Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 11/15/2003
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
NOVEMBER 15, 2003
Approved, as amended, 12/8/03
Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation
Board, City of Muskego, to order at 8:30 a.m.
The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on
Wednesday, November 12, 2003.
Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mrs. Kelly
Koble, Mr. Toby Whipple, and Director Craig Anderson.
Absent: Mr. Richard Manchester (excused) and Mr. Eric Hetzel (excused)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
October 13, 2003, Board Meeting
Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved, Mr. Howard Schneider seconded, to approve the minutes of
the October 13 meeting. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Use of Idle Isle building by Water Bugs
Mrs. Shelly Wohler explained the Water Bugs were requesting usage of the building,
during the winter, for team use. They would like to work on skis and other team
equipment. The Water Bugs would be responsible for heating and all other costs
associated with building improvements for their use. Mr. Howard Schneider made the
motion to recommend the Water Bugs usage of the building during the winter with
the Water Bugs paying for all improvements and electric costs associated with their
use, no alcohol is allowed, carbon monoxide detectors be installed, and to work with
the Building Inspector’s office for all approvals. Seconded by Mr. Hulbert. No
further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
Equestrian Trail E-mail
Small discussion ensued regarding the e-mail from Ald. Eric Schroeder regarding the
equestrian trail along Janesville Road, west of Racine Avenue. It was determined there
would be no changes to the types of use permitted for the trail.
Concrete Benches – Muskego Recreation Trail
Vandalism of some concrete benches took place prior to October 22, 2003. The word
“weed” was spray painted on the benches. Was cleaned up the next day.
Officer Mrotek will be addressing the Board, in January, on options available to help
deter vandalism in the parks.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
There was none.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT:
Mr. Schneider informed the Board the city was notified they were still eligible for
$400,000 as part of the DNR grant for the purchase of the Ewald Engle property. This is
a matching grant.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recreation
Recreation Program Manager Position Description
The Board discussed briefly the newly created position. Mrs. Tammy Dunn was
interviewed and hired for this new position, as part of the reorganization process
approved by Common Council.
Parks
Horn Field Improvements
Board members discussed the field improvements that need to be made to Horn Field in
the Fall of 2004. The total cost for the improvements are $12, 915, with the city and
school district each paying half the cost. Mr. Hulbert made the motion to recommend
the expenditure for the improvement of Horn Field at a cost of $6,458 to be paid for
out of Park Dedication, with the Muskego-Norway School District paying the other
half. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
ALDERMAN’S REPORT
Ald. Buckmaster informed the Board members the city had closed on the Martin
property. Also, the Ewald Engle property purchase agreement is being reviewed by
attorneys and should hopefully be concluded by December 15, 2003.
The parks tour began.
Denoon Park:
Board member commented how nice the park looked, especially the Denoon shelter.
Future items to consider include a small parking area across from the baseball field and
tennis court options. Tennis court options would include razing the current courts and
building one new court, with locations to be reviewed, or not replacing the tennis courts.
Bluhm Farm Park:
Board members visited the park section, north of McShane Drive. Bluhm #4 baseball
field was reviewed with the only outstanding issue being the third base dugout bench.
Board members would like to see if there could be some type of barrier placed on the
south side of the parking lot to prevent people from driving on the grass and also for
stopping balls hit from going into the parking lot. Signage was also discussed on how to
educate people on preserving the athletic turf areas and additional parking is available
across the street in the south section of Bluhm Park.
Kurth Park:
The southern section of Kurth Park, along Woods Road, was visited. The timeline for the
remainder of the park items was discussed. Everything should be completed by Fall of
2004. The open turf area would probably be available in the Spring of 2005. Members
were impressed with the parking lot.
Moorland Road Parkland:
Board members visited this park and discussed the possibility for the proposed skate park
to be at this site. The Teen Advisory Board will be at the January Parks & Recreation
Board meeting to discuss this project further. Board members asked when the two soccer
fields, gravel parking lot, and fill pile disappearing were going to happen. The city
engineer is still working on trying to make this happen.
Schmidt Park:
Board members were very pleased with the new playground and trail installation. Ald.
Buckmaster even tried out a few playground pieces.
Park Arthur:
Board members discussed what they would like to see done with the newly acquired
Martin property. One item was the leased use of some parkland for weed tipping by the
Little Muskego Lake Association District Mr. Schneider will be talking to the
association district and bringing that back to the Board. The Board will discuss Park
Arthur plans at the meeting in January.
Idle Isle Park:
The Board discussed the proposed improvement for the launch by extending the concrete
ramp section. City staff is working on a DNR Waterways grant to cover 60% of the costs
for this much needed improvement. Currently, trailers are getting stuck at the end of the
concrete ramp section and boat props are hitting the small rip-rap rock placed at the end
of the ramp. Mr. Hulbert made the motion to recommend the Idle Isle boat launch
improvements and to give permission to staff to secure funding thru the grant
process. Mrs. Koble seconded. Further discussion included whether the section of
concrete currently in place had to be taken out. Staff will look into this. Upon a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Board members walked to the ADA fishing pier to discuss the moving of the pier.
Alternatives were discussed with a total of $4,500 in staff time and equipment to
complete the project. The pier would need a new concrete curb footing and minor
earthwork to move the pier 40 feet. Board members could not come to a consensus and
will discuss this item further in January.
Board members toured the building and all were in agreement, they would like to see the
building replacement schedule, thru the Capital Budget process, be moved up. The Idle
Isle building is in terrible condition.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission
No plans submitted for review by the Board.
Next Meeting – December 8, 2003, 6:30 p.m. in the Alderman’s Room
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED
BY LAW
Director Anderson informed the Board he is on family medical leave from November 24
– December 16, 2003. He is picking up his adopted daughter from Guatemala. Board
members thanked Ald. Buckmaster for the doughnuts.
ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for
adjournment at 12:00 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Koble. Upon a voice vote, the motion
carried.
Craig Anderson, M.S.
Parks & Recreation Director
pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson e-mail: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department
Heads, Peter Theis, Tammy Dunn, Stella Dunahee