Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 12/8/2003
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
December 8, 2003
APPROVED 1/12/04
Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of
Muskego, to order at 6:30 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, December 4, 2003.
Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard
Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, and Program Manager Tammy Dunn.
Absent: Director Craig Anderson (excused)
GUESTS: Dennis Shook
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
November 15 Board Meeting/Park Tour
Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved, Mr. Howard Schneider seconded, to approve the minutes of the November 15
meeting. Mr. Schneider corrected the minutes under Park Arthur to change the word association to district.
It is the Little Muskego Lake District, not Association. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes
as amended carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
MHS All-class Reunion
Mr. Dennis Shook presented his request for use of Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, September 4, 2004.
He informed the Board members that there were no issues with the police at that time and no complaints about
the noise. He did not think they would have a band this time, but play period music. He may hire extra
security to patrol the area as they are expecting a larger group than last time. They would abide by the same
hours as set up for the community festival and other requirements of the Board. He mentioned that Dr. Drury
indicated he would open up the high school so they could see all the improvements. Mr. Don Pionek offered
to have the Old Settlement Centre buildings open during the event. This issue was discussed at the October
15 meeting; however, Mr. Shook was not able to make that meeting. The last time there was an agreement for
restoration, certificate of insurance, layout map, portable toilets, sinks, electricity, water, dumpster for the
garbage, cleanup done the day after parking. He had on- site security. The Board had requested fencing
around the perimeter. This event would be open to any Muskego High School alumni. Mr. Hulbert moved to
approve the usage of Veterans Memorial Park for the Muskego High School alumni reunion with the
same hours as set forth for the community festival. Mrs. Koble seconded. Mrs. Dunn advised the Board
that with the shelter now at the park and as it is rented to others, the rental fee of $620 for non-resident and
$519 for resident, based on 1200 people, was calculated. Board members discussed that if they wanted to
use the shelter and the interior restrooms, then the rental fee would have to be paid. Mr. Shook said they
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 8, 2003, page 2
would be using a tent as in previous time. Mr. Hulbert amended his motion that it would not include the
use of the shelter or the restrooms. Mrs. Koble seconded the amendment. Board discussed that if Mr.
Shook decided they wanted the shelter then someone would make application and pay the fee. Upon a voice
vote, the amendment carried, the motion carried.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Ald. Buckmaster reported that the Martin property and the Engle-Ewald property should be paid by the end of
the year. The biggest issues with the Common Council are reorganization structuring and capital borrowing.
NEW BUSINESS:
Heckert Property and Paepke Property
Alderman Buckmaster informed the Board members that the Heckert property had been sold. He would like
feedback from the Board relative to the Paepke property. This property would link Horn Park with the Old
Settlement Centre. Are they interested in purchasing this property? The money would come out of park
dedication; therefore, the Board may have to look again at their priority list for park dedication expenditures.
He did not know the price of the Paepke property. He would like to take their recommendation back to the
Committee of the Whole in January on how to proceed with this issue. Mr. Schneider said they should look at
purchasing this to link the two parks. They should look into it for the right price. Mr. Manchester mentioned
that in previous discussions, they had talked about purchasing some of the property to link the parks, possibly
half, and they did not want to deal with the pond. Mr. Hulbert said the property is in a custodial estate with
several children involved. They had wanted to sell parts of it. It was brought to the Mayor’s attention last year.
The family was looking at other ways to subdivide the property. Recently, the family had decided to only
divest themselves of the back property. Mr. Hulbert moved to recommend to Finance Committee and the
Common Council to pursue acquisition of a portion of the Paepke property, approximately 3 acres. Mr.
Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Purchasing this property was discussed at the November 11, 2002 Parks and Recreation Board meeting.
(Insert from 11/11/02 Meeting: 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…. 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:
Adopt-a-Park
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 8, 2003, page 3
Board members reviewed Emmaus Fellowship’s request to take part in the Adopt-a-Park program. They
would be interested in keeping Kurth Park clean. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the request. Mrs.
Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT
Mr. Schneider reported he had not heard anything from Tom Zagar on the status of the grant monies they
should be getting for Ewald-Engle property. He indicated that Pheasants Forever is interested in prairie
restoration. Mr. Hulbert inquired about the property in conjunction with the Muskego High School athletic fields
and also the recreation paths on the property. Mr. Schneider said this had not been addressed by Mr. Zagar.
Mr. Hulbert voiced an interest in touring the property. Other members would like to tour. With so much
interest, the tour would be posted.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recreation
Winter/Spring Registration
Mrs. Dunn reported the registration is going very well. On-line registration has increased. As of now, there
are 93 children enrolled in the Grades 3-4 basketball and 43 in the Grades 1-2 basketball. All children will get
to play in the league if it means increasing the number of players on the teams.
Treasure of Holidays Event
Treasure of the Holidays was a very successful event. Estimated attendance was 1,000; estimated 700 during
the tree lighting. The children did a wonderful job of singing. All positive things heard about the event.
Everything was picked up and disposed of properly.
Parks
Idle Isle Main Room Floor Drain
The parks crew determined that the drain was not connected to the city sewer system. They sealed it off to
prevent back up.
Horn Roof
There was a leak in the hall of the Horn Park building. The membrane has been patched.
Eagle Scout Project
Eagle Scouts have installed nine benches along the recreation trail.
Skateboard Ramp
Skateboard ramp is nearing completion. It is huge. Some casters have been added to facilitate moving it
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 8, 2003, page 4
around. The department still doesn’t know where to store it.
Jensen Drainage
The Jensen pipe has been cleaned out and now is free flowing.
Mill Valley Baseball Field Improvements
The company notified the department that they will not be able to complete the Mill Valley baseball field this fall
due to the weather and personnel injury and being short staffed, having to complete a previously scheduled
project. They have it scheduled for the first of the 2004 season. Mr. Manchester inquired if there would be
any break in the price for the delay. Hold the price until next spring. Staff will have to look at the agreement to
see if there was a completion date in the contract. Agenda issue for January
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission
No plans submitted for review by the Board.
Next Meeting – January 12, 2004.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
In regard to the extension of the ramp at Idle Isle Park, Mr. Manchester did not think extending it would solve
the washing out problem. He suggested the Board consider a no power-loading ordinance be instituted. Mr.
Hulbert said they had discussed this previously and it could be looked at again. He felt the ramp has never
been far enough out. It should be at least 40 feet. Mr. Schneider agreed that the ramp was too short. He
thought the extension of the ramp was a better bet.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:12 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, Tammy Dunn,