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Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 5/10/2004 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF MUSKEGO May 10, 2004 Approved, as amended, 6/14/04 Audio Recording Available Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of Muskego, to order 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 6, 2004 Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert , Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr. Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Craig Anderson. GUESTS: Ald. Buckmaster, Fran Burgeson, Dennis Duran INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBER Alderman Buckmaster introduced the new Common Council representative, Ald. Bob Melcher. Ald. Melcher gave a brief bio on his background and his experience. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Plan Commission Representative Mr. Howard Schneider 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. Manchester nominated Mr. Schneider to serve as Board Vice-President. Mrs. Koble seconded the nomination. No other nominations. Mr. Schneider accepted the nomination. Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Secretary Mr. Hulbert nominated Mrs. Koble to serve as Board Secretary. Mr. Manchester seconded the nomination. No other nominations. Mrs. Koble accepted the nomination. Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 12, 2004 Mr. Manchester moved, Mr. Schneider seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 8 meeting. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve carried unanimously. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Ald. Buckmaster to keep continuity on issues for the Board offered to give this report. The city’s offer on the Ewald-Engle property is now in the hands of the attorneys. There should be some progress on closure very shortly. On the Old Town Hall, there was some discussion at Finance Committee regarding transfer of funds, around $100,000 earmarked, into an account. The Committee of the Whole will be discussing the potential option for the facility. The Parks and Recreation Department will still have primary use of this facility. He expressed his thanks again for the great experience of being a member of the Board. It has helped him to be a better alderman. Ald. Bob Melcher mentioned the vacating of a roadway that was listed on the road plans but the city has no intention of putting in a road. Ald. Buckmaster stated there was nothing at the Council level on recreation trails. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Flag Retirement Ceremony Mr. Dennis Duran, Commander of VFW Post 8171, was present to request permission to reserve the area just north of the Old Town Hall in the Old Muskego Settlement Centre on Sunday, September 26, 2004 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. for a flag retirement ceremony. An alternate in case of rain would be Sunday, October 10. Board members received a letter detailing the event and also a letter from the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company supporting this event and offering the resources needed for the event. He also contacted the Superintendent of Public Works Department . Both departments indicated their personnel would provide fuel for the fire, fire protection and clean up of the burning area after the ceremony. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve both the primary and secondary date for the flag retirement ceremony. Mr. Manchester seconded. The Board members asked Mr. Duran to advise the Muskego Police Department of the event. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Muskego Historical Society Letter Board members were in receipt of a letter from the Muskego Historical Society regarding concerns at the Old Town Hall. Idle Isle Trash Can Emails Director Anderson reported that there have been several emails regarding the lack of garbage cans at Idle Isle Park. He informed the Board that as part of the refuse/recycling contract, dumpsters are being placed at all the parks at no cost to the city. These were placed in the parks near the active areas of use that as people are going to their cars, they can throw their refuse in the dumpsters. Idle Isle has different types of active uses within the park—fishing, launching, playground, swimming. In response to the emails, the department has placed six garbage cans at the park and has requested a second dumpster for Idle Isle launch area. Further, right now, it takes two seasonal staff members to take care of the garbage runs for the parks. Mr. Hulbert inquired if during their down time, the Idle Isle attendants could empty the garbage Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 3 cans into the dumpsters? Director Anderson said the parks staff seasonals would be doing dump runs during the week when there is less congestion at the park. There was no way the Idle Isle weekend staff could drag the cans to the dumpsters. Ald. Melcher had received a call from a constituent who was upset about the trash around the Bluhm fields. Director Anderson stated the dumpster was located between the shelter and diamond #1. Further, Mr. Udvare will be giving the managers garbage bags as a measure to help clean up the parks. Mr. Hetzel said the teachers at Bay Lane were asking if they could use the dumpster? Director Anderson and other Board members concurred that the dumpster was for use by ball field patrons. Further, under the refuse/recycling contract, there is only one emptying of the dumpsters during the week. Any second or more emptying during the week would be paid by the city. Mrs. Koble questioned if there would be any problem with vermin, like rats? There would be with raccoons, but with dumpsters being emptied once a week, Director Anderson did not foresee this as a problem. By the dumpsters being included in the recycling/refuse contract, this cuts staff costs for the department. Jensen Park Vandalism Vandalism occurred at Lee Hubka park with graffiti on the basketball posts, on the traffic signs on Gold Drive. Park staff took care of it right away. Also, people have tried to break in again at the exterior women’s restroom door at Jensen. In conversation with the police, they recommended taking the handle off, replacing with a piece of wood, and so far, it appears to have worked. Two Special Request Letters Board were in receipt of two letters from constituents. One party was requesting screen tents or tarps at their event at Veterans Memorial Park and the other party was requesting to set up a tent at Idle Isle Park. Mr. Schneider moved to approve the request for screen/tent or tarp at Veterans Memorial Park for July 25, 2004. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request for the tent at Idle Isle Park on June 12 with the understanding that use of Idle Isle Park is on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Request for Full Waiver of Program Fees Board received a request from a resident for full waiver of program fees due to hardship caused by unemployment. Director Anderson reviewed with the Board members the financial aid policy and the payment plan in place at the department staff level. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the request on the condition that this is a one-time only for this person and the family. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Director Anderson advised the Board on the status of the following projects: Denoon Park—Tennis courts to be discussed later in the meeting. Idle Isle Launch Project—Project was approved and will be done under a WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) Waterways Commission grant and should receive the agreement shortly. This will commence in the fall along with the bridge work at Idle Isle . Kurth Park—He met with Superintendent Delikat and Frank Heinrich at the park. The grading and seeding and the trail will be done as soon as the area dries out. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 4 Moorland Corridor Parkland—The maps on this will be discussed later in the meeting. Park Arthur—The fill and grading is still being done. Land Acquisitions—The city is still working on the Paepke property. They are doing the CSM work and looking for pipes, etc. He would like to know what the Board envisions for this piece of property, active or passive use. Will it be developed or just a connection with trails between Veterans Memorial Park and Horn Field? If the latter, then it would almost be a conservation issue. Mr. Hulbert stated it was to be an extension of Horn Field. He did not see it as conservation land. The land being continuous between city hall and Horn Field would be for recreation purposes. Director Anderson explained that now there is a Conservation Commission and the determination has usually been that if it is active, it is under this Board, but if it is passive, it’s under the Commission. His concern was the funding source for payment of the property and who controls the land. Security Cameras—The camera at Jensen Park is almost done. They experienced a problem with the camera not working and called Shield Security who surmised the iris on the camera may be broken. Once the Jensen Park camera is working, the ones at Kurth and Bluhm will be installed. Recreation Trails—There was nothing new on the recreation trails. Mr. Hulbert reported that Director McMullen is making progress on the Muskego Dam Road intersection. This would then allow a recreation trail crossing at that point. If the bridge over the canal goes in sooner than later, at what point is Director McMullen going to make a connection? Director Anderson thought that once the bridge is put up, then they would be looking at plans for the connection. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that equestrians have been using the recreation trail west of Horn and by Culver’s (from Culver’s to Woods Road/Muskego County Park) in the area that has not been designated for equestrian usage. He requested the area be looked at and possibly need to re-sign the area. MHS Athletic Fields—These fields are suppose to be done by the end of this month. The fencing and scoreboards done in June so they will be all set for fall for soccer. This is the varsity field as the junior varsity and freshman fields are not slated for this year. Park Dedication Budget—A list was provided last month for park dedication costs up to 2005. Mr. Schneider recognized the need for a parking lot for Park Arthur along Martin Drive. He would like it moved up to 2005. Director Anderson shared with the Board members the amount of tennis courts needed for the city according to the master park plan. The Board will have to discuss how many tennis courts they want the city to have and how much money are they willing to spend? The Denoon and Freedom Square courts will be discussed later in the meeting. A copy of the revised park dedication list will be provided at the next meeting. Old Town Hall—Nothing to report. Skate Park—He is still waiting for the agreement from the sponsor. This should be available for the Board to review in June. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Moorland Corridor Parkland Name A decision on the name for this park will be made at the June meeting. Board members will be provided a Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 5 list of the suggested names to which they can add their own suggestions. Soccer Fields Conceptual Drawing for Developers The Board reviewed the conceptual drawing of the soccer fields to be developed in the park located along the Moorland Corridor. Developers will be provided copies of this drawing that future residents could be made aware of the soccer fields. The Board members would like the engineering staff to add the location of the proposed skate park to the drawing. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT Mr. Schneider shared that the Conservation Commissioners will be taking a tour of conservation properties which would include the Ewald-Engle property and the Ridges property. The tour is scheduled for Thursday, May 20, 6:00 p.m. Interested parties are to meet at city hall. Board members should call Sandi Asti in the Planning Department and advise her if they will be attending. Also, Art Kitchin of the Fish and Wildlife Service has drawn up a restoration plan for the 27 acres of Ridges property. He had indicated to Mr. Zagar that the city would be eligible for some Federal funding for some of the work. The plan is essentially to take the property back to the original wetland. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Recreation Program Registration Program registration is currently going on. The department has seen an increase in Internet registrations. Seasonal Salaries/Contract Employee Director Anderson advised the Board that the last time the salaries for seasonal and contract employees were reviewed was in September of 1998. Staff has simplified the titles so the positions fit into salary ranges for PC-1 to PC-5 for seasonal employees. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the pay scales to keep some equity for the employees of the city, part time position classifications. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. For the contract employees, they will have to figure out their program fees based on costs incurred by the department. The recreation employee fees need to be paid off with the program fees. This would go into effect 2005. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the program fee cost minimums for contract employees. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Parks Playground Resurfacing Grant Director Anderson announced that a CDBG grant will cover the playground resurfacing to comply with ADA requirement. However, this will not happen until 2005. Mill Valley Ball Fields The Mill Valley ball fields are done and looking good. Lake Access #13 Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 6 Letters were sent to the two homeowners east and west of the access to correct violations. Violations were storage of a pontoon boat on both properties, removal of a canoe and paddleboat from the shoreline, removal of debris from the access, and put grass seed and silt fence at the bottom of the fresh fill area to prevent erosion for one homeowner. The other was asked to remove their pontoon boat and also had a newly built dock on city property. The owner was asked to come to the Parks and Recreation Board to ask the Board to take dedication of the dock or to dismantle it. The access signs were stolen. A recommendation from the Building and Engineering Department is to find some way to designate where the lot lines are so the homeowners know. Board members discussed placing “L-shaped” split-rail fence on the corners. Geese Control Update Director Anderson met with Chris from Bye Bye Birdies at Idle Isle. They are going to try the fogging to see if he can get rid of the 24 that are out there. He may do more than is in the contract to see if it is successful and also this may be an annual procedure. Water Bugs Compliance Checklist Board were provided with a compliance checklist that was approved and is being forwarded on to the police. Monthly updates will be given to the Board along with the October review. Some discussion on whether or not boaters should be on the lake when the lake is shallow. Mr. Hulbert suggested that the Common Council come up with regulations when the lake level is low or high, or work this into the contract next year. NEW BUSINESS: Idle Isle Beach Water Quality Testing A memo was received from the Waukesha County Health Department for testing the water at Idle Isle Park for ecoli. The department will be starting to do this once a month. If the test is positive, then the department will be asking the services of Mr. Zagar who will do more testing per week. If the beach needs to be closed, the signs will be posted. This is proposed for June, July, August and September. The cost is $25 per test and will be covered under the operating budget. Denoon Park/Freedom Square Tennis Courts For the Denoon Park tennis courts, two options were provided. One for $32,972 and one for $42,917. The biggest difference in the cost was the clear stone and the fencing. The condition of the Denoon Park tennis courts is so dilapidated that the department has posted a sign closing them for the season. Director Anderson advised that Board that according to the parks master plan, the city has more than enough tennis courts especially with the new ones at the high school. Board members recommended that a sign be posted of the intention of the Board to abandon the tennis courts at the park and to please call the department if they had any input on this issue; also, to do a survey of the Lake Meadows subdivision on the removal of the courts. Mr. Hulbert moved that they pull the posts out at Denoon Park and to patch the holes where the existing poles came out and to sign it, giving the Parks and Recreation Director latitude on signage. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. For Freedom Square tennis courts, the estimate for renovation was $36,280 and an option of $1,890 to paint the fence. Mr. Hulbert voiced his opinion that this is a walk-in park and he would not like to see the Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 7 tennis courts go away. Mr. Hulbert moved to renovate the Freedom Square tennis court in the configuration it presently exists and paint the fence and to be done at the earliest convenience without increasing the costs. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried, 5-2 with Mr. Manchester and Ald. Melcher voting against. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission Crystal Lake Subdivision Preliminary Plat Director Anderson reviewed the subdivision plans with the Board members. The recommendation from Council is that they will be acquiring Outlot #1 by Muskego Dam Road. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that Crystal Lake is navigable and there is a ditch running up to it and that is why the city is acquiring one outlot. He stated there is nothing else that affects this Board. Mr. Hulbert moved that the Board accept park dedication fees in lieu of any land dedication for this subdivision. Mr. Manchester seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Hickory Creek Subdivision Mr. Hulbert reviewed the plans with the Board members. This subdivision is located south of the high school. It is adjacent to the Ewald-Engle Lee property and there is conservation lands behind it. In the road plan, there is recreation trail listed and he indicated it should be put in at the time the subdivision goes in. There should also be a pedestrian access to the conservation lands. The Board should also look at an access to the Ewald-Engle property and the high school. He did not think the developer would pay for the paths. Mr. Schneider moved to request the developer to put a asphalt pedestrian path along Heron Drive and Eagle View Drive to secure future access to the Ewald-Engle property leading to the conservation area and secure an easement going north off of Creekside Court to the high school property and a trail along the west side of Racine Avenue on the east side of the property. Mr. Manchester seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Next Meeting—June 14, 2004. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Mr. Schneider reminded members that if they plan to go on the tour, to call Sandi this week. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Howard Schneider moved for adjournment at 9:03 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, Tammy Dunn, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, May 10, 2004, page 8