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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 3/13/2006 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, March 13, 2006 Approved, as amended, 4/10/06 Board President Toby Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (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, March 9, 2006. Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Bob Melcher, Mr. Howard Schneider (6:38 p.m.), Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Craig Anderson Absent: Mrs. Kelly Koble (excused) GUEST: Nancy Joyce, Gary Christopher, Andrew Drefahl APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 13, 2006 Ald. Melcher moved to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2006 meeting, seconded by Mr. Hetzel. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: 2006 Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. (Water Bugs) Dates Board members received in their packets the 2006 practice and show dates for the Water Bugs which was the same as 2005--30 practice dates, 15 show dates and 4 ski lesson dates. Mr. Christopher also listed their four out-of-town events for the Board’s information. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the 2006 dates. Ald. Melcher seconded. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Director Anderson advised these dates would now be forwarded to the Common Council per the agreement. Special Olympics Events Ms. Joyce, on behalf of the Special Olympics, requested the possible use of Idle Isle Park for their Du Run Run on September 9. The Du Run Run is a diathlon, which is a bike-run-bike, for children ages 3-10. The cost would be $15/child and for three or more in a family $10/child. There will be incentives offered to participants as well as a concession stand for refreshments. She stated they would like to have a Water Bugs ski show after the event making it a family event and depending on the success, it could become an annual event with a potential for a huge growth. With the bike-run-bike, Director Anderson asked if they would be going off site on the road. Ms. Joyce questioned how much property was available at Idle Isle Park as the longest distance they would need for the event is 3 miles. Board members thought the park was 7 acres and there is no trail that goes all the way around the park. Director Anderson said they may have to shut down the road and recommended checking with the police to see if they can shut down the road. Mr. Hulbert recommended checking with the district alderman to see if there is any objection. Board members advised her that the Water Bugs last date for use of the park was August 31. Ald. Melcher asked if they would be able to change the date Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 13, 2006, page 2 to August 31 if they want it in conjunction with the Water Bugs. Mr. Manchester commented that it would be up to the Water Bugs if they wanted it in connection with their show date. Mr. Hulbert could see objections from the residents in the area for the added date of September 9 and he felt it should be deferred until they could get a proposal together to present to the Board. He added that they should plan on the event without the Water Bugs. They may have a better chance of getting it going as residents in the area are very sensitive to the dates and times granted to the Water Bugs. Mr. Schneider agreed that they should plan it without the show. Her other event was the Polar Plunge. With the Aud-mar Supper Club being closed, they are looking to hold the event at Idle Isle Park. Mr. Hulbert advised they should see how deep the water is in the wintertime. Director Anderson also mentioned the water drawdown that occurs in October, taking it down 18 inches making the area shallow. Ms. Joyce said it could be optional to wade in or plunge in. Mr. Hulbert stated the maximum that it would be in the wintertime would be 2’-3’ deep. Mr. Schneider said the whole bay is shallow even in the summer, 3-1/2’ deep, when the lake is full. Director Anderson stated that Mr. Abramczyk is checking with Muskego County Park to see if it’s available. Ms. Joyce asked what next step she should take. Director Anderson replied she should come back to the Board with a proposal on the September 9 event and this event. Mr. Hulbert moved to defer action on the Special Olympics events. Ald. Melcher seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS (Please note with all Board members in agreement, the following item was moved forward.) Janesville Road Recreation Trail Director Anderson introduced the issue of the Mayor’s Task Force proposal for the recreation trail along Janesville Road. The County of Waukesha had asked if they would be considering any recreation trails along the reconstruction route and, if so, where. The Mayor’s Task Force was proposing from Moorland to Lannon a five-foot concrete recreation trail on both sides and then from Lannon to Racine, just on one side due to the businesses and residences along the route. At this point, Chairman Drefahl of the Mayor’s Task Force explained their rationale for the proposal, how the road widening could be affecting the parcels and structures along the roadway. Mr. Hulbert stated it has been the intent to have the trail on both sides of the roadway as they have done in the Tess Corners business area. In Section 4, the trail is already there on the north side and is also there intermittently with sidewalks on the south side. It goes from Kristen by the bank, down to Muskego Elementary on the south side already. The only one that doesn’t have a trail in front is the dentist. Chairman Drefahl questioned what happens when the road gets bigger and constituents are affected. They would not like it to be all intrusive on the business end to put those businesses out of business. What do they have now and what will they try to retain for the future? The focus was on a downtown area and where the pedestrian traffic would likely be is in Segment 3. He thought that having the trail on one side of the street would be sufficient. He added that the Mayor’s Task Force was looking for input from the Board. Mr. Hulbert’s personal opinion was that it was needed on both sides of the street to be a pedestrian-friendly community. The city doesn’t have signal lights for people to cross from one side of the street to the other. As the businesses increase, he would hope that the pedestrian traffic would increase. How are the people without signalized intersections going to get from one side to the other which is already an issue currently along Janesville Road because the wider trail is on the north side and to use that to cross over between cars is very difficult to do that right now. He thought they should work it out to get the trail on both sides of the street. They figured out how to do it in the Tess Corners area. Mr. Manchester said to call them sidewalks and have the property owners pay for the sidewalks, having a sidewalk on each side of the highway. Discussion continued on the issue. Mr. Hulbert said they have to remember the road is being built for the future and there is a need to have the recreation trail on both sides of the roadway. Mr. Schneider agreed with Mr. Hulbert that the trail should be on both sides of the road though it would not be an easy thing to do. Ald. Melcher mentioned the condominiums in the area and the number of residents in the area that may want to walk to the businesses in the area rather than drive their Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 13, 2006, page 3 cars. Board President Whipple questioned if they wanted to recommend the trail on both sides from Lannon to Racine? Mr. Manchester expected there would be more foot traffic than bike traffic in the area. Mr. Hulbert moved that the recommendation from this Board is that the Mayor’s Task Force would further explore putting the recreation trail on both sides of the reconstructed road from Lannon to Racine to provide for the future. Ald. Melcher seconded. Mr. Hulbert shared his experience while riding his bike of getting hit by a vehicle at Lannon Drive intersection. He felt that if the trail had been in place, the accident would not have occurred. Further, thought it was very important to provide a safe place for constituents to ride their bikes and walk and this should be taken into account. They need places for people to get off the street. Chairman Drefahl said the county needs responses from the city by June so they can do their five-year capital budget. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE Verhalen Letter Director Anderson shared that a letter had been sent to the Verhalens along with a copy of the Board minutes. Battle of the Bands—Bluhm Farm Park Director Anderson reviewed Mr. Winkowski’s request to hold another Battle of the Bands at Bluhm Farm Park. He had one at the end of last year. The department had not received any negative responses on the event. He was aware of the conditions set forth last year. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the request with the same stipulations as last year. Mr. Schneider seconded. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Resident Letter Board members were in receipt of citizen’s concern on security at Idle Isle emailed to Mayor Damaske and the response from Director Anderson. Martin Recreation Trail Letter Director Anderson reported that a letter had been sent to 12 residents on the Martin Drive recreation trail with a copy had been sent to Ald. Borgmann. He had received a call from one resident who indicated he understood why and did not like it, but was fine about it. NEW BUSINESS (continued): Water Bugs Buoy Placement Map Mr. Schneider had reviewed the buoy map. This is where the buoys will be placed. Director Anderson said the police will place them and Director Anderson will have to send the coordinates to the WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) as part of the permit process and it will be done before June. Mr. Schneider shared some historical information on the placement of the buoys. Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the map. Mr. Howard Schneider seconded. No further discussion. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Grounds Maintenance Contract 2006 Director Anderson reported only one bid was received for grounds maintenance and none for weed eradication. Terra-Firma submitted the bid for grounds maintenance at a cost of $4,536. For the weed eradication, in consultation with F & W Landscape, they said they would do the weed eradication for the same dollar amount as last year --$1,750. Mr. Hulbert questioned if Veterans Memorial Park was included in the weed eradication. Director Anderson checked and found that it was included in the bid documents. Mr. Schneider moved to approve the Terra-Firma contract for grounds maintenance and for F & W Landscape for the weed eradication. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 13, 2006, page 4 unanimously. Denoon Park Electricity Response from We Energies on providing the Denoon Park shelter with electricity, the cost was between $12,000-$15,000 to run the lines. A quote from Demski Electric for the powering up within the shelter amounted to $2,314. Mr. Hulbert asked if they would need the electricity to have water. Director Anderson responded the water supply would be from a fire hydrant. Considering an investment of $18,000, the Board took no action on this item. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Change Meeting Time Previously, the Board members had discussed changing the meeting time to 6:00 p.m. Most members could make the earlier time. Mr. Hulbert moved to change the meeting time to 6:00 p.m. starting in April, 2006. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Manchester opposed. Old Town Hall Lights Director Anderson shared pictures of two styles of lights available from We Energies for the Old Town Hall. The difference between the two style lights was $1,500 per pole. He also provided an estimate from Pieper Electric for lights, including the restoration. This would be an exact match to Veterans Memorial Park lights. We Energies estimate for poles and installation with no restoration. Taking the restoration out of the Pieper Power estimate, it’s about $1,500 more for the project to go with Pieper Power for the exact same lights at Veterans Memorial Park and this would be the Washington style. Going with We Energies, they could not match the lights. Mr. Hulbert was in favor of going with the additional cost to keep uniformity in the park area. Mr. Manchester commented who is going to see the difference between the plain poles and the fancy poles and it would cost more to replace the fancy ones. Director Anderson was recommending the work be done by Pieper Electric. Mr. Schneider moved to accept the Pieper Electric proposal for the lights at the Old Town Hall. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Mr. Manchester could see no reason for going with the more expensive poles. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Manchester opposed. (This item will now be publicly bid.) MAA (Muskego Athletic Association) Senior Girls Fields Director Anderson stated the school district had signed off on the use of the fields for the senior girls. The department will be preparing the fields for the softball games. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the request. Ald. Melcher seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. ALDERMAN'S REPORT Ald. Melcher shared the events transpiring at the Common Council level. They honored an Eagle Scout. They had a number of people at the hearing on the Belle Chasse subdivision. They were objecting to the smaller lot sizes, concerned about flooding problems and the increase traffic in a residential area. They changed the floodplain ordinance to bring it in line with the State and Federal. They hired a special consultant for the Onyx landfill expansion. Adopted a resolution on a code of conduct for city hall and officials. Established a salary for the Finance Department Supervisor, which was also a title change. Executed a labor agreement with the police department. He stated that they are seeing more people coming out for the public hearings on subdivisions and among his constituents, they expressed to him that the look of the community is changing to mass growth. They don’t want to see large subdivisions continuing to crop up. CONSERVATION COMMISSION REPORT: Mr. Schneider reported the Conservation Commission is looking at tree mitigation and establishing value of Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 13, 2006, page 5 trees. From Woodland Creek Addition #1, they will be getting a donation of some of the wetlands and this is adjacent to the Ewald Engle property. Mr. Hulbert asked about the house on the Ewald Engle property. Mr. Schneider said they are looking for some volunteer help in doing work on it. They like the idea that Mr. Carity is trying to save some of the trees and preserve some of the natural isolated areas in his Belle Chasse subdivision. The members are working on signage to identify the city’s conservation properties. They may offer a contest for students to design a logo. On Boxhorn Drive, the land will be named after the Blattner family. Reviewed the rustic structure designation for the Rusdahl property at Durham and Hi View Drives. Nothing’s been done to the structure since last year. The Stagecoach Trail subdivision was reviewed. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Director Anderson updated the Board members on the following project: Park Arthur—Director McMullen provided the department with cost estimates on the park entrances amounting to $280,000-$300,000. Director Anderson advised that going with these improvements now would bring the park dedication funds below $0. He was investigating if additional landfill monies would be available to cover the cost. Mr. Hulbert said they should move forward with the grading on the sledding hill and other interior park projects. Eventually, they will have to come up with the money for the entrances. Mr. Hulbert moved that the entrances be put off until funds become available but continue with the rough grading, seeding and development of the sledding hill. Mr. Schneider seconded. Director Anderson was in favor of getting the park ready for future development. Some discussion ensued on whether or not College was going to be reconstructed. Mr. Manchester commented on the status of Milwaukee County parks going down hill and questioned if the same thing going to happen with Muskego’s city parks. He thought the city was getting over parked with the land. He asked what the budget was and Director Anderson responded, the subsidy from taxpayers is about $600,000. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Idle Isle Building— Director Anderson reported that the replacement trusses were in place and you could see the difference in the thickness from the previous ones. However, in putting the trusses in, the plastic sheeting on the roof was disturbed and didn’t protect adequately and interior drywall was damaged from the rain in the concession area. They now have to replace drywall and insulation in that area at their expense. Painting will probably begin within a week and a half. The project is still one month ahead of schedule. MHS Softball Field—School district has responded that they want a little over 4 acres of wetland mitigation. In consulting with Director McMullen, he indicated for this to be done, it involves a different process through the WDNR. It is not something that the Department of Public Works could do and needs to be contracted out. Director McMullen will be sending the school district a letter indicating the WDNR permit process. Geese Control—Director Anderson observed the geese are pairing up at Idle Isle Park and thus, the Border Collies will be starting out there on Monday. Mr. Hulbert believed that the dogs would work to control the geese population. He did asked if the egg addling was still being done. Director Anderson confirmed that Mr. Zagar is still doing that program. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Summer Program Guide The guide will be out the week of April 24. Some of the newer things will be moving Safety City to the Jensen Park facility. The cost for painting the parking lot for safety city will be paid out of the monies the Muskego Woman’s Club donates to the department. This move then frees up Horn Park building for a younger age summer camp. The older summer camp has been a huge success. The older camp will be at the Old Town Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 13, 2006, page 6 Hall freeing up Veterans Memorial Park for other users. Mr. Hulbert inquired if there was adequate parking at Jensen Park for Safety City participants. Director Anderson responded that there would be additional parking on the street and after the first day, the children are just dropped off and picked up. The woman’s club was in favor of the move because they can now divide the group up, using both the upstairs and the downstairs for the program. Old Town Hall Rental Form/Policy Board members were provided with the policy and rental form for the Old Town Hall. Director Anderson explained that the fees were based off of what other entities charge for similar buildings. The cleaning fee was the actual charge for cleaning up after a rental. Ald. Melcher advised the Board members that as the lease agreement had not been approved yet with the Muskego Historical Society, they could not take action on this item. Cursory review of the documents was done by the Board and they commented they looked very good. Veterans Memorial Park Building Noting the bottom three boards around the building being dirty and not being able to keep up with the necessary cleaning, the department will clean the area and then paint the area using the same colors that were approved for the other park buildings. Some discussion if the problem was due to the lack of gutters on the building. Director Anderson to investigate on gutters for the new building at Idle Isle to avoid having a similar problem with that building. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans Stagecoach Trail subdivision conceptual plan was reviewed. This subdivision is located in the Crowbar and Hillendale Drives area on part of the Waste Management landfill site. They would be installing over two miles of trails, including equestrian usage if that was recommended, and link up to the We Energies trail. The Waste Management hill would be restored with WDNR approval to allow public open space. The developer is open to signing a lease with the city for $1.00 a year if other activities are wanted in the area. There is an opportunity for a sledding hill on the far eastern portion of the property. Mr. Hulbert commented the lots are fairly good in size. Mr. Schneider pointed out on the plan the Superfund site—the old Wauer dump, the Waste Management site and the area they are going to dedicate. It’s been stated that it qualifies as a conservation subdivision but the Conservation Commission members were not sure. Mr. Manchester asked if it was still under litigation for contamination in the area. Ald. Melcher stated it was. He added that they are putting test wells in near the church on Hillendale. Director Anderson commented that it would all be hooked up to city water. Mr. Schneider liked the idea of the trails. Mr. Hulbert stated it should have a parking lot so the whole city can enjoy it. Board members would like some connection to the We Energies trail. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Director Anderson shared that he had checked with Lee Elger about dragging the recreation trail after a rainfall and he said no. Mr. Elger has cleared the trail three times and it has gone very well. The department has been called asking when he would be doing the trail. Callers have been advised that Mr. Elger does it at his convenience. Ald. Melcher inquired about the senior survey responses. Director Anderson responded about 240 had been received. Ald. Melcher advised that follow up calls should be made to the respondents. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 13, 2006, page 7 Next Meeting—April 10, 2006 At the next meeting, Mr. Hulbert would like to look at opening up another portion of the recreation trail on the We Energies right-of-way for equestrian usage especially with the proposed development in the Hillendale area. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 8:36 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,