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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 5/12/2003 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO MAY 12, 2003 Approved, as corrected, 6/9/03 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, May 8, 2003. Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Ms. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester Mr. Toby Whipple, and Director Craig Anderson. Absent: Mr. Howard Schneider (excused) New members to the Board, Ald. Chris Buckmaster representing the Common Council and Mr. Eric Hetzel representing the school district, were introduced. GUESTS: Ald. Madden, City Engineer Sean McMullen, Ald. Damaske,Tracy Pfuehler, Ben Havelka, John Havelka, Gene Zienty, Don Stalyosz, Stacy Cardenas Mike Cardenas, Melinda Klinka, Mark Pfueller, Gerald Reik, A. J. Nau, Cherie Nau, Mark Larsen, Randall Hojracki, Jan Daniels, Wayne Daniels, Brad May, Jim Parnau, Danielle Gaebl ELECTION OF OFFICERS Plan Commission Representative Ms. Koble nominated Mr. Hulbert to serve as the Board’s representative to the Plan Commission. Mr. Manchester seconded the nomination. No other nominations. Mr. Hulbert accepted the nomination. Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. President Mr. Manchester nominated Mr. Whipple to serve as Board President. Mr. Hulbert seconded the nomination. No other nominations. Mr. Whipple accepted the nomination. Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Vice-President Mr. Hulbert nominated Mr. Schneider to serve as Board Vice-President. Ms. Koble seconded the nomination. No other nominations. Mr. Schneider, though absent, had indicated he would accept the position if nominated. Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Secretary Mr. Hulbert nominated Ms. Koble to serve as Board Secretary. Mr. Manchester seconded the nomination. No other nominations. Ms. Koble accepted the nomination. Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 12, 2003, page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 14 Board Meeting Mr. Richard Manchester moved, Ms. Kelly Koble seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 14 meeting. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Bluhm Farm Park Issues Ms. Melinda Klinka appeared before the Board on behalf of West Lake Estates homeowners, Lake Brittany, Lake Lore, and Freedom Acres homeowners to request additional fencing to Bluhm Drive to stop children from going to their lake, if not farther, no trespassing signs and Board action regarding the gully on the park property. The park will have a parking lot that will be double in size. Homes have had water in their basement and had to redo their recreation rooms. They would like the fencing extended to prevent users of the park from going on to the private properties in the area with the no trespassing signs posted on the fence. They would like the fence extended to Fairfield. She mentioned that the run-off from the “gully” is eroding into their lake, creating a peninsula where before was a beach area that is no longer defined. They are all against having a pavilion added in the park feeling it would promote large, boisterous parties and more people wanting to use their lake. They also were concerned about the liability issues facing the associations should an incident occur. She expressed that they also do not want the bathrooms open all hours day and night. The other Bluhm Farm Park bathroom across the street is not as close to the neighborhood. They were concerned about park users trespassing and going into their lake. They have trouble now with people dumping in the area. They would like a berm with trees to hide the lift station and trees also along the fence. City Engineer Sean McMullen addressed their concerns. He said the fencing and plantings along Bluhm Drive are a part of the utility project. He proposed an extension raising the north elevation of the parking lot and putting a curb about 6” high which would prevent the water from jumping the curb and trespassing on private property; with the change in elevation, the water would go back on the ball fields; also, a new drainage swale has been created between the new bathroom facility and Klinka’s lot line whereby rains would go into the storm sewer system and into the creek. The gully area, they will install one of two things: laying the slope back and putting in a corrugated mat, fill with pea stone material; if the grades don’t work, looking at installing a manhole catch basin whereby the water would be piped solving the erosion problem. Further, he explained how they would address the gully situation and prevent 85’ of the erosion by using a corrugated mat and pea gravel. He mentioned the fencing would stay where it is. They could add a section of fence almost to Fairfield Drive and also fencing up to the road entering the park. There are sections in the area that are private property. City of Muskego’s property line does not go all the way to Fairfield. The utility project is now extending the fence to the Bluhm Drive right-of-way line, 10’ off the road. He pointed out on a diagram the length of the existing fence and the amount to be added to bring the fence to the property line and adding fence by the entrance to the park, creating an L. A portion of the fencing, as it is not covered by the utilities project, would be the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Board. Any area that they want fenced that is not city property, they would have to contact the owner or owners of that property. City Engineer McMullen will forward the name of the owner or owners to Ms. Klinka. Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to add fencing to the eastern portion of the existing fence following the contour of the ravine lot line to the private property line and northern and western side fencing extending from where it presently is over to a point 10’ off the road down to the entrance road making an “L” shape with metal “no trespassing” signs to be attached. This would be approximately 200’-300’ of fencing. Funding would come from the parks dedication account. Ms. Kelly Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote the motion carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 12, 2003, page 3 Bathrooms President Whipple asked the Board members if they could bring forward on the agenda the bathroom item since this was also an issue that concerned the citizens. Board members had no objection. Director Anderson explained that the bathrooms were open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. from May through September. He would not like to see the hours for the bathrooms posted, just that the park hours be posted. Mr. Hulbert and other Board members noted that some parks just indicate when the park is closing. In deference to the neighbors concerns, Director Anderson may just post the bathroom hours for those bathrooms on that side of Bluhm Park. Park Project Updates City Engineer Sean McMullen gave the Board an update on several projects. Highway 36 bridge crossing, they are meeting with the State since the State does have jurisdiction. The State wants to see the construction plans for this area. They are waiting on the WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) for a permit to do the work. Anticipating this project to be done as fall construction. City Engineer McMullen is working with Span Crete to see if they can get some seconds for material to see if they can save cost. The material would be structurally sound, just the aesthetic quality makes it seconds. Intersection of Muskego Dam Road and Highway 36---the cost to construct a bridge over or a tunnel underneath the roadway would be prohibitive. They make work out with the State some type of designated pedestrian right-of-way. This is the most economical way to cross. They may see if the State would consider creating a signalized intersection in the area. This would allow the pedestrian traffic to cross in that area. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that in the Burlington area the path just stops and then picks up again at a distant point. This may be what they would have to do with this point in the trail. City Engineer McMullen advised that, if that should be what the Board wanted, a sign should be put in place indicating the trail ends. They are however looking for funding alternatives. Kurth Park southern section…City Engineer McMullen indicated that once some other priority projects are completed, they will be able to continue work on this project. They are about 30% done with the design and once the final design is done, will add it to the roads projects and hope to get it done this fall. They have the Chapter 30 permit and have applied for an extension. Director Anderson stated the middle section of Kurth Park is done and will be able to be played on this fall. Park Arthur…City Engineer McMullen reviewed the plan for Park Arthur with the Board members. He mentioned that some engineering students from UWM—Engineering Department had contacted them regarding a design project. The plan includes 85’x200’ hockey rink, pavilion, tot-lot playground, football field, baseball diamond, soccer fields, sledding hill, and two parking lots, plus walking trails and boardwalk in the environmental/conservation corridor. Also, storm water detention ponds. In regard to the sledding hill, he mentioned that they still need 72,000 cubic yards of fill for the entire park. They are putting in some type of grass in the area to stop the erosion. They have installed some diversionary berms in the area to trap the water so that it does not discharge into the lake. Mr. Hulbert questioned if there was any part of the park they could work on now? City Engineer McMullen thought the section with the hockey rink could be worked on now. He mentioned that the contractors bring in equipment to skim off the topsoil and dump the fill. In exchange for dumping the fill, they also strip and grade out the area which cuts down on cost. The Board would like the hockey rink in as soon as possible. Director Anderson would like an estimate of the cost for this project. City Engineer McMullen will get some cost figures to Director Anderson for the June board meeting. Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved that they would contact the grading company through the engineering department for an amount not to exceed $1,500 for the initial rough grading. Ald. Buckmaster seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 12, 2003, page 4 In regard to the lands formerly designated for the community center, City Engineer McMullen presented the Board with an alternate plan for the property that would be adult regulation size soccer fields 330’x240, with a temporary graveled lot. Board members looked favorable on this alternate plan. He continued, right now the site is in very rough condition and if something weren’t done, it would grow weeds. He mentioned that contractors are looking at putting in the soccer fields in exchange for the removal of the topsoil stockpiled on the property. Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to recommend to the Finance Committee that they develop this area into the depicted soccer fields by exchanging the top soil left on the site for the work to be done to create the soccer fields. Ms. Kelly Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MHS Athletic Fields Director reported that the field development committee is right now about 90% done with the site plan preparation of documents. They will review the documents this Thursday for sending out for bids. The list of contractors to send the documents will be reviewed. The maintenance agreement contract is about 95% done with recommended percentages of what the shared cost would be. There are defined costs in those, looking to come up with a proposed budget, what each entity would pay and the impact on their operating budgets. And they have field manuals for the entire year so that they are maintained the same way. The amount of work to be done from pre-season to post-season on these fields. One more meeting is scheduled and then they will meet with Dr. Drury, Rob Rammer and Ald. Petfalski to bring them up to speed on what the committee is recommending to see if there are any big issues and any issues that they may not have covered and then going back to both boards. This should be done within the next month. Some fields will be ready for use this year and some by next year. Horse/Snowmobile Trail Network for the City of Muskego Mr. Hulbert informed the Board members that he had nothing at this time. Ald. Madden, a continuing member of the sub-committee, had spoken with the landfill personnel regarding designating some of their property as equestrian trails. They will be getting back to her. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Ald. Buckmaster stated that the proposal to buy the Chesapeake is going before Common Council on Tuesday. They are looking at making an offer to purchase at a cost of $350,000 for the property. Mr. Manchester expressed his objection to the acquisition of this property. He mentioned that the Board had very little input on the issue and had not been consulted. Ald. Madden and Ald. Buckmaster informed the Board that the city was looking at the property as a part of conservancy land. Director Anderson advised the Board that he had been requested to meet with the Committee of the Whole on how the department would use the facility for programming. He and his staff made their presentation before the Committee of the Whole. Ms. Koble mentioned about the previous report indicating there was very little parks and recreation in that area of town and this would be looked at a way of bringing these activities to the area. Also, discussed was the razing of the building and putting the land in conservancy rather than having the property become condominiums. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT Mr. Schneider, being absent, no report available. The department had not received any information from Mr. Zagar. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 12, 2003, page 5 DEPARTMENT REPORTS Recreation Internet Registration/Registration Director Anderson shared that the department will soon be piloting the Internet registration trial. Looking at going on-line with some mid-summer programs with total Internet registration available in the fall. Registration started April 29. Programs are starting to fill up already. People are signing up for the all-day playground that was discussed last month. Chesapeake Update This issue was covered under the Alderman’s Report. New Performance Evaluation Department heads are working on new performance valuations for non-represented staff. The job performance will be more equally measured and more accurately defined. Intern Starts Intern starts next week. He will be working with staff and attending meetings with director. He is in his last semester. Parks Bathrooms Open This issue was discussed under Personal Appearances. Other Projects Parks staff have been doing a lot of work on hand raking the ball fields. Once the college students start working in June, there will be about 7 seasonal staff. There is a park ranger checking the parks until about 8:00 p.m. and an Idle Isle park manager, from 8 am-9 p.m. He mentioned that the staff had to raise the piers as with the recent rains, they have been going under water. NEW BUSINESS None. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission No plans submitted for review by the Board. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 12, 2003, page 6 Next Meeting – COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW st Director Anderson inquired if the Board would consider meeting the 1 Monday of the month. Most said no. Mr. Hulbert and Mr. Whipple mentioned that THE SUN article and at the school board meeting, it was not acknowledged that the city had donated $8,000 to the Mill Valley playgrounds. Director Anderson is to contact Ric and also Andy to see that this donation gets acknowledged properly. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Manchester moved for adjournment at 8:19 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Hulbert . 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,