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Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 3/12/2007 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, March 12, 2007 Approved 4/9/07 Vice-President Koble 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, March 8, 2007. Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel , Mr. Brett Hyde, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. Richard Manchester, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby Whipple (6:07 p.m.) and Director Craig Anderson. GUESTS: Mayor Johnson, Ald. Borgman, Gary Christopher, Jack Spoerl, Chuck Azzolina APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 12, 2007 Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2007 meeting, seconded by Ald. Snead. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Director Anderson informed the Board members that the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. was requesting 31 practice dates, 14 show dates, and 4 ski lesson dates for the department in 2007. In 2006, there were 30 practice dates, 15 show dates and 4 ski lesson dates. Mr. Hulbert questioned if there were any concerns on the dates from the neighbors or community members. Director Anderson stated nothing, but the concerns that the Board had expressed last year for having the speakers bent or turned more towards the beach rather than out toward the shore and Mr. Hyde had asked about a limiter switch being used. Mr. Christopher said they were unable to find a limiter switch as they don’t function the way the Board members thought. It works more on pitch than on volume. Director Anderson asked if there were some switches that went by decibels. Mr. Christopher thought there may be, but again, stated that it wouldn’t work the way the Board wanted. Last year, they stayed under the decibel levels that were established last year by the police department. They have turned the speakers down two more degrees. Mrs. Koble questioned if they would be continuing the decibel readings. Director Anderson said the request would have to be made to the police department. The problem isn’t so much the decibels as it’s the way the wind blows plus the individuals that call. People have complained and when it is checked out, everything is okay. Mr. Hyde suggested to lower the overall volume so that when the wind does shift, it doesn’t affect the houses as bad. Director Anderson said usually it’s when the public address announcer gets excited and gets the crowd involved, that the decibels increase. Mr. Christopher stated that if they lower the volume, they can’t get over the crowd noise because there is music in the background and the announcer is talking. He mentioned that there are no ordinances in Muskego on noise so in reality, they don’t have to turn the volume down at all. (Board President Whipple arrived.) Mr. Hulbert Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 12, 2007, page 2 said the largest complaint they have is the sound and Mr. Christopher was right in that there is no ordinance; however, they are leasing the land and granted permission from the Board so they do have to follow the requests of the Board. As discussed before, it’s the announcer and they are responsible for keeping the announcer under control. He suggested that if the Board receives some complaints, then the Board may consider taking some of their dates away as had been discussed in previous years. As an incentive to keep the dates, they need to be in compliance. There needs to be some way to mitigate this issue to allow them to control their announcer. Mr. Manchester noted they have improved their public relations tremendously the last few years. Yet, the same people complain. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. use dates for the coming year 2007. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Director Anderson advised the Board that the pier placement agreement was the standard agreement with the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. to place their pier off the shoreline. The agreement exhibit showed that the barge would be hooked up to the pier during the shows. The only changes in the agreement were the dates. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the pier placement. Mr. Brett Hyde seconded. Mr. Hulbert asked if the signs, as indicated in the agreement, were in place. Mr. Christopher said they will be put up. There are actually three signs—one on the pier, one at the entry gate and one where the lifeguard tower had been. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. For their information, the Board’s packet included the ski jump agreement between the Common Council and the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Board members do not take any action on this agreement. (Vice-President Koble relinquished the chairing of the meeting to Board President Whipple.) Muskego Festival Committee Mr. Jack Spoerl presented the committee’s request for use of Veterans Memorial Park, including extension of park hours until 12:00 a.m. for the festival days. He also provided map of the layout for the festival event. The dates of the event are August 24-26, with use of the park from August 20-27. He mentioned the festival would stay the same as in the past. He reviewed briefly the bands that would be playing at the festival. It will be the th 20 anniversary this year and they will be bringing back the racing pigs and paddling porkers, an attraction that appeared at the first festival. They will be using the shelter bathrooms and will be responsible for cleaning and stocking them. Also, they will be using the historical society grounds for parking and possibly doing something th in conjunction with the historical society. Mrs. Koble asked as it’s the 20 anniversary, are they anticipating larger crowds and if they would have enough portable toilets for the event. Mr. Spoerl replied they will have from 30-40 units. The festival committee will also be responsible for any damage that can be attributed to their event. Mr. Manchester questioned with the extension of park hours, did the Board in the past, ask for the music to end at ten o’clock. Board President Whipple indicated no. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the Muskego Community Festival, Inc. request for park usage for the 2007 festival. Mr. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Request for Extended Park Hours Party renting the Old Town Hall building has requested an extension of the park hours until 11:00 p.m. The extension of hours is so they can clean the facility after the guests have left. Director Anderson advised that the department would still have the agency come in and clean so the facility would be ready for the department’s programs on Monday. Mr. Hulbert questioned if they would be charged for the extra hour. Typically, Director Anderson said not as there is no one coming in after them. Mr. Manchester moved to approve the extension of park hours until 11:00 p.m. Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 12, 2007, page 3 Hwy 36 Trail Snowmobile Problems Board members were in receipt of emails from Julie Simmons of We Energies and Mrs. Linda Heinrich relative to the snowmobiles crossing over the We Energies property on Heinrich’s driveway along Highway 36. In response to the request and to address the problem, Director Anderson shared that the department has trimmed back the shrubs that are along the line where the trail is and the driveway so there is a better view of what is coming down the trail. When it gets nicer out, the department will be installing signs. Ms. Simmons will be checking with We Energies on the type of sign, size of sign and placement of signs. Mr. Hulbert inquired how much of the issue was a city issue and how much a snowmobile issue as they are not allowed on the recreation trails so why isn’t the snowmobile club handling what should be their problem. Director Anderson stated that since the city leases the property from We Energies, the city is responsible. Mr. Hulbert further inquired, where was the snowmobile club when they marked their trails out. Director Anderson said the snowmobile club had been contacted by We Energies. It was his understanding that the snowmobile club had a line that went through the trail and they have been crossing the trail for 40 years. It’s an enforcement issue and the police department has been issuing citations. We Energies’ concern is that there needs to be signage that indicates there are driveways ahead and to put the no snowmobile signs at entry points. They will not be allowed to cross the trail in the future. NEW BUSINESS: Horn Park Playground Horn Park playground documents were handed out to the Board members. In the Parks Dedication budget, Director Anderson said $15,000 was budgeted for Horn Park. The department has programming for younger children year-round at this park. The playground equipment is very, very outdated. All of this equipment will be replaced. The fibar is already there. The Department of Public Works will be taking out the old equipment. The new equipment will be installed the same time as the Jensen Park equipment Ald. Snead voiced her concern about the safety of the children during the baseball program. Director Anderson said they will be installing netting which should prevent some of the balls from entering the playground area. Mrs. Koble asked about the bubble panel and the problems in the past, did they want to include the bubble panel. Director Anderson will discuss it with the playground equipment sales representative. Mr. Brett Hyde moved to approve the bid for the Horn Park playground equipment and to research the bubble panel with the playground representative. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Ruekert/Mielke Services Contract for Park Arthur Bidding Ruekert/Mielke had submitted their proposal for engineering services for Park Arthur. In essence, the proposal was for the items the Board wanted to bid out. At this time, Director Anderson recommended the Board members look at the not to exceed $650 cost for the construction estimate. Later, once the city has hired an engineer, the other items may be taken on by the city. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the not to exceed $650 for the construction estimate. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Considering the costs of Ruekert/Mielke services, Mr. Manchester thought the project should be put on the back burner. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Ruekert/Mielke Engineering Services Contract for Hwy 36 Trail Bridge Director Anderson shared that Ruekert/Mielke has a sub-consultant to do the analysis and put the plan together for the bridge. The Board doesn’t have anything for the bridge and needs to do it. The approvals have been received from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and We Energies. He said the Franklin trail is going in this year. With Muskego’s going in this year, the users would be able to go from St. Martins to Burlington. He thought the $7,300 as outline in Ruekert/Mielke’s proposal would be a good investment for the analysis of the bridge. DPW will be putting the bridge in along with Ruekert/Mielke. It will take about two weeks for the whole installation. In addition to the $7,300, the department would be paying for I-beam steel Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 12, 2007, page 4 and crane rental. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the $7,300 for the design and construction review of the support system. Ald. Snead seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Horn Netting A cost estimate in the amount of $11,274 from Century Fence for the new netting at Horn Field was reviewed. Director Anderson advised that this company had done the netting at all city parks so they are well acquainted with the department needs. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the $11,274 for Horn Park netting. Mrs. Koble seconded. Mr. Hulbert asked about the life expectancy of the netting or how long did the other netting last. Director Anderson speculated over ten years on the current netting. Ald. Snead’s concern was the balls that may fly into the playground area. Director Anderson expressed that the additional netting should help alleviate some of the problem. Ald. Snead also mentioned the cars that may get pinged by the balls. Director Anderson said there are gaps and some balls may get through, but there will be an improvement in containing the balls. Mr. Hyde asked when they would install the netting. Director Anderson felt before the start of the ball season. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Parks & Conservation Plan 2007-2011 Director Anderson pointed out to look at the possibility of putting in a field house as gymnasium space is limited within the city. The other item was to add some variety into the parks. There is only one public pool in the City of Muskego and that’s at the high school. Also addressed is the possibility of putting in a spray ground in one of the parks. Mr. Hulbert suggested adding to the recreation trail in the Highway 36 area in Section 33. The Muskego Dam Road should have some connection to the Highway 36 trail; the access between Racine Avenue and Kelsey Drive. If it is in the plan, any developer will have to react to it. Mr. Hyde asked where the minimum acres required figures originate. Director Anderson said the NRPA (National Recreation & Parks Assn) puts out these standards. These are guidelines that may not be followed any more but some still adhere to the principle to make sure there are still some acres available. SEWRPC (Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission) used to use these figures. Mr. Hyde noted the plan also indicates creating another park in the southeast corner of the city and did they have any plans where, any acreage being considered. Director Anderson replied city staff has some ideas on what they want to do and they will be meeting with the Mayor on different ways of talking to individuals about the future of their farmland, etc. There is a parcel that is being considered in the southeastern portion as proposed on page 38 of the plan. Mr. Hulbert thought they may have to look at unsewered lands and what the Board can afford. Mr. Manchester questioned the wording of park needs and open space needs. Is this really a need or a want? Is it just a question of wanting? Can the taxpayers afford all of these needs/wants? Discussion ensued on the need for a survey to be done to see what the people really need and surveys to be done to coincide with the plan updates. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the updated Parks and Conservation Plan for 2007-2011. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Warriors Baseball Team Concessions @ Horn Field Ald. Snead presented her request for permission from the Board for the Warriors U-14 team to sell concessions at Horn Field. There were no problems last year and the team members did take care of the garbage. Her request was for the U-14 team only and she had indicated to the other teams that they would have to make their own requests to the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Hulbert questioned if they would be restricted to serving a current vendor’s product. Director Anderson said no restriction from the vendor, just a request to try to serve their products. Mr. Hyde moved to approve the request and to keep the garbage cleaned up as last year. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Ald. Snead abstaining. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 12, 2007, page 5 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Donation of Grill for Veterans Memorial Park Board members were in receipt of the Muskego Kiwanis club and other friends of Muskego letter to install an outdoor grill at Veterans Memorial Park. They would donate the cost and shipping of the grill. Director Anderson will work out the details with the community group. Ald. Snead moved to accept the donation of the grill. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Mr. Hyde commented that grills may be placed at other parks if this one works out. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Bluhm Park Improvements & Pond Placement Director Anderson updated the Board members that Scott Kloskowski and he had not met. Some other issues have come up and Belle Chasse will be looking to store the water on site. No new information to present to this Board. ALDERMAN'S REPORT: Ald. Snead reported that they have finished a draft agreement between the city and the historical society. The agreement will now be forwarded on to other respective committees for their input, including the Common Council and the historical society. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Park Arthur A review of the Ruekert/Mielke proposal was done earlier in the meeting. Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Compliance Checks These compliance checks will begin in May for the 2007 season. Muskego High School Softball Project Today, Director Anderson mailed out the requested information to the WDNR. Previously, city staff met with the school district personnel and the project has changed. The wetland fill is less than a tenth of an acre. The softball field was placed to the most northern location to take most of the field out of the wetland area. The open athletic turf area will be graded and seeded; it will not be a soccer field. They can, however, still put in a quadplex if they want but would be required to do a future wetland fill project. Hwy 36 Trail Though reviewed earlier in the meeting, Mr. Hulbert suggested that Racine County be contacted about whether or not the trail could be to Burlington. He shared that right now work is being done on Highways 83, 36 and 11 and how does this affect their trail. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Department Web Site Department staff is still working on the site and expect to have it ready by the end of March. Summer Program Guide The guide is currently being worked on and should be sent to the printer on April 13 for mailing out April 23. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 12, 2007, page 6 2007 Contracted Services Director Anderson presented the report on the 2007 contracted services. They are the same vendors as last year. The bid amounts came in under budget: Terra Firma at $4,672 for the grounds work. F & W Landscaping for the weed eradication at $1,850 and for the mowing at $24, 500, both locked in for a two-year season. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans—None. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW April 9, 2007 Next Meeting Ald. Snead, Mr. Hetzel and Mr. Hulbert advised they will not be available for the April meeting. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:23 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, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 12, 2007, page 7