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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 2/11/2002 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO FEBRUARY 11, 2002 Approved 3/11/02 Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 6:35 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, February 7, 2002. Present: Ms. Debbie Carlson, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Richard Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, Ald. Wichgers and Mr. Craig Anderson (Director of Parks & Recreation). Absent: Ms. Kelly Koble (excused) GUESTS: Tom Seidl, Tom Zagar, APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 14 Board Meeting Ald. Wichgers moved to approve the minutes of the January 14 Board Meeting. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. Alderman Wichgers noted the following correction to be made on page 3 under Alderman’s Report, change Quietwood subdivision to Golden Country subdivision. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes as amended carried. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Mr. Tom Zagar presented his proposal for seeding of prairie grasses in Denoon Park and the Guernsey Meadows outlet. The areas planted in the prairie grasses would be taken out of the mowing cycle. The plan is to clean the areas off and reseed with prairie grasses. In November of 2001, the area along the creek in Kurth Park, about 3/10ths of an acre, was planted in prairie grasses. Mr. Hulbert inquired what the maintenance plan would be? Mr. Zagar stated they would do a control burn on a three-to-five-year cycle and mowing in the areas where a burn would not be prudent. Money for this project would be coming from a WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) Urban Forestry Grant. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the plan for planting of prairie grasses in the areas designated. Ms. Carlson seconded. Upon a voice vote, with all members present voting yea, the motion carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, February 11, 2002, page 2 WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Denoon Park Property Information was received from Wayne Salentine that the property on the north side of Kelsey Drive was being torn up by 4x4s. Director Anderson informed the Board members that the tracking on the property is visible now. The police were notified. Board members discussed possibly fencing the property. There was also the possibility that the development of residences in the area would curtail the activity. Idle Isle Park A letter, including reference material, was received from Mr. Bueckers regarding the Water Bugs usage of Idle Isle Park. He requested the Board members review the information prior to addressing the Water Bugs request for usage of the park for this year. Mr. Hulbert said as the Board doesn’t want to have the ski jump this year, they can attach the ski jump to someone else’s property. Mr. Schneider addressed the issues in Mr. Bueckers’ letter. Mr. Bueckers was right about the degradation of the quality of the north bay. Mr. Schneider continued that the lake has too much activity in that area. This type of activity is hard on the lake because the vegetation gets torn up. The Board may want to limit the ski club activity to three days a week as the Board had done in the past. This would lessen the impact and allow other people to use the area. Mr. Manchester mentioned that a lot of money has been spent to clarify the lake and not to let a small organization destroy the bay area, it may be the fish hatchery and other ecosystems are being destroyed also. The Board needs to do a lot of serious thinking about the time allowed to the ski club to use the park. Police Department Incident Reports No reports. OLD BUSINESS Muskego High School Sports Facilities Director Anderson shared with the Board members that he had spoken with Gary Rosploch on where they were with the 40-acre parcel for the athletic facilities. Mr. Rosploch said that very shortly they should be getting a footprint of the expansion and how much that is going to cost in relation to the referendum that was passed. They will know what they can or cannot put into the parcel. They should know how much money is left or how much they will have to put in. They will then be going back to the city for cost sharing. How much interest on the part of the city would depend on how much cost sharing is requested. If the infrastructure, such as the grading and seeding, could be done in the spring, then the master plan could be phased in at any time. They don’t know what the whole cost is at this time. They should have a better idea in the near future. They will keep the city informed. ALDERMAN'S REPORT In response to Mr. Manchester’s inquiry on the community center/theater presentation, Alderman Wichgers reported that there was no objection and questions that didn’t put it in a positive light, weren’t totally welcomed. It was completely positive and encouraged the project to go forward. Only one alderman had areas of Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, February 11, 2002, page 3 concern. He mentioned that the establishment of the theater would be a long time from now and one thing it depends on is getting a restaurant in that area. Director Anderson informed the Board members that there would be an open house on Wednesday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the Muskego Public Library. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Recreation Director Anderson reported that the recreation staff completed one week of training on the new registration software. Most of the accounting activities can be done using the new software. The Gleanings report just went out and the end-of-the-year statistics were out in January. The statistics indicated a continuing interest in the programs. However, the facilities are becoming much more limiting. The high school pool will not be available this summer due to the expansion. The department will find out Wednesday if we can hold lessons at Franklin at no charge. Parks Director Anderson informed the Board members that one of the parks staff was involved in a snowmobile accident. The employee due to the extensive injuries is laid up for a while. Within the next month, the department should know if he is going to be back. The Department of Public Works will be helping out with snowplowing the larger areas such as city hall. The biggest concern is in April with the baseball fields and mowing. NEW BUSINESS 2002 Baseball Field Requests The department received the requests for baseball fields for this summer. A new league, Cousin’s Rebels, was added to the list this year. This is a U-12 league requiring 70-foot base pegs. Director Anderson scheduled them for the Denoon Park field. In reviewing the diamonds as scheduled, the Board members were concerned about the heavy use for Horn Field. They discussed having the high school freshman and junior varsity practice at Denoon Park. Further discussion was to also have the Mavericks have their practices at Denoon Park. Mr. Kugi and the Mavericks’ manager will be informed and invited to come before the Board at the March meeting when action will be taken on this issue. Mill Valley Baseball Lights The Board members were in receipt of a proposal for electrical work for the Mill Valley baseball lights. Director Anderson explained that the lights are old and showing signs of deterioration. Recently, a contractor did repair work on a bank of lights and this should get the lights through the end of the ball season. He mentioned that if the Board wanted to have this work done, it would have to be budgeted from the park dedication account. Mr. Hulbert and Mr. Manchester thought the lights were installed in the early 70s. There was some discussion on the likelihood of using the Muskego High School’s fields once the expansion was done. Board members recognized that it is difficult to site new lights. The price range on new lights was estimated at $50,000- $60,000. The consensus of the Board members was that the lights at Mill Valley should be kept. Director Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, February 11, 2002, page 4 Anderson suggested that when there is nice weather at the end of the ball season, have the contractor due a thorough inspection, provide a firm estimate for approval for the work to be done at the end of the season. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission Martin Estates final plat was received. No action taken by the Board. Next Meeting –March 11, 2002 COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Mr. Schneider inquired if any fill had been delivered to Park Arthur? Director Anderson said he had not received any update from the city engineer on this issue. Mr. Hulbert asked if there was any activity on acquiring the Martin property? Director Anderson stated that it is ongoing, nothing definite. Director Anderson shared that the city has a lease for the Boxhorn launch. He did not know for how long. Alderman Wichgers indicated 20-30 years. Director Anderson said the parks crew has been working on signs and getting the launch fee collection box done. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that the Big Muskego lake district has a weed cutter, which can be used to keep the other launch open. They can, however, go to Boxhorn as an alternative to getting on the lake. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:55 p.m. Seconded by Vice-President Schneider. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried . Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson email: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department Heads, Peter Theis, Irene Schuder, Tammy Dunn,