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Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 12/10/2007 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, December 10, 2007 Approved 1/14/08 INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC HEARING Board President Whipple called the Informational Public Hearing on the Park Arthur Master Plan to order at 5:00 p.m. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, December 6, 2007. Present: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby Whipple, Director Craig Anderson and Mrs. Tammy Dunn, Recreation Program Manager Absent: Mr. Gary Boisits (excused), Mr. Eric Hetzel (excused) Personal Appearance: Mr. Dave Burch of Bonestroo Guests: Rick Henneberry, Mike Eve, John Huebner, Joan & Tim Shotola, Lynn Bullis, Mark & Carla Stoiber, Doug Roskopf, Pat & Jewell Salmieri, Paula Michlig, Bob Janke, Butch LaDoux, Jim Postler, Ed Horwath, Ald. Borgmann, Ald. Schaefer, Mayor John Johnson Board President Whipple introduced Mr. Dave Burch of Bonestroo. Board President Whipple gave a brief summary on the background of Park Arthur and what had transpired up to this point with the park. Mr. Burch gave a presentation on the conceptual master plan for Park Arthur. They will be doing a phased development plan for the park. They will be identifying cost estimates and funding sources to help with the development of the park. The park development of this size can be phased over a span of 4-5 years or 8-10 years depending on fiscal requirements of the community and the ability to secure funding for the project. There were handouts provided showing the overview of the site and the process they went through to date and the key elements of the plan which includes multi-use and year-round use. He explained the difference between active and passive areas of the park. Some of the areas depending on their use would qualify for available stewardship funding. He went over the design proposed for the park. There will be a single point of entry into the park off of Martin Drive. The park master plan consisted of parking lots, archery range, soccer fields, ball fields, playground areas, shelter, sledding hill, hockey rink, picnic areas, football field, equestrian trail and walking trails. Buffer, woodland, wetland and storm water areas as well as the possibility for a service drive are also included in the plan. Members of the general public were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and to ask questions about the plan. Comments/concerns from them included:  Light spill from the soccer field on to their property; parking lot lighting  Traffic impact, parking problems  Need to expand the buffer zones close to the neighboring properties  Soccer balls on the neighboring properties  Fencing to prevent trespassing on neighboring properties  Too many soccer fields close to the neighbors  Creating increase in traffic on Lentini Drive Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, December 10, 2007, page 2  Creating a traffic/parking problem whereby no room for emergency vehicles to get to the area  Providing baseball outfield of 250’ for ages 10-12; parking lot needing more stalls for the baseball fields  Foul balls landing in the playground area  West side parking lot, a gate that could be opened and closed to prevent possible problems with kids  Want to keep the rural atmosphere  The run-off from the park; flooding in the neighbors back yards; discharge into the stream  Fill dumped in park, drainage problem created, a natural swale, on the neighboring horse farm  Snowmobiling in the park, was it allowed  Strangers in the area that are using the park  Continuing drainage problem along Lentini Drive residences, redirect during grading plan Mr. Dave Burch stated they would be meeting with the neighbors abutting the property on the drainage problem and what drainage comes from their property on to the park. They need to account for the drainage in their storm water management plan. They would be doing a field survey as part of the master grading plan. They would be checking drainage and ponding issues. Mr. Brett Hyde questioned if the plan allowed for the Board to change location for the activities. Mr. Burch said there was flexibility in the plan. It’s a guideline. It’s a vision to show what can be placed in the park. In the phasing plan, there are some definite things that need to be done from an infrastructure so something isn’t tore up later to put in something that is needed underground. At the conclusion, Mr. Burch invited additional comments could also be written on the back of the form and given to Director Anderson or emailed. Board President Whipple closed the hearing at 5:58 p.m. announcing that the Board members would reconvene at 6:00 p.m. for their regular meeting. PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Park Arthur Master Plan to order at 6:04 p.m. The meeting notice was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, December 6, 2007. Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby Whipple, Director Craig Anderson and Mrs. Tammy Dunn, Recreation Program Manager Absent: Mr. Gary Boisits (excused) Guests: Mr. Dave Burch, Ald. Borgmann, Ald. Schaefer, Paula Michlig, John Huebner, Jim Postler PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 12, 2007 Ald. Snead moved to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2007 meeting, seconded by Mr. Hetzel. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. Under Communications, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, December 10, 2007, page 3 Mr. Hulbert advised the Board members that at last month’s meeting, his statement on the trail was correct at that time, but now that is not the case. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Dog Park Ald. Schaefer stated citizens have been asking her about a dog park. She researched the Internet and found that quite a few communities have a dog park. Some of the citizens had solicited a petition showing interest in a dog park and received 430 signatures. She was at the meeting to get input from the Board members on their concerns and thoughts on a dog park. Board President Whipple questioned if she had a location in mind and how much space would be needed. She had not at this point but that it would be an open area. Director Anderson shared that some of the communities that have a dog park wished they had two separate ones, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. They also had a problem with littering and clean up after the dogs. He also said there are standards on how large an area based on the size of the dog. In his opinion, the area would have to be fenced especially if it is in a park within the park system as most of the parks have active use areas. Mr. Hulbert thought the Ewald Engle Conservation Area would be an ideal location as there is area for large and small dogs and no active recreation in the area. He thought she could work something out with the Conservation Commission. With Muskego having a lot of open space, Mrs. Koble didn’t know exactly how she felt about a formal dog park. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that dogs could be on the recreation trails if they were on a 10’ leash and the owners picked up the dog waste which amounts to six miles of trails within the city for dog owners to walk their dogs. He also mentioned the possibility of using the open areas in a park such as Denoon Park where mowing is not done. Director Anderson stated that part of the problem is some people are allergic to dogs and some are afraid of dogs and if they go into an area where they are not anticipating dogs, and they see one, that’s a problem. If you’re going to allow dogs, then that needs to be a separate area. There was an incidence at Bluhm where one person did get bit. Board President Whipple said the parks are pretty active and he did not know where they would put a dog park. Most of the dog parks he has seen have had substantial space. Director Anderson recommended that she explore with the Conservation Commission if some of the other conservation lands could be used. Further, the Board has no dollars to invest in a dog park unless they reprioritize the projects. Ald. Snead questioned what would the liabilities be in having a dog park. Mrs. Koble uses the recreation trail and she has noticed that in spite of all the signs, there is waste on the trail. Mrs. Koble said they need to consider what it would take to have a dog park—the fencing, the size, the maintenance, and if there is a health hazard to people as well as the dogs. If Ald. Schaefer or the group is willing to research and come back with the information, the Board would listen. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: None NEW BUSINESS: Master Plan for Park Arthur Mr. Burch had written down twelve things from the informational public hearing and he will compare notes with Director Anderson to make sure he didn’t missing anything. Director Anderson said the Board would either be making the changes or commenting on the changes and it would be brought to the January meeting. Ald. Borgmann’s concern was the date on the letter sent to homeowners and the time of the meeting. Director Anderson stated the date was on the letter presented to the Board at the November meeting and unfortunately did not get changed when the letters were sent out December 3. The time was set by the Parks and Recreation Board so it could be held before the regular meeting. Discussion ensued on these two issues. Director Anderson will be sending a second letter to the residents that did not make the meeting offering to meet with them and discuss their concerns on the conceptual plan. These concerns/comments will then be sent on to Mr. Dave Burch and also discussed at the January Board meeting. (Mr. Burch and Ald. Snead departed at 6:43 p.m.) Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, December 10, 2007, page 4 Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball Club 2008 Tournament Board members reviewed Mr. Prusinski’s request for fields for the Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball Tournament scheduled for June 20-22, 2008. They will be working out the use of the game fields with the different baseball leagues that use those fields. Mr. Hulbert moved, Mr. Brett Hyde seconded, to approve the field request for the Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball Tournament in 2008 contingent upon them meeting with the different leagues on the field usage. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Install We Energies Light at Racine Entrance to Lower Level Town Hall Mr. Hulbert, in his position as President of the Muskego Historical Society, presented his request and rationale to have a We Energies light installed at the Racine Avenue entrance to the Old Town Hall facility. He shared that recently a member missed the driveway boundaries and ended up in the ditch. Director Anderson said the Board does not have any funds for the light which would run approximately $10-$20 per month. He is still waiting to get a quoted price from We Energies. Mr. Hulbert proposed that if they could come up with an agreement to light the entrance, the historical society would pick up the cost in the next budget cycle. He will be bringing it up at the next historical society meeting. In the meantime, using reflectors or barricades to mark the entrance was suggested. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None ALDERMAN'S REPORT: None STATUS OF PROJECTS: Highway 36 Trail The department received the We Energies signed contract and it was forwarded on to the WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). A letter was received from WDNR acknowledging the receipt and if any information was still needed, they would contact the department. It is hoped to get the WDNR permit by spring so the project can go out for bid. The bridge could then be installed in the spring or summer. The trail done by Department of Public Works in the fall. Mr. Hulbert said that he didn’t believe there were any walk or don’t walk signs where it crosses the Muskego Dam Road. Director Anderson stated the Wisconsin Department of Transportation would be putting in the pedestrian lights. Moorland Park/InPro Skate Park In Moorland Park, the grading is all done. Spring seeding will take place so there will not be any activity until the fall of 2009 so that the grass seed can take root. Board President Whipple questioned the berms along Moorland and is that what the Board wanted. Director Anderson explained that the contractor had to loose some of the dirt. Instead of making it look like flat terrain, the soccer field is more of a bowl type with drainage to the south and the berms are used for seating for people to sit. Also, the berms are behind the goal so the balls aren’t going out to Sandalwood. Mr. Hulbert thought the berms were high on the Sandalwood side for the police to observe the park activity. Director Anderson said the police actually go into the parking lot and then the activity is easily seen. The reasons for those berms were for noise control and sight impact for people living on Sandalwood. It was on the original plan. Mr. Hulbert inquired if there was a fire hydrant available. Director Anderson said there was. Board President Whipple added that then they could irrigate while trying to get the grass established. Mr. Hulbert asked about the time frame in putting in electrical and a shelter whereby they could put a camera on site. Director Anderson said the shelter isn’t expected to be put in until 2012 with the playground being installed in 2009. The Board could change these priorities. He mentioned there was an additional cost of $5,200 for sewer manhole covers having to be raised on the west side of the park. Also, an Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, December 10, 2007, page 5 extra cost ($7,000) for additional dirt that had to be moved around within the park. The project was still well under budget. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Registration Registration is going very strong. Horn Field Improvements Meetings were held with two contractors on Horn Field improvements. Proposed Horn Field improvements include  Field restoration & install soil amendment (red clay surface mix) st  Steel pole for 1 base netting (remove telephone pole)  Dugout improvements (concrete, new benches, sun protection, fencing, drainage)  Increase sod size of infield by removing 80’ bases  Bullpen/hitting cage drainage for future improvements  Repair turf area from pitcher’s mound to batter’s box  Install under drain around perimeter of infield and drain-to-drain tile behind visitor’s dugout  Fix drain tile behind visitor’s dugout (DPW & Parks)  Install visitor’s bullpen area (home plate and pitching rubber)?  Install clay in pitcher’s mound and batter’s box  Install hitting area behind batter’s box with half-circle infield mix  Install warning track The department will come back with a cafeteria-style cost and has earmarked $18,000 for restoration of the field. If the leagues want any improvements such as the warning track, those costs would be forwarded on to the teams. Cost-sharing or 100% of the cost would be discussed with those teams. The work is targeted to be done in the fall of 2008. Mr. Hulbert mentioned two things that he would like: (1) the ivy to stay on the fence and (2) no plywood signs hanging on the fence. Snow Removal from Trail (Elger) Director Anderson reported that Lee Elger is moving and will no longer be available to remove the snow from the trail (Racine Avenue to North Cape). There may be others that would again contact the department to do this service. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans—none. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW None proffered. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:00 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Koble. 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,