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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 11/13/2006 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, November 13, 2006 Approved 1/8/07 Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 6:00 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, November 9, 2006. Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Craig Anderson. Absent: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble (excused) GUESTS: Ald. Borgman, Sandy Kurka, Larry LeFebvre APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 9, 2006 Mr. Manchester moved to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2006 meeting, seconded by Mr. Eric Hetzel. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Little Muskego Lake District’s (LMLD) Weed Tipping Lease Director Anderson stated that the lease was a two-year lease and that the Parks & Recreation Board only wanted a two-year lease because they waited for the start of the Copper Oaks subdivision to see if there were any problems or changes that they wanted. The lease ends at the end of December. The Board will have to decide if they want to offer another lease and what conditions will be written into the lease. The Board packet included the actual agreement, the map and a memo from Director McMullen in regard to issues that he would want included in the agreement. Director Anderson had contacted via email the aldermen and the department heads to see if they had heard any comments. The only complaint that he had received himself was from Glenn Miller in the Copper Oaks subdivision. Mr. Miller was trying to sell a property that was close to Martin Drive. At that point, it had rained quite a bit and the green liquid was running off and going into the ditch on the other side of Martin Drive. The potential buyer saw the green liquid going into the ditch area and questioned what it was. Mr. Miller tried to explain what the green liquid was but the potential buyer entered his car and left so there wasn’t a sale. Director Anderson had requested Mr. Miller to write up his concerns so they could be shared with the Parks and Recreation Board. A letter from Mr. Miller was never received. Ald. Borgman said that a home is being built on the lot. Mr. Miller had spoken with Ald. Borgman before calling Director Anderson. Pictures showing the leased area and the new berm around the tipping area was passed around the table for Board members to review. The berm is about 5-foot to 6-foot tall and is around the south area of the dumping area. This screens the dumping area from view from Martin Drive. Ald. Borgman commented that due to the heavy rainy season, they were not able to utilize the whole leased area. They were not able to spread the weeds out. They are planning for the next year to contact Eddie Schaefer who farms a portion of the park to Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, November 13, 2006, page 2 see if he could do some work for them, possibly using his equipment to drag some of the piles out so they can dry. This would be a way to address eliminating the pockets of water between the weed piles and eliminate some of the green sludge. Director Anderson inquired if Wayne of DPW (Department of Public Works) had taken any of the weeds. Ald. Borgman said he did take about 15-20 truckloads. He continued that they had more weeds this year. Mr. LeFebvre stated he will be meeting with Heidi at the WDNR in a couple of weeks about chemical treatment. One of the reason for the increase in weeds was a light snow cover, thus they were getting more light, increasing growth. This year, they will apply for the permit in January. Ald. Borgman said they will be looking at rectifying many of the problems that they had this year including getting an earlier start on the weeds. Director Anderson said the city Director McMullen had recommended a larger, longer stone drive to get in and out of the area. Ms. Kurka pointed out that the area does cover a large sloping area and this area isn’t usable. Some of the problems they have experienced is due to the rain coming down the slope into the area. She noted that due to this being a farming parcel in the past, in the spring, the cow manure odor was tremendous. As they continue dumping weeds in the area, this might be better for the site. Director Anderson stated that Director McMullen would also like to see the access drive have a gate with a chain. In the parks, people have been dumping their stuff. They may find that people will be dumping construction materials, etc. by the berm area. Ms. Kurka said that if they get the site again and have the gravel in, they will have the chain installed at the same time as they would not want people in there. Director McMullen would also like the LMLD to submit an operational plan for the cutting season and the non-cutting season which would be for the weed turning and grading; some kind of plan, is it weekly, how are they going to get a grader in there, etc. Making the weed piles level, the weeds would dry out and the smell would go away and the green sludge could be eliminated. Mr. Manchester asked if the pockets of water were being held back by the berm. Ald. Borgman explained it was the pockets of water between the big piles of weeds. Mr. Manchester asked what the berm was for? Ald. Borgman said for aesthetics, to hide the weeds so you can’t see it from Martin Drive. Mr. Manchester wondered if the drainage from the hill would accumulate by the berm? Director Anderson said there is still drainage that will occur. Ald. Borgman stated there is one culvert for drainage. Ms. Kurka mentioned that there is pipe by the berm. Director Anderson said the water does dissipate over time. The problem was the pocketed areas because the water did not leave regularly. The water by the berm did go, but not the water being held by the weed piles. If that was more level, the water would then get out of there quicker. You would not have the stench or the green runoff. Director McMullen requested also that the berm would be mowed on a regular basis to prevent noxious weed growth; maintaining the berm would be required. Ald. Borgman shared that LMLD also dump weeds on property they own in New Berlin. They do experience similar problems at that site. Park Arthur is one of three sites they use and prefer it because it is closest to the lake. More discussion ensued on the dissipation of the weeds and dumping of the weeds. Board President asked if they were looking for a one-year or two-year lease. Ms. Kurka said they would like at least two years but will take what they can get as they really do need the dumpsite. They are willing to take care of the issues brought forth by Director McMullen. They would expect to have it all in place by April as they start weed harvesting Memorial Day. Mr. Manchester moved to recommend approval of a two-year lease incorporating Director McMullen’s recommendations into the new lease. Ald. Snead seconded. Director Anderson inquired when the people would start living at Copper Oaks. Ald. Borgman responded there was no one living there yet. There was a house being built and he projected it would probably be six months until someone would be living in it. Director Anderson’s concern was that once the people reside in the subdivision, they may want to be heard. Ald. Borgman said he was taking the complaints for the LMLD and he also is the alderman for the district. Ms. Kurka said they would be members of the lake district and that would be the first avenue for them to voice their concerns. Mr. Hyde would like to make sure that the lake district takes a proactive interest in their concerns. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: None NEW BUSINESS: None Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, November 13, 2006, page 3 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None ALDERMAN'S REPORT: Ald. Snead reported that they are still working with the historical society. There is another meeting this week They have made some progress. She mentioned the public hearing on the budget for Tuesday night. On November 20, she will be talking with the Council and City Administrator about the cuts in the operating budget and with the Park Dedication being gone, she wants to make sure the cuts don’t hit the department. Board President Whipple inquired if there was anything that directly affected the department. Director Anderson stated that $2000 was removed from the grounds and maintenance program and normally the department is at the end of budget by the end of August, now it would probably be the end of June. There were bank services charges that were reduced. On investigation for lower rates, Director Anderson was informed that the department is getting the best interest rate available in the State. The charges are included in the program fees. Some instructor wages were taken away. At the Committee of the Whole meeting, he did indicate that it was probably fine for now, but if it continues, eventually it will affect the revenue side as the money will not be available for instructors and to run the program. On the whole, to date the department’s program revenue has been over program expenses. Ald. Snead said the city keeps giving more responsibility to Parks and Recreation Department and now the city is taking away money that would help with it. She will try do what she can to bring it back to where it needs to b e. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Director Anderson said there were no updates for Kurth Park, Park Arthur, the geese control program and the ski team compliance check. Board President Whipple inquired if the south section by the parking lot at Kurth Park was scheduled for the spring. Director Anderson said it was. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Winter/Spring Program Guide The guide will be delivered to the publisher tomorrow. It is targeted to be mailed out the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Web Site The department is working on updating the web site. The look will probably be changed in mid-December through the end of January. Focusing on making it more user friendly by being able to stay on the front page and navigate to the links by using drop-down boxes. This would be done by department staff. Class Upgrade to 6.03 The registration software upgrade will be done and go live December 11. The last upgrade was about a year and a half ago. The upgrades are included free when you pay for the maintenance agreement. The upgrade includes improvements recommended by users. Big Bend/Muskego Guy Wire At past meetings, Mr. Hulbert had asked about the guy wire along the Big Bend/Muskego trail being raised. It turned out to belong to Time Warner Cable and they were notified. Director Anderson looked at the site and now the guy wire is fine. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, November 13, 2006, page 4 Closing Parks Down The parks crew is closing the parks down. The docks are coming out and the tennis courts’ nets are down. They are in the last 10% activity for closing the parks down. The crew is putting the plows on the trucks. Fighting Obesity Through Play Grant This grant needed a quick turn-around time so Director Anderson contacted Board President Whipple. They applied for a 50% match with Game Time, normally the supplier of the playground equipment. This is being proposed for Jensen Park for 2007. The grant was received. The department could realize a savings of $5,000-$7,000. It’s going to the Finance Committee and Council on Tuesday. Mr. Brett Hyde moved to accept the grant. Ald. Snead seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Recreation Trail by Culver’s Director Anderson said the recreation trail by Culver’s is one of the wettest, receiving the rain runoff from the street. DPW had some extra recycled asphalt and this was put in the wettest section to see if it works. Also, considering paving the section of the trail which would probably be done next year. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans—None. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Director Anderson shared that they had taken a tour of the Highway 36 Muskego Recreation Trail. Looking at the lands, it did appear that there would be room in the road right-of-way. If so, the department would have to work on obtaining approvals from the State, the WDNR, and We Energies who are involved on the stretch from Muskego Dam Road to the bridge. It is hoped the approvals could be received through the winter. He asked DPW to hold off on the bridge installation until after the approval process. Next Meeting—December 11, 2006 Director Anderson inquired of the Board members that if there are not enough agenda items for December, could they not hold a meeting. The Board members had no objection. He will keep the Board members informed. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Manchester moved for adjournment at 6:40 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Hetzel. 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, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, November 13, 2006, page 5