Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 7/14/2003
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
JULY 14, 2003
Approved 8/11/03
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, July 10, 2003.
Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Richard Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple,
Director Craig Anderson and Parks & Recreation Department Intern Nick Topercer.
Absent: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Ms. Kelly Koble (excused)
GUESTS: Annette Goebl
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
June 9 Board Meeting
Mr. Richard Manchester moved, Mr. Howard Schneider seconded, to approve the minutes of the June 9
meeting. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Bluhm Farm Park Project
Ms. Annette Goebl, representing the West Lake Estates Homeowners Association, inquired of the Board the
status of the Bluhm Farm Park project. She noted the fence had been installed as requested; however, she
had questioned the status on the fence heading towards the east? Director Anderson stated that Director
McMullen has a call into the contractor, Norway Fence. The fence is to follow the lot line, down to the ravine,
to the edge of the lot line. He mentioned that the no trespassing signs have been ordered. In response to her
inquiry regarding the parking lot, landscaping, gully and the drainage issues, Director Anderson advised this
was part of the project and she should contact Director McMullen. She further questioned the ball field, Bluhm
IV, noting that it was still under water? Director Anderson informed her that the ball field was not finished and
they will be doing a walk through with the contractor this week.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
Kurth Park Vandalism
Director Anderson reported that on June 11, toilet tissue was taken from the bathrooms and spread all over
the park. Prior to June 25, the rock climber on the playground was marked up with graffiti.
Manchester Hill Park Vandalism
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, July 14, 2003, page 2
At Manchester Hill Park, the exterior electrical outlet box was ripped off the post mounting, the manhole cover
was lifted off the meter pit, and the picnic tables were turned upside down.
Lions Park Vandalism
Somebody tried to start a fire in the women’s restroom at Lions Park. They shut the door, which put out the
fire. The dispensers all melted. The staff had recently finished painting the interior. There is a stench from the
burned plastic and the staff is dealing with it. The staff did touch up the paint and ordered new dispensers.
President Whipple commented that since the department has been leaving the restrooms unlocked, there is
an increase in vandalism. Alderman Buckmaster said that he had done a ride-along with the police officer
through the Kurth Park area. When they went through the park between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., the
bathroom doors were wide open. He felt that the people who use the parks the most would be the best to
police the bathrooms. Director Anderson said a file is kept by park on the vandalism. He recommended
closing the park at dusk. President Whipple stated it would have to be monitored and hope it does not get
worse.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
MHS Athletic Fields
Director Anderson reported that the maintenance agreement is going before the Finance Committee and the
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Common Council on the 22. The committee is reviewing the numbers for the field development right now.
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The bid packages came in and they have another meeting on that on the 31. After that is done, he thought
the grading would be awarded and you could see some dirt moving within the next month.
Horse/Snowmobile Trail Network for the City of Muskego
Nothing to report at this time.
Schmidt Park Playground
Director Anderson informed the Board members that the Finance Committee and the Common Council
members opted to approve the 2-5-year playground, which is the larger playground. Alderman Buckmaster
explained the logic behind the Finance Committee and Common Council’s decisions was that they wanted all
playgrounds alike, not to discriminate one park from another.
Park Dedication Fee Study
Director Anderson said they are waiting for the RFP’s to come back on the park dedication fee study. These
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are due by this Friday, the 18 They did poll some of the municipalities in the area and found that Franklin and
New Berlin were up to $2,000.
Cost-sharing with Little Muskego Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District (LMLD)
Director Anderson refreshed the Board members that they had asked for rates at the June meeting. He stated
that it came out that the City of Muskego paid for 15% of the LMLD’s budget. Mr. Schneider thought that the
Board should not get involved with the cost of the chemical treatment of the lake. Their committee should
work with the City of Muskego to work out a formula. He said that they do a great job. Mr. Schneider moved
to deny their request for financial assistance, but encourage the City of Muskego and the lake district
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, July 14, 2003, page 3
to work out a formula that would be more helpful to them. Mr. Manchester seconded. No further
discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Ald. Buckmaster commented earlier on the Schmidt Park playground and will address the Old Town Hall
agreement later in the meeting. Director Anderson asked about the Ewald-Engle property? Ald. Buckmaster
stated they are at about 90% of the clean up and waiting for the contractor to finish with the clean up and then
it will be addressed at Common Council. Director Anderson asked about the status of the Martin property?
Ald. Buckmaster said it was discussed at Common Council. They are waiting to hear back from the attorney
regarding whether or not there is a lease for someone to farm the land.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT
Mr. Schneider had nothing to report.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
Recreation
Skateboard Park
Intern Topercer stated there is a Teen Advisory Board meeting on July 17 and they will be discussing a
skateboard park and what amenities they feel should be included in the park. They will later bring this to the
Parks and Recreation Board.
Department Web Page Changes & Board Bios
Department staff is redoing the web page changes. Bios are still needed from some of the Board members for
inclusion in the Board section of the web page.
Fall Program Guide
The department is currently working on the fall program guide, which is scheduled to be mailed out August 8.
Intern Topercer mentioned that there are a lot of new programs some for children 18 months of age. Some
programs scheduled to be held in the Old Town Hall.
Parks
Bluhm Park
Intern Topercer informed the Board members that the walk through for the Bluhm Park ball field will be
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Tuesday, the 15. The parking lot is going in soon, but no date set yet. The shelter has been pressure
washed. The parks crew has started with the staining and painting.
Lions and Kurth Parks Bathrooms
The interior painting of the Lions Park bathrooms has been completed. The parks crew is 50 percent done
with the painting of the Kurth Park bathrooms.
Denoon Shelter
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, July 14, 2003, page 4
At the Denoon shelter, the fibar has been placed around the concrete slab to make a level approach. The
concrete patching of the support posts is about half way done.
NEW BUSINESS:
Old Town Hall Facility Agreement
Director Anderson reviewed with the Board members the proposed agreement for the Old Town Hall. The
annual agreement would be between the City of Muskego and the Muskego Historical Society. The facility
would be divided into two areas; the lower area and the upper area. The lower area would be for the museum
and the upper area for use by the Parks and Recreation Department. The upper area would also be available
for private rentals and would be based on priority levels. All reservations and money would be through the
Parks and Recreation Department. The Parks and Recreation Department would keep the master calendar
for the facility. Mr. Manchester inquired if the second level would be handicap accessible. Director Anderson
stated that it would and also the lower level would be accessible, except you have to go outside to enter the
upper or lower level. He went over the changes recommended by the Committee of the Whole. Ald.
Buckmaster said in view of the amount of money invested in this facility, they would like to see the Parks and
Recreation Department be the first priority for the building usage. They did not think that the Muskego
Historical Society would be able to maintain it with the investment that the City of Muskego has put into it; but
they did not want to diminish the efforts that the Muskego Historical Society has put into the facility. Alderman
Buckmaster moved to change Item B, Section Two, delete “The Muskego Historical Society retains use
of the enclosed room (wardrobe) and the balcony area.” and give Parks and Recreation Department
priority on Muskego Historical Society events non-scheduled six months in advance, 7 days 24 hours a
day. Mr. Schneider seconded. They wanted Parks and Recreation Department to have the fullest use of this
site. The historical society would reserve the facility through the department for their events. Upon a voice
vote, the motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission
No plans submitted for review by the Board.
Next Meeting – August 11, 2003
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Mr. Schneider asked if they started stripping the topsoil at Park Arthur? Director Anderson thought due to
other projects, they were not able to get to it yet. It was, however, targeted to be done by the fall.
Board members discussed what a skateboard park would entail. The Teen Advisory Board will be making a
presentation in the near future.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Manchester moved for adjournment at 7:40 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. Schneider . Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Stella Dunahee, CPS
Recording Secretary
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, July 14, 2003, page 5
pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson
email: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department Heads, Peter Theis, Irene Schuder, Tammy Dunn,