Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 12/12/2005
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
December 12, 2005
Approved 1/9/06
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 8, 2005.
Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr. Howard
Schneider, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Craig Anderson
Absent: Mr. Jerald Hulbert (excused)
GUEST: Bill Carity
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
November 14, 2005 Board Meeting
Ald.Melcher moved to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2005 meeting, seconded by Mr.
Schneider. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES: None
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
Idle Isle Playground
Board members received in their packets a copy of the letter sent to the Mayor regarding youth wanting to
build a smaller playground for little children in Idle Isle Park and a copy of Director Anderson’s letter to the
individual. To date, he has not received a response to the letter. He commented it is nice to see that
someone wants to volunteer to improve the parks.
Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball Tournament
Director Anderson stated this is their second annual tournament. They are looking for the dates of June
23-25, 2006. The group has spoken with Scott Kugi and Mike Schramek, the varsity coach. They will be
contacting the M.A.A. (Muskego Athletic Association) and Jim Haag to get approval for use of the fields.
Last year the Board approved contingent upon them working out the arrangements with the other leagues
and coaches to make sure the fields were freed up. The department, however, did ask for a new contact
person other than the contact person of last year. Jim Prusinski, who is the head of this league, will be the
contact person. Board members inquired of any problems experienced last year. Director Anderson
shared that the only problem was Friday or Saturday morning due to the amount of rain, the group grabbed
all the infield dry mix, including out of the parks headquarters building. The following week the parks crew
had no infield dry mix and had to wait for a special delivery. Board President asked if the department
makes the call on the tournament if it goes on or not due to bad weather. Actually, with the high school,
Director Anderson stated with their approval process, paperwork needs to be filled out 30 days in advance,
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and asking that the people who prepare the fields for the high school be the ones that prepare the high
school fields for anyone else and there is a cost associated with it to maintain that the high school fields are
being done properly. That individual would call the high school fields. Our department will prepare the
fields for the first game and then leave it up to the league chairman. The fields were fine. It was the use of
the product that went way overboard. Mr. Manchester made the motion to approve the request
contingent upon them working out the dates with the other leagues and arrangements with the
Parks and Recreation Department staff. Ald. Melcher seconded. No other discussion. Upon a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Park Arthur Farming Lease--Schaefer
Director Anderson reported that the lease for farming by Mr. Schaefer at Park Arthur was the same, only
the dates changed to reflect the year. Map was provided depicting the same area for the rental. The
actual parking lot will be done in the spring of 2006 and he will get the total tillable acreage of 7.5 at the
same price of $55 per tillable acre. This acreage does not include the lake district’s weed tipping area that
was also shown on the map. Mr. Schneider moved to approve the lease for 2006. Mr. Hetzel
seconded. No other discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Snow Removal Priorities
Included in the Board packet was the current snow removal priority listing along with five discussion points
when addressing this issue. Director Anderson said that Mr. Hulbert would like any action on the item
deferred until next month when he would be in attendance. Director Anderson stated that snow removal
from the trails will usually be completed anywhere from 2-5 days after snow has stopped falling and
dependant upon the amount of snow. The recent snowfall took about 2 days to clear. If it is in the area of 6
inches, it could take a full week before the trails are cleared. This would be the trails included in Priorities
12-14 on the current list. He recognized that the department needs to maintain the main arterials of city
which is Moorland—2.1 miles, Janesville—4.3 miles and Racine—.4 miles. The one question is does the
department need to clear both sides of Janesville as there are mainly commercial properties on one side
and residential properties on the other side. He stated that as additional trails are approved by the Board,
they also decide at that time whether or not the trail is placed on the snow removal list. Also, as new trails
are added, you need to address staff time and equipment. Mr. Manchester asked how much can you
expect the taxpayers to pay for the little use the trails get. He thought they were walking trails for the
summertime and now we are plowing all these paths like sidewalks all year round. Director Anderson was
asking that the list be scaled back. Mr. Manchester would like to see it scaled way back. They want to use
the trails for recreation in the wintertime, let them use skis. Mr. Schneider commented that the department
may get to the point with all the trails and consecutive snowfalls, that you get behind in cleaning the trails.
Director Anderson shared that at the end of last season there was a lot of snow and they found the
skidsteer very useful. He said for maintaining the main arterials, this equipment is perfect. With the ice rink
at Manchester Hill Park, is that trail critical for people to get to the rink. The parks crew have seen a lot of
people on the Lannon Drive trail. He pointed out that discussion point #2 was listed the trails that the crew
recommended priority based on usage observed. In Quietwood Creek, this was the verbal agreement
made by the aldermen when that concrete trail was put in. Director Anderson was asking for the January
meeting is to look at the questions and address them. Board President Whipple did not see any urgency in
acting on the issue at this meeting. Mr. Manchester asked what the point would be in putting it off until next
month as these are the plans for this year. Board President Whipple said if they wanted to make any
changes. Director Anderson wanted them to look at it and do they even want to add some trails or
eliminate some trails. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the priority list as presented. Motion received no
second. Director Anderson mentioned that the Board would be looking at connecting the small gaps in the
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trails as new developments occur. Mrs. Koble mentioned that a lot of property owners clear the areas.
Director Anderson stated that when the hockey rink at Park Arthur is done, then staff time would be used to
clear it and less time available for trails. Board President Whipple summed up that the department is
getting to the point where staff time is maxed out for snow clearing. Director Anderson concurred and also
added, he was just informed that the department has been asked to clean the parking lot to the west of the
Country Trader in the Tess Corners area as it is too small for public works equipment. Ald. Melcher
inquired who clears the fire department. Director Anderson said it was fire department personnel. Ald.
Melcher asked if they couldn’t clear the parking lot. Director Anderson said the agreement made by the
city engineer was the parks staff would do it. There are things that have come on line in the last year like
Old Town Hall parking lot and paths. Board President Whipple inquired if this is keeping them from other
things. Director Anderson said that when snow comes, the work priorities get changed to do the plowing.
Mr. Schneider moved to defer the item until next month and discuss it further. Mrs. Koble
seconded. No other discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 4-1 (with Mr. Manchester
opposed). Mr. Manchester offered the possibility of designating the trails as summer trails. Director
Anderson and Board President Whipple said it’s possible. Ald. Melcher added that in Michigan’s Porcupine
Mountain State Park, there is a lengthy roadway, about 25 miles, that is signed that it will not be plowed in
winter. It’s possible to make these summer trails.
Moorland Road Entrance & Old Town Hall Park Lights
Director Anderson shared that he had not yet received a response from We Energies. They will be
patterning the lights in the Old Town Hall parking lot the same design as those in Veterans Memorial Park
and the Moorland entrance lights that go with the design guide, similar to the lights at Aldis and Dairy
Queen in the area. At Moorland, they may be doing two lights or one pole with two lamps on it. This will be
an agenda item for next month.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Ski Pattern Maps
Board members reviewed the revised map. Mr. Schneider commented that the city ordinance is 150 feet
from a pier that needs to be maintained. He felt the turn area needed to be changed on the map. All the
other buoys were now represented as being the 100 feet from the shoreline. Director Anderson asked if
there was anything else that needed to be changed on the map. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the
map with the change in the turn-around area so it’s 150 feet from the pier. Ald. Melcher seconded.
Mr. Schneider would like to know from the Water Bugs (Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc.) where they were
turning the past year. Director Anderson did not think they could show exactly where they did turn around
on the map. He ask that Mr. Schneider meet with GIS staff for the location of the turn-around on the map.
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 4-1 (with Mr. Schneider opposed.)
Muskego Recreation Trail Verbiage
Director Anderson advised that the Board member interested in this was not present. At the last meeting,
there was some discussion on schools, city hall and churches being included in a citywide system of
recreation trails. The parks plan and the conservation plan will be revised next year. He would need any
change in verbiage by February 1. Ald. Melcher moved to defer the item until the January meeting.
Mr. Schneider seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Idle Isle Security Cameras
Director Anderson reported he had met with the representative from CENTEC Security Systems. He
reviewed their proposal which offered two options; option one in the amount of $7,987 and option two in the
amount of $4,269. The previous bid from Shield Security was in the amount of $5,241. CENTEC’s second
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option was comparable with Shield’s bid. They had talked about installing a DSL line with an IP address
whereby the police department could monitor the area live from their office. Ald. Melcher asked what the
warranty was on the Shield system as CENTEC’s was 90 days. Director Anderson did not know but added
that the system has been in over a year and there have been no problems. He said that the police
department is working with CENTEC as well as three other entities for their interrogation room setups.
With either bid, the department would have to pay for the small section of conduit up the post, possibly
providing a lift, and maybe purchasing a monitor. Board President Whipple asked if he had any
recommendation? Director Anderson responded in working with CENTEC and in conversations with the
police department, he had no problem with the $4,269 bid. Mr. Howard Schneider moved to approve the
low bid of $4,269 from CENTEC. Mr. Manchester seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Ald. Melcher reported on the activities of the Common Council since the last Board meeting. The operating
and capital budgets were approved. Utility rates were approved. The outsourcing for ambulance billing
was approved. They decided to keep the existing phone system and purchase a new voice mail system.
They honored the high school girls’ volleyball team and soccer team. In regard to the Idle Isle contract with
the Water Bugs, they did not add on from the Parks and Recreation Board recommendation so it stood at
$94,390. Other sundry items that were approved consisted of leases and insurance contracts and
uncollectibles. He mentioned that the Committee of the Whole has been suspended until further notice, but
will be looking at what the committee will be doing as it is on the Council agenda for Tuesday.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT:
Mr. Schneider reported an agreement had been signed with an engineering group to do the shoreline at
Holz Island. Twelve acres had been seeded to prairie grass on the Ewald-Engle property. The
commission members also discussed the disposition of the house on this property and seeking donations
to defray the cost if they decide to refurbish it for about $130,000. The Belle Chasse subdivision was
discussed with Bill Carity. Waste Management had made an offer to lease their landfill site for a $1. Since
it is a Superfund site, the members were concerned about toxins in the soil. Ald. Patterson recommended
contact other communities to see what they had done. On the memorial tree program, Mr. Zagar will be
consulting with other communities. There’s a plot of land that the WDNR was purchasing and wondered if
the city was interested.
OTHER BUSINESS
Belle Chasse Subdivision
Mr. Bill Carity made his presentation on the Belle Chasse subdivision and gave an overall explanation. It is
next to Bluhm Farm Park, located in the area of McShane and Durham Drives. Director Anderson stated
the Board’s main concern was the pedestrian path for this site, going along old Durham Drive or the
proposed Durham Drive. The parcel is 110 acres and Mr. Carity is proposing 147 lots and about 37
percent would be in private park area and enjoyed and owned by a homeowner’s association. The future
pedestrian path would be his responsibility. He pointed out the area he felt would be advantageous if the
city wanted to add some frontage to Bluhm Farm Park and was willing to give the city the opportunity. Ald.
Melcher made the motion to put the bike trail down the west side of Durham Drive to connect up
with the present Muskego Recreation Trail. Mr. Schneider seconded. Mr. Manchester asked if it would
be right by the road or separated nine feet from the road. Director Anderson stated they would go based off
the park and open space plan. The requirement from the edge of the road would be determined by public
works. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 4-1 (with Mr. Manchester opposed.) For the parcel near
Bluhm Farm Park, Director Anderson recommended since it is passive, to take it back to the Conservation
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page 5
Commission.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Director Anderson updated the Board members on the following projects:
Park Arthur— still waiting on the WDNR.
Idle Isle Building—They are about one week behind due to the weather. They expect to be caught up
within 3-4 weeks and able to make the completion date of May 1.
Old Town Hall—Punch list walk through is scheduled for this Thursday. In visiting the site today, he found
rail work still needing to be done by the ADA path and some painting in the stairway. He expects to have
the punch list approved by the architect on Thursday. Board members will visit the site at a future meeting.
Skateboard Park—Director Anderson had advised Ald. Patterson that it was up to the Teen Advisory
Board to see if there was a need for a dirt trail for the bikes. They need to explore it on their end and if they
chose not to do it, the Parks and Recreation Board would be comfortable with that decision. They are
meeting Thursday and an update will be given at this Board’s meeting in January.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Winter/Spring Registration
Registration is ongoing. It has been slow but expected to pick up after the holidays.
Muskego/Norway School District Facilities Agreement
th
On the 18 of November, Director Anderson had emailed changes to the agreement to the district. No
response yet. As soon as the agreement changes have been reviewed by staff, it will be brought forward
to the Parks and Recreation Board for their action. It will be a two-year agreement.
Muskego Athletic Ass’n Frequently Asked Questions
Director Anderson shared with the Board members general questions that occur during the season. These
will be handed out to MAA board members, coaches and parents so they understand how the department
operates.
Next Meeting—January 9, 2006
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
None.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Schneider moved for adjournment at 8:06 p.m.
Seconded by Ald. Melcher. 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,