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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 2/13/2006 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, February 13, 2006 Approved 3/13/06 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, February 3, 2006. Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr. Toby Whipple, Director Craig Anderson and Mrs. Tammy Dunn, Recreation Program Manager Absent: Mr. Richard Manchester (excused), Mr. Howard Schneider (excused) GUEST: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 9, 2006 Ald. Melcher moved to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2006 meeting, seconded by Mr. Hulbert. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Lions Park Playground Equipment Mrs. Dunn presented her proposal for the replacement of playground equipment at Lions Park. She had met with the two girls from the Little Muskego Lake area that wanted to give some input on park equipment and a mother of a child with special needs on the equipment selection. Proposals were solicited for the playground equipment. Two proposals were received one for $22,328 and one for $21,848. The lower one was from GameTime. Board members were provided with the drawings, warranty information, proposal and playground layout from GameTime. The $21,848 included the installation and the wood fiber. The Department of Public Works would remove the old equipment and get the site ready for the installation. Director Anderson added it would take three days to install and it is targeted to be done in the spring. Mrs. Dunn said she needed to let them know by the end of February. Mrs. Koble asked if there was a color preference. Mrs. Dunn said the department would go with the colors that have been used in the other parks--the tan, green and beige. Ald. Melcher moved to approve the slide/playground equipment by GameTime for Lions Park in the amount of $21,848. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Slow No-wake Buoy Placement Board members were in receipt of a letter from Sgt. Constantineau regarding the repositioning of the buoys on Little Muskego Lake. Due to an ordinance being in effect, Sgt. Constantineau will be bringing the issue before the Committee of the Whole. Director Anderson shared that Mr. Schneider had done historical research on the issue and found that the Parks and Recreation Board said they would be to the south of the islands and Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 2 actually when the safety committee met in 1996, it was put to the west. They are not properly position and in order for Sgt. Constantineau to put the buoys back again the way they would want them, the ordinance would have to be changed. Director Anderson had informed Sgt. Constantineau that the Parks and Recreation Board’s jurisdiction ends at the shoreline and as far as the buoy placement, that would be left up to the Common Council to decide. Mr. Hulbert stated that as a member of the Board, he did not want to get involved with the buoy placement. In the past, it has been made abundantly clear to petitioners, that if it concerns Idle Isle, shoreline or whatever, they would take a look at it, but anything in the water, they should not go in that direction. It should be left to the alderman in the area. The Board should not make any recommendation. Signed Guidelines/Snow Removal A document between Mr. Elger and the department was shared with noted changes. Mr. Elger had changed verbiage from Woods Road to Racine Avenue and added the plowing to be done at his convenience and availability. It would be for only this year. Director Anderson said the police had received a copy of the document. He said that Mr. Elger had been on the trail once. The department has not received any complaints. Mr. Hulbert asked if Mr. Elger were willing to do this, would he be willing after rainstorms to drag it with his ATV. He asked Director Anderson to check on it. Director Anderson said the department does fix ruts but not on a regular basis. Normally, the trail is done three times a year and is usually on a complaint basis. MHS Softball Field Director Anderson stated that the school board had been given a copy of the plans for the softball field. The department proposed to change the location of the softball field so wetland mitigation would not have to be done. However, according to the school district’s surveyor, the proposed new location is not the most ideal spot due to sun orientation for pitcher, batter and umpire. Also, the current softball coach said the current varsity field is in the original location; they have not had any problems in the last twenty-five years. The school board wants it in the ideal location. Since then, Director Anderson has met with Gary Rosploch, George Haynes, Scott Kugi and Tom Zagar. The amount of money that earmarked is $145,000. The amount of money that the original (Rettler) construction management company wants is an exorbitant amount, well over 50% of what they have just, to run the management for this one softball field. The school district is looking to see if there are other entities that would be able to do it at a much more reasonable cost. They will also be working with the school board to see what they exactly want mitigated. The city will then go through the wetland mitigation process and then go through the process of putting in the softball field. Hopefully, it will be this year. Ald. Melcher inquired if the problems with the other fields had been worked out. Director Anderson stated they had. Mr. Hulbert questioned if it was intended to be a softball practice field/recreational field. Director Anderson had asked the school district what standards the field was to be built, varsity softball field. It was originally supposed to be a quadplex—four fields--varsity, junior varsity moving over and the current softball fields being used for physical education classes, etc. However, the money available wasn’t enough and because they had softball and not baseball, the baseball fields went in. Originally proposed, the softball field would be used by the city 70% and the school district 30%. Now with the money they have, they are seeing if they can put in drain tile, irrigation and they may use it for varsity softball. He doubted with $145,000, they would be able to do it. He reminded the school district that in the agreement, wetland mitigation would only be done if they put in the softball field. Mrs. Koble asked if there was a cost to the mitigation. Director Anderson said there was cost for the permits and DPW’s service. Mr. Hulbert stated they had been in the process for three years and is it going to be another three years. Director Anderson could not say but he assured the Board members it would be actively pursued this time. Mr. Hulbert commented that they are running out of time as there may not be mechanical access to the site. Director Anderson has been researching accesses available to the site through easements and abutting properties. Vandalism at Lions Park Director Anderson shared that a grumpy snowman had been painted on the building and there were broken Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 3 boards on the benches. Mr. Hulbert asked if vandal resistant equipment was at the park. Director Anderson stated the benches are old at this park. Some of the more current ones as in Veterans Memorial Park are not vandalized. Goose Control Grant Director Anderson shared that the grant money for the goose control program was denied. This was for the egg addling program by Mr. Zagar and the Border collie program. The total funds, as budgeted, are coming out of the operating budget. NEW BUSINESS: 2006 Portable Toilet Bids The department received two bids for the portable toilet service for 2006. Waste Management’s bid was for $6,265.00 and Port-A-John’s was $5,072.50. Director Anderson recommended the acceptance of the Port-A- John bid. Mr. Hulbert moved, Mrs. Koble seconded, to approve the services of Port-A-John for 2006 in the amount of $5,072.50. Mr. Hulbert asked, as it relates to Idle Isle, would there be less Port-A-John usage with the bathrooms. Director Anderson said it would affect it as they had four before and now only one handicapped. He added when it gets dark, the interior bathrooms will be closed and the one portable toilet would be available. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 2006 Baseball Field Requests Director Anderson pointed out that this year there are more requests from traveling teams which is putting more of a burden on the fields. For instance, he noted that Horn Field will be used every day of the week, Denoon will be used Monday through Friday, and Jensen will be used Monday through Friday. Last year, Jensen was only used by the women’s league for rainouts. The M.A.A. senior girls have requested use of the high school field rather than Jensen and if approved by the district, this will be coming back for Parks and Recreation Board approval. With the influx of traveling teams, Director Anderson and the parks supervisor are looking at ways to do different things. One is to provide each league with a pitching rubber and the league would have the responsibility of putting in their pitching rubbers. He said the teams would prefer it this way. In regard to the high school fields, the school district wants Mick’s Landscaping to do the field work and he charges $110 per game. The department charges $20 per game so the leagues request city fields. On some days, the department has to do 15 fields and to get them done, the department may have to go to two teams of two and proportion that cost out to the users. On short notice, more and more full-time staff are having to do the fields. He mentioned this is the first year the department will be collecting $1,000, proportionately on number of games played, to offset future equipment purchases. In regard to the new traveling teams, Mr. Hulbert would like the department to keep the initial date of request on record as the Board gives preference to approval of field usage priority based on length of years using the fields. Director Anderson did point out that sometimes it is difficult to determine what team is what team as the league changes the name especially the traveling teams. Mr. Hulbert stated then more definition has to be done; however, M.A.A. has always been a priority. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the field schedule without the senior girls pending the outcome of their request for the high school field. Ald. Melcher seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Park Arthur Conceptual Plan Board members were in receipt of a site plan for Park Arthur. Director Anderson pointed out that Phase I would include the parking lot, hockey rink, sledding hill and it was going to include a well. After discussion with the Engineering Department, there would never be enough pressure from a well for water for the hockey rink. He advised that for the next two years, to work out an agreement with the fire department to bring water out to the site, then use DPW’s container for doing the fine work in topping off the rink. Within the next two years, he Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 4 was informed there could be city water available to the park and a fire hydrant could be installed for park usage. The location for the baseball diamond and football field were moved and the equestrian trail was put into the plan along with proposed lighting of the park areas. Soccer fields, landscaping and proposed berming areas have not changed from previous plans. He expected the parking lot and the hockey rink to be put in this spring with the road program. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the site plan for Park Arthur. Mrs. Koble seconded. Mr. Hulbert asked how they were going to make the sledding hill into a hill. Director Anderson has discussed this with the engineer and it is understood the pitch on the hill is not appropriate and there needs to be more slope on the sledding hill. It should be between 50-55 degrees. The dirt at the end of the run will be pushed back up the hill and feathered off to achieve the correct slope. Back to the hockey rink, Board President Whipple stated that in the off-season, it could be used for in-line skating. He asked if it would still be concrete. Director Anderson said it would be asphalt. With the investment, the building of the rink could be slated as a year-round recreational facility. Looking at the area on the site plan for the weed tipping, Mr. Hulbert did not think they would be able to tip like last year and may need a larger area. He was hesitant about selling them any land and they should be rotating the weeds. Director Anderson said the Little Muskego Lake District personnel had proposed taking the weeds after they had dried out and delivering them to DPW to include in their mulch. Some time near the end of this year, they will be coming back and the Board may want to consider giving them a longer lease and have them do some berming around the area. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Bluhm Farm Park/Denoon Park Water Director Anderson explained the plan to install city water in the area of Bluhm Farm Park. The shelters could be hooked up to city water and hydrants could be installed to facilitate hooking up the department’s water cannon to water the ball fields. Mr. Hulbert’s opinion is that they would want to do it, however, he had concerns about the cost of the laterals to the bathrooms. Director Anderson stated the total cost to bring the water main for 40 feet of service and a hydrant is $7,500, to take it to the north bathroom is $14,000 and then to take it to the actual shelter (Area C) is $7,500 and to take the extension down to the outfield location is $16,700, for the total cost of $45,775. He had inquired about adding items in at a later date and the city engineer said it would be a savings of 50%-75% to do the work right away. This would be for 2006. Mr. Hulbert was in favor of doing the two $7,500 projects. He added, having a shelter that is serviced by a well, he did not see spending the $14,000. He thought the bathrooms at the other shelter should be served. Director Anderson and the parks supervisor could see having water to the shelter with all the high usage and being able to water the fields. Ald. Melcher stated it was more economical now than in ten years and how long is the well going to last. He further mentioned the problem they are having with the city wells. Mrs. Koble moved to approve the installation of the hydrants in Areas B, C and D at Bluhm Farm Park. Ald. Melcher seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Park Dedication Account Director Anderson reviewed the park dedication account with the Board members with the addition of the Park Arthur work, Denoon Park water, Bluhm Farm Park water and Moorland Park soccer fields. He said that some of the items for 2006 might not happen. If all the 2006 projects were completed, they would still have $75,748 in the account at the end of the year. In reviewing the projected revenues, Director Anderson said these were conservative amounts and with several subdivisions going through in 2006, there may be more revenue realized. Mr. Hulbert said with new subdivisions, they should be thinking about the amenities in the area. He asked what would they be looking for in the southeastern section of the city. Should the Board be actively pursuing land acquisition in the area of Durham Hill and Highway 36 before it is all in subdivisions, rather than just reacting. Director Anderson said there are properties targeted in the Parks and Open Space Plan should they become available. Mrs. Koble inquired how often the park dedication fees were reviewed. Director Anderson said these are done on an annual basis. He did not think that it would be increased in 2006. Mr. Hulbert said the justification for increasing fees is that the homes are creating a demand for amenities. Director Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 5 Anderson expects better estimates to come in for Denoon Park water, but for now, this is what the account is going to look like. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Snow Removal from Trails Director Anderson shared that he had talked with R & R Insurance regarding the trails and was referred to the League of Municipalities. They said the snow had to be removed. Then in conversation with a defense attorney who ultimately said the department would be covered under the insurance. The trails could be closed off. The issue is the recreation immunity that the city has and could someone sue. As it is such a grey area, it happens everyday and people are suing to establish the boundaries. The city would still fall under the State’s immunity. The defense attorney’s recommendation was that if the department does not want to remove snow from the trials, then close off the trails with signage that would indicate that during the winter, the trails are closed. After a lengthy discussion on signage for the closed trails, the Board recommended the following “This trail is closed during the winter season. Snow and ice will not be removed.” Director Anderson stated that the signs will be installed at the prevalent accesses and installed this spring so the people will be aware that the trails will not be snow plowed. Director Anderson presented the revised Priority 12 snow removal list for the off- road trails. (Priority 12 attachment to these minutes.) This now reflected the Board’s recommendation from the January meeting. Ald. Melcher moved to approve in terms of the different sign language and also for the Priority 12: Off-Road Trails snow removal for 2006-2007 season. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Verhalen Property Options Director Anderson reported that he was not able to come up with a lot of options for the Verhalen property other than to use the commercial garage for storage of park equipment. If any recreational programming were to be done, the home would have to be improved to comply with ADA standards. If the home were razed, the parking lot would be moved closer to the road so there would be savings on asphalt. By razing the home, it would take care of any future homeowners’ concern like parking lot noise and weed tipping smell, etc. He did check with Tom Zagar and he did not have any use for the home. The assessor’s information received last month was a fair market price of $200,000. If this were purchased out of park dedication money, then the Board would have to reprioritize the project items for 2006. He stated they could make the recommendation that it be paid out of the landfill fund and not the park dedication fund. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that there would also be demolition and well closure costs involved. In looking at the overall park plan and what it would cost, Board President Whipple questioned what would they gain by owning the piece of property. Director Anderson stated that by the time the property is sold, the parking lot will already be in and future owners will see it in the backyard and this may generate questions about it. Further, he mentioned that when LMLD requests a renewal of their lease, the Board may ask them to add a barrier. Mr. Hulbert moved that the Parks and Recreation Board does not pursue the land and house purchase at this time. Mr. Eric Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Old Town Hall Lights Director Anderson informed the Board that he had not received anything from We Energies on light poles, etc. He is also still waiting to hear from Pieper Power on the lights and expects to have a proposal for the March meeting. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Ald. Melcher said there was opposition on the rezoning for Muirfield Condominium project so it did not pass. Some items on the Common Council agenda will now be in the consent business category. Thirty banners have been sold by CGI and are displayed in the center of Muskego. Mr. Hulbert questioned what happened to Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 6 the flags. Ald. Melcher did not know. Some discussion ensued on the banners. Gas station proposed on Loomis Drive has been moved to Loomis Road for a more prominent location. Denoon Country Estates first plat has been approved. Code of discipline has been approved. He had proposed a number of things at the Common Council meeting relative to the manner of appointing people to task forces and committees. His recommendation was that as positions become open they are advertised in THE MUSKEGO SUN. People interested could then make application for review by the Common Council and the Mayor. Another item was getting items on the Common Council agenda. Also, the whole aspect of the length of time that the aldermen have to read packet information and he would like them to see the information five to ten days before the meeting so they can look it over. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT: No report. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Director Anderson updated the Board members on the following project: Idle Isle Building—They are a month ahead of schedule. They ran into a problem with the laminated beams under the open-air portion. They were not made thick enough to withstand the load of the roof. At their expense, they will be replacing them which will take about four weeks. They will be done by the May 1 deadline and in time for the Water Bugs first show. Mr. Hulbert asked if the speakers will be under the shelter and shielded by the building itself. Director Anderson responded that they will be talking about the speakers at the next Idle Isle meeting. They are looking at being able to take the speakers down after every show. Mrs. Koble asked if the department was planning any type of opening celebration. Director Anderson did not think so as for others it was not done. He clarified that it was done for the skateboard park because it was funded with donations and money from a corporate entity. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Donated Movie Screen Director Anderson advised that the department had received a donated movie screen from Sam Diamantopoulos and the Forum of Greenfield and will try having a movies in the park program. It is being proposed for Veterans Memorial Park. Staff is working on building apparatus to hang the screen. It will be one of the goals for 2007 to have family movies in the park. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans The Belle Chasse preliminary plat was reviewed for placement of the recreation path to go from McShane down to the recreation trail on the west side of the street. Director Anderson also recommended they ask that if the road location for Moorland or old Durham would ever change, that they would want the future trail to come back to this Board for review. Further, it is stated in the Parks and Open Space Plan that any lands south or to the west of the park, the Board would be interested in getting. Now that there is a Conservation Commission, the Board may want to recommend that they look at it to determine if they want the land. Ald. Melcher moved that the trail going down the roadway from McShane down to the recreation trail on the west side of the Durham Drive to connect to the We Energies trail and that the Conservation Commission look at that particular area of wetland west of the park to determine if they want the land and if the roadway gets readjusted that it come back to this Board for review. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 7 Meeting Time Board members discussed changing the time of the meeting to 6:00 p.m. Discussion will continue at the next meeting. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Ald. Melcher reported that the Committee of the Whole meetings would resume starting with Thursday, February 16. It will be limited though to four agenda items. Director Anderson reviewed the department’s year-end report. He noted that the percentage of Idle Isle use by Muskego residents had gone down. Mr. Hulbert commented that Muskego residents know it is busy out there so they travel elsewhere. Next Meeting—March 13, 2006 ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 8:33 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Melcher. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. TOUR OF OLD TOWN HALL Board members present toured the Old Town Hall after adjournment for the purpose of seeing the improvements to the building. No action was taken by members. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson email: Mayor, Alderpersons, Department Heads, Peter Theis, Tammy Dunn, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 13, 2006 – page 8 Priority 12: Off-Road Walkways: Revised February 2006 1. Highway L Walkways (Janesville Road)  Pioneer Drive to Parkland Mall (north side) services main business district (.6 miles)  Lannon Drive to Bellview Drive (south side) services main business district and library(.5 miles)  Sandalwood Drive to Poe’s Place (south side) services business’ and pedestrian safety (1.5 miles) 2. Moorland Road Walkways  College Ave. to McShane Drive (west side) used for exercise/recreational purposes (2.1 miles) 3. Highway Y Walkways (Racine Avenue)  Muskego Recreation Trail to Lakewood Drive (west side) services secondary business district (.4 miles) 4. Lannon Drive Walkway  Janesville Road to Deer Creek Blvd. connection (east side) business district access and pedestrian safety (hill) (.3 miles) 5. Parkland Drive Walkway  Janesville Road to Manchester Hill Park (east side) business district access and pedestrian safety (hill) (.4 miles) Recommended sign wording is: This trail is closed during the winter season. Snow and ice will not be removed.