Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 3/14/2005
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
March 14, 2005
Approved 4/11/05
Audio Recording Available
Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, City of
Muskego, to order at 6:49 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, March 10, 2005.
Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerry Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr.
Howard Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple, and Director Craig Anderson.
GUESTS: Jeff Musialowski, Dave Taube
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
February 14, 2005
Mr. Manchester moved, Mr.Hulbert seconded, to approve the minutes of the February 14 meeting as
amended. Mrs. Koble corrected the minutes on page 3, under Recreation Trail Snow Removal, replace 5
miles with 1 mile. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes, as corrected, carried unanimously.
Mr. Schneider who was not present at the February meeting asked for a correction to be made to the
January minutes. This will be an agenda item for the April meeting.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Community Festival Committee
Mr. Jeff Hoeser and Mr. Jeff Musialowski were present to address the use of Veterans Memorial Park for
the 2005 community festival. Director Anderson stated that in the past, the festival committee came before
the Board to ask for approval to use the park and to request waiver of fees as well as provide a site plan for
the Board’s review. He mentioned that last year to restore the park after the festival, the Department of
Public Works put forth quite a bit of time. With that in mind, he cautioned them that the Finance Committee
might request the festival committee to pay for the restoration of the grounds after a maximum amount of
dollars had been spent by the city. Mr. Musialowski presented the Board members with a site plan. He
elaborated that they plan to also use the Old Settlement Centre grounds. They have discussed with the
Muskego Historical Society their plans for a circus on the site. The society will also have their people on
staff so the historical buildings could be open. For the circus, they would be asking for the use of the
pavilion bathrooms from 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday during the circus performance. They
will be hiring a professional janitor service and this service will be dedicated to keeping the facility clean.
Director Anderson inquired with the Old Town Hall, would they be just using the bathrooms or also the main
floor with the stage? Mr. Musialowski did not have the details, but he did think that the historical society
was going to have some type of display or they may sell soda or hotdogs. He continued, that the festival is
an official city function and the city’s contribution in the past was the restoration. He asked what the
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, March 14, 2005, page 2
Finance Committee was looking for as in the past the festival committee paid for light poles that had been
tipped over and other damages. In conversation with the Mayor, some aldermen, Mr. Tom Zagar and the
Board, Director Anderson stated that there may be a recommendation from Finance Committee that there
be a dollar threshold that the city would go up to. Anything above that would be the responsibility of the
festival. He said the festival committee would have to take it to the Finance Committee. The Board would
make a recommendation for approval of the usage dates, covering the issues of portable toilets, garbage,
etc. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the dates (August 22-30, 2005) for use of the Veterans Memorial
Park and at the discretion of the Finance Committee for use of the Old Settlement Centre for the
community festival. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Archery Range and Toboggan Run
Mr. Dave Taube, representing the Kiwanis Club of Muskego, came before the Board to advise them of two
of the club’s major projects. One of the projects was providing an archery range for the citizens. He had
discussed this project with Director Anderson and Mr. Tom Zagar. At one time, the location of an archery
range was in the Park Arthur plan, but due to objection from a neighbor with a horse livery service, the
Board decided against it. He has had conversation with Mr. Zager who recommended that the Ewald-Engle
property would be a good site for an archery range. Mr. Schneider, as a member of the Conservation
Commisson, will present the Kiwanis’ proposed project to the Conservation Commission on installing an
archery range at that site. Mr. Taube had investigated the archery site at New Berlin’s Valley View Park
and the target range in Waukesha County’s Minooka Park and shared his observations with the Board.
Mr. Taube stated the second project the Kiwanis Club wanted to do was have a toboggan run at Park
Arthur on the hill. The research he had done on this project was to visit the toboggan run at Lowell Park in
Waukesha and the toboggan run at Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. He shared his observations with the
Board members and also provided pictures of both facilities. Knowing that the final grading plans will soon
be done for Park Arthur, he wanted to let the Board know of the Kiwanis’ desire to fund a toboggan run at
the park and for the Board to give consideration in the grading plan for a potential toboggan run at the park.
He estimated both projects would be in the neighborhood of $25,000-$30,000. At this moment in time, the
Kiwanis Club does not have that amount of dollars. Mr. Hulbert asked what their time frame would be for
raising the money? Mr. Taube projected 3-4 years. Mr. Hulbert moved that the Board continue to
explore the possibilities of a sledding hill enhancement of a sledding/toboggan run with the local
Kiwanis Club. Mr. Schneider seconded. Mrs. Koble asked if the archery range was going to be included
with the motion? Mr. Hulbert indicated no and Board President Whipple said it would probably go with
Conservation Commission. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Taube will be in
contact with Mr. Zagar on the archery range and when the next Conservation Committee will be held.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
Idle Isle Building Turf and Vandalism
Director Anderson reported, and provided pictures, of the vandalism to the Idle Isle building and turf area.
He advised the Board members with the current building to be replaced, the department will not be putting
any money into the building. The lights will stay out and the glass block boarded up. Turf damage will be
repaired. One person was caught and will be going to court. Victim restitution form will be provided to the
court.
City Engineer’s Status of Park Projects
A memo from the city engineer on the status of the park projects was distributed to the Board members.
Highway 36 bridge is to be installed the week of March 7. The plans for the overall development of Park
Arthur will be started later this year. The Idle Isle launches should be completed by or not later than April
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, March 14, 2005, page 3
15. With the installation of the Janesville Road path in summer of 2005 from Northfield Green, the city will
be requesting permission from the county to install either a culvert or spancrete bridge to complete the path
to Martin Drive. The Moorland soccer fields are targeted to be ready for the summer of 2006. The parking
and paths for the skateboard park will be constructed as part of the 2005 road improvement program.
Bluhm Park Usage Request
Board members reviewed the request for tent and DJ at Bluhm Park on Saturday, July 23. Some
discussion on how large a tent would be acceptable as most of the area is pitched. The director will get
back to them that the tent size cannot prevent other park uses from occurring safely. Mr. Manchester
moved to approve the DJ and the tent with size to be determined with staff. Ald. Melcher seconded.
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Alderman Melcher reported the credit card policy was approved allowing department heads $3,000 and
staff members $1,000. Travel policy was approved including meals, etc. Pepsi contract was approved.
Preliminary approval of the skateboard park and acceptance of In Pro’s donation. Committee of the Whole
has been discussing a city administrator position and a job description has been formulated. Change of
the ordinance for the Board of Review is being discussed. Ordinance states that no public official can
serve on the Board and they want to change it to no City of Muskego official.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT:
Mr. Schneider reported nothing new. He referred to the Conservation Commissions desire to establish a
connecting trail between the Ridges Subdivision and other properties in the area. That as the land is
developed in the area, they could obtain easements to establish cross-country ski trails or walking trails.
Mr. Hulbert recommended that the Conservation Commission should make the Mayor aware of their plans
so he can present it to the Plan Commission. Mrs. Koble asked if there was a possibility of getting an
equestrian trail through the Ridges area? Mr. Schneider said that is a possibility but may not be suitable for
horses, but they can look into it.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Director Anderson advised the Board on the status of the following projects:
Old Town Hall—Director Anderson, Director McMullen and Mr. David Simpson met with the architect and
construction company representative and walked through the Old Town Hall. They should be getting some
estimates on the interior work sometime next week along with a timeline and then have an idea on how to
proceed. Right now they have spent roughly $27,000 on the roof and associated costs. Now, they will be
looking at the interior to make sure it stays within the allotted dollar amount that was approved.
Skateboard Park—Looking at putting together the bid package as indicated in Director McMullen’s memo.
Director Anderson advised that the price of steel has increased and this will have an impact on the project
costs. They are targeting the bid packets to go out in May with construction starting in the summer. As a
result of the signage that was put up, telephone calls have been received not wanting the skateboard park
to be put in. The Mayor is meeting with one of the developers to see what can be done about the location
but the prime concern of the location is to have visibility for the activity in the park; policing by the police
department and staff. It cannot go behind a berm and it cannot go in the middle of Moorland Park as the
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, March 14, 2005, page 4
visual factor would be lost. Sound dampening will be a part of the construction.
Geese Program—In response to Mr. Hulbert’s inquiry, Director Anderson said he would start counting
geese the middle of April. The control program will start the middle of April and continue through
September. Mr. Hulbert further questioned the oiling of the eggs? Director Anderson stated that is done by
Tom Zagar and it will continue.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recreation
Summer Program Guide
Staff is working on the summer program guide. It goes out the end of April. With some of the programs,
the department is waiting on the Old Town Hall. By the middle of next week, the department should know if
the facility will be able to be used for summer programs.
Head Custodian Meeting
Staff met with the head custodians regarding school usage. They meet every six months to make sure
everything is going correctly on both sides. The department has a very positive relationship with the head
custodians.
Parks
Park Vandalism Report/Camera Procedures
Board members were provided with the incident report form the department will be using for vandalism
occurrences. This will also serve to track the occurrences.
Also, within their packet, was the step-by-step guide that the staff uses for the security cameras. The
department will be training some of the police officers how to retrieve information from the cameras and
how to reset the cameras.
NEW BUSINESS:
Director Anderson provided the Board members with a synopsis of the 2005 service contract bids along
with recommendations. He advised the Board that the total contracts came to $27,049, which was well
under the budgeted $47,820.
2005/2006 Mowing Contract
For the 2005/2006, mowing contract, Director Anderson recommended Bluemel’s. Mr. Hulbert moved to
award the 2005/2006 mowing contract to Bluemel’s Maintenance Service, Inc. in the amount of
$14,000 for each year. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
2005 Grounds Maintenance Contract
For the 2005 grounds contract, Director Anderson recommended Terra-Firma. Mr. Hulbert moved to
award the 2005 grounds maintenance contract to Terra-Firma Landscape, Inc. in the amount of
$3,915. Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
2005 Weed Eradication Contract
For the 2005 weed eradication contract, Director Anderson recommended F & W Landscape. Mr.
Schneider moved to award the 2005 weed eradication contract to F & W Landscape, Inc. in the
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, March 14, 2005, page 5
amount of $1,750. Ald. Melcher seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission—None.
Next Meeting—April 11, 2005
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Alderman Melcher would like to see on a future agenda the topic of the increasing of the recreation paths
and the maintenance of the paths. Director Anderson mentioned that when the Durham path gets extended
to Highway 00, it may become an issue on how the department wants to proceed. Mr. Hulbert shared he
noticed weeds growing up on the Loomis and Highway 00 trail. Director Anderson stated the department
sprays in the spring. Mr. Hulbert further mentioned that some of the trail had been washed and was in
need of renourishment. Director Anderson said they do add stone and in the future, they will be going back
to adding pellets to the trails, which was not done for the extension of the Highway 36 trail.
Director Anderson reiterated that at next month’s meeting, the Board could expect to see more refined
plans for the Idle Isle building and there would be the opportunity to make changes at the meeting. It would
be going to the bidding process in June. The razing of the building is slated for after Labor Day and
expected occupancy in spring of 2006.
Ald. Melcher stated the Board could expect some discussion at Common Council relative to the festival
committee’s use of the Veterans Memorial Park building and the question of the contract with the festival
committee.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 8:27 p.m.
Seconded by Mrs. Koble. 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,