Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 10/8/2007
City of Muskego
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Monday, October 8, 2007
Approved 11/12/07
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, October 4, 2007.
Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby Whipple and
Director Craig Anderson
Absent: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Brett Hyde (excused)
GUESTS: Gary Christopher, Dan Lecus, Ald. Schaefer, Ald. Werner, Residents (29) from Candlewood Village
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
September 10, 2007
Ald. Snead moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2007 meeting, seconded by Mr. Jerald
Hulbert. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc.(Waterbugs) Annual Review
Director Anderson provided the Board members with a compliance checklist summary from May-August. May
had no incidences or complaints; June had no citizen complaints and the two compliance checks showed no
violations; July 11, a citizen complaint on the public address system being too loud and the police did respond
and found no violation; August 8, the same citizen called about the public address system being too loud and
the police responded and again no violation found. In summary, there were 14 show dates, 31 practice dates,
4 ski lesson dates and the 2 complaints. Mr. Christopher added that changing speaker placement helped
considerably. They could hear the announcing throughout the park, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Director
Anderson said that the police responding to the complaints, though no violations found, would request that the
sound be turned down a little. Overall, he stated, this is the best year they had for the Waterbugs.
Muskego Icetronauts Snowmobile Trails
Dan Lecus of the Muskego Icetronauts was present to request Board approval for the snowmobile trails
through the park areas of Denoon Park, Big Muskego Lake Overflow Lot, and Lake Access #17. Director
Anderson said that Bluhm Park and Highway 36 would not be available for trails this year. During the course of
last season, it was found that the Icetronauts had a crossing of the We Energies trail along Highway 36. Dan
Lecus interjected that it had been that way forever and it’s a State-insured trail and the Icetronauts have their
own insurance. He felt that current We Energies personnel now felt it was a bad idea to cross over. Director
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 8, 2007, page 2
Anderson did not think there was a written, formal agreement. The We Energies contact person was asking
for an agreement. To sum it up, We Energies does not want any crossing over of their trails in the Bluhm Park
and Highway 36 areas. Director Anderson and Mr. Lecus said the Icetronauts made a modification of their trail
in the Highway 36 area so they would not be crossing the We Energies trail. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve
the snowmobile trails in Denoon Park, Big Muskego Lake Overflow Lot and Lake Access #17. Mr.
Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
In view of the citizens in attendance for the InPro Skate Park issue, Board members were in agreement to
move this item up on the agenda.
Moorland Park/InPro Skate Park
Director Anderson had consulted with the parks supervisor and litter is still a problem at the park, the graffiti
seems to have tapered off and the ramp to the portable toilet is missing again which is an ongoing issue. They
don’t seem to be taking the grind rail off or taking the equipment apart. Signage has been erected indicating
that there is a possibility of the skate park being closed for 2008. Four garbage cans have been put in their
locations, but litter is still a problem. Mr. Hulbert inquired if Director Anderson had a report on cost of
dismantling the equipment. Director Anderson felt the biggest cost would more than likely be storage. At the
September meeting, the Board indicated they wanted to wait until after the grading had been done at the park
and also to see if more activity at the park would help address the problems at the skate park.
Board President Whipple opened up the meeting to hear comments from the citizens in attendance. Marlene
Pinkowski, as spokesperson for the group, shared pictures with the Board members. They have put up no
trespassing, private property signs in the cul de sac which have been ignored. They are east and west of
Moorland Drive. Bicycle tracks on their grass. Kids are cutting through on the east side, cutting into the
apartments, they’re nasty. She had called the police the other day on a kid that was driving around in circles in
the parking lot making his tires smoke. The police did get the kid. She thought now some reports she had
received, the kids were egging the cars. They have called the police and they are just taking the calls on the
phone. Director Anderson stated the department is working with the police on the problems at the park. As the
parks get developed and have electricity and storage units, security cameras will be installed. Board members
encouraged the citizens to keep calling the police and ask them to log their complaint. They can call their
alderman and also contact the Mayor.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
Muskego Historical Society Extension of Park Hours
The Muskego Historical Society request for extension of park hours until 11:59 p.m. on October 19 and
October 20 for their ghost walks and story reading event was reviewed. Mr. Hulbert elaborated on this event
being held by the Muskego Players and the Muskego Historical Society. In addition to the extension of hours,
they would also like to have a hayride on the trail between the Old Settlement Centre and Horn Park and a
bonfire. The group is making application for the bonfire permission through the fire department. Mrs. Koble
moved to approve the extension of park hours, the use of the trail between the Old Settlement Centre
and Horn Park weather dependent with restoration understood and a bonfire at the same location of
the Treasure of Holidays’ bonfire. Ald. Snead seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr.
Hulbert abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS:
Moorland Grading Bid Review Meeting Date
Board members set Friday, October 19, 4:45 p.m. for a special meeting in the Aldermen’s Room on the review
of the Moorland Park grading bids.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 8, 2007, page 3
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
ALDERMAN'S REPORT:
Ald. Snead reported they are still working on the budget. She will consult again with Director Anderson once
they get close to the final budget.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Park Arthur Master Plan
Preliminary concept plan boards were on display at the meeting. The boards showed items with amenities in
the park different from each other, such as soccer in one area, baseball in another, sand volleyball courts,
archery range, picnic areas, ice hockey, sledding hill, youth football, lake management area, parking, wetland
areas, pedestrian trail and an equestrian trail. One concept showed entrances/exits on College and Martin;
one did not have any entrance/exit on College. Just having the entry/exit on Martin would save approximately
$200,000. Board members would like to find out from Waukesha County what are their standards. Also, some
discussion on emergency services only entrance/exit on College. A stakeholders’ meeting was held and
comments from that meeting were shared with the Board members. The requests received from the meeting
will be taken by Bonestroo and come up with a different type of plan. Ald. Snead would like to know what
financial commitment the stakeholders are willing to make to the project. Director Anderson shared that he is
working on putting together some cost figures, per acre, associated with the stakeholders requests. A lengthy
discussion ensued on the impact of baseball groups on the department and the facilities. Mr. Hulbert
recommended that the Board re-evaluate the priority list and how are they serving the youth of the community.
In the future, Director Anderson would like to see that the city would not have to pay for the fields to be put in
other than the grading, seeding and the grass; everything else gets put in by the user groups and prepped by
the user groups.
The public informational meeting on Park Arthur will be before the December 10 meeting at 5:00 p.m. Notices
will be sent to people according to standard protocol, which was thought to be within 300 feet.
Muskego High School Softball Field
Director Anderson reported that the committee has not resumed meeting yet. He had received no word on the
grading that was suppose to start in September. All the contracts have been awarded. All but the infield mix
was to be done by the end of this year. Mr. Hulbert will contact Gary Rosploch for more information on the
project.
Hwy 36 Trail
Director Anderson stated that We Energies has been asking for more information every two or three weeks. So
far, he has answered all the questions that they have had, but now their technician is worried about the wires
so he will be meeting with him and Zenith’s representative, though they have no contract, at the site to answer
his questions. Director Anderson will have to wait until We Energies signs off on the project before going to
the WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). It’s a long approval process. The bridge probably
will not be in until spring of 2008.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
2008 Winter/Spring Program Guide
Staff is working on the 2008 Winter/Spring Program Guide. Program information is due on the secretary’s desk
by October 19 for typing. The department is targeting to have it out before November 25.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, October 8, 2007, page 4
Park Dedication Payback
Director Anderson shared that the payback to park dedication for the renovation of the Old Town Hall typically
for this next budget was $29,000. $25,000 of that has been taken for the general fund, leaving $4,000 to go
back into park dedication. He still needs to find out if this is just for the one year to help balance the budget or
is it going to be changed. He refreshed the Board members that at the time of the Old Town Hall renovation,
Council did not want tax dollars used, therefore, park dedication funds paid for the renovation. Board
President Whipple stated that when they put the money forward for that project, the agreement was that the
program revenue money was to go back into park dedication. Mr. Hulbert questioned how much money was
initially out of park dedication. Director Anderson thought it was $209,000. The department is in the second
year of programming at the facility. The playground program has helped, plus the pilates program and cooking
sessions. It’s a great place for programming. He wanted the Board members to realize what discussions are
taking place at the aldermanic level. Ald. Snead said she will meet with Director Anderson to brainstorm and
then present the facts to the aldermen so they can make a sounder decision. It’s a relatively new Council and
they may not be aware of the agreements.
Horn Field Drain Tile
Department of Public Works has replaced the drain tile behind the visitors’ bench toward the trail. The
drainage should be allot better for next year.
Launch Boxes at Idle Isle Park and Durham Launch
The boxes at Idle Isle Park and Durham launch were broken into two times each. The perpetrators cut the
inside latches, not the locks. Parks staff started collecting the money throughout the day and then the ranger
collected at night so they were not getting allot of money. Parks staff put two stainless steel bars completely
through and drilling holes on the ends for the lock to prevent access to the money. This may be done at the
other locations next year.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans—none.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
None.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:28 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,