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prbm20010813 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO August 13, 2001 Subject to Approval at Next Meeting Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 6:34 p.m. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on August 8, 2001. Present: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Ms. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, Ald. Wichgers and Mr. Craig Anderson (Director of Parks & Recreation). Absent: Ms. Debbie Carlson (excused) GUESTS: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 9 Board Meeting Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the minutes of the July 9 Board Meeting, as amended. Ald. Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Amendment: Alderman Wichgers noted that on page 2, add per hour after 50-60 miles. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: No personal appearances. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Police Department Incident Reports Director Anderson reported that on July 21, the front door lock at Idle Isle was vandalized. It was replaced the following Monday. On the same weekend, some toilets were dumped at Idle Isle Park. OLD BUSINESS Parks Bathrooms Plan The bathrooms at Horn Park and Bluhm Park will be improved next year by Memorial Day for them to be open during park hours. The Park Ranger will be cleaning and securing them Monday through Thursday, and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the custodial crew contracted by city hall will do the cleaning and securing. The cleaning will be funded through the operating budget and the ADA (American Disabilities Act) improvements will be funded through the capital budget. The ADA improvements will be done on a rotating 5-year, capital budget plan with Idle Isle being updated the following year. The members of the Common Council would like to do something different with the building at Idle Isle; possibly a pavilion with some storage and bathrooms Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, August 13, 2001, page 2 that park users could use. Mr. Hulbert questioned the opening and closing hours of the bathrooms? Director Anderson informed him the bathrooms will be open in the morning by the parks crew and the Park Ranger will be closing them about 8:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the bathrooms will be open by 9:00 a.m. and the contracted custodial crew will be starting about 9:00 p.m. and will have them closed by 10:00 p.m.; locked and cleaned. Mr. Hulbert asked what park bathrooms would be open? Director Anderson responded Horn, Bluhm, Lions, Kurth and Idle Isle. Jensen Park bathroom would not be open because of the accessibility into the building. Manchester Hill Pavalion Director Anderson had contacted Paul Feldhake regarding the 30'x44' structure. The estimated cost from the manufacturer of $16,000 for materials was correct. He mentioned that it would be about 50 percent more to have it built. If the Board was looking at adding electricity, water and a slab of concrete, they would be looking at doubling the price; about $32,000 to build the pavilion. Mr. Feldhake will be getting back with an estimate. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Nothing to report at this time. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Fall Program Guide Director Anderson informed the Board members that the Fall Program Guide was mailed. It contains a number of new programs. Mail-in/drop-off registration has started. There are a lot of people calling and dropping off registrations. Due to the facilities, the book dropped back to 48 pages. At this point, Mr. Hulbert queried how the proposed community center would affect the use of facilities, about what year, and the impact on the department's programming? Director Anderson stated the earliest would be the fall of 2003. Right now, a feasibility and marketing study is being done. The city attorney has looked at the contracts. The process will probably take into the end of January. How they coordinate the programming in the facility will be decided when they do the feasibility and design study. A lot of the programs will be taken out of the schools. Mr. Manchester added that he did not see the rationale in spending approximately $94,000 to do the two studies. He could not see the political reasoning for building and pulling people from other communities to support the facility. Parks Projects Director Anderson reported that the Bluhm Park playground was just installed. The department has been receiving very favorable comments from the citizens. Veterans' Memorial Park playground will be done in September. The gazebo has been upgraded. Pat Murphy as his Eagle Scout project did the work on the gazebo. He did an excellent job. It will be moved about 10 feet for greater visibility from Pioneer Drive and the entrance and it will also be placed on block with skirting around. Next week, Director Anderson and Parks Supervisor Theis will be doing a park tour to ascertain what needs to be done in the parks during the fall months. President Whipple inquired about the parking at Denoon Park? Director Sean Mc Mullen informed Director Anderson that they were going to have DPW (Department of Public Works) strip the grass, put the rock down and pave it. This should be done mid-to late-September. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, August 13, 2001, page 3 Mr. Schneider had observed a trailer drop off the launch ramp at Idle Isle Park. He was wondering if something could be done to warn people of the drop-off point into the water. Mr. Hulbert thought the department should consider looking at reworking some of the older recreation trails. He had noticed that Racine County from Burlington to Wind Lake had used a type of drag behind a farm tractor on their trail. Ms. Koble supported his idea that the trails need some trimming back. Director Anderson said that during the summer months, the parks crew is heavily involved with ball diamond preparation and mowing. In the fall months, they put extra traffic bond on the recreation trails and cut back the brush overgrowth. NEW BUSINESS 2002 Capital Budget The Board members were in receipt of the 5-Year Plan for the Capital Budget. The 2002 Capital Budget included a 1-ton dump truck with plow attachment ($31,000), a 72" commercial out-front mower ($16,250), a Kubota 51" sweeper with accessories ($2,900) and the remodeling of Bluhm Park ($35,200) and Horn Park ($21,400) bathrooms for a total of $106,750. Other vehicle and equipment will be replaced over the five-year period according to the department's replacement guideline. Remodeling of bathrooms is also slated under the five-year plan with Idle Isle scheduled for 2003, Kurth Park for 2004 and Lions Park for 2005. Director Anderson noted that the Janesville Road recreation trail from Moorland to College on both sides was to be done in 2003 at a cost of $279,300. Director Anderson reviewed in more detail the items in the capital budget plan. Alderman Wichgers moved to approve the capital budget request. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Mr. Schneider questioned the 40 h.p. tractor. Director Anderson explained that they needed the increased h.p. to lift and move various equipment pieces. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Kehring Property Board members discussed the feasibility of making an offer on the Kehring property. This is the property that is surrounded by Park Arthur lands. At the Park Arthur public hearing, Mr. Kehring had informed the Board that when he bought the property, he was not advised that Park Arthur surrounded the property. At that time, it was suggested that he approach the city about purchasing his property. Mr. Kehring did approach the city. The city is asking for a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board regarding the property. Board members discussed what possible usages they would have for this property with a current assessed value of $196,100; possible expenditure of $210,000-$215,000 to acquire the property. Possible usages discussed included satellite offices for department staff, storage area for equipment used for Park Arthur, leasing the house on the facility to organizations, parking lot, or skateboarding. One Board member mentioned that there would be someone interested in the property irrespective of it being surrounded by Park Arthur. Alderman Wichgers had talked with the owners and they would like a fence around the property so that park patrons know it is private land and not park land. Mr. Hulbert said to ask them what type of fence would be reasonable around their property. Alderman Wichgers thought the Board should consider making some offer for the property. He pointed out that if the Board did want to acquire the piece of property in the future, the price would possibly be around $310,000. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that other viable lands abutting Park Arthur were on the future park acquisition list and it may be possible that the horse stable may be available in the future. Most of the Board members felt money could be better spent in other areas. Mr. Hulbert moved that the Board not pursue the purchase of this property. Mr. Richard Manchester seconded. Alderman Wichgers would like the Board to move on this property should they decide they had a use for it. President Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, August 13, 2001, page 4 Whipple said the Board could revisit it at another time. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Horn Park Ball Field Improvements Board members were in receipt of an estimate in the amount of $22,035 to improve the hardball diamond infield at Horn Park. The field would have 80' and 90' base pegs. Director Anderson explained that this work would eliminate a lot of the problems they are experience along the base lines. He had also spoken with Scott Kugi at the Muskego High School regarding moving the freshman and junior varsity to Denoon Park for practice. This would be done to give some relief to the heavy usage of Horn Field. Mr. Kugi understood the request. It was reported to Director Anderson by Mr. Augustine that Horn Field was the worse field in the conference. The department also needs to look at rotating other teams off the field. Mr. Manchester mentioned that he had been at Lincoln Park and Zablocki Park in Milwaukee County and they are poor fields in comparison to Horn Field. There was some discussion on the drain tile, the storm retention pond, and the swamp for drainage. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the $22,035 for Horn Field improvements. Alderman Wichgers seconded. Mr. Hulbert indicated he would like to see another quote. Director Anderson informed the Board members that Natural Athletic Turf, Inc. had called to see the status of the estimate. Further, they are scheduled to do a field at Miller Park in early fall. They would like to have the Horn Field project completed before then. If Horn Field waited until the spring, there would not be any playing ball on the field next year. Ms. Koble was in favor of locating other teams to another field to give Horn Field some rest. Some discussion on whether or not the school district would be interested in cost sharing on the project and this seemed unlikely. Board members discussed getting another bid and whether or not, there was another company that could do the work. Director Anderson assured the Board members that Natural Athletic Turf, Inc. specializes in ball fields. President Whipple asked if there were any quality issues with the company? Director Anderson stated they have done work on Bluhm, Bay Lane and Horn and no problems with their work. Mr. Hulbert and Mr. Manchester concurred that they have always done a good job for the department. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Denoon Park Director Anderson shared with the Board members a landscaping proposal in the amount of $8,200 prepared by F. & W Landscape for Denoon Park. The company would spray to kill off the vegetation at the baseball diamond and the fill area, approximately 200,000 square feet, till the area, add more topsoil, and seed the area. Mr. Hulbert questioned the take percentage? Director Anderson said it was 70%. President Whipple noted that the problem in getting a good grass growth was no topsoil and no access to water. Some discussion on whether or not the school district would allow tapping into their water source. Director Anderson will check into it. Board members discussed the necessity of having the work done so that the ball diamond could be used in lieu of Horn Field. Timeliness of getting the work done and the seed planted was discussed. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the proposal from F & W Landscape in the amount of $8,200 with the work to be completed by mid-September with a 90% take rate. Alderman Wichgers seconded. Realizing that the 90% take rate may increase the cost of the project, the Board members discussed having a special meeting on this issue. The Board added the 90% take rate to make sure the grass growth would be there. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with President Whipple abstaining due to his association with the soccer club. Capital Budget Committee Member Mr. Hulbert moved to appoint Mr. Manchester to the capital budget committee. Alderman Wichers seconded. Mr. Manchester accepted the appointment. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, August 13, 2001, page 5 OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission Rosewood Estates, Addition #1, Preliminary Plat Board members reviewed the plan as submitted from the Plan Commission. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept park dedication fees in lieu of land donation. Alderman Wichgers seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Next Meeting – The September meeting will occur on September 10. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW In view of the earlier discussion on lack of water, Mr. Manchester proposed that they possibly use the ponds that are in the subdivisions to water the park areas. Mr. Hulbert recommended the park crew add a water cannon to its equipment. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Manchester moved for adjournment at 8:11 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Jerald Hulbert. 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,