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prbm20010611 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO June 11, 2001 Approved 7/9/01 Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 6:55 p.m. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on June 7, 2001. Present: Ms. Debbie Carlson, Mr. Richard Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple and Mr. Craig Anderson (Director of Parks & Recreation). Absent: Mr. Jerald Hulbert (excused), Mr. Kelly Koble (excused), Ald. Wichgers (excused) GUESTS: Clayton Noyes, Tom Reck APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 14 Board Meeting Mr. Richard Manchester moved to approve the minutes of the May 14 Board Meeting, as mailed. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Use of Idle Isle Board members were in receipt of a written request from a private party for permission to erect a tent at Idle Isle Park on June 30. The tent would be 20'x20' in size and they would erect it north of the play area. The party indicated the purpose of the tent was to shelter the little children from the sun. Ms. Debbie Carlson moved to approve the erection of the tent at Idle Isle Park. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. Mr. Manchester clarified that the motion was only for the tent, tables and benches are not part of the motion. Director Anderson indicated that the private party does understand also that they cannot reserve parking. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Tent Request for July 3 by Waterbugs Ski Team, Inc. Mr. Tom Reck, on behalf of the Waterbugs Ski Team, Inc. requested approval to erect a 20'x30' tent at Idle Isle Park on July 3 for their fireworks event. The tent would be placed near the shelter and the concession stand. They plan on having a DJ play music starting at 5:00 p.m., taking a break during the ski show and the fireworks, then resume playing music until 11:00 p.m. They would also be selling beer between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Since closing park hour is 10:00 p.m., the Board members discussed extension of the hour until 11:00 p.m. for this night. Mr. Reck assured the Board that they would do the clean up starting that night and the next morning and do the restoration of any grass. Other activites at the event would include corvettes and antique boats. They plan to park the cars and boats on the grass. Spectator cars would not be Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 11, 2001, page 2 parked on the grass. The antique boat parade would be before the water show. Ms. Carlson moved to approve the request for the tent at Idle Isle for the July 3 show, with the DJ stop playing music at 11:00 p.m., and they will do repairs and clean up and take the tent down the next day. Corvettes and antique boats would be allowed to park on the grass. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. Board members reiterated that any damage done, the ski team would pay for it. Mr. Schneider was concerned as to how loud the DJ would be playing the music. Mr. Reck indicated that the speakers would be toward the lake. They will be using the electricity from the shed for the beer trailer and DJ. and pay any electrical charges above $50. They have not planned a rain date. He said they will be applying for the beer permit, soda permit and fireworks permit separately. Board members informed him that they have to fill out a consumption beer permit with the department. In regard to the sale of beer, Mr. Reck assured the Board members that they would be carding people. Some discussion on whether or not they would have to fence the area and it was determined that this would not be needed. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Police Department Incident Reports There were no police reports. OLD BUSINESS Manchester Hill Park Shelter Board members were in receipt of an aerial photograph of Manchester Hill Park. Director Anderson pointed out the proposed location for the shelter. It will be near the pond and the fire hydrant, accessible for the water for the pond and the shelter. He had made some calls on costs for a shelter and came up with a proposed cost of $32,000-$33,000. It would be $15,000 for materials and the same amount for installation. The shelter size proposed is 30' x 44'. This would just be the open shelter and does not address the windbreaks. He reported that the city engineer recommended going with laminated beams which is more expensive, but the life of the wood is better. After some discussion, the Board members directed Director Anderson to get actual costs estimates for the shelter. Park Arthur Director Anderson reported that he has no additional information from Alderman Slocomb on the fill project. Bluhm Park Ball Field Fencing Board members were in receipt of correspondence from the Muskego Athletic Association (MAA) informing them that the MAA's decision was to not cost share the fencing project. Director Anderson reported that the fencing was addressed at last week's Finance Committee. The council members had asked if any of the fencing was a safety issue. They were informed that for diamonds 1 and 3 that safety was an issue. Also, discussed was that if there was another entity that wanted to use the fields, that the Board would decide who gets to use Bluhm field on certain nights. The Finance Committee did make a motion for the whole expense covered by the city and the expense would come out of the park dedication account, amounting to $25,100. They would also like to meet with the Board and other boards to discuss procedures for use of the fields. Whereas the MAA was under the impression the fencing was a capital improvement, this is not the case. The funds for most of the park improvements come out of the park dedication fees. Board members discussed that Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 11, 2001, page 3 in the past they had done cost sharing with the MAA and this issue of fencing, most recently, was discussed with the MAA. It was mentioned that the moving of the fence on field #2 was being done at their request. On another note, the $36,000 cost of field #4 will be paid for by the city; however, the maintenance of the field will be cost shared. Use by Horse Owners of Unpaved Recreation Trails The Common Council would like the Parks and Recreation Board to give consideration to allowing equestrians on the unpaved recreation trails as part of the parks and open space plan. Board members discussed doing a pilot program for one year on the recreation trail, along Highway 36, starting at Highway 00 to Muskego Dam Road. During this period of time, the department will keep documentation on incidences, accidents, comments and other issues such as how much grading has to be done and how much "dung" is left on the trail. Mr. Manchester shared his thoughts with the members that the recreation trails were for walking and biking. He did not think that there was enough room on the 10'-wide path for equestrians also. Director Anderson stated that WEPCo (Wisconsin Electric Power Company) allows horses on the trails. Ms. Debbie Carlson moved to allow equestrians on the Highway 36 Muskego Recreation Trail, starting at Highway 00 and ending at Muskego Dam Road, on a one-year trail basis effective June 11, 2001. The issue to be reviewed at the June 2002 meeting. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. Board members recalled that permission had been given to horse riders to use a portion of trail by Big Bend, but since those riders could not get Big Bend to agree, it became a dead issue. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried, 3-1 with Mr. Manchester voting nay. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Summer Registration Director Anderson reported that summer registration is going good. Summer camps will be going this year. He explained the difference between the summer camp program and the summer playground program. The summer camps are being held at Jensen Park. He mentioned that the numbers are up from last year and the department is getting more non-resident registering for programs. Veterans' Memorial Park Director Anderson reported that the trusses are in for the shelter and the boardwalk has been marked and should go out for bids in June. The path system approved last month is going to come under budget. The pavilion needs to be re-bid. The city engineer will more than likely re-bid the department's portion when the enclosure is started. It does not look like the pavilion will be done in time for the festival. Kurth Park Director Anderson shared that they have started the trail system in the central section of the park, from the north section parking lot, around the playground, back behind the soccer field, in between the softball fields and then into the central section, taking it along Hidden Creek Court, then along the back tree line. Once they have this area done with traffic bond, they'll do it along the channel. This should be done within the next week or two. President Whipple inquired about the timetable on the Woods Road entrance? Director Anderson replied that the department is still waiting on the WDNR for the floodplain analysis. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 11, 2001, page 4 NEW BUSINESS Golf in Parks Mr. Clayton Noyes discussed with the Board members the need of having an area in the parks where golfers could practice hitting golf balls. Director Anderson called to the Board members' attention section (k) of the park ordinance referring to flying objects in parks. He mentioned that if the department runs a recreation program the police department is notified of this type of activity. Park patrons have been observed hitting golf balls in some of the parks so there is a need for a designated area for this type of activity. Board members discussed areas of Bluhm and Denoon parks that could be designated for this activity. Ms. Carlson moved to have Director Anderson and Parks Supervisor Theis designate certain areas in Bluhm and Denoon parks where golf would be allowed. Mr. Manchester seconded. Board discussed that they could designate the areas and still be within the ordinance as written. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Bluhm Park Playground Director Anderson reported that the slide is no longer acceptable and the merry-go-round is gone. All that is left at Bluhm Park playground is three small pieces. $20,000 was allocated for playground equipment at Bluhm Park. Board members reviewed the proposal for the playground equipment. The color scheme would be similar to what is at Kurth Park. Director Anderson would like to install play curbs because of the sand in the play area and the lawn mowing. The cost for the equipment is $21,478.84 and to install the play curbs would be an additional $525. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the $22,003.84 for play equipment at Bluhm Farm Park. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. This equipment should be in by the end of July. The proposal has to be returned before the end of June due to the sale items. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Denoon Park Parking President Whipple brought to the Board members' attention the parking problem at Denoon Park. Since the Utilities Committee posted no parking along the road, the park patrons are now parking along the park entrance road near the stop sign, creating bottlenecks and a traffic hazard. Although the school is in the area, that parking area is not always available when there are activities in Denoon Park. Director Anderson stated that when the additional parking area would be done at the park depends on the road program; possibly being done sometime in June or July or early part of October. President Whipple would like to have the parking area done before the fall soccer program. He would propose no parking from the entrance of Crowbar down to the parking lot, on both sides. As soon as the parking is put in on the south side, then the signs can come down. He felt that if the first layer—traffic bond—of the parking lot is done, then the patrons could park in the area. Mr. Richard Manchester moved to put no parking from the entrance at Crowbar Road all the way down to the second parking lot. Ms. Carlson seconded. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Alderman's Report/Agenda Item Director Anderson proposed that the Board designate a report from the alderman as a standard agenda item. This should help to serve as a communication venue to the Board on issues relevant to the Parks and Recreation Board. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 11, 2001, page 5 Parks Bathrooms Director Anderson shared that the Finance Committee had asked him how much it is going to cost to have the bathrooms open this year during the day and into the evening and also a figure for the 2002 budget. They have been receiving a number of requests from constituents to have the bathrooms open. President Whipple inquired who would be responsible for locking up the facilities? Director Anderson had discussed this with the Parks Supervisor and it would likely be a quasi-parks ranger doing this work. In some cases the parks crew will be available to open up the facility and then if they are working at the park to monitor the bathrooms. One of the biggest concerns expressed by the Board members was vandalism. The parks with bathrooms are Bluhm, Kurth, Lions, Idle Isle, Horn and Jensen. Opening up the Horn and Jensen bathrooms would allow access to the interior of the buildings. Both of these buildings have recently been renovated. Board members felt that it would be wiser to use portable toilets at these parks. Ms. Carlson moved to put a handicapped- accessible portable toilet at Manchester Hill Park as soon as possible for June through October and covering the cost out of the contingency fund or the existing operating budget. Director Anderson will review the contracted services account to see if the cost could be covered by that account funds. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission Riverview Court Board members reviewed the plan for the Riverview Court subdivision. The Board was being asked if they wanted a green space at the end of the trail. Members would rather have the park dedication fees from the lots than the green space. President Toby Whipple moved to run the path from Woods Road down the west side of Riverview Court and then between lots 8 and 9 or lots 7 and 8 to gain access to the WEPCo trail. Ms. Carlson seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Next Meeting – The July meeting will occur on July 9. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Mr. Manchester commented on the community center update in the GLEANINGS. He mentioned that he had watched the presentation on television and also had toured the facility in Pleasant Prairie and it appeared to him to be a sports center as very few rooms available for use to qualify it as a civic center. Comments are also being made that they can draw people from other communities to pay for the civic center and he questioned why they would want to this since one impact would be increased traffic. Mr. Schneider inquired if there was any update on the Martin property. Director Anderson had nothing to report. He did mention that the owner of the property surround by Park Arthur had been in contact with the Mayor. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Manchester moved for adjournment at 8:35 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Howard Schneider. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried . Respectfully submitted, Stella Dunahee, CPS Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 11, 2001, page 6 Recording Secretary pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson email: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department Heads, Peter Theis, Irene Schuder, Tammy Dunn,