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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 1/12/2004 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO January 12, 2004 Approved 2/9/04 Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order at 7:34 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, January 8, 2004 Present: Ald. Chris Buckmaster, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Mr. Howard Schneider (arrived at 8:30 p.m.), Mr. Toby Whipple, and Director Craig Anderson. Absent: Mr. Jerald Hulbert GUESTS: 11 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 8, 2003 Mr. Richard Manchester moved, Mrs. Kelly Koble seconded, to approve the minutes of the December 8 meeting. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Veterans’ Memorial Park Sign Mr. Hollman presented the request of the Whitnall Park Rotary Club, representing the communities of Muskego, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Greendale, to donate a sign for Veterans’ Memorial Park. With Rotary th International approaching their 100 birthday, they asked their clubs to consider some project. The sign would be Whitnall’s project in this community. Mr. Manchester inquired of the placement of the sign as there is one already at the park. Director Anderson indicated it would be on Pioneer Drive and would indicate the features of the park; the boardwalk, the shelter, etc. Further, Mr. Manchester inquired about the maintenance responsibility? Director Anderson said the sign they are considering is a maintenance-free sign. Mr. Manchester moved to accept the donation and the concept of the sign and to work out the details with Director Anderson. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Teen Advisory Board—Skateboard Park Ald. Schroeder and Danielle Eidler, chairman of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB), presented their three conceptual layouts, 60’x100’, for the skateboard park with estimated costs of $100,427.20, $116,607.20, and $126,511.20. The surface for the layout was not included in the estimates. Considering the $50,000 in seed money set aside by the Board for the skateboard park, they would need to solicit for an additional $50,000 from businesses. Ald. Buckmaster inquired if they had thought about it being a multi-use facility, such as ice rink in the winter and skateboard park in the summer? Ald. Schroeder informed the Board members that it Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, January 12, 2004, page 2 would not be a multi-use facility because the equipment needs to be anchored to the pad. Ald. Schroeder mentioned that the TAB was advised by potential users that if it is going to be built, it should be built to the point where it is going to get used. If it is built to a certain level where you have removable equipment, it’s probably not going to get used. In regard to the pad, he mentioned that perhaps a local asphalt company would donate the pad. Consideration also given to fencing the park, with the fence being locked at a certain time every night. The park would be open only during daylight hours, no lighting in the park. Mrs. Koble questioned who was responsible for liability? Director Anderson said that as it is a public park, it would be the city; however, under Wisconsin law, it would fall under recreational immunity unless gross negligence could be proven. Board members, during their park tour in November, thought the best location would be in the Moorland corridor. Mr. Manchester had noted that at other parks, safety equipment is not being worn. President Whipple stated that the Board would determine the rules for use of the skateboard park. Ald. Schroeder inquired of the Board their views regarding sponsorships. Chairman Whipple said the Board had not allowed sponsorships in the past. Director Anderson said they could consider short-term sponsorships such as for five years and have money coming in every five years. Before the TAB goes further, Ald. Schroeder asked if the Board was still committed to the $50,000 seed money and they need the okay if they secured sponsorships for material or dollars, that it would be accepted. Director Anderson recommended the TAB check with other skateboard parks to see what kind of assistance they received and if they had done any Requests for Proposals (RFP). They may be willing to share this information. President Whipple asked the Board members if the TAB acquired $50,000 from some entity to put towards the skateboard park, and wanted to put signage on the park for so many years, is there anyone opposed to allowing them to do it? Board members had no objection. It was noted that the skateboard park could be used for rollerblading, skateboarding and BMX cycling. It was recommended to the TAB to find out how other facilities manage the 3 multiple uses. The TAB will be coming before the Board again in the future. Leasing Old Martin Property Mr. Eddie Schaefer, who has farmed the recently acquired Martin property next to Park Arthur, presented his request to lease the land until development of the park. He has been farming the 28 acres up to the time the city purchased the property. Director Anderson advised the Board that it would be advantageous to lease the property to Mr. Schaefer. In the past, Park Arthur and Manchester Hill Park lands have been leased until the point of development. This would be on a year-to-year basis with an automatic renewal. Mr. Manchester moved to accept Mr. Schaefer farming the old Martin property on a year-to-year basis and staff to work out the details of the contract. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Use of Lake Access #8 for Police Boat Though Board members were in receipt of a written memo from Chief John Johnson for use of Lake Access #8 for mooring of the police boat, Chief Johnson was in attendance to request approval of the request. They would install the pier and the boatlift for the Police Department. This location would provide an easy access to the lake, especially in an emergency, and also security in that the neighbors and police officers could watch the location minimizing vandalism of the equipment. Suzi Link, in attendance at the meeting, and with her knowledge of the lake, suggested that the access of the end of Lake Drive may be a better mooring place as it would have greater depth, it is a small lot and has shoreline, it’s sheltered so not much issue with the boat being out in the weather; however, there is a hill to contend with. Chief Johnson wasn’t aware of this location but he will check it out. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the request, to examine either site for the one most suitable and allow them to moor their boat there. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, January 12, 2004, page 3 Security in Parks Director Anderson has been working with Officer Mrotek on the vandalism being experienced in our local parks. Officer Mrotek presented to the Board members a projected expense for cameras in the parks. A dome camera was available for them to examine and recommending for installation in the parks. Cost of installation of the dome camera, digital 4-camera recorder, in the first park would be $3,298, with each additional installation costing $2,860. Director Anderson said the funds would come out of park dedication and he would like to have cameras in three parks where there has been a lot of vandalism occurring. Mr. Manchester moved to install the security cameras in three parks. Mrs. Koble seconded. Alderman Buckmaster inquired what the cost has been to remedy the vandalism in 2003? For one of the more recent incidences, Director Anderson said the cost would be $5,500 for staff time and equipment. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Horn Park Vandalism Director Anderson shared that there were broken pipes under the drinking fountain. We Energies had been at the park on an energy issue and notified the department of the problem. In looking at the damage, the parks supervisor believed it to be an act of vandalism along with other things at the park. Big Muskego Portable Toilet Director Anderson reported that due to the number of times, seven, that the portable toilet has been put into the channel, Port-a-John has pulled the unit from the site for the winter months. Board members were provided with a copy of the report from Port-a-John. They have advised Director Anderson that if they are awarded the 2004 contract, they will not supply the toilet in the winter months. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Idle Isle Pier Director Anderson stated that a decision needs to be made before the end of April on the location of the Idle Isle pier. He indicated that there are three different groups—residents, fishermen, skiers—interested in the location of the pier. A public hearing will need to be held informing them of the Board’s proposal for relocation. There are other issues that need to be addressed such as the dredging, some safety concerns with the WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources), stabilization of the shoreline, concrete base. In discussions with city staff, it may be $4,500-$5,000 to move the pier. Also, the supplier has informed him that cutting it with the floats is not going to work so they will have to come up on shore a little bit farther as it will still be the same length. Mr. Schneider asked if they could have the Engineering Department to put in their computer and have people see the various locations for the pier in 3-D using the software. Park Arthur Discussions Director Anderson asked the Board if they wanted a sub-committee to work on a design for Park Arthur or city staff to come up with a design linking Park Arthur with the newly acquired Martin property. He would prefer to come up with a plan and then present it to the Board. Suzi Link would like, on behalf of the lake district, to acquire by long-term lease or purchase, an area in Park Arthur for tipping of weeds. They would need 1-2 acres near a road and more than 1,000 feet from a navigable water way for tipping weeds. They have the funds to purchase land and they would keep the land in conservancy. Director Anderson will make a visit to Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, January 12, 2004, page 4 the site and incorporate this into the plan and bring it before the Parks and Recreation Board. She thanked the Board members for allowing them to tip weeds in Park Arthur and hoped they would allow them to continue tipping weeds in Park Arthur this year. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Ald. Buckmaster reported there is going to be a closed session regarding the Ewald-Engle property. More information to follow. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT Mr. Schneider said the Conservation Commission is going to make some modifications on the conservation dedication fee schedule. To honor Betty Czarapata for the work she did, they would like to place a commemorative plaque in Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Zagar will work out a design and bring it to the Parks and Recreation Board for approval. Due to the Ewald Engle property being on hold, they will have to hold off on the proposed tour. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Recreation Winter/Spring Registration Director Anderson reported that spring registration is going well and there is an increase in Internet registrations. Parks WDNR Grant Reimbursement for Veterans Memorial Park Director Anderson did request for an overage because the project came in over. The WDNR split the overage with the city, which amounted to receiving a check for $39,365. Miscellaneous Projects Director Anderson stated the water heater at Jensen Park needs to be replaced which will come out of the operating budget. The water softener at Horn Park needs repair and this will be done by an outside vendor. The Highway 36 bridge should be done this spring. The two soccer fields and the parking lot at the Moorland corridor needs to go out for public bid rather than the trade for fill negotiations. Ice rink at Manchester Hill Park is about 50% completed. There hasn’t been a consistent cold time without snow. NEW BUSINESS: Snow Removal Priority for Paths/Trails Board members had received in their packets a recommended priority for snow removal along the paths/trails. Director Anderson recommended that the top six listed remain in priority 12 and the remaining 7 be priority 14. These all should probably get done within a week’s time period after a snow storm, but this will give people an idea when to expect the trail to be cleared. He would also like a standard for snow depth when the snow needs to be removed. They would like it to be two or three inches. Mrs. Koble moved that as recommended the priority #12, #1-#6 remain as priority #12 and priority #14, #1-#7 remain priority #14 Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, January 12, 2004, page 5 with snow removal being at a depth of 3 inches or above. Mr. Manchester seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission No plans submitted for review by the Board. Next Meeting – February 9, 2004. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Ald. Buckmaster , on behalf of the Common Council, thanked Director Anderson and his staff for facing the challenges that they gave him in loss of staff and loss of a program, basically loss of funding. To face those challenges and still offer quality recreational programs ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Schneider moved for adjournment at 9:47 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,