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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 2/9/2009 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, February 9, 2009 Approved 3/9/09 Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 6:01 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, February 5, 2009. Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Dan Pavelko, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson Absent: Mr. Eric Hetzel, (excused) GUESTS: Ald. Neil Borgman, John Lee, Laura Mishefske, Ald. Keith Werner, Kerry Werner, APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 12, 2009 Minutes Ald. Pavelko moved to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2009 meeting, seconded by Mr. Toby Whipple. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Hyde abstaining. PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Garden Proposal/Earth Day Proposal Mrs. Mishefske, historian for the Muskego Historical Society, presented the society’s proposal for a vegetable garden next to the log house at the Old Settlement Centre. This would be used as a teaching tool for scout groups and for the people that attend their events. Whatever produce they harvest would be sold at their farmer’s market at the craft show and at farm days and whatever produce is left over will be given to the needy. They also plan on having an Earth Day event at the end of April at which time the garden would be launched. They will be doing a soil sample to type the soil and if it is not suitable, they will supplement it with some good top soil. In the future, should the vegetable garden no longer be used, they will restore the area to its original condition. Ald. Pavelko moved to approve and Mrs. Koble seconded the motion. Staff thought it was a good idea. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Hulbert abstaining. The idea for Earth Day still needs to be approved by the Muskego Historical Society board members. The idea being that on the Saturday following Earth Day, they will launch the garden and the Mayor will do a groundbreaking for the garden and make some remarks. The girl scouts from area schools will sing from the steps of the Old Town Hall “This Land is Your Land.” Mr. Tom Zagar will be doing a guided nature walk through the woods and point out different species of flowers and trees. Someone will do a guided tour of the buildings. They will have a bake sale and offer other refreshments. They will be using Old Town Hall lower level primarily with the use of the upper level bathrooms. Concessions at Idle Isle/Summertime Mr. John Lee came before the Board to get their thoughts and obtain information on his offering concessions Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 9, 2009, page 2 at Idle Isle Park to see if there was a possibility of it happening. He would be working with the Water Bugs (Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc.) to make it happen. He would be proposing to have concessions on the weekends. He has had preliminary discussions with the food inspector from Waukesha County. The inspector advised him the best way would be to use the facility that is already in place and he also mentioned that Mr. Lee may be able to use the Water Bugs license. Director Anderson said the Water Bugs hold a lot of their inventory in their area of the shelter and it is highly unlikely they would allow anyone to have concessions in that area. There is a smaller public concession area that could be rented and he would have to get all the necessary permits. At this point, the Parks and Recreation Board does not have any type of contract for concessions at Idle Isle Park. The Board, however, did have contracts with concessionaires in the past. He suggested that if the Board wanted to have concessions, a percentage of the profits rather than a flat fee be used. The Board members discussed whether or not they wanted to allow a concession stand on weekends at Idle Isle Park. Mr. Hulbert said the Board needed to make it available to anyone. With that in mind, Director Anderson stated they would need a Request for Proposal (RFP) published so other interested parties could bid on it. It was the consensus of the Board members to move forward on it. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Muskego Jr. Warriors Baseball Tournament Request Director Anderson reported that the Warriors had filled out and submitted their tournament request. The fields did not change but remained as outlined in their letter for the tournament. There were no problems in the past with the tournament. He expected that they may request the parks staff to prepare the fields the Friday before the tournament as in years past. He did not know if the department could do it. They should be able to provide the service themselves. Ald. Pavelko moved to approve the tournament request. Mr. Boisits seconded. Ald. Pavelko reiterated that they work with other organizations on field availability, prep their own fields and responsible for trash pick up. Director Anderson shared that the staff will meet with them about a week and a half before the tournament to find out where they are with the number of teams. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Waiver of Fees for Veterans Memorial Park…Legion Post 356 A request was received from Legion Post 356 for the Board members to waive the $50 usage fee for their rental of Veterans Memorial Park shelter on June 20. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request for waiver of the fee. Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Basketball Practices Letter The eMail received relative to only players and coaches being allowed at the basketball practices was reviewed. The party was requesting that there be some place for parents to wait inside comfortably at the Lake Denoon Middle School while their child was practicing. Director Anderson advised the Board that the department has now allowed people to sit on the bleachers irregardless if their child was on court 1, 2 or 3. This permission is conditional that there be no disruptions with cell phones or lap tops or anything that would make sounds that would detract from the experience the children would have with the coach and so far, it has been okay. This is the first time it is being allowed at Lake Denoon Middle School. ATV Use at Idle Isle An eMail from Mr. Zagar reporting that he had observed a couple of ATVs running up and down the shore at Idle Isle Park just west of the fishing pier was reviewed. This was in the area of the rip-rap. Before he could talk to them, they were gone across the ice. Denoon Park Vandalism Director Anderson reported that people were starting fires in the dumpster at Denoon Park. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 9, 2009, page 3 NEW BUSINESS: 2009 Portable Toilet Service Contract Two bids were received for the 2009 portable toilet service contract. One from last year’s vendor Number One Portables and the other from Port-A-John which came in with the lower bid amounting to $535.50 lower than Number One Portables. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept Port-A-John to provide the service for 2009 portable toilets. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2009 Baseball Prepping Fees Director Anderson had recent discussions with all the leagues on baseball field prepping. The M.A.A. (Muskego Athletic Association) has now contacted three private firms to do the service. The firms are now contacting the department for information on what the department thinks they should be doing in the way of field preparation. Though the department has given them specifications, the firms have been advised that they need to talk to the league to see what they want done. The parks supervisor has been asked where the department obtained the field materials such as turface and baseball mix. The other leagues are actually doing the work from within their organization. The leagues have been informed that the department is trying to get a video, a manual and that every two weeks, staff will be inspecting the fields and this information will be shared with the Board. If the leagues cannot keep up with the standards agreed upon, this could jeopardize their use of the fields or they may have to spend money to restore the fields back to the original condition. The staff will be doing the initial spring work on the fields to get them ready to be released for practices. Once that is done, then it will be the responsibility of the leagues with department staff monitoring the fields throughout the season. Joint Effort with School District for Park Ald. Pavelko shared with the Board members the background information on the school district’s purchasing of the land which abuts the Tudor Oaks property. A map was provided showing the location of the land. Mr. Hyde stated it was about 57 acres and that the school district had looked at several parcels, but this was the only one with enough buildable area and very little wetland area. In reviewing the map, the Board members noted the close proximity to Bluhm Farm Park. Mr. Hulbert acknowledged the Board was looking at something in the quadrant, but more to the southwest. This land was close to Bluhm which didn’t help the area of OO and Highway 36 that they were targeting to service. However, in the future, playing surfaces may be needed and for that purpose, they could consider the school property. He mentioned also that Mr. Zagar could possibly work with the school board on a conservation plan or the school board may want to rent out the land. He did think the joint effort was a great idea. Mr. Hyde said they may have about 10-17 extra acres on the parcel. He could not speak for the Muskego/Norway School District Board on how they would feel about the joint effort. He did not think it fit the area of a community park in this part of the city. The access to the property is a concern also. Board President Whipple said there may be something they could do with it; however, he was less enthusiastic considering the proximity to Bluhm Farm Park. Mr. Hulbert thought they needed to explore this, but also needed to look for opportunities more in the southwest area. ALDERMAN’S REPORT: None STATUS OF PROJECTS: Park Arthur The department is looking to get the grading project bid out in late spring or early summer which would include the east part by 4J’s stable and the southern section which would include the overflow parking lot area down to the creek. Mr. Dave Birch indicated that the amount of money budgeted for development is very good as far as Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 9, 2009, page 4 the type of pricing to be getting on materials. Mr. Hulbert questioned if the ski hill had been looked at as far as the slope on it. Director Anderson stated the hill was reviewed by Bonestroo and it will have enough slope on it this time. Highway 36 Trail The kick-off meeting should be this week. Bonestroo will be handling the floodplain problems due to the abutments in exchange for them not doing some of the construction management that the city’s engineering group can do in-house to keep the contract price at the same amount. Mr. Hulbert questioned when it would be ribbon-cutting time. Director Anderson thought the end of summer. Bonestroo thought it would take 2-3 months for the floodplain work. Then, DPW (Department of Public Works) will have to do the ramps. They will not be using the original bridge that was purchased, but another Span Crete bridge with the correct height rails. Moorland Park Skate Park Mrs. Koble suggested that now is the time to come up with some proactive thoughts on the skate park as opposed to reactive to complaints or situations. Some ideas on what to do with reopening in the spring. Director Anderson refreshed the Board that they had given the department the ability to close the skate park which will be done if necessary this year. Senior citizens in the area had also approached the department on activities at the park geared to them. They were asked to come before the Board to give their thoughts on what type of programming or facilities they would like to see. Some initially had mentioned a garden area. Mr. Hulbert thought it was a step in the right direction. He asked when the soccer fields would be ready for play. Director Anderson stated he would know more in the springtime when they look at the grass growth and prairie growth. Ald. Pavelko mentioned getting a press release out on the skate park with a reminder that it may be closed if activity warrants it. Director Anderson said they could ask the Teen Advisory Board to do something as they have a representative from each school but a press release to the paper would be done also. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Program Guide eMail Director Anderson shared the eMail from Aiken, South Carolina stating how impressed they were with a copy of our recreation program guide. MHS Softball Field Update Director Anderson did not foresee the softball field being open until the spring of 2010. They say in the fall of 2009 but the department will not have enough usage at that time of year. There’s fencing from the backstop to third base and first base, but no home run fencing. Skate Park Cameras Plan Director Anderson sought the Board’s input on what they want in respect for cameras at the skate park. What type of detail did they want? Is there certain areas in the park that they want to see? Do they want to view the parking lot? Do they want to see things at night? Do they want to see somebody’s license plate? As the amount of detail increases, the price of the camera goes up. They need also to consider shelter, wiring and water. The location of the camera will determine where the wiring goes in and access to the shelter and the water for a fountain. Mr. Hulbert stated the first priority is the skate park itself, the second priority would be the parking lot and the detail would be the last priority. Also, how many cameras are they going to have and how are they going to be mounted—on a pole or in a shelter. He felt they needed to see all parts of the skate park. Director Anderson stated that the police department would like to have detail so they can issue citations. Mr. Boisits said do they want them as a deterrent or to identify wrongdoers. Board President Whipple requested to see some proposals with some different cost options based on three cameras versus two with more detailed stuff. Mr. Boisits asked if the police department could tell the Board what they want; if they want detailed Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, February 9, 2009, page 5 cameras and how many and from what angles that type of thing. Mr. Hulbert did mention that they could always upgrade the cameras if they needed to do so. They would need some type of shelter, maybe a simple yard structure to house the cameras. Also, some professional advice on where to place the cameras. To start, he would like the Board to concentrate on the skate park itself. The parking lot is an issue whether you have a skate park or not. One benefit would be to keep the people happy that live in the vicinity of the park. Director Anderson questioned if they had a dollar amount they wanted to stay under. Board President Whipple stated they needed to see the proposals and the costs and then they may go forward with the cameras or consider options. OTHER BUSINESS Subdivision Plans No plans were submitted for the Board’s review. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW: Open Meeting Law Information Meeting Director Anderson announced that there will be a presentation on the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, February 26, 6:00 p.m. at Muskego City Hall in the Muskego Room. Board members were encouraged to attend. Ball Diamond Update The field requests have been made up and everybody was assigned the fields they requested. The people will be contacted to let them know they have their requested fields. The date for the schedules to be submitted is April 3. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:13 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,