Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 7/13/2009
City of Muskego
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Monday, July 13, 2009
Approved 8/10/09
Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of
Muskego, to order at 6:04 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, July 9, 2009.
Present: Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Brett Hyde, Ald. Neome Schaumberg and Mr. Toby Whipple
Absent: Mr. Gary Boisits (excused), Mr. Jerald Hulbert (excused), Mrs. Kelly Koble (excused) and Director
Anderson (excused).
GUESTS: Ald. Snead, Ald. Borgman, Stephanie Jansen, Dennis Haase, Daryl Schure, Et. Al.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
June 8, 2009 Minutes
Mr. Eric Hetzel moved to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2009 meeting, seconded by Mr. Brett
Hyde. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried .
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Muskego/Wind Lake Youth Football Request for Practice Fields
Mr. Daryl Schure submitted the youth football request for practicing in the outfields of Lions Park, Kurth Park,
and Jensen Park. The request would be for Monday-Friday, 5:00 p.m-8:00 p.m., from August 17-October 31.
Director Anderson and Parks Supervisor Theis had advised that no problems were associated with their 2008
usage of these park areas. Ald. Schaumberg moved to approve the request of the Muskego/Wind Lake
Youth Football for practice fields in 2009. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
Vandalism at Bluhm, Idle Isle Parks
Board members reviewed the vandalism reports which consisted of a broken table by the playground at Bluhm
Farm Park, broken toilet tank cover in the men’s facility at Bluhm Farm Park’s south side shelter, broken table
bench under shelter at Idle Isle Park, and creepy burnt effigy found on broken tree branch at Idle Isle Park.
The parks crew repaired or replaced the relevant items and the effigy information was turned over to the police
department for their review.
Park Eviction Letters
Copies of the park eviction letters sent to two individuals were reviewed by the Board members. One was
related to a bicyclist at the skateboard park and the other to an incident at Idle Isle Park. At the police
department’s recommendation, for the incident at Idle Isle Park, the individual was banned for the whole
summer.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, July 13, 2009, page 2
Incident at Kurth Park
The police arrested a drunk who started a fire in the men’s restroom at Kurth Park.
Water Bugs Roster
Board President Whipple reported that in compliance with the agreement, the Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. has
provided their roster for 2009. Of the total membership, 52% are Muskego residents.
Community Garden Interest
An email received from Ald. Harenda indicated that the condo association was not interested in doing a
community garden.
Idle Isle Pavilion Electrical Work
Board President Whipple reported that the installation of a junction box on the exterior of the west center of the
building was completed. Permits for the work had been pulled with the permit fee being waived. The materials
and labor for installation were donated so there was no cost to the city. Director Anderson had verify the work
was done properly. Mr. Brett Hyde moved to approve the electrical work. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a
voice vote, the motion carried.
Little Muskego Lake District Weed Tipping at Park Arthur
There had been reported an issue of the lake district dumping weeds at Park Arthur. Director Anderson had
sent an inquiry to Mr. Lefebvre. Mr. Lefebvre responded that he had spoken with both truck drivers regarding
when they “tip” weeds at Park Arthur. They do it only after 5:00 p.m. when the quarry is closed and on
Saturdays. They leave the truck and cutters loaded at night, then go to the quarry first thing in the morning.
They went to Park Arthur one other time when the quarry road was flooded. Board President Whipple
summed up that basically, they are only tipping at Park Arthur as an emergency measure.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bluhm Park (North) Prairie Plantings
Stephanie Jansen addressed the Board members relative to the prairie plantings at Bluhm Park North. She
had been out of town so could not speak for the neighbors. The portion behind their residence, she said they
would hire out to have it mowed as her husband has his own LLC and has coverage with his insurance
company to do the mowing. He would be able to provide the city with a certificate of insurance. She stated he
could mow the whole thing but she was not able to meet with her neighbors to get their input. Mr. Hyde
mentioned it was the Board’s desire that the whole portion be mowed or it would go to prairie. Board President
Whipple asked for a clarification of what they intended, was just behind their lot or the entire section? Mrs.
Jansen said they should be only responsible for what is behind their own lot, not pay to have the whole thing
mowed and nobody else pay, and she’ll have to contact the neighbors to find out what they decided to do. Ald.
Schaumberg questioned if they could wait until Director Anderson returns and then let him make the final
determination. Board President Whipple stated that as it stands right now, the section will go to prairie with no
further action. Mr. Hyde said there are three options (1) go to prairie, (2) homeowners to contract with the city’s
mowing service or contract with their own mowing service providing the city with a certificate of insurance, or
(3) defer it to Director Anderson to make the final decision. Ald. Schaumberg said to give Mrs. Jansen a week
to talk with her neighbors. Mr. Hyde moved to defer the issue to Director Anderson that whatever
arrangements they can make with Director Anderson to have the homeowners take care of the
mowing, whether it is all or part, if it’s okay with Director Anderson, then he can contract the mowing
service to do it, the acre or so that needs to be mowed. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Board President
Whipple said then they could have her husband’s service mowing behind their property and the city’s
contracted vendor mowing the rest of it. Mr. Hyde stated if it wasn’t too big of a problem; but may have to do
negotiation to get that little piece done by the contractor. Mr. Hyde clarified his motion to defer it to Director
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, July 13, 2009, page 3
Anderson to make whatever arrangement is possible to his satisfaction with the homeowners paying for the
mowing. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried 3-1 with Board President Whipple voting nay.
Schmidt Park Prairie
Ald. Snead informed the Board that the contractor that does the Hale Park open space was willing to do the
mowing for $40 each time. At this time, she did not have how many homeowners were willing to pay for it but
didn’t think that would be an issue with the Board. This person would need to meet with Director Anderson with
the proof of insurance and set that up with the city so all liabilities would be covered. If there are not enough
homeowners that are willing to pay for it, then it would go to prairie. If the contractor never comes forward with
the insurance certificate, then it would go to prairie. She stated they don’t have a for sure that the neighbors
are willing to buy into the mowing. Dennis Haase has done what he could and hasn’t heard from all the
neighbors. He does have half the necessary people committed and he has made it known to them that it is a
long-term thing. Mr. Hyde asked how long it would take for them to get a consensus from the neighbors. Ald.
Snead mentioned giving the contractor two weeks to get in touch with Director Anderson. Ald. Schaumberg
moved as long as the contractor comes forward with the right credentials to Director Anderson by
July 31, and that the citizens will pay for the mowing; and, if not, then it will be prairie planting. Mr.
Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Bluhm Park North Parking
Board President Whipple shared that Director Anderson has been looking at finding options for additional
parking at Bluhm Park. He should have the information available at the August meeting.
ALDERMAN’S REPORT:
Park Fees for Snowmobiles and Winter Fishermen
Ald. Schaumberg inquired if there should be a charge for parking of snowmobiles and parking winter
fishermen’s vehicles at the boat launches. This item had come up at a recent meeting of the Big Muskego
Lake association. Relative to the wintertime, Board President Whipple shared that the launch parking lots are
not a high priority for plowing. His understanding that the fees they charge at the launches are for boat
launching and what the DNR has approved; however, in the summer, parking fees are collected at Idle Isle
Park. Mr. Hyde did suggest that collecting the parking fees could be an operational cost for plowing the lots in
the winter.. Mr. Hetzel questioned if other area parks charged for snowmobilers. Board President Whipple did
not think so. If Muskego did, how would it be enforced. Mr. Hyde thought they needed to find out some more
information. If they did collect fees, then the department would have to commit to plowing the lots. Board will
address this again at the August meeting.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Park Arthur
Board President Whipple reported that Director Anderson has been in contact with Tom Blotz relative to the
status of the grant request.
Hwy 36 Trail
There was information in the Board packet on the recreation trail. The abutments are not in the flood plain and
the department is waiting on the DNR for approval to go forward. Director Anderson is hoping the bid can be
done by the end of the summer.
Moorland Park/InPro Skate Park
There are issues with the percentage of grass growth in the sections abutting the skateboard park where the
future soccer fields are planned. The issue is being worked out with the contractor. The grass growth at this
time is not acceptable to the stipulations in the contract.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, July 13, 2009, page 4
Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc.
During the month of June, the police did receive complaints regarding the team but when these were checked
out, the Waterbugs were in compliance.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
None
OTHER BUSINESS:
None
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hetzel moved for adjournment at 6:39 p.m.
Seconded by Ald. Schaumberg. 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,