Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 8/13/2007
City of Muskego
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Monday, August 13, 2007
Approved, as amended, 9/10/07
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, August 9, 2007.
Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby
Whipple and Director Craig Anderson
Absent: Mr. Gary Boisits (excused)
GUESTS: Kathy Chiaverotti, Steven & Dolores Dombrowski, Three Students
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
July 9, 2007
Ald. Snead moved to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2007 meeting, seconded by Mr. Brett Hyde.
Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Treasure the Holidays
Mrs. Kathy Chiaverotti presented her request for the user fees, with the exception of the cleaning fee, to be
waived for the Old Town Hall for the Chamber of Commerce’s Treasure the Holidays event December 1, 2007.
The activities with the removal of the horse and carriage ride would be the same as last year. Director
Anderson added that the Chamber of Commerce would be supervising the bathrooms and stocking the
bathrooms. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the waiver of fees for Treasure the Holidays. Ald. Snead
seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Access #19 Ruby Drive
Board members discussed with Steve and Dolores Dombrowski the portion of Lake Access #19 that they
wanted to purchase to enlarge their lot to the north. Director Anderson informed the Board members that in
conversation with the assessor, it was difficult to come up with any comparables for the value of the area. Mr.
Hulbert moved that the Parks and Recreation Board is receptive to the Dombrowski’s plans to
negotiate for an area not to exceed 12 feet from the edge of the garage, following the property line, up
to Ruby Drive. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, August 13, 2007, page 2
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
Muskego Lion’s Club Waiver of Fees
Board members reviewed the Muskego Lion’s Club request to be granted extended serving hours for their
annual lobster boil event and a waiver of fees. An outline of their event activities from Friday, September 14,
through Sunday, September 16, was provided. Director Anderson shared that this is an annual event and the
department had received no complaints. Ald. Snead moved to approve the request for extension of park
hours and waiver of park fees. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Memorial Tree
A letter from Peggy Moriarty of the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. relative to planting a memorial tree at Idle Isle in
honor of a member who had passed away. They are working with Lamb’s Nursery who recommended a
flowering crab or a maple tree. Director Anderson had cautioned them that anytime someone wants to plant in
honor of someone, they have to understand that the trees or plants die or certain other things could happen
that would affect the memorial. He would not like to see it planted in the shore area or the play area, but
towards the back of the park. Mr. Hulbert moved for planting of a maple tree and the location of tree to be
worked out with the Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Brett Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Board members had received in their packets for discussion and approval the department’s budget proposals
for 2008.
2008 Operating Budget
Director Anderson reviewed and highlighted the changes in the 2008 operating budget from 2007. The net
expenditure change was plus $1,575, not including salaries and benefits. The net revenue change presented
for 2008 was plus $6,034. Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the 2008 operating budget as presented.
Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Park Dedication 2008
The parks dedication budget was broken out into five years, 2008-2012. Director Anderson stated that the
Board could start seeing a negative in the year 2011 which could change depending on the true expenditure
amounts for the previous years. Park projects proposed for 2008 would be done in Park Arthur ($30,000),
Town Hall ($23,000), Moorland Park ($19,600), Horn Field ($18,000), Idle Isle ($3,000), Muskego Recreation
Trails ($31,410), and Kurth Park ($5,000). The total for 2008, $130,010. The revenue sources for the park
dedication account are park dedication fees, Water Bugs payment, recreation fees payment, Pepsi payment,
and the landfill fees. Mr. Hyde moved to approve the park dedication budget. Mr. Eric Hetzel seconded.
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
2008 Capital Budget
Director Anderson said the only item the department has for the 2008 capital budget is a Kubota tractor winter
package for $11,594 consisting of enclosed cab, snow blower and snow broom. This package would make the
current Kubota a useful piece of equipment in the winter. The additional sweeper and blower will upgrade and
improve the current equipment and the department will be able to remove snow at more than one site at a
time. Director Anderson outlined the proposed request for years 2009-2012 and basically, involved
replacement of equipment. For the newer Board members, Mr. Hulbert shared that by having this five-year
plan, the Common Council is made aware of the projected requests for the department. Mrs. Koble moved to
approve the capital budget for 2008. Ald. Snead seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
nanimously.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, August 13, 2007, page 3
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
City of Muskego/Muskego Historical Society Agreement
Director Anderson read the following language for Paragraph #18 of the agreement. “The City’s interests are
superior to those of the Society in respect to the operation of the Muskego Community Festival on the
Settlement Centre grounds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the understanding of the parties hereto that
the Society and Muskego Community Festival representatives will work together for their mutual benefit in
respect to such operations.” According to an email received from Attorney Boisits, the language was discussed
and approved by Mayor Johnson and Jack Spoel. Mr. Hulbert said he had looked over the language and had
a discussion with Attorney Boisits on behalf of the historical society and the language would be fine. Ald.
Snead moved to approve the City of Muskego/Muskego Historical Society Agreement with the changes
submitted. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Hulbert abstaining.
Skateboard Park Fence
Director Anderson shared that the members of the Finance Committee were not in favor of the fence. They
would like the department to explore putting cameras in at Moorland Park. There are other issues that need to
be considered before putting cameras in the park such as installation of electricity, storage area for the DVR
and the cost of purchasing three cameras. He projected the cost would be more than the cost of the fence.
Discussion ensued on the continuing problem of litter, vandalism and disarray at the park plus the staff time to
clean up the area. Members suggested removal of the skateboard equipment. Mr. Hulbert suggested signage
to the effect that due to the continuing problems, enumerating the problems, at the park, this skate park may
possibly be closing in 2008. Director Anderson expressed that he would like to have a information meeting on
the issue prior to closure.
ALDERMAN'S REPORT: None.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Park Arthur Master Plan
Park Arthur master plan was reviewed in the foregoing kick-off meeting with Bonestroo. Director Anderson will
be notifying the Board members of meetings set up by Bonestroo. He asked only that the Board members
notify him if they plan to attend.
Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Compliance Check
A review of the compliance check by the police department revealed one complaint received. The officer’s
report said they were in compliance but he requested the music be turned down and they complied. Mr.
Hulbert shared that one evening, possibly due to the wind direction, he was able to hear them announcing at
his house.
Muskego High School Softball Field
At a recent meeting, they went over with the excavator the work, drain tile that needs to be done and they will
be coming back with some estimates. The school board is paying the expense for the excavation and they
approved the screened topsoil at 100%, their expense. This has raised the project from $150,000 to $185,000.
Mr. Hulbert inquired what the city’s portion was. Director Anderson stated 37.75% of $150,000. Mr.Hulbert
further inquired what the use would be for the field. Director Anderson wasn’t sure but thought they would
move the girls softball varsity to the field. Most of the work should be done by the end of September or middle
of October. The infield mix, due to the weight, would be delivered in the winter. Mr. Hulbert asked if they would
be gaining access to the area along the fence line. Director Anderson said they were using the fence line and
the excavation equipment would be brought in and left during the duration of the excavation project.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, August 13, 2007, page 4
Hwy 36 Trail
Director White and Director Anderson have a meeting scheduled with the bridge engineer on Tuesday. The
plans had been received last week. A meeting was held with the Department of Public Works staff and as the
project has become more detailed than what they can do, the department will be asking the engineer for an
estimate on the cost to build. The level of work that needs to be done to secure the bridge and stabilize it to
the specifications of the engineer is not something the department wants to be responsible for should
something happen. An update will be given at the next meeting.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Movies in the Park
The attendance at the last movie was over 200 people. Spraying for mosquitoes helped. For August 17, the
department will be piggybacking on the festival to help cover the cost of the spraying.
Fall Program Guide
th
The fall program guide has been mailed and registration starts on Tuesday, the 14.
Vehicle Parking at Parks Headquarters
Director Anderson stated that about five years ago, due to a home being razed and the area becoming paved,
an inquiry had been brought to Utilities whether it could be a public parking area. Utilities had denied it for
public parking. Recently, a phone call to the Mayor’s office about Horn Brothers parking their trucks was
received. The Mayor was asking the Board’s direction on the issue. Staff verified that Horn Brothers have
been parking there for years. It hasn’t restricted the access in and out of the parks headquarters. Mr. Hulbert
stated that you can’t allow one entity and not the other to park there. There needs to be consistency. Board
members did recognize that there is no parking available on the Horn Brothers premises and that
consideration should be given to this business that has been around since the 1940s. Mrs. Koble moved that
an annual agreement be in place between the Parks and Recreation Board and Horn Brothers for the
use of parking and to be reviewed annually. Ald. Snead seconded. Director Anderson was asked to
formulate the agreement and bring it back to the Board in September. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
with Mr. Hulbert abstaining.
Park Dedication Fees
Director Anderson contacted Kurt Witinski from the League . He indicated believed, a guess, that
reinstatement of the fees would pass the Assembly in the fall and the Senate in the early part of 2008 with the
Governor signing by March of 2008. The reinstatement of fees would not be at the same level. Some items
would be more specifically defined and some items would be earmarked specifically and if not spent, the
money would have to be returned. The Board will be kept informed.
Parks & Conservation Plan
The Parks & Conservation Plan went before Council on July 24. Common Council had no questions, but
Finance Committee questioned land uses for Moorland Park and Park Arthur. He indicated to them that
discussion needs to take place at Council to figure out the land uses but the discussion needs input from the
the Parks and Recreation Board as the Board’s scope or vision is whatever land is for parks, it’s under their
jurisdiction to control it, to manage it, to maintain it.
Idle Isle Park Graffitti
The ADA fishing pier, playground and trees were vandalized with graffiti. This was out of view of the camera. It
took the staff a number of hours to remove it. The cost was given to the police department and will be put into
the case file.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, August 13, 2007, page 5
Moorland Park Parking Lot Litter
The weekend of August 4, there was glass litter. There was also a complaint letter received.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans—None.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:46 p.m.
Seconded by Ald. Snead. 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,