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Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 10/13/2003 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO October 13, 2003 Subject to Approval at Next Meeting Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 6:31 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, October 9, 2003. Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Richard Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, and Director Craig Anderson Absent: Mrs. Kelly Koble (excused) GUESTS: Butch LeDoux, Danielle Eidler, Kelly Sunstrom, Greg Schlosser, Ald. Schroeder, Ald. Petfalski, Kelly DeGrave, Tom Riese, Gayle Schmitt APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 9 Board Meeting Mr. Richard Manchester moved, Mr. Howard Schneider seconded, to approve the minutes of the September 8 meeting. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: MHS All-class Reunion Mr. Dennis Shook submitted a request for use of Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, September 4, 2004. He is requesting usage fees amounting to $620 be waived. Director Anderson informed the Board members that 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. Director Anderson stated that there was no negative comments from the last reunion held at Veterans Memorial Park and the grounds were fine. In the past, the fees were waived which was an agreement between Mayor DeAngelis and Dennis Shook as the park was just being developed. This event would be open to any Muskego High School alumni. Since Mr. Shook could not make the meeting due to work commitments, the Board deferred the item until the next meeting. Skateboard Park Teen Advisory Board made a power-point presentation before the Board on their work on a skateboard park proposal. The presentation included the member make-up of the Teen Advisory Board, survey, equipment, cost, land, and donations. They had surveyed about 350 people in one month, 95% were ages 11-19, 2% were ages 20-29, 1% were ages 30-39, 2% were ages 40+. They received many calls regarding helping raise money for the park. They suggested the size of the park as 60’x100’ and pictures of parks this size were Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, October 13, 2003, page 2 presented. The location of the park discussed was in the area of Moorland Road on the formerly proposed community center site and also Park Arthur. The Parks and Recreation Board have earmarked $50,000 as seed money for the park. The Teen Advisory Board suggested vending machines and also naming rights as a way to support the park. It was being proposed as a multi-use area with modular equipment. This would allow the area to be used for other recreational activities such as a hockey rink. Mr. Manchester was concerned about liability issues in that they proposed it not being staffed with a supervisor. Mr. Hulbert commented that if the park is going forward that it be ready to go next summer before the homes are developed such as in the Moorland Road area. Director Anderson indicated, rather than naming rights, to have sponsorships commit for a five-year period, on an ongoing basis and the money would be turned over and over again. Board President Whipple stated the Teen Advisory Board needed to continue to work on the design of the park and what they would like in the park and bring the design to the Parks and Recreation Board. Parks and Recreation Board will look at a location. Ald. Schroeder said they would like to come back to the December meeting with the design and more signatures. They will also look at soliciting donations. Mr. Hulbert reminded them they have to keep in mind that the $50,000 is only seed money and if that were all they have, they would have to work with that amount. Ald. Petfalski inquired how the Board felt about sponsorship? President Whipple said they are open to discuss it; however, in the past, they have turned down similar requests. Mr. Schneider stated if they decide on a location, then they would have to check with the city engineer to make sure the site is okay. Director Anderson said a location for a skateboard park is already on the old community center map. He would like the Board to make sure of the skateboard park location as he would not like to relocate it. Land Parcel for Sale Ms. Gayle Schmitt informed the Board that her property is directly south of the Muskego County Park. She also shared the several conversations that she had with city officials. She also approached the county and they referred her to this Board as the property is within the city. Mr. Manchester did not see having a park across from a park. Ms. Schmitt mentioned there are wetlands and equestrian trails on the property and the opportunity to develop an area for volleyball. Director Anderson recommended she go to the Conservation Committee to see if they would be interested in the parcel of land. Mr. Schneider thanked her for bringing it before this Board. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Planning Department Memo Director Turk of the Planning Department had sent a memo stating that they would no longer be able to provide the support services to the Parks and Recreation Board for the equestrian trail mapping project. Upon the Mayor’s recommendation, Mr. Hulbert was able to get maps from the Building Inspection Department. Parks Vandalism Director Anderson reported the weekend of September 27, Kurth Park’s mega rock climber was torched. The parks crew cut the jagged edges and patched it. Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground will come out in November and look at it. The equipment is still safe but it is $2200 to replace. On the week of September 21, Schmidt Park had broken beer bottles on the basketball courts and tennis courts. On Wednesday, September 24, the girl’s rugby team was spray-painting T-shirts and to get out of the wind, they went in the bathroom at Bluhm Park and the paint went all over the floor. It was cleaned up quickly so no problem. On the Muskego Recreation Trail, any stop signs put up are quickly stolen. Out at Bluhm Park, with the Muskego Athletic Association’s flag football, there is a problem with the amount of garbage that is generated by their concession sales. The popcorn is attracting a lot of geese. Recently, someone took the geese feces and threw it all over Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, October 13, 2003, page 3 the restroom and in the toilet. Two weeks ago, Jensen Park building on the far side away from Diamond Drive was vandalized with graffiti and again this past weekend on the brick. It took the crew a day and a half to remove it. The police were notified. After the bathrooms were locked up for the season, someone kicked in the door to gain access to the Horn Park bathroom. Ald. Buckmaster inquired on the cost incurred for all the vandalism during the month? Director Anderson said it totaled about $3,500. Mr. Hulbert asked if there were any recommendations from the police department? Director Anderson said they were still waiting to have the cameras installed at Bluhm. There is a problem with getting a spot where the camera would not be visible. He mentioned that Don Reidy has offered to work with him to come up with a program, sponsored by local businesses, where there is a reward if vandals are caught. This type of program has been done in other communities. This will be looked into more after the Treasure the Holidays is over. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MHS Athletic Fields Director Anderson reported that they are ahead of schedule on the athletic fields. Board members were in receipt of the schedule. The grading is almost complete. They are running the electrical on some of the posts on the varsity soccer field. The foundation for the building is in. Parking lot stone is already put in and the rough coat should be done shortly. They will get grass down on the practice football field and soccer fields by the end of the year. They will be using dormant seed. Horse/Snowmobile Trail Network for the City of Muskego Mr. Hulbert shared that he was able to get maps from the city engineer. This is a way of getting started. He is looking to set up a sub-committee (Butch LeDoux, Kelly Koble, Ald. Madden) meeting possibly next week. Once they have a plan, it would be brought to the Parks and Recreation Board and then the Plan Commission. Mill Valley Baseball Fields Board members reviewed correspondence from Kevin McCoy of the MAA indicating they were willing to cost- share to have the Mill Valley fields renovated. This project would be done in phases starting with the fields and then the fencing. The quoted amount for the three fields is $19,940, or $9,770 from MAA and $9,770 from the park dedication account. Mr. Manchester made the motion to recommend the expenditure for the Mill Valley fields. Seconded by Mr.Hulbert. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT Mr. Schneider stated the Conservation Commission had not met since the last Board meeting. He did expect that the Schmitt property would be on the committee’s next agenda. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Recreation Winter/Spring Program Guide The department is working on the winter/spring program guide. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, October 13, 2003, page 4 He shared with the Board members that Irene Schuder had resigned her position as of last Friday with today being her last day. He will be taking the newly created position’s job description before the Common Council on Tuesday and then interviewing Tammy Dunn for the position. Department Reorganization Looking at the programs to get through for the current fall session. Then, looking at the next session to see what programs can be taken on with one less staff member. Parks Bluhm Park Field 4 Bluhm 4 is just about completed. The posts behind the backstops need to be replaced. A third base dugout bench needs to be done. The field is done with a nice radius infield cut. They will do a dormant grass seed sometime this month. Miscellaneous Projects Veterans Memorial Park shelter and boardwalk have been cleaned and stained. Parks Tour Saturday, November 15, after a short Board meeting, the members will take a tour of the parks. City officials, school board members, and the general public are invited. A bus will be the mode of transportation. Goose Droppings Update Director Anderson informed the Board members that in order to be a part of the goose removal program, where the geese are caught and given to a food pantry, they first needed to be tested for heavy metals. They catch 14 geese and transport them to the WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) at a cost of $3,500 the first two weeks in June. The cost of the program is $500 for a total investment of $4,000. Once in the program, the following year, they catch the required amount of geese recommended, at an additional cost of $1500. Mayor Slocomb told him that this cost could be taken from the parks dedication account since it will be used to improve Idle Isle Park. This would be a one-time thing. There has been no definite decision yet on the tow-behind goose picker upper. This cost is under $5,000 and would be an operating expense. This would be up for more discussion at a later date with possible purchase in 2005. Prairie Plantings @ Parks Tom Zagar, Director Turk and Director Anderson had discussed prairie plantings in the parks. These plantings were being proposed for some areas that are never used in the park. With the areas planted in prairie plantings, they would not have to be mowed. Horn, behind the actual outfield fence and the trail behind the historical site. Manchester Hill, the berm on the other side of the detention pond. Denoon, near the entrance to the right and all the way down. This would be all a part of the urban forestry budget and they will be doing the prairie-seeding project. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the prairie plantings in the parks. Mr. Schneider seconded. This project will be done this fall between now and the end of the year. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, October 13, 2003, page 5 ALDERMAN'S REPORT Ald. Buckmaster gave a brief philosophy on the operating budget. They were two million over budget to start. The Common Council had committed to a 0% tax increase for fiscal year 2004 in case there was a State tax freeze. They wanted to make sure they were prepared to support basic services. People didn’t want a rate increase. This was unanimous for 2004. They looked at what areas they could cut. Department heads pared it down to about $200,000. There was no additional feedback on what else to cut. Essential services verses convenient services to determine what to cut additionally. They did not fill two police officer positions. Eliminated some of the fire department items that were in the budget as they could carry through with what they had and meet the needs of the city next year. Assistant Plan Director was cut. Public Works employee was cut. However, the employee was able to transfer to Public Utilities with the position being funded from that revenue source. What essential services did the city need to provide? Parks and Recreation Department took the brunt with the recreation supervisor cuts and the aquatics program. Director Anderson was given time to create a recreation position and reorganize the recreation half of the department. Council wants all the recreation programs self-funded. The aquatics program was cut because it was not self-supporting. It is not an essential service as other communities and private entities offer swim programs. The program will need to be self-supporting for it to exist. NEW BUSINESS: Aquatics Program Review Mr. Hulbert was very concerned regarding the aquatics program being cut. He felt it was under the Parks and Recreation Board to make decisions regarding programming. He did not think it was proper for the Common Council to make program cuts. Ald. Buckmaster indicated that time was a factor; time they did not have to consult with the Board. Mr. Hulbert questioned what the Board could do to salvage anything? Does it need to meet approval of the Common Council? Ald. Buckmaster said creating a program that is self-supporting, not funded on the tax base. Director Anderson stated the problem is the pool cost. It is one of the programs that operate at a loss. Fees would have to be increased dramatically to make it a self-supporting program. Mr. Hulbert would like Director Anderson to see if we can salvage something for pool offerings that is self- supporting. Director Anderson said he had met with school district personnel on the current program. Also, the Franklin swim program will be published in the winter/spring program guide as a way of offering the residents a swim program. These are short-term things being considered as it is going to take time for the department to reorganize. Janesville Road Recreation Trail Alderman Buckmaster informed the Board that the Common Council would like their recommendation regarding the recreation trail along Janesville Road from Durham Drive to College. Right now it is proposed to have a trail on both sides of the roadway. This would be done in conjunction with the county. It is a capital budget item of $300,000 for 2004. They were looking at not putting the trail on the north side of Janesville in order to save approximately $180,000 for capital. Would the Board be willing to use $70,000 of park dedication to help them support the trial on the north side and then they would cover the other half with capital? They are trying to keep the levy and not increase the debt payment. Director Anderson said these monies were actually borrowed. Ald. Buckmaster said that was correct. This would be that much less in 2004 capital. Director Anderson, from a safety issue, thought it was important to have trails on both sides, as with the expansion there would be five lanes. However, this sets a precedent for any project that the Board may go before capital budget. They would want to tap into the park dedication account when there is a shortage Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, October 13, 2003, page 6 because it is a revenue account. Mr. LeDoux also felt the trail on both sides of the roadway was important. Mr. Hulbert thought the trail should be on both sides the street, but the cost not come from the park dedication account. Board President Whipple stressed that the park dedication account was to fund the parks and park improvements. Mr. Hulbert stated, as it is a safety concern, it is then a road issue and should be a part of the roads projects. It has never been a part of the park plan. Ald. Schroeder said he could support one side of the road having a trail. There would be areas where citizens can cross the road safely. Mr. Manchester thought one side of the road was enough for the trail. Mr. Hulbert moved that the Parks and Recreation Board does not recommend taking $70,000 from the parks dedication fees as the Board feels it is a transportation issue and not a recreation issue. Mr. Manchester seconded. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Operating and Capital Budget Review Mr. Hulbert mentioned that before the Committee of the Whole, they put the requests before a capital budget committee. This was changed to put in long-range planning. He was concerned if this was going to be changed? Ald. Buckmaster stated absolutely not. He continued, that the Common Council relies heavily on the long-range planning in making their decisions. This helps them in forecasting what they need and what they can stay away from in budgeting. Approval of the five-year plan is only approval of the plan. The funding and borrowing is not approved. He expressed that each year the plan be reviewed. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission No plans submitted for review by the Board. Next Meeting – Park Tour, November 15, 2003 (Saturday), 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pick-up/drop-off at city hall. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW No communications were proffered. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 9:35 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. 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,