mr. Thiesenhusen to cut the vegetation growth on the west side and not charge him. Mr. Hulbert moved that they do not enter into any crop agreement this cropping year with anyone. Mr. Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Park Arthur Issues Board members were in receipt of a synopsis of the issues brought forth from the public hearing on Park Arthur. Issues on the east portion of the park were the archery range, electric fence and parking and on the west portion were landscaping, road traffic and drainage. Director Anderson reported that a traffic study had been done and completed and there were no changes to the speed limit. The first phase of the park would be the east portion. The only issue he could see was to try and meet the needs of the property owners. Board members spent some time discussing the archery range at the park. Ald. Wichgers said the owner of the horse range would like the archery range omitted from the park. He also asked if the homeowner whose property is bordered by the park had contacted the city? Director Anderson said that he has not contacted the Mayor at this time. He thought that the city should take a proactive approach and make an offer to the gentlemen. There was a lengthily discussion on whether or not the property should be acquired. In the future, if the property was acquired, Ms. Koble thought that the building on the property might be of use in the park if it was structurally sound. In regard to the archery range, Mr. Hulbert's opinion was that it be removed from the eastern portion and moved to the western portion of the park. Another of his concerns was the electric fence and it is the horse range owner's responsibility to keep the horses on his property. Members discussed the possibility of sharing the cost of a better fence that would benefit both parties. They recognized that they need to keep park users away from the electric fence and the horses. In regard to the parking, the people were concerned about lighting and the activities in the park. Vice-chairperson Schneider said the park could be an improvement to the drainage problem. Board members, with Moorland Road extension, thought the traffic impact on Lentini would not be that great. The speed limit is 25 on Lentini and it is an enforcement issue. On the landscaping, Mr. Hulbert said the homeowners need to be contacted to see if they want a berm. He recommended this be addressed after taking care of the drainage issue. This will be a continuing agenda item. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Summer Registration Director Anderson reported that the department began taking non-resident registration today. Registration is going extremely well. On the first day of counter registration, the department receipted in about $10,000 and on the first day of credit card registration, there were 40 credit card transactions. Teen Advisory Board Director Anderson updated the Board members on the Teen Advisory Board. The Committee of the Whole wholeheartedly supports the Teen Advisory Board. This Board will be for children ages 12-17 working on teen issues of concern to this group. There will be adult citizen member and alderman appointed to act in an Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 5 advisory capacity to this Board. They will hold their own meetings and will report to the Mayor and the Common Council. Schmidt Park Skateboarding The Board members were informed that when the parks crew went to Schmidt Park to put up the tennis nets at Schmidt Park, they found children had put up some pretty elaborate skateboarding equipment. The crew brought the materials back to the parks garage. This issue needs to be addressed and may be one that the Teen Advisory Board can work out. Denoon Park Beavers A citizen brought to the department's attention that beavers had built a dam in the creek area at Denoon Park so that the waters went over the boardwalk. This needs to be dismantled. Conservation Committee The Conservation Committee has been meeting for a while now and is finalizing the conservation plan to bring before a public hearing on May 24. This committee would like to come before the Board at the June meeting to discuss common lands associated with purchasing lands that may match up with the Parks and Open Space Plan. NEW BUSINESS Luther Parker Fencing Director Anderson shared with the Board members that it would cost around $3,691 to put in the split-rail fence. He investigated wrought iron and that cost was very high. Mr. Hulbert questioned if they needed the fence at all? Director Anderson indicated they did if just to keep the people confined. Board members discussed whether or not they needed to fence the entire area, or just fence the front and set posts at the property line, or do the corners. There was also discussion on the damage that the fence would incur during the burning of the cemetery. Mr. Hulbert moved to fence the front and then identify the two back corners with split-rail fence, not to exceed $6,000. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Bluhm Park Ball Field Fencing Director Anderson shared with the Board members the change in the proposals for the diamonds at Bluhm Park. On field #1, they will be removing and replacing the complete backstop which will then be 16-foot high, and removing and replacing line fencing and dugout fencing for $9,500, an increase of $600. On field #2, they will additionally move the backstop closer to home plate, which is an increase of $2,500 for a total of $11,200. Director Anderson reported that posts have split on field #3. To replace the posts, remove and replace all the wire on the backstop, line fence and dugouts and a new set of rails on backstop would be $4,400, an additional $600 for the posts. The old proposal was $21,605 for all three diamonds; now it is $25,100. Director Anderson recommended proposing a 50-50 cost-sharing for these improvements. Joe Thibedeau of the Muskego Athletic Association (M.A.A.) will be taking these proposals back to the M.A.A. Board. In view of the cost sharing, Mr. Hulbert recommended that there be the understanding that the M.A.A. has first priority for the fields due to the investment they have made. Other Board members were in agreement. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the bids for the fixing the fence based upon a 50-50 cost-sharing agreement with Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 6 M.A.A. and then work out a long-term agreement suitable to the department and the M.A.A. Ald. Wichgers seconded. Board discussed that the M.A.A. should be given some priority for the investment they have made. Mr. Thibedeau inquired if the construction of the backstop would the contractor do some grading so that it is level to the ground. Director Anderson replied that the contractor would probably conform the backstop so that it is back to the ground. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Director Anderson said he would not be signing the contract until Mr. Thibedeau lets him know the decision of the M.A.A. Board. Schmidt Park Director Anderson explained the decision to upgrade the Schmidt Park tennis court instead of the Freedom Square tennis courts. The detention pond is being enlarged in the area of the Freedom Square tennis courts and any work on these tennis courts may get damaged. Board members were in receipt of a proposal to upgrade the Schmidt Park tennis courts in the amount of $8,300 with an option to do yearly crack maintenance for between $500-$800. This project would be done in the fall of 2001. He mentioned that the crack maintenance cost would be included in the operating budget in the future. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the proposal for upgrading the Schmidt Park tennis courts, not to exceed $10,000, with the optional yearly crack maintenance. Ald. Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. 2001 Field Maintenance Fees Director Anderson reported the department received no objections to the assessed fees for the people requesting maintenance on the ball diamonds. Mr.Hulbert asked if he anticipated any difficulty in getting staff to do this work for the current rate of pay? Director Anderson responded that this year there were two returning seasonals that could start early. The pay rate has also been revised so there is no difficulty in getting staff. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the field maintenance fees as submitted for the 2001 season. Ald. Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Manchester Hill Park Pavilion The sub-committee recommended a 30' x 44' shelter between 1,200 square feet and 1,500 square feet with a poured concrete floor. Costs were not investigated at this time. Location was to be south of the tree line between the pond and the soccer field and across from the pond light. They proposed a cutout in the tree line for access to the soccer field from the shelter. They decided some type of building enclosure along the back and sidewall was needed to keep the wind out in the wintertime. Other issues they agreed upon were lights on a timer, electrical outlets, water fountain and an enclosed portable toilet. In checking with the city engineer, laminated beams were recommended instead of trusses. Vice-chairperson Schneider would like to see a rough drawing of the shelter. Veterans' Memorial Park Director Anderson provided an updated visual aid on the change in the paths and playground location for Veterans' Memorial Park. The festival committee would like 10' widths for easier access by the trucks. There was also change in the location for the lights in the park. Board members considered the relocation of the playground nearer to the pavilion a benefit, also this change made for an open green area in the park. Director Anderson mentioned that the landscaping would be done in phases. This whole park should be done by the end of the year (2001). The Mayor would like this park to be "the jewel" for the city and a passive park. In regard to the playground, this one will be bigger than the one at Manchester Hill Park. Ald. Wichgers moved to approve the playground location and the path placement. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 7 voice vote, the motion carried. Denoon Park Parking Board President Toby Whipple had requested this issue be deferred until June. Jensen Park Fencing Director Anderson reported that the work to be done on the Jensen Park fencing is similar to Bluhm Park field #3. It's similar to Bluhm #3 for the $8,700; however, the department has not received a quote at this time. Ald. Wichgers moved to approve funds, not to exceed $10,000, to redo the Jensen Park fencing. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission No plans submitted for review from the Plan Commission. Next Meeting – The June meeting will occur on June 11. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Director Anderson shared with the Board members that the Common Council would like to see all the unpaved recreation trails open to horseback riders. Board members discussed several issues on this request—other trails do not allow it, public hearing so the homeowners could give their input, the manure, the hoof prints on the trail. Also, rather than open all the trails to horse riders, to have a test period on certain portions of the trail and that a contingency that the approval could change. Mr. Hulbert noted that certain areas of the city were more conducive to horse riding due to their location to the stables. He further thought consideration could be given to having a multi-use trail that would be open also to snowmobile riding. Director Anderson stated the Common Council would like to add to the open space plan that consideration will be given and then the Board needs to come up with a plan to implement it. Ms. Koble was impressed with the dedication of Ms. Czarapata and Mr. Barloga's interest in the Luther Parker Cemetery. Director Anderson said that Ms. Czarapata would like to have people recognize the value of the cemetery. Ms. Koble relayed her observations of the mile markers on the recreation trail. She wondered if the mileage was accurate as she read them as 25 and 18. Director Anderson said it should be 2.5 and 1.8. He did look at the signs when the contractor did them, but he will look at them again. Mr. Hulbert would like Guernsey Meadows to establish a prairie there. He also mentioned the area in Denoon Park where a prairie area could be started, rather than mow the area. They could probably work with the students at Lake Denoon Middle School on this. The Board should identify certain areas to be natural states. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 9:28 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Wichgers. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried . Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 14, 2001, page 8 Respectfully submitted, Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson email: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department Heads, Peter Theis, Irene Schuder, Tammy Dunn,