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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 6/9/2003 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO JUNE 9, 2003 APPROVED 7/14/03 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, June 5, 2003. Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Ms. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester (arrival at 7:00 p.m.), Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, Director Craig Anderson and Parks & Recreation Department Intern Nick Topercer. GUESTS: Suzi Link, Shelly Wholer APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 12 Board Meeting Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved, Ms. Kelly Koble seconded, to approve the minutes of the May 12 meeting as corrected. Mr. Hulbert made a clarification to the motion on page 2 regarding the Bluhm Park fence to change ravine to lot line so it would read “…following the contour of the lot line to the private property line…” Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Idle Isle Parking Ms. Shelly Wholer of the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. requested additional parking at Idle Isle during the Chamber event on June 25. This is Chamber of Commerce night with the ski team. Ms. Wholer requested if the group was large and the parking lot became full, they would like to park on the grass to accommodate the people. They would reseed if there was damage to the grass area. In response to Mr. Hulbert’s inquiry, she could not say how many extra people they would be anticipating because of this Chamber of Commerce event. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request. Mr. Schneider seconded. No other discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Usage of Denoon Park for Cross-country Race Director Anderson presented Mr. Ertl’s request for use of Denoon Park for the Lake Denoon Middle School’s cross-country meet on Wednesday, October 1, 2003, from 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. They would be using the field area to the south of the school. Their course would run up past the basketball court and up toward Kelsey Drive to start. They are not planning to use the pavilion or the upper soccer field though some of the spectators may be viewing from the berm by the soccer field. This meet will have less than 10 teams. Ms. Koble asked if there was any concern about the reseeded area? Director Anderson indicated none. President Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 9, 2003, page 2 Whipple was concerned about the current field area but they would not be using that area. The soccer practice would not be an issue that night. Mr. Schneider moved to approve the request. Ms. Koble seconded. No other discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Cost-sharing with Little Muskego Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District Ms. Suzi Link petitioned the Board members to consider cost sharing to control the offshore stands of Eurasian milfoil in Little Muskego Lake. She stressed that the growth of the milfoil is severe. Last year, it wiped out almost the use of a fifth of the lake. It is traveling downstream and causing problems now in Bass Bay. They are trying to control what they can by cutting and then treating the areas they can’t cut. This year their budget is $40,000. Mr. Schneider asked about the funds being collected from the boat launches? Director Anderson stated that the money goes into the park dedication account. Mr. Hulbert questioned what the city currently pays for the cutting for Idle Isle Park area? Ms. Link said currently the city is assessed for 21 parcels of land around the lake and one of those is Idle Isle Park. They are assessed 15% of the operating budget for the district, which is specifically for all the individual lake accesses, the launches and Idle Isle Park. Mr. Hulbert would like some research on what is paid for Idle Isle and see how it compares with what the property owners pay for their frontage. He did not think it was the same as the property owners. Ms. Link stated the homeowners are assessed $225 per occupied tax key. Mr. Hulbert clarified that the Board’s responsibility ends at the shoreline. Further, he was concerned because there is an agreement in place between the city and the district and maybe the agreement will have to be renegotiated. Ms. Link stated the last time the agreement was renegotiated was because of a lawsuit. She would like the cost sharing for maintaining the public areas. Mr. Hulbert made a motion to defer with the intent to bring back additional information as it relates to Idle Isle, the fees charged to us and also for the numerous lake lots under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Ms. Link thanked the Board members for the use of Park Arthur for the weed tipping. NEW BUSINESS: Use of Soccer Fields by Muskego High School Director Anderson informed the Board members that the Muskego High School is requesting to use the Denoon Park and Manchester Hill Park soccer fields six times this fall--Thursday, September 4, Tuesday, September 16, Thursday, September 18, Friday, September 19, Thursday, October 9, and Thursday, October 16. They will be rotating the fields. Also, Director Anderson had discussed this with Mr. Whipple regarding the Kickers schedule. He stated they would also be requesting one more time in the spring, which should then be the end of the high school’s usage of the soccer fields. Schmidt Park Playground Intern Nick Topercer presented the Board members with two proposals from Game Time for the playground equipment at Schmidt Park. One proposal was at a cost of $24, 291.33 that included a larger 2-5 age group playground component. The other proposal was at a cost of $21,979.28 that included a much smaller 2-5 age group playground component. Basically, the proposals were the same. The main difference with the second proposal was a more enhanced piece of equipment for the 2-5 age group with more features. He briefly explained the installation procedure for the equipment. The Board had budgeted $22,000.00 for upgrading of the playground equipment. Director Anderson shared with the members that this park is becoming very popular. They are having softball games at the park. The department is looking at putting traffic bond in the area to facilitate the use of strollers in the park. He mentioned that this is the last park to get renovated as part of the overall plan. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that this park is very isolated from the rest of the city. There is no Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 9, 2003, page 3 parking and no way anyone else could use the park, only if your property abuts the park. He would like to stay within the budgeted amount. Ms. Koble agreed with Mr. Hulbert and further commented it is not an accessible park for everyone in the community and not convenient for other users because there is no parking. Ald. Buckmaster questioned what was done with other parks and what criteria was used? Director Anderson stated that usage always comes into play. Manchester Hill Park, the money was set aside in escrow by the developer and that playground equipment was more than the $22,000. Veterans’ Memorial Park was developed as a community park. At both Kurth Park and Denoon Park, they were able to put in the playground for the $22,000. Ald. Buckmaster inquired what is the amount of the park dedication fund? Director Anderson stated a little over $200,000 and the money is for land acquisitions and future park development. He further explained that the Board prioritizes how this money is spent. President Whipple also stated that this park is isolated in comparison to the other parks. Ald. Buckmaster questioned if there was any other park like Schmidt Park? Director Anderson stated there was none. He continued that the amenities include two tennis courts, which were recently redone whereas the tennis courts at Denoon Park and Freedom Square have not been redone; basketball court; playground and backstop for baseball. Ms. Koble asked if there was a sign indicating it was a public park? Director Anderson replied that there is a sign on one side, but believed people did not stop to read it because of the size and shape of the sign. They will be putting another sign on the other side of the park. Mr. Hulbert moved to stay with the budgeted amount as determined originally. Ald. Buckmaster seconded. Ms. Koble asked if this is the same company that provided the other playground equipment? Director Anderson stated it was. Mr. Hulbert shared with the Board members some historical issues relating to this park. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Chapter 26, Section 1(d) Change Director Anderson explained the need for revision of Section 1 (d) of the ordinance. It clarifies drinking of beer and wine in the local parks. Board members were in receipt of the new language for this section. The change in the ordinance will go before the Common Council for the statutory two readings before it is effective. Mr. Schneider moved to adopt the change. Mr. Manchester seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Bay Lane Middle School Backstop Fencing Director Anderson advised the Board members of the need to replace the backstops at the Bay Lane Middle School. The backstops are in such poor shape that they have become an issue of safety. He had spoken to Gary Rosploch of the school district regarding these replacements. The school district will 50% cost-share with the city to replace these four backstops. The amount per entity is $7,978. Mr. Hulbert moved to engage in this cost-sharing venture to replace the backstops at the Bay Lane Middle School. Ms. Koble seconded. Mr. Hulbert indicated and Mr. Hetzel concurred that the school does not use all the fields for their physical education program so cost sharing seemed very appropriate. Some discussion on how the concrete could be prevented from heaving to the surface and becoming exposed in the future. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Park Dedication Fee Study Board members were in receipt of a memo from Plan Director Turk, which included a proposal from R. A. Smith & Associates, Inc. to do a park dedication fee study. The study would be for a not to exceed cost of $13,900. Board members discussed the need to increase the park dedication fees. Mr. Schneider recognized that they needed to justify the fees also. In 1985, the Plan Department did the needs assessment. Questions were raised why the Plan Department could not do the study this time. Mr. Hulbert asked how the Common Council felt about the spending of this money? Director Anderson stated the issue would be going before the Finance Committee next Wednesday. Ms. Koble asked if they pay the money to have the study done, are you Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 9, 2003, page 4 looking at a 100% increase, or would there be a recommendation for the Board to act on? Director Anderson did not know about the percentage of increase, but there would be a recommendation. Mr. Hulbert said that there does need to be a justification for the increase to avoid any court action. It needs to be based on new impacts created by the new residents. Ald. Buckmaster questioned why the Plan Department staff could not do it again as this was a lot of cash for a study? Director Anderson thought that Director Turk could address this issue at the Finance Committee meeting next week. Mr. Hulbert stated it would take a lot of development to get the $13,900 back. Ald. Buckmaster moved to pass this on to the Finance Committee with no recommendation. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. (At 7:25 p.m., President Whipple was excused and Vice-president Schneider took over the chairing of the meeting.) WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE (CONTINUED): Karoke/DJ Service at Bluhm Park A resident had requested to have a DJ at their event at Bluhm Park on June 21. As in the past, Board members required that they face the speakers toward the swale so the impact is away from the property owners. They further set the time from 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request for the DJ from 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and have the speakers face the woods or the swale area. Ms. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Kurth Park Vandalism Director Anderson reported that on May 31, there was an accident with the mirror breaking in the Kurth Park men’s bathroom. The ones responsible for the breakage came forward and paid for the repair. Roughly the same weekend, the men’s bathroom was flooded created by someone plugging the urinal and sink with paper towels and in the women’s room the toweling was gone again. Everything was replaced as needed. On May 30, the Game Time play-it-safe sign at the playground was torn off the mounting. It has been rehung. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MHS Athletic Fields Director Anderson informed the Board members that the actual plans are going to the Plan Commission again. Staff changed the parking lot with amenities of plants and trees being added and have asked for photometric to be done all over again because the two baseball fields changed in size with one becoming smaller and the other one remaining the same size. There will be one more meeting on the maintenance agreement in regard to staff time and how that will be separated out city versus school district. The committee has ironed out all the other issues. Once that is done, a small presentation will be done before Ald. Petfalski and Dr. Drury or Mr. Rammer on the actual maintenance agreement. After that, it will be going before the school district and the city. Horse/Snowmobile Trail Network for the City of Muskego Mr. Hulbert informed the Board members that he had nothing at this time. They are waiting for the Plan Department staff to do the mapping. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 9, 2003, page 5 Ald. Buckmaster reported that the Common Council had voted 4-3 to not pursue the purchase of the Chesapeake and deferred the purchase of the adjacent parcel to the June 10 Common Council meeting. At this time, Ald. Buckmaster made a motion to reconsider the earlier motion on the Park Dedication Fee study going to Finance Committee without recommendation. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Ald. Buckmaster would rather make a motion to go along with the study, however, stressing that they would prefer in the interest of cost, our staff doing the study versus sending a no recommendation to Finance Committee. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Ald. Buckmaster amended the motion to make a recommendation to Finance Committee that we pursue a study on adjusting the park dedication fees with the understanding the Parks and Recreation Board prefers staff do the study to save costs. Ms. Koble agreed to the amendment. Upon a voice vote, the amended motion carried. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT Vice-president Schneider shared with the Board members that the Conservation Commission met on May 28. They considered conservation plans relating to the Sonnetag property on Union Church Road. He had some wetlands that were not on the conservation map. They decided because of its location it would not be appropriate to purchase it. On the Ewald-Engle property, Tom Zagar is preparing grants. Director Anderson said they have been submitted. Vice-president Schneider stated that a woman was interested in planting and growing wildflowers in various areas of the city. DIRECTOR REPORTS Recreation Treasure the Holidays The Old Town Hall will be the staging area for the Treasure the Holidays event. The departments Christmas tree lighting is a component of this event and will again be held on Saturday. Letter on Use of School Facilities A letter was submitted to the school district regarding use of their facilities. Mr. Rosploch reported back that Dr. Drury had reminded the principals at the schools that the city has second priority for the school facilities. The schools are schools by day and community centers by night. Within the next few weeks, the department will be sending in their fall facility requests. Parks Veterans’ Memorial Park The stewardship grant has been closed. It had to be in by June 1 in order for the Ewald-Engle grant request to be submitted and not lose points. They are now asking for three additional items—plans for the boardwalk and two invoices. Once they have received these items, the city will receive the $50,000. Bluhm Baseball Field #4 Bluhm field infield radius has been cut out. The old infield mix piled up will become the base with new infield mix added on top. It is slated to be done within the next month. It will be able to be used next spring. The bathrooms are now open. The expanded parking lot has been excavated out. This should be done within the Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, June 9, 2003, page 6 next two weeks. Denoon Park Recreation Trail Between Patricia Court and Elizabeth Court, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is going to excavate out the trail and put stone back in as right now it is overgrown and only a foot path. Eagle Scout Project—Denoon Park The bridge on the far end, around the bend, pass the wetlands, an Eagle Scout built a boardwalk so now the trail goes through the wet area. DPW will continue that pathway all the way around to the parking area. Appreciation was given to Jacob Strigenz. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission No plans submitted for review by the Board. Next Meeting – COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW No communications proffered by the Board members. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 8:03 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Buckmaster . 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,