Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 11/11/2002
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
November 11, 2002
Approved 12/9/02
Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of
Muskego, to order at 6:40 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Whipple gave recognition that it was Veterans’ Day.
The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, November 7, 2002.
Present: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Ms. Kelly Koble, Ald. Eileen Madden (excused at 7:00 p.m.), Mr. Richard
Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, and Director Craig Anderson.
Absent: Ms. Debbie Carlson (excused)
GUESTS: Alderman LeDoux, Robert & Olga Rammer, Mark & Dawn Maynard, Bill Hacker, Eric Schroeder, Don
Reidy, Steve Radish
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
October 14 Board Meeting
Ms. Kelly Koble moved, Mr. Howard Schneider seconded, to approve the minutes of the October 14 meeting.
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Kid Trolley at Festival
Mr. Don Reidy and Mr. Steve Radish of the Big Muskego Tractor Club presented their proposal for trolley rides
at the festival. Board members viewed pictures of the trolley. Mr. Radish mentioned the possibility of it being
a fund-raiser, with sponsors for the trolley cars, and the proceeds would be donated to the Muskego Public
Library for tractor books. The group is trying to get involved in more community events. They will be at the
tree lighting ceremony. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that the Parks and Recreation Board, except for authorizing
usage of the park for the festival, does not get involved in the festival events. He recommended they present
their proposal to the festival committee for approval. The Board appreciated their concerns regarding the
usage of the park areas and advised them that the festival committee is required to replace and/or fix any of
the park areas that would be damaged by the festival usage. Mr. Hulbert did inquire if the Board members had
any concerns regarding the tractor trolleys at the tree lighting? None proffered by the members. He
mentioned giving the staff the ability to make the decision if they chose to go into Horn Park for the trolley.
Director Anderson stated that the tree lighting is one of the department’s activities and this would serve as an
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, November 11, 2002, page
2
extension of the events for the program.
Paepke Property
Mr. Paepke wanted to know if the city was interested in purchasing the portion of his property that abuts Horn
Park? The portion of the parcel is about three acres. A map depicting the area was presented to the Board
members for their review. Director Anderson did advise the Board members that this parcel was in the Parks
and Open Space Plan as land to be acquired. If the Board were interested they would be making a
recommendation to the Finance Committee to acquire the parcel. The Finance Committee would then take the
action to purchase it. The wetlands are not delineated at this time. Mr. Hulbert asked if the city desired to
purchase the entire parcel, would that be possible? If so, this land would be available for festival usage in the
future. Mr. Paepke had not considered the city taking the whole amount. Mr. Hulbert moved to recommend
to the Finance Committee that they negotiate with the Paepke family to acquire as much of the
available land as possible to satisfy park needs and festival needs in the future. Ms. Kelly Koble
seconded. Board members discussed the value of squaring off the property and making Horn Field larger.
(Ald. Madden excused at 7:00 p.m. to attend public hearing on the city’s 2003 budget.) Mr. Paepke shared
with the Board members some of the history of the parcel. He pointed out on the map the drainage pattern of
the property, drainage eventually into Big Muskego Lake. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously. Mr. Paepke was informed that the Mayor’s office would be contacting him regarding future
meetings on the acquisition of the parcel.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
Police Department Incident Reports
Director Anderson had nothing to report from the police department.
Other Reports
There were no other reports for the Board members to review.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Quietwood Subdivision Recreation Trail
Alderman LeDoux had asked for this issue to be placed on the agenda for the sole purpose of any citizenry
attending the meeting based on the 30 days the property owners were given to come up with an agreement
with Mr. Carity regarding the trail at the last Board meeting. He mentioned that there is an agreement in the
works. The people could go to the Common Council meeting tomorrow night where the agreement would be
discussed. Alderman LeDoux provided the Board members with copies of the agreement from Mr. Carity.
MHS Athletic Fields
Chairman Whipple informed the Board members that the facilities committee had met prior to the Board
meeting this evening. They have two more meetings set up. The City of Muskego has agreed to put $450,000
in the 2003 budget for the infrastructure for development of the fields. Mr. Hulbert asked when the school
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, November 11, 2002, page
3
board was putting the amount in their budget? Chairman Whipple said the school board has not voted on it
yet. He foresaw it being voted on at the school district level at their January 2003 meeting. The school board
has not approved anything yet and the city has agreed to ½ the infrastructure costs. There was discussion
among the Board members considering the possibility if the school board could not get the four votes for
budgeting for the infrastructure and what options the Board would have. One option, presented by Chairman
Whipple, was the possibility of a private organization or club coming forward with funding for a portion of the
lights and the Board funding the lights out of the parks dedication fees. Director Anderson thought the school
district would opt for the infrastructure costs to run the electrical to all the fields. Chairman Whipple saw the
fields going in, but the luxury items may wait. Director Anderson and Chairman Whipple both indicated there
is a lot to be done, but they hoped they would have an agreement to go before the school board at the school
board’s January meeting.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Nothing to report at this meeting.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Recreation
Director Anderson reported that the winter/spring program guide is at the printers and expected to be mailed
out November 18. The drop-off registration is to start November 21. The guide is 56 pages with 2-1/4 pages
of ads. Mr. Hulbert inquired how the advertising was doing? Director Anderson said that is roughly paying for
half the costs of the guide. Sixty percent of the ad money is retained by the department. The ad money is
sent by Mr. Papen to the department and then a check is cut to the advertising firm for their percentage. It is
working a lot better than with the other advertising agency.
Parks
Historical Site Trail
Traffic bond trail is in behind the buildings on the historical site as part of the stewardship grant.
Boardwalk
The boardwalk is pretty far along and should be done by the end of the month.
Denoon/Kurth Park
Director Anderson reported that both Denoon Park and Kurth Park areas have been fertilized. Mr. Hulbert
questioned if Kurth Park had been aerated? Director Anderson will check on this. He informed Board
members that the park areas are aerated and fertilized at least once each year. Manchester Hill Park is done
twice due to the availability of water near the site. Director Anderson would like to get the practices off the
game fields. They have to depend on the school for water at Denoon. Board members discussed putting in
the well at Denoon Park and having it sized properly to handle the water requirements at the park. At
Manchester Hill Park, they use the fire hydrant. Mr. Hulbert inquired if Kurth Park would be involved in the new
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, November 11, 2002, page
4
RCAs for that area of the city? Director Anderson will check on it. If they had water available at the parks,
they could fertilize more. The Department of Public Works has finished the southern section of Kurth Park.
Mr. Hulbert asked, with the Manchester Hill Park shelter now done, when would the drinking fountain be put
in? Director Anderson said by the end of the year. Mr. Hulbert queried, at what point, would bathrooms be put
in? Director Anderson indicated it depended on the usage. Mr. Schneider asked about the land for the
community center? Can they use it for practice fields? Director Anderson said it is in a flood plain and for now
contains piles of topsoil from the construction of Moorland Road. He said that there is still some concern
about lack of space for programming. Common Council will have to look at current needs and in the future.
Mr. Hulbert mentioned that the aldermen have been getting pressure from people to look at solutions to
programming needs.
NEW BUSINESS
None
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission
Mr. Hulbert shared with the Board members that in the recent subdivision on Highway OO, they found that the
drainage flows ½ towards Franklin in the Root River watershed and the other half to Big Muskego Lake and is
a part of the Mississippi River water shed. This is an issue in the development of the area.
Next Meeting –December 9, 2002
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Mr. Schneider called to the Board’s attention that some interest has been given to the 27 acres on Tans Drive
known as The Ridges. An adjacent property owner is looking at purchasing it and putting a conservation
easement on it. Mr. Hulbert shared with the Board members what is taking place at Plan commission on a
conservation subdivision extra lots are granted. His concern was that the property owner was looking for
monetary gain with a conservation subdivision. Parks and Recreation Board have no plans to develop the
area, but keep it as green space and keep it under city control. Mr. Schneider said the plan was to give the
land to the Muskego Lakes Conservancy. It is worth exploring and they will be discussing it at the
conservation committee meeting next month.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:30 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. Manchester. 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,
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, November 11, 2002, page
5