Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 4/11/2005
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF MUSKEGO
April 11, 2005
Approved, as corrected, 5/9/05
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, April 7, 2005.
Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerry Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr. Toby Whipple and
Director Craig Anderson. Also in attendance Ald. Borgmann and Engineering/Building Inspection
Director Sean McMullen.
Absent: Mr. Richard Manchester (excused), Mr. Howard Schneider (excused)
GUESTS: Those per attached list.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
March 14, 2005 Informational Hearing
Mr. Hulbert moved, Mrs. Koble seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 14 informational hearing.
Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
March 14, 2005 Regular Board Meeting
Ald. Melcher moved, Mr. Hetzel seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 14 Board meeting. Upon a
voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
January 10, 2005 Board Meeting
Mr. Schneider who was not present at the February meeting asked for a correction to be made to the
January minutes. Correction being on page 3, the voting status of the motion on the Idle Isle Building
should read “Mr. Manchester called for the question. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with one
opposed (Mr. Schneider).” Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the revised January 10, 2005 minutes.
Mr. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Idle Isle Building
Mr. Bob Bueckers addressed the Board on their agreement with the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. (Water
Bugs). He questioned if the work on the building would go out for public bid? Director Anderson stated the
project would go out for public bid. Mr. Bueckers asked if the ski agreement and the lease agreement
going to be combined into one? Director Anderson responded there will be one agreement with the
minimum number of practice and show dates and as part of that will be the caveat that depending on how
the pricing breaks down would be whether it would be the lease payment for ten years or however it comes
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 2
out. There would still be the ramp, the concessions along with the show and practice dates. Water Bugs
can ask for more dates, but they may not necessarily get them and some could be taken away should there
be infractions against them. Mr. Hulbert’s understanding was that they would still have an annual review of
their usage as has been done in the past. It would not be an open-ended, ten-year contract. Board
President Whipple stated it would be a one-year agreement as it has always been for the lease agreement
and the show/practice dates are open for discussion every year.
Director Anderson reviewed briefly the presentation made at the informational hearing. Security cameras
will now be included on the building. Director McMullen was present to answer questions that the Board
members may have on the building. Mr. Hulbert asked what could be done to shield the speakers to keep
the sound out towards the lake? Director McMullen stated they would create a false soffit that will have
from an 18-inch to 2-foot overhang and the speakers will be recessed up into the open-air portion. They
would have speakers that would attenuate just out to the audience. They would be set at such an angle
that the sound wave actually hits the ground before it hits the water. They can be adjusted in four
directions. They are looking at putting them on the gable. Mr. Hulbert said he would like to see them
enclosed. Director McMullen replied that is why they are proposing to put them only in the open-air portion.
They would then not be aimed at the channel in either direction. Mr. Hulbert asked what the schedule was
for bidding on the project? Director McMullen stated they are looking at razing the building after Labor Day,
final completion of the building and amenities to the building not later than December 31, 2005, with
restoration completed by the spring of 2006. Looking at the end of June to the beginning of July for the
bidding process. Mr. Hulbert asked if it would be cedar siding, having not seen any colored renderings of
the building? Will it be clear coated for protection? Director McMullen said it would not be cedar, but a
composite, concrete material known as hardy plank. This material is more vandal proofed and holds paint a
lot better. Mr. Hulbert questioned if the inside would have heat available for wintertime, will it be insulated?
Director McMullen responded it would be insulated according to code. Right now they are leaving the
provision in for electric heat with a provision for natural gas-fired heat. This to meet the commercial building
codes. They will not be putting heat runs in the floors for heat; however, it is an option that can be
considered. For this type of structure, unless the building will be used all year long, they would not want to
make the investment. The buildings are three season, insulated enough that if you get to 30 degrees to 32
degrees for a period of time, it won’t freeze but stay at about 50 degrees to 55 degrees. However, for an
extended length of time at 30 degrees to 32 degrees, there could be some freezing in the bathroom areas.
They will be employing the same type of system as in the existing building so everything is freeze proof.
Mr. Hulbert asked if the Water Bugs, in their portion, they would be paying for, they have the option of
keeping it above 32 degrees? Director McMullen said there is a provision, if you could enter that into the
lease agreement, they could use electric heat, but if they wanted gas, there would be need for additional
heaters or provisions in the current set of documents. He could see the electric bill doubling with this
option used. Board President Whipple wanted to reaffirm that the gable was at a lesser slope than
depicted on the drawings. Director McMullen confirmed, as the drawings were not to scale. Another item
that Director McMullen had looked into was the security lighting. They are looking at putting in lexan
covers which are more vandal resistant. These will be recessed into the soffit except over the main entry
door. At the main entry door, there is not enough physical room between the bottom of the soffit and the
top of the door. They will put either a 50-watt or 70 watt high-pressure sodium fixture. Mr. Bueckers asked
if the bidding would allow an outside contractor to do the whole job? Director McMullen said they are
publicly bidding the project. It is one project with multiple divisions. The general contractor may do the
whole project or by having different divisions, these could be bid out such as plumbing, carpentry,
structural work. The city could pick and choose in the best interest of the city. Mr. Hulbert moved that the
Board accept the new plan as opposed to the old plan that was previously acted upon, with the
building now being one story and move this along through the bidding process. Mrs. Koble
seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 3
2005 Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Agreements
Director Anderson reviewed Mr. Schneider’s comments from the October review meeting which included
(1) parking issue, with it being addressed at Park Arthur and that will be addressed this summer with the
road program and the parking lot going in on the Martin property, (2) the wave action with two launches;
the launches have now been completed and the channel side launch will only be open during Water Bugs
and will take away the activity in the current launch while that is going on, (3) the noise factor, (4) the 100-
foot clearance at the island and the fishing pier which is written in the agreements, and (5) no Thursdays
after July 4. He had also asked that there be a no practice date on July 5 which is a Tuesday this year.
With it being difficult for people on shore to see if the Water Bugs are in compliance of 100 feet from the
island, Mr. Hulbert requested if buoys could be placed on the lake indicating the 100-foot area, creating a
physical benchmark on the lake. Director McMullen stated a temporary buoy could be done with the Water
Bugs putting it in and the city supplying the buoy. Mr. Hulbert felt in the future they should look at a
permanent buoy. He would like the buoy language in the 2005 agreement. Board members added this
item under #17, ski patterns. Director Anderson stated they were asking for 30 show/practice dates which
is consistent with the last three years. Mr. Dave Birkle of the Water Bugs had no problem with putting the
buoy in but did not want to be accountable if it was two or three feet off the mark. Board members
discussed some measure for marking the area where the buoy would be located. Mr. Birkle mentioned that
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they are celebrating their 25 year anniversary on the lake and thanked the Board for making it possible.
The dates for practices and shows are both the same as last year. He explained that some of the days get
rained out and they had quite a few rained out dates, about a quarter of them last year. Mrs. Koble asked
if it was lightning would they ski? Mr. Birkle said they do not ski in lightning and in the rain, at the discretion
of their safety director. Ms. Wohler addressed their necessity for having practices on Thursdays especially
in July. They’ll use the Thursdays to gear up for the State competition taking place July 21-24. Mr. Birkle
offered to exchange a date in June to have the Tuesday, July 5, date. Board President Whipple asked if
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any Board member wanted to take the July 5 date off the agreement? As the 5 was a Tuesday, members
did not see the need to remove it. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the 2005 agreement, with the added
language on the buoy, with the process to be determined on procedure by the Public Works
Committee. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
On the lease agreement for the building for the concessions, Director Anderson advised the Board
members that everything remained the same except for changing 15 hours per week to 3 hours per week,
running their concessions on Wednesdays and July 3. Mr. Hetzel moved to approve the 2005 lease
agreement for the building for concessions. Ald. Melcher seconded. Mr. Hulbert, in looking at the
new building, they may want to heat the building and may want to include that in the lease and to include
that if they are above a certain dollar amount, they would pay the difference. This is under utilities on page
2 for three months and any more would be a consideration for the 2006 agreement. Upon a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Director Anderson conveyed that the compliance checklist would still be used.
Except for dates, there were no changes on the pier agreement for 2005. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve
the 2005 pier agreement. Ald. Melcher seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Status of Projects—Skate Park
Board members were agreeable to move the agenda item on the skateboard park under Status of Projects
forward.
Board members were in receipt of two maps showing the proposed new location of the skate park within
Moorland Park and the pros and cons for making the change. Director Anderson reviewed the pros and
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 4
cons with the Board members.
PROS
shorter walking path
police more likely to get out of the car
reduces possibility of parents dropping kids off from Moorland Road (use parking lot)
equalized buffer between residential development and skateboard park
water/electric available off Sandalwood
minimum distance to any subdivision is 550 feet
CONS
reduced visibility from Moorland Road
closer to soccer fields (noise/balls)
closer to 100-year floodplain line
fill pile needs to be removed before construction
Board President Whipple asked if the size of the parking lot was reduced? Director Anderson stated it was
not. The actual size proposed was shown on the maps. Board President Whipple indicated the parking lot
size may have to be increased in the future to accommodate patrons. Director Anderson advised the
Board that there have been developers that have called and want the location change and the skateboard
park not in Moorland Park. At this moment, Mr. Mark Lake, developer for Candlewood Village, spoke up
and asked when the decision was made to place the skateboard park in Moorland Park? Board President
Whipple informed him that this meeting is not a public hearing and the Board decides any action on a park
and the decision was made over two years ago that the skateboard park would be in Moorland Park. Mr.
Mark Lake continued speaking on the skateboard park being located in Moorland Park. Board President
Whipple indicated that the skateboard park would be in Moorland Park and the only issue under discussion
was where within the park the skateboard facility would be located. More interaction occurred between Mr.
Lake and Board President Whipple. Director McMullen gave a short historical account that included the
concept of a skateboard park being located in the area in 1997 as an amenity to a community center and
the acquisition of the land by the city in 1998-99. After more conversation with Mr. Lake and others in
attendance, Board members continued to review the proposed relocation to a more centralized location
within Moorland Park. Mr. Hulbert expressed that the new proposed location would be very difficult to
police. Director Anderson had spoken with Chief Johnson on the new proposed location and he indicated
there would be no problem with making tours along Sandalwood and going into the parking lot. The policing
will stay somewhat the same. Mr. Hulbert voiced the need of being close to Moorland Road so the police
would have immediate visual into the park. A policeman driving by will have a hard time monitoring it. With
no berming, Board President Whipple said it would basically be all level land. Director McMullen said they
could see it from any portion of Sandalwood Drive to the first curve on Moorland Road. He said the base of
the concrete of the skateboard park is eleven inches higher than the top of the curve helping it be more
visible. Discussion centered again on the parking space in the park. Director McMullen said with shifting
of one soccer field more to the west by 120 feet, this would allow for expansion of the parking area. Board
President Whipple stated they need provision for expansion in the initial phase of construction. Mrs. Koble
asked if they should be concerned that the new location is relatively close to the floodplain line and would it
compromise the stability of the pad itself? Board President Whipple indicated it would not and Director
McMullen explained that the flood line was not where the water goes, but the floodway and that’s down
another 30 feet. It’s the theoretical line that if you ever had an obstruction that’s how high it would go
before it went over the obstruction. With the fill pile needing to be removed, Mrs. Koble asked how long
that would take? Director McMullen said that would be out of there by contract and a portion of it will be
used on the soccer fields. Ald. Melcher asked about the field rotation? Board President Whipple explained
how the soccer field usage is rotated to restore the grass. Mr. Hulbert asked about the likelihood of building
a pedestrian trail to the skateboard park from Moorland? Director Anderson indicated it could be put in as
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 5
part of the road program if the need was there based on footpaths and foot traffic. Mr. Hulbert asked if they
were going to get the connection from Sandalwood to the parking lot? Director McMullen stated it would be
in the park, not in the right-of-way, and part of this year’s road program. It will go up to the parking lot.
Mrs. Koble moved to approve the new location for the skateboard facility within Moorland Park
moving it from close to Moorland to a more central location in the park. Ald. Melcher seconded.
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Hulbert opposed.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE--None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT
Issues that Alderman Melcher reported on included the Economic Development Plan, CDA’s removal of
any condemnation of Mr. Dyer’s property, Redevelopment District #2, conservation subdivisions,
maintenance agreement with the county on a detention pond, statement of who can be on the Board of
Review as members, appointment of aldermen to city committees and job description for the city
administrator position. Council had discussion on the whole concept of conservation subdivisions. One
alderman was concerned about the quality of land that the developer is designating as conservation. It’s
not real conservation lands. Mr. Hulbert was concerned about granting the developers extra density for
conservation lands.
Ald. Borgman expressed his concern that notification was not given relative to the work on the launches at
Idle Isle Park. His constituents were asking why they had not been notified. Director Anderson said that
the decision to add the old launch to the WDNR grant was timely. This would be for additional launch
space when the Water Bugs were using the current launch. The old launch will be gated with it being
opened and closed by the park ranger. Ald. Borgman was seeking assurance from the Board members
that if the neighbors came forward with issues, including safety issues, that they would be receptive to their
concerns. He was concerned that people weren’t getting notified and if it is in the minutes that people are
going to get contacted, he expects them to be contacted. On the skateboard park, Director Anderson
stated that another department staff was notified to put the location of the skateboard facility on the maps
that were given to developers. In regard to the launches, the submission of the WDNR grant was timely
and need to be done by the end of the year and Finance Committee had decided to include the old launch
on the grant. He did accept accountability for his department on this issue. More discussion occurred on
how to get the message to the constituents and what medium to use. Director Anderson offered to
contact the alderman of the district relative an issue and see if a mailing should be sent. As this is not
covered in the department budget, the alderman would have to determine the fund to be used to cover the
cost of these mailings. Mr. Hulbert indicated that the alderman’s job is to communicate with their
constituents on issues.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT: None
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Director Anderson advised the Board on the status of the following projects:
Idle Isle Launch—Director Anderson reported the launches have been completed. The docks need to be
put in which is done typically the first week in May.
The docks have gone in at Boxhorn, and then it will be Durham and then Idle Isle. Mr. Hulbert questioned if
there were enough bumpers on the docks at Idle Isle? Director Anderson said there were and they have
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 6
already replaced them once.
Park Arthur—Director Anderson shared that he had met with the two stable owners regarding the
equestrian trail. They both indicated they are interested and they will do the maintenance. They are asking
for wood chips to be placed on the trail and also, a supply of wood chips in the area available for
replacement as needed on the trail. He stated that an agreement would be made between the two stable
owners and the Parks and Recreation Board. Mrs. Kolbe asked about who would be responsible for the
chips and the quality of the chips? Director Anderson said the department has a landscape company that
puts wood chips in the parks. It would not be expensive chips like fibar. Mrs. Kolbe asked if 4Js or
Countryside would be supplying the chips? Director Anderson replied that they do have agreements with
suppliers that dump off chips for their own trails and the department would ask that the ones on the trail be
the same quality. Also, chips are available through the department and Department of Public Works. Ald.
Melcher asked if it was the responsibility of the stable to clean up the manure that would be in other places
besides the trail? Director Anderson said they would be responsible to clean up after the horses. The
stable owners also talked about having two horse trailer stalls in both parking lots, on the east and west
side. They also request motion one way (travel in one direction) and the width of the trail 8’-9’ and they
would maintain the trail both with the chips and clean up the horse droppings if there is not enough rain to
dissipate the droppings. Director Anderson had indicated to them that a sign would acknowledge that they
are maintaining the trail.
Muskego High School Fields—The fields have been skinned and the sod was going down on Monday,
April 11, and should be completed by Tuesday, April 12. They did ask to put the Muskego High School
tryouts out at Horn Field and they will work around the entities that are scheduled to use the field.
However, they should be fine by May 15 to use the Muskego High School fields.
Old Town Hall—There’s a meeting on Tuesday, April 12, to determine the exact cost, with Director
Anderson, Director McMullen, Engineer Dave Simpson. After that meeting, they will be meeting with the
Mayor and hopefully, he’ll sign off on the architectural drawings and then actually go out to publicly bid the
improvements that need to be done in the interior of the building within the cost the Board has set.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Recreation
Summer Program Guide
The summer program guide will be out the week of April 25.
Parks
Baseball Fields
The parks crew is working on trying to get the fields in condition to be released. To date, Horn Field has
been released. With the facilities agreement, Bay Lane and Mill Valley fields will have to wait until after April
15.
Painted Crosswalks
Painted crosswalks on the roads between where the recreation trail ends was placed on the agenda by Mr.
Hulbert. This would involve getting crosswalks painted on the different roads where the trail crosses. He
did receive DPW’s permission to go on the roads and paint the crossing. Director McMullen has provided
him with the guidelines for what needs to be done within those roads. This should be done when time
permits, possibly toward the end of the baseball season. Mr. Hulbert asked if it was also okay with the
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 7
county where the trail crosses their roadway and the county will take care of it, like where it crosses Racine
by Culvers, Janesville Road, Moorland Road? Director Anderson said that was correct. Mr. Hulbert
volunteered his services on this project this summer.
MRT Trail Map
Board members were provided with the map from the Parks and Open Space Plan to review. Director
Anderson said there have been some changes since it was published. He mentioned that before the
Conservation Commission became an entity, in the Candlewood subdivision, there was a wood chip trail
proposed that was through the out lots and was going to join up with Moorland Park. As that is now
conservation land, should it reside with the Conservation Commission? Board members did concur that
this should be left up to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Hulbert expressed the need to have this trail
map updated as developers use it in developing their lands. He had the following changes for
consideration: The Martin Drive connection –it is marked right now from Lannon down, but nothing marked
going from Lannon east to Janesville Road. This should have been done when Martin was realigned. The
other issue was as Janesville Road gets improved, on the next phase of Janesville Road, they need a trail
on both sides of the road. Then where the plan shows the trail on the west side of Racine Avenue, but as
you drive along, it would make sense to have it on both sides of the road to the high school. The plan
shows it going to the city limits on one side of the road, but he would like to see it on both sides of the road
along Racine Avenue from Janesville Road to Woods Road. If this is on the plan, then the county highway
department will see it and it will more than likely happen. In the future, some of Martin Drive could be done.
Further mentioned, the map shows a trail off of Bay Lane. Right now, there is a connection into the
subdivision, passed Country Squire, so it will have an off-road heading towards Martin. Ald. Melcher
stated it was important in considering extensions, what would have snow removal and what would not have
snow removal as this is the concern of the Council. Mr. Hulbert moved to amend the proposed
Muskego Recreation Trail map to show a trail from Martin Drive extending from Janesville to
Lannon on the south side, Janesville Road both sides from Moorland to Racine, on Racine Avenue
going south on both sides from Janesville to Woods, from corner of Woods and Racine going
westerly to the edge of the high school athletic field property and the south side of Woods. Mrs.
Koble seconded. Discussion on a trail along Racine in the Hillendale area. Upon a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
2005-06 Lawn Mowing Agreement
Director Anderson advised the Board that Bluemels had contacted him indicating they would not honor
their bid amount as they filled it out wrong even after speaking with him about it being for two years. Due to
the time frame to get the contract in place before the season, he took it to Finance Committee and the
Common Council to give the contract to F & W Landscape for the two years. They were the next qualified
low bidder.
NEW BUSINESS:
Policy for Storage at Veterans Memorial Park
Director Anderson provided some wording for the current policy in place for storage at Veterans Memorial
Park. Mr. Hulbert would like to add Parks and Recreation Board as an added approval and he, also, noted
there was no time limit on the storage usage. There should be a sunset with a review. He also indicated if
the festival committee wanted to rent it out to another party, it should be taken up with the Board first. What
about a sunset, with a renewal option? Director Anderson’s understanding was that as long as the festival
committee was using the site and an entity, they would be able to use the storage. There are no written
documents, just an understanding. Mr. Hulbert asked about the maintenance of the building when it needs
a new roof, for instance? Ald. Melcher said they need to have a discussion on this and asked for it to be
deferred until next month. Director Anderson directed to meet with the committee chairperson and go over
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board Meeting, April 11, 2005, page 8
the issues to be discussed with the group. The Board would like (1) adding the Parks and Recreation
Board as additional approval entity, (2) sunset clause, (3) renewal, (4) 10 years, (5) maintenance
responsibility for the interior and exterior and (6) separate locks and they pay for rekeying. Mr. Hulbert
asked how the building was insured when other entities are allowed to use a portion of it? Director
Anderson said it is covered by the city’s insurance. Ald. Melcher asked if they wanted the city attorney to
draft a blank document to be used for this type of usage? Director Anderson said he pens the agreement,
it is reviewed by the city attorney and then goes before Council. He’ll draft a document for the Board’s
review.
Muskego Historical Society
Director Anderson announced that the Muskego Historical Society would be attending the May meeting to
give a six-month update. Ald. Melcher informed the Board that he is the Council’s representative to the
society.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission—None.
Next Meeting—May 9, 2005
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Ald. Melcher asked who is responsible when a subdivision comes in to explain to the developer what’s
going around the subdivision, who does this? Mr. Hulbert said that it is the developer’s responsibility.
Public law in Wisconsin is you post in the paper, but you don’t call people unless the action requires a
public hearing.
Vandalism
There was vandalism at Denoon Park. The playground equipment bubble panel was broken. Out at Idle
Isle, they actually burned a hole the size of a fist in the slide and the fire engine panel was ruin. There is a
need for a security camera at Idle Isle and he recommended more than one camera.
Muskego Historical Lease
Director Anderson advised that in the current historical society lease the festival takes precedence over the
use of the lands
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 8:40 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,