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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 4/14/2008 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, April 14, 2008 Approved 5/12/08 Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 6:05 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, April 10. 2008. Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Brett Hyde (departed at 7:01 p.m.), Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Tracy Snead, Mr. Toby Whipple, Recreation Program Manager Tammy Dunn and Department Intern Mark Genac Absent: Director Craig Anderson (excused), Mr. Jerald Hulbert GUESTS: Ald. Borgman, Judy Koelpin, Gary Christopher, Bob Bueckers, Howard Schneider, Walter Spitzer, Joe Stromski APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 10 Minutes Mr. Brett Hyde moved to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2008 meeting, seconded by Mr. Eric Hetzel. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Little Muskego Lake Ass’n Idle Isle Request Mr. Spitzer, President of the Little Muskego Lake Ass’n, presented their request written and verbal for use of Idle Isle shelter on Sunday, June 22, for a pig roast to commemorate their 40 years of service. He had been advised by office staff that the shelter was not reserved on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays. They anticipate 75-100 people would attend the event. If they cannot reserve the shelter, then they would request to erect a tent. Mrs. Koble asked if they would anticipate allot of drive-in traffic needing to use the parking lot. He could not say until they started receiving responses from the invitations they sent out. A majority of their members live on the lake so he anticipated that a good deal of them would come by boat and tie up around the island. There would be some drive-ins and he understood the limited parking and the overflow lot across Martin Drive. They don’t have any shuttle service set up. Board President Whipple read a reminder from Director Anderson that since they completed the new shelter at the park that basically the Board had made a decision at that time not to rent it on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays due to the congestion at the park. Ald. Snead inquired if putting up a tent would create more congestion than if they were to use the shelter. Board members discussed that the group was not an outside group and it was early in the season. Ald. Snead moved to approve the request being allowed to use the shelter on Sunday, June 22. Mr. Hyde seconded. Mrs. Koble questioned if they would need additional portable toilets. Mr. Spitzer did not think so as the bathrooms in the shelter seem sufficient. There is also a portable toilet on site already. Mr. Hyde would Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, April 14, 2008, page 2 like some feedback, positive or negative, on the event and the impact at the park. He would like the park manager to check on this. This information would then be used in considering future requests for weekend/holiday usage. Mrs. Koble inquired about the time frame for the event. Mr. Spitzer stated the staff doing the pig roast would arrive about 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m., food being served about 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. and he expected the group to be out of the park by 4:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. There would be no music, no alcohol. It’s just a social get-together. Program Manager Dunn asked if he was sure people would not be bringing in beer or liquor. Mr. Spitzer could not say for sure and if they bring in their own, they have no control over it. If they do and they get unruly, they can call the police department. Mr. Boisits asked if there was any criteria or was the Board establishing a precedent by approving the request. Board President Whipple said this would be the first time they would be approving a weekend. Mr. Boisits said it should be done clearly to show that they are not trying to establish any precedent; other than they weren’t from the outside. Is the door going to be open to allow other civic organizations in Muskego to use the shelter on weekends. Board President Whipple said it would be up to the Board. Ald. Snead amended her motion, Mr. Hyde accepted, to stipulate in the motion the Board is allowing this on a trial basis and because it is the lake association. Mrs. Koble asked if they would be sending out an information flyer. Mr. Spitzer stated that information had gone out in a flyer, the district newsletter, already to everyone in the lake district and basically, they have to respond with a deposit saying they are going to attend so the LMLA can get a count on the event. Mrs. Koble was concerned not specifically about the use of the shelter, but the parking and other people coming to the park and where would they park. She would like him to encourage the members to carpool or to come by boat. Upon a voice vote, the amended motion carried unanimously. Mr. Spitzer questioned if there was AC power available to turn the spits. Program Manager Dunn responded they are on the outside and when he does the request, he’ll need to indicate what wattage so he’s not tripping circuits. Board President Whipple informed him that he will still have to fill out the shelter usage request. Launch Model Rockets in Park Mr. Joe Stromski presented his request to launch rockets in the park. He has a cub scout den from Tess Corners Elementary School. One of the projects they completed was building rockets and now they would like to launch them in a park. He would like to have the Board grant permission for this activity. He would like to do it on Saturday, April 26, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending about 11:00 a.m. with a rain date of May 3. His first choice was Bluhm Park; however, the Board members recommended that Denoon Park would be a better location for this activity. The parks supervisor’s input was that they would pick up any rocket debris. Mr. Brett Hyde moved to approve the request for them to launch their rockets in Denoon Park, central area to the east far enough away from the soccer game field, near the basketball court. Mr. Gary Boisits seconded. Mr. Stromski expected there would be from 10-20 people. Board President Whipple said they could use the school lot for parking. Also, the police department needs to be advised of the activity. Board President Whipple stated that there should be no one in the soccer practice area. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc.(Water Bugs) Additional Dates for 2008 Mr. Howard Schneider, et .al. had concerns about the added dates and would like the Board to reconsider their decision and remove the three days that were added so that the total number of days remain at 45. He mentioned that the water quality is changing and not for the best. The group felt the lake ecosystem is being adversely affected and adding more days can only make an existing problem worse. Mr. Schneider shared and provided a letter on the conversation he had with Richard Lathrop, a researcher from UW-Madison. Board members will also be provided with a report on The Effects of Motorized Watercraft on Aquatic Ecosystems. Mr. Schneider said that with the more boating activity, you change the ecosystems to a biological area that is more friendly to carp and the carp tend to take over the lake as other fish such as northern and walleye cannot make it. Referring to the letter, lakes or portions of lakes can go beyond the tipping pint and get stuck in what is called the turbid algal state. This is a condition where the water never clears up. He was concerned that the Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, April 14, 2008, page 3 lake with all the activity is heading in that direction. Board President Whipple summed up that Mr. Schneider would like it reduced back to 45 days. Mr. Schneider understood one of the additional dates was for a special event but he thought this year’s special event would become next year’s annual event. He also thought that some of the practices could be done in deeper water. Mr. Christopher was asked about this and he responded that in some areas it is a matter of legality, certain laws they have to follow, and also they would have to put buoys in to mark off the area. Mrs. Koble said in the past they have asked the ski club to move jumps, to store in different areas, rerouted practice routes certain feet off of certain areas. She noted that the Parks and Recreation Board’s jurisdiction stops at the shore line. However, Board President Whipple said the Board was involved because they provide the access to the lake through the park. Mr. Boisits didn’t think that three days this year would make that much of a difference but it is a concern and are they causing that much damage and it is something the Board needs to address. Board President Whipple asked Mr. Christopher to refresh them on the three additional days. Mr. Christopher said one extra show on July 2 and the July 3. It is just the way the calendar worked out this year. He said that every year is different and is based on the calendar. Next year, it could just be 30 days depending on the calendar. Mr. Boisits would like to have a history on the days awarded to the ski club over the years. Mr. Schneider recalled that one year it was 30 days and the Finance Committee overruled the Board and awarded them 35 days. However, Mr. Schneider offered to give the Board members a tour of the lakes to show them what is happening at the lake. He wanted to see some moderation and felt that 45 days was sufficient. This item was deferred until the next meeting. This will give the members time to review the agreement, to look at the information provided by Mr. Schneider. Mr Schneider will contact Mr. Asplund to see if he is willing to come to the Board meeting. Mr. Hyde would like to see what would be involved in getting the ski club practices out in the deeper water. He thought they should try and find a compromise. Ald. Snead would like to see the number of days for the last five years to see how much the days have been fluctuating. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Skateboard Park Complaint Board members reviewed the skateboard park complaint. They were glad to see that the police are patrolling the area. Waiver of Fees, Veterans Memorial Park Ms. Warr advised the department secretary that she would not be requesting use of the parks. Idle Isle Park/Kurth Park Vandalism Parks Supervisor Theis reported on the vandalism at Kurth Park that the bubble panel on the playground equipment was broke. At Idle Isle Park, someone peeled off decorative decal from the main entrance sign, pulled out a trailer only parking sign, and ripped off a dumpster enclosure panel. The vandalism at Idle Isle Park did not occur within camera range. There was also additional damage done to the roof where access was gained by stacking up picnic tables whereby some shingles were removed. Denoon Park Lawn Damage Board President Whipple explained that the lady president of the soccer club was delivering paint to the storage box and decided to drive from the parking lot through the swamp up to the storage box. This is where her vehicle became stuck in the soggy ground. She also was involved in advising the soccer group using the field that they should not be on the field and tearing the field up. It was an outside club, not Muskego. The repair of the lawn damage has been done by the soccer club. Also, signs have been posted that the field is closed to all play until further notice. Mrs. Koble mentioned that she had observed young men on the soccer field at Manchester Hill Park about a couple weeks ago. The parking lot was full. Board President Whipple shared that they were aware of three outside clubs, not Muskego, were using Muskego’s fields when their own fields were closed. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, April 14, 2008, page 4 NEW BUSINESS: Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. (Water Bugs) Pier Agreement The department secretary advised that the dates in the agreement had been changed to reflect 2008. Ald. Snead moved to approve the pier agreement for 2008. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Lake Access Use for Weed Harvesting Mr. Spitzer had indicated to the department’s secretary that they were still talking to the neighbors and should have something by the May meeting. This was deferred until next month’s agenda. ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Ald. Snead reported on the Plan Commission’s hearing on Park Arthur that was held April 7. The people there that were not real happy with the park had some logical concerns and comments. She cautioned the Board that they need to watch closely how the project is progressing, taking a look at each phase. It was approved by the Plan Commission and the Common Council. STATUS OF PROJECTS: Highway 36 Trail The WDNR changed the width for the bridge. Mr. Burch is working with the WDNR to see what can be done. Mrs. Kelly asked about any increase in cost. Program Manager Dunn said that part hasn’t been determined yet. Skateboard Park Board members reviewed the inspection report. The parks staff did not find any hidden hideout within the skate boarding equipment. Mr. Hetzel shared that he had notified Director Anderson that he had heard that this area was being used as a hideout. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Summer Program Guide Program Manager Dunn shared that the guide went to the printer this date. This will be the first issue with the city newsletter and the glossy cover. The cover incorporated the changes the Board desired at the last meeting. Playground Equipment Department Intern Mark Genac reported that they had completed an inspection of the playground equipment at the parks. They found a bubble cracked at Veterans Memorial Park and are in the process of getting it repaired. At Schmidt, one of the hand pieces on the climbing wall is broken and the part has been ordered. Board President Whipple asked if he knew where the benches were for Manchester Hill Park. Mr. Genac had not noticed any stored at the parks garage. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans—none. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW: In their packets, the Board members received information on the Water Bugs team going to China. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, April 14, 2008, page 5 Parks Supervisor Theis had taken pictures of the flooding at Kurth Park and Bluhm Park last Friday. These were shown to the Board. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Ald. Snead moved for adjournment at 7:20 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,