Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 12/13/2004
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
December 13, 2004
Approved 1/10/05
Audio Recording Available
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, December 9, 2004.
Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hubert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr.
Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, Director Craig Anderson and Recreation Program Manager Tammy
Dunn
GUEST: Michael Schmidlkofer, Jim Prusinski, Cheryl Chaney-Morgan, Jodi Westover, Bruce Morgan
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
October 11, 2004
Mr. Manchester moved, Mr. Hulbert seconded, to approve the minutes of the October 11 meeting. Upon a
voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Ald. Melcher reported the approval of a revocable occupancy permit for Lake Access #13. In response to
Mr. Schneider’s questioning this, Ald. Melcher will find out more information.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Summer Baseball Tournament
Mr. Michael Schmidlkofer addressed the Board members on the possibility of holding a Muskego Warriors
Youth Baseball tournament in Muskego the weekend of June 23-26, 2005. It would be a Round-Robin
format consisting of 40 teams. There would be eight teams in five age brackets, U10-U14. He proposed
that the U-10 and U11 games be played at Mill Valley and/or Bluhm Park. The U12 games to be played at
Denoon Park and the U13-U14 games to be played at the Muskego High School fields with a few games
played at Horn Field. Details of the proposed tournament were outlined in a letter to Director Anderson and
is attached to these official minutes. Mr. Schmidlkofer acknowledged that there would be a charge for the
use of the fields. Teams would be charged about $240 to participate in the tournament. Mr. Schneider
inquired where the teams would be coming from? He expected teams would come from Milwaukee,
Madison, and some from Illinois. Board President Whipple inquired what the cost would be for the fields?
Director Anderson calculated roughly $1,200, at $50 per field per day. He had also advised them to check
with the Muskego Athletic Association. Mr. Prusinski stated he had talked with both Mr. Seidl of the MAA
and Mr. Haag of The Impact and both indicated to him that they had no problem. Mr. Seidl mentioned that
the MAA has games on Bluhm on Saturday mornings. The tournament would be scheduled to start after
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
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the MAA games have concluded. Mr. Haag had indicated he would talk to some of his players about
helping with the tournament. Director Anderson pointed out that in addition to the fields, the tournament
would need to pay for additional portable toilets, restoration costs of any damaged fields to bring the field(s)
back to pre-tournament condition, additional pick up of garbage and the initial field preparation. Further,
the department does not have a quantity of extra bases. They would have to contact the leagues that have
been assigned bases such as the MAA. The MAA has lock boxes at the fields they use wherein those
bases are stored during the season. Ald. Melcher questioned rain dates for the tournament? Mr.
Schmidlkofer stated that rain dates are not a consideration. If they get rained out, the tournament is rained
out. There are so many tournaments that the teams could probably not reschedule for the rain date. Mr.
Schneider asked if this group was connected with the Muskego High School? Mr. Prusinski stated, not yet,
but they will be contacting the new coach at the high school and see what he would want to see out of
these children for their development. Mr. Schmidlkofer indicated money from the tournament could be
used for the possibly lighting another field. He would like some decision from the Board regarding the
tournament so they can get the notifications out. He already had received notification on New Berlin’s
tournament. Director Anderson mentioned that already he had received requests from newer teams for
fields for 2005 and the MAA is also getting bigger and he would not like to take away from the local teams.
He asked if they could work off approval of a concept as the department would not get the field requests
from leagues back until January for the Board’s review at their February meeting? Mr. Prusinski stated they
could work with the conceptual approval. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the concept of the tournament
to be brought back for field usage at the February meeting when the field requests are better
known. To see if there is positive interest at this Board level, then they can work it out. Mr.
Schneider seconded. Mr. Schmidlkofer mentioned that it is usually the second week of January that the
tournament notices come out. Mr. Prusinski stated that if they don’t know until the middle of February, they
might not have a full tournament. Mr. Hulbert amended his motion to give conceptual approval of the
tournament request. Mr. Schneider seconded the amendment. Upon a voice vote, the amended
motion carried, and the main motion carried unanimously.
Behavior Report Form
Mrs. Chaney-Morgan addressed the Board members with her concerns regarding the behavior report and
her child’s attendance at the three-year-old program. Director Anderson informed the Board members that
the form puts in writing the ongoing procedures and formalizing the protocol that is used for the recreation
programs. In reviewing the form, the Board members recommended the following changes: (1) change
will to may be removed from the program… (2) the timeout should be a minute per age of the child, (3)
remove evening from removal from class under Action taken by staff. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the
form as Board policy based upon the changes that were recommended. Mr. Manchester seconded.
Recreation Program Manager Tammy Dunn commented the timeout should be at the discretion of the
instructor as this form is also for the adult programs, which would mean a timeout could be 17 minutes or
25 minutes based on their age. Mr. Hulbert amended his motion that the timeout would be at the
discretion of the instructor. Mr. Manchester seconded. Mr. Hulbert inquired about refunds. Director
Anderson said that in some cases a full refund is issued, other refunds are prorated and no refund if that
registration determined whether the program would run or not run. Mrs. Westover addressed the Board on
her experience with behavior in the classroom at one of the recreation programs. Mr. Hulbert called for the
question. Upon a voice vote, the amended and main motion carried unanimously.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
Archery Request
Parks and Recreation Secretary requested that the Board reconsider putting an archery range at the Park
Arthur development. The department offers archery lessons and gets calls from residents asking where
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
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they can practice archery. Director Anderson stated there has to be somewhere in the city where the
department can develop archery either at the Park Arthur site or some other site as this needs to stay a
need for the department. The department offers joint lessons with New Berlin. The classroom portion is
held in Muskego and the archery portion held in one of New Berlin’s parks. He shared that at one point,
the Boxhorn Gun Club had wanted to start an archery range; however, he has not heard whether or not
they were successful. Board members will discuss this further as they get into the park plan.
Bennie Lewis Correspondence
Board members were in receipt of correspondence from Bennie Lewis indicating that they still were
interested in the development of a regulation football field. Mr. Hulbert questioned if there was any
discussion about anything particular or what fields costs based upon the newly developed high school
fields? Director Anderson said they were looking at development cost after the grading was completed. In
their correspondence, they indicated they would install an electronic scoreboard, aluminum bleachers that
would seat 500 or more fans and a press box. At an earlier meeting, the Board had asked them to use
removable goal posts should the football field become developed. The consideration they would be asking
is not to be charged for usage of the field. Director Anderson targeted that the field development would not
occur until 2006. Ald. Melcher asked what would happen if they tear up the turf? Director Anderson said
as part of the agreement, they would have to restore it.
Thank You to Eagle Scout
Director Anderson shared with the Board the correspondence that was sent to Kyle Graham thanking him
for the completion of his Eagle Scout project a Denoon Park. The project was the privacy screening for the
portable restrooms. He indicated that this could become a project at other parks for Eagle Scouts.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Director Anderson advised the Board on the status of the following projects:
Idle Isle Launch Project—They started on the launch today. There is a meeting tomorrow to figure out
whether or not they have to take the concrete out of the newer launch. The concrete on the old launch
does have to be removed. This project will either be completed by the end of the year or before the first ice
is off the lake. Cable concrete is already at Waukesha Concrete. Director Anderson would like to see the
project done by the end of the year so the grant can be closed.
Kurth Park—the grading should be done either in the spring or the fall of next year on the southern section.
Park Arthur equestrian trail—Director Anderson had contacted two stables, Four Jays and Sunnyside
Stables, and both are interested in the equestrian trail going in and doing maintenance of the trail. Mr.
Manchester asked what their needs would be? Director Anderson is meeting with them in January to
discuss their needs.
Land Acquisitions—Director Anderson reported that the Paepke property was purchased and it was out of
the conservation account. A journal entry will be done for the legal fees to make the park dedication
account whole.
Security Cameras—This project is complete and all cameras are operational. A training session was held
with LaTour, Constantineau, and Mrotek and Dornbach a week ago. Pete and him will be checking the
cameras monthly and also become familiar with the flag system and how it tracks.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
page 4
MHS Athletic Fields—Prairie Tree still has some work to do to complete the baseball fields. Some items
that have been on the punch list for a long time still need to be completed. There was question raised about
Horn next year. He responded that as soon as they see that need, to let him know so he can take it before
the Parks and Recreation Board for approval. Board President Whipple asked about the soccer fields as
he heard they were considering tearing some of the turf out? Director Anderson was only aware of the little
bit of swale and there was talk that after the seasons are done, they will be stripping that back and putting
some fill in.
Old Town Hall—Treasure of the Holidays was held here and they did get partial occupancy. The
department has completed forms for registering the building with the State Historical Society. If approved,
this means it would be classified under the historical building code, a lesser building code could be followed
for the work being done on the interior. He reported that to date, they have spent $25,000 of the $75,000
budgeted for the work so it is coming in substantially less. All the DPW staff time is included in the $25,000.
The roof is completely done, the aircraft cable is in, the outside emergency stairs have been replaced, and
the front door has been replaced. Board President Whipple asked what major things still needed to be
done? Director Anderson stated it was the interior, some electrical, HVAC, painting ceiling tiles, cleaning,
and other minor items. Ald. Melcher inquired if under the historical designation, could you still make
changes? Director Anderson said they could still make changes but approval needs to come from the
State or possibly the County. They would be looking at in-kind materials, which may cost more.
Skate Park—Director Anderson met with Ald. Schroeder a few days ago. The Teen Advisory Board will be
hand delivering 75 letters to business. Board members were provided with a sample of the letter. They will
be attaching the site plan that was done by Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground. There are also people that
said they would donate money. Ald. Schroeder hopes to have a donated dollar amount by February.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Skateboard Park Sponsor Status
Director Anderson shared that there were still two sponsors. He emailed the one that the Board was
leaning towards and asked if the sponsor could wait until February for an agreement. The sponsor will
work within the Board’s timeframe.
Park Arthur Site Map Changes
Changes that the Board had requested showing the 2.0 acres for the lake tipping and moving the parking
lot as far west and a bit north as possible were done on the site map. The entrance to line up with the Miller
development is not going to happen due to vision concerns. Mr. Hulbert commented that the football field
is shown overlapping a baseball field. Director Anderson said this was before the high school fields came
into play and in the event the football field would not be developed, the area could be for a baseball field.
Idle Isle Building Plans Revised
Board members reviewed the revised building plan submitted by the Water Bug Ski Team, Inc. Director
Anderson pointed out the interior changes that the Board had requested. He said they still would like it to
have a second story to be able to have a place for their announcer and their speakers. They would also
use the area for storage. If the Board is in agreement for the interior, then Director Anderson will have Mr.
Birkle, Director McMullen and Interim Plan Director Muenkel go over the height requirements and
everything else. Also, the city attorney will need to be contacted regarding any legal issues on the building.
Mr. Schneider was concerned about the legality of having a private entity business operating from a public
building/land and requiring exclusive use of the building. In some measure, Director Anderson said a
precedent had been set with the Veterans Memorial Park where the storage area was specifically built for
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
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the festival committee. The Board will have to decide whether or not they want to enter into an agreement
with the ski club.
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT:
Mr. Schneider said the Conservation Committee had met last week. They discussed the mitigation of the
Ewald-Engle property. Mr. Zagar thought a ¼ of an acre was needed to have a wetland created. It’s up to
Director McMullen to make it happen. The Fish and Wildlife Program and Wisconsin Waterfall Association
provided seeds that were planted on 18.5 acres of prairie. Commission discussed the erosion on the
backside of Holz Island from boat traffic. Mr. Zagar wants to cuts some trees and anchor them in the area
to try and stop the erosion by disrupting the wave action. The lake association has offered to provide stone
to help on the other side.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recreation
Classroom Behavior Report Form
This item was brought forward under Personal Appearances.
Class 5.0 Upgrade Completed
Upgrading of the registration software has been completed. The next step will be the payment server
upgrade in January or February. This will solve the problem with the business charge cards.
Parks
Parks Staff Tour
Director Anderson and Peter Theis did their fall park tour. One item that came up was the Denoon Park
tennis courts. Last year, they had taken down the posts and filled in the holes and then put signage up
asking if there was any interest restoring the tennis courts. The department has not received one phone
call and Director Anderson assumed they were using the high school courts. He asked if the Board wanted
to put this on the project list for assistance from the DPW to take the courts out and to put seed down and
have more green space in the park? Board members discussed what to do with all the fencing? Director
Anderson will discuss the issue with DPW Superintendent Delikat.
NEW BUSINESS:
Park Arthur Schaefer Lease
Director Anderson informed the Board that Eddie Schaefer was still interested in leasing the Martin
property for crops. The total area that could be farmed was about 10 acres. The Mayor would like to see a
more consistent price being charged on leases between departments. The Conservation Commission has
leases whereby the price is $55 per acre. Director Anderson has discussed this with Mr. Schaefer and he
has no problem with the dollar amount. He will check with Director McMullen and Interim Plan Director
Muenkel to see the actual acreage to farm once the parking lot is in. Mr. Hulbert did inquire when they got
away from putting out the renting of farmland for bids as he had in the past rented parkland and entered
bids each year? When Director Anderson came on staff, the Thiesenhusen lease was already in place
and Mr. Schaefer was already farming the Martin property and to avoid the ag-use penalty, the Board
agreed to lease it to Mr. Schaefer for $1. Mr. Hulbert moved to rent the parkland to Mr. Schaefer for
the next crop year for $55 per acre with the final acreage to be determined at planting time. Mr.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
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Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Board/Public Interaction Discussion
Board members reviewed their current public interaction policy and made no changes.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission—None.
Next Meeting—January 10, 2004
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW—
Director Anderson shared pictures of the skateboard park at Jellystone Park near Tomah. He mentioned
that they have skateboarders, scooters, inline skaters, BMX bikes using the park. He estimated the cost of
the park between $350,000-$500,000 and it was free to campers.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 8:26 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. Manchester. 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,
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
page 7
Jim Prusi nski - President - Tom Jewell - Vice President - Jeff Mayer - Treasurer - Cathy
Leszczynski - Secretary Coaches: Jim Prusinski - U13 - Tom Jewell - U12 - Jeff Mayer - Ull -
Scott 6ariand - UIO Tournament F)irector; Mike Schmidikofer
November 29, 2004
Mr. Craig Anderson Director
Park & Recreation Department City of Muskego
WI 82 S8200 Racine Avenue Muskego, WI 53150
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Re: Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball I st Annual Invitational
Tournament June 23-26, 2005
We are sending this letter at your request to ask for the
opportunity to meet with the Park & Rec board to discuss the
possibilities of holding a Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball
tournament in Muskego, Wisconsin on the weekend of June 23-26,
2005. Therefore, we would appreciate being added to the agenda
when your Park & Rec board meets on Monday, December 13, 2004.
Regarding this proposed tournament, which we believe will be the
first of its kind to be held in Muskego, it would be a Round
Robin format consisting of 40 teams. There would be eight teams
in five age brackets (U10-U14). Each team would be guaranteed
three games. Four of the eight teams in each age bracket would
play four games, playing either for third place or the
championship.
With the Round Robin format, there would be 14 games in each age
bracket, for a total of 70 games. Thus, there is a need for 7-8
fields whether the tournament is only played on the weekend or
starts on Thursday or Friday night. In order to get all the games
in, and have completed most of the tournament play by 4:00-6:00
p.m. on Sunday, we might need to play a handful of the games on
Thursday and/or Friday night.
Regarding the logistics, the U1O and Ul1 age brackets would need
60'-65'base paths, so their games could be held at Mill Valley
and/or Bluhm. The U12 age bracket would need 70'base paths, so
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
page 8
their games would be played at Lake Denoon Middle School with a
couple at Mill Valley or Bluhm. The U13 and U14 age brackets
would play on a regulation baseball diamond, so their games could
be played at the two new high school diamonds with a few at Horn
Field.
Regarding times and length of games, the U10-U12 would run every
two hours, and the U13-U14 would run every two hours and fifteen
minutes. Without the use of any lights, you can play six U10-U12
games per day,but only five U13-U14 games per day. With Mill
Valley having the only lighted diamond of the above-mentioned
fields, we might take a look at playing one game under the lights
at that diamond on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Whether or not games are played on Friday night, there would be
times when three games are played at the same time, either at
Mill Valley or Bluhm. There could be three games going on at the
same time on Friday night and then again on Saturday from 10:00
a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. At the new
high school diamonds, there would be two games being played at
all times.
As for any parking concerns, if we are fortunate enough to use
the new high school diamonds, there is more than enough parking
there. With the number of games being played at Lake Denoon
Middle School and Horn, parking should also not be a problem
there. Regarding Mill Valley and Bluhm, there are 120 parking
spots at Mill Valley and about 105 at Bluhm, and even with three
games being played at the same time, parking should be
sufficient.
We do understand that others in Muskego do use many of these
fields, specifically MAA and the Muskego Impact. We have already
been in contact with Tom Seidl, Jim Haag and others to work
with them to arrange that their fields would be available to us.
We will continue our discussions with them.
As to whether or not this tournament would be a possibility
depends on what you would charge us for use of the fields.
Regarding bathroom preparation and usage, we would be willing to
share in the cost of having any port-a-potties emptied prior to
and after the tournament. We would like to discuss these costs
with you at the board meeting.
Regarding concessions, we would like to sell, wherever possible,
brats, hot dogs and hamburgers. Therefore, we would bring in the
necessary equipment (grills, etc.) to do so. We would also like
to sell Gatorade, water and soda, along with snacks and candy, at
all fields. With about 45 players in our program, that is about
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, December 13, 2004,
page 9
90 parents to work together as a team throughout the weekend
making the concessions sales a success.
Bringing 40 teams to the Muskego area on what would be the last
weekend of June 2005 will bring 450-475 families into the area,
not to mention grandpas, grandmas, and other relatives and
friends. With many from our community heading north for the
weekend or to Summer Fest, etc., others will be coming to our
tournament to spend money in our community. As much as we hope
that they spend it all at our concession sales, we know that
after eating brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. at a number of
tournaments during the summer, many would rather stop in a local
restaurant for their meal.
Besides bringing people to our community, we are looking to build
a baseball feeder program for our high school. We are looking to
support baseball and build our treasury while doing so. We
have thoughts of giving money back to the community sometime in
the future, whether it is in the way of a scholarship, park
shelters, trees, etc. How about a major raffle for some lights at
one of the parks?
We look to you for your support in our endeavor, and we look
forward to some of us meeting with you on December 13th. We will
be in touch to make arrangements to do so.
Sincerely,
Mike Schmidlkofer
Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball
pc: Mr. Scott Kugi
Activities Director
Muskego High School
WI183S8750 Racine Avenue Muskego, WI 53150