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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 6/8/2009 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, June 8, 2009 Approved 7/13/09 Board President Whipple called the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board (Board), City of Muskego, to order at 5:30 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 Wednesday, June 3, 2009. Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Neome Schaumberg, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson. GUESTS: Ald. Noah Fiedler, Ald. Snead, Ald. Borgman, Martin Bangert, Steve Bequest, Mark & Diane MacDonald, Mark & Evan Oium, Annette Goebel, Stephanie Jansen, Bluhm Park Neighbors, Schmidt Park Neighbors, Ald. Werner APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 18, 2009 Minutes Mr. Brett Hyde moved to approve the minutes of the May 18, 2009 meeting, seconded by Mr. Jerald Hulbert. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried . PERSONAL APPEARANCES: Center Street Pier Ald. Werner shared with the Board that the pier is in and thanked the Board for their authorization of the city’s portion of the project. It is being used by residents in the neighborhood and boaters on the lake. Recently, the signs were installed down by the lake and by the street entrance. He mentioned they are planning a ribbon- cutting ceremony on Friday, June 19. They will start at Tres Locos at 5:30 p.m. and then be at the pier about 6:30 p.m. for the ribbon cutting. As part of the event, they are planning to take a lake tour with the Parks and Recreation Board. Members of the Common Council will be in attendance, too. They will meet the lake district people responsible for the lake. As the Common Council members and Parks and Recreation Board members approve certain items for the lake, this will be an opportunity for them to see the location of the lake accesses. Trail Along Tess Corners Drive (Janesville-Woods)—Ald. Snead Ald. Snead presented her constituent’s concern that there is no recreation trail along Tess Corners Drive from Janesville Road to Woods Road. There is no place to walk to get away from traffic. She wanted to know if there was any plans now or in the near future to put a trail along Tess Corners Drive so that people could walk safely with their children. Mr. Hyde recalled that there are some homes very close to the roadway so they would have to encroach on someone’s yard along the right-of-way. Director Anderson stated that the 2007-11 did not have this segment in it; however, if the Board deems it appropriate, they can amend it. Then, at the time, the Board wants to install it, the engineering costs and other costs would be addressed if they redid Tess Corners Drive, etc. Mr. Hulbert shared that initially it wasn’t included because of lack of right-of-way and all the trails are on city property, not private property. He would like first to see a road cross-section to see if there is any room for it. Director Anderson had checked with the Plan Director and he had said there are some Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 8, 2009, page 2 sections where the city would have to get easements or purchase property. Basically, Mr. Boisits stated that the Board would be putting it on a map with no cost involved at this time. When it would occur, they would make the financial assessment. Mr. Hulbert suggested the Board may want to hold a public hearing on it. Citizen Mark Oium asked if it would be beneficial if he solicited a petition seeing how many residents are interested in having a trail. The Board would find it beneficial and he could turn the petition over to Director Anderson. Mr. Jerry Hulbert moved to approve the concept for further exploration of trail along Tess Corners Drive. Mr. Eric Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Dog Park—Ald. Snead Ald. Snead brought up the issue of a dog park as her constituent was inquiring about one. The Board members had addressed what a dog park entailed at previous meetings. Director Anderson stated that a lot of the city parks have active use areas and to get to the parking lot in some parks, you’d be passing these areas and some people are uncomfortable even with the dog on a leash. There is also the need for sufficient acreage as the dogs are divided up by height and weight in their own fenced area. Another issue is the maintenance of the grass as you have to rotate the areas to keep the grass growing so the area doesn’t become a mud fest. With the current city parks, the Board has indicated there really isn’t sufficient space to put a dog park in and have all the amenities on site. The Board has told other groups that in the future as parkland becomes available for purchase, possibly in the southeastern part of the city, some planning for a dog park could be included. With a previous group, it was suggested that they contact the county about having an area set aside in the Muskego County Park as the county has a dog park in Minooka Park, but Director Anderson has heard nothing back from that group. Schmidt Park Prairie Plantings—Ald. Snead Ald. Snead had received a phone call on the no-mow area of Schmidt Park. The neighbors of Schmidt Park had the same concerns as the Bluhm Park neighbors relative to the no-mow area. Citizen Bangert read a letter to the Board that expressed their concern about mice, mosquitoes, ticks, raccoons and that the residents do use the no mow area. Director Anderson shared with the group an article from Mr. Tom Zagar about the myths of prairie grass and natural landscapes dispelling most of the issues brought forward by the group. He further stated that the directive came from the Mayor to look at ways to cut costs this year and future years and one of those was the contractual mowing of parks which now includes Kurth and Schmidt. The Board looked at areas where they could reduce the mowing costs by establishing no mow, prairie areas. There was discussion about the area near the park that the association mows. Mr. Hulbert would like the residents to come back with a plan on how, if they want it mowed, are they going to pay for it and if that is not in place, then it will be prairie grass. Mr. Hyde expressed that he was not real happy when they went to prairie grass but did understand the need because of budget cuts. Since there was very little feedback, he thought this was the way to go. Like Jerry said, maybe the Board should leave it to the residents to come up with a plan that’s acceptable to the Board and then move forward. Mrs. Koble indicated there was a definite difference between Bluhm and Schmidt. Bluhm Park is very actively used by a number of entities in the city and Schmidt is a neighborhood park that is used primarily by the residents in the immediate vicinity. There is no real easy access to get to the park. Looking at it as the neighborhood’s personal playground which is fine but they have to understand that it is not owned by the neighborhood area, it is owned by the city. Where Bluhm Park is being used by other entities, that is not the case at Schmidt. The type of change that the Mayor is asking is not a permanent one like putting in a concrete parking lot. This is something that has been researched and as far as mowing or no mowing, it is a restoration of prairie grass which in the long run, people would realize that it is an asset to their property. Ald. Schaumberg agreed if the residents could come up with a plan to mow it, that would be great. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that there is a cost to establishing a prairie and that has to be amortized over a number of years. Director Anderson said it would be a year and a half to get pay back. Board President Whipple asked if it was safe to say that the majority of the Board was willing to let this be mowed as long as the residents paid for it? It was a consensus of the Board. Mrs. Koble stated that the decision has to be made Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 8, 2009, page 3 before any type of restoration is done. Mr. Boisits said to leave the decision until the next meeting at which time the residents are to come back with a plan. Board President Whipple was willing to propose at both Schmidt and Bluhm areas, if the citizens want to pay to have it mowed, then it’s mowed; if they don’t want to pay to have it mowed, then it will be prairie as planned. Director Anderson advised that if the citizens contracted to have it mowed, then a certificate of insurance listing the city as an additional insured from the private contractor needed to be on file with the city. Mr. Hulbert moved that this area not be mowed and that the citizens will pick up the cost of mowing or the alternative would be to have the area in prairie. Alderman Schaumberg seconded. Board President Whipple clarified that the city will not cut it. It will turn to prairie unless thirty days from now (July 13 meeting) the citizens will come up with someone to cut it at their cost. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Reconsideration of Bluhm Park (North) Prairie Plantings Director Anderson refreshed the Board members that at the end of last month’s meeting, they had asked for cost figures on selling the portion of the park and also if the residents were interested in paying for mowing. The information he received from the city assessor was $28,900 for the one-acre. The majority of the Board members were not in favor of selling the property. Citizen Stephanie Jansen addressed the Board members about selling the parcel. Mrs. Koble expressed her opinion that once the city has parkland, she was not in favor of reducing parkland. Again, as with Schmidt Park, restoring a prairie or choosing not to mow, is not a long-term solution to a problem as they are not putting in a concrete parking lot. The area is used and some of those activities could happen somewhere else. Looking at cost savings while still maintaining the ownership of the property; this is a way of maintaining the property aesthetically as well as keeping budgets in line for everyone. She did support the no mow or prairie restoration. From last month’s meeting, Mr. Hyde shared that selling was brought forward as an option but three were not interested in selling and now, four. He did not think there was any real consideration of it as a sale. Part of the reason is they don’t know what will happen to the property in 10 years and they may seriously need the area. Mr. Hulbert moved not to entertain the sale of the portion of Bluhm Farm Park at this time. Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Board President Whipple stated the second option for the residents is to pay to have the area mowed or work out a contractual agreement to have it mowed or it will be a prairie. Citizen Jansen stated she had a petition of over 40 signatures of residents that did not want prairie in the entire park. They need at least 30 days to talk to the neighbors to make a decision as well as with the M.A.A. to see if they are interested in funding the mowing as they are a primary user of it. Mr. Boisits moved that this area in the north side not be mowed and that the citizens will pick up the cost of mowing or the alternative would be to have the area in prairie. They will have until the next meeting (July 13) to come up with a plan. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: Bench Memorial Donation at Idle Isle Park Director Anderson presented Mrs. Schaefer’s request for a memorial bench at Idle Isle Park honoring her mother. Her mother had spent many hours walking the perimeter of the park daily. They would have plaques placed one on the bench stating only “Winnie’s Bench” and another more complete one in the concrete at the base of the bench. He pointed out on an aerial the location of the bench and provided a picture of the bench. Parks Supervisor did not have any objection to the style or material make-up of the bench. There would be no cost to the city. Mr. Hyde moved to approve the memorial donation and placement. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Kurth Park Field Improvements Director Anderson reported that the Muskego Warriors Youth Baseball team just made improvements to Kurth Park. They paid for all of the field mix and pea gravel in the dugouts. They are looking for future improvements Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 8, 2009, page 4 such as a manual scoreboard. They are looking to have priority of this field’s usage. They are the only ones that play on the field and they are in their second year. They plan on coming forward with future improvements. Director Anderson reviewed briefly the priority usage established by the Board. Mr. Hulbert moved to give them four years with 2009 being year #1. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. (Director Anderson departed.) Bluhm Park, Denoon, Durham Launch & Idle Isle Vandalism Board members reviewed the reports on the vandalism at the parks. Bluhm Park Shelter Rental Cub Scout Pack 176 requested waiver of the rental fee for Bluhm Farm Park. Mrs. Koble moved to waive the fee for the Pack 176 for their use of the park shelter. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. S.H.A.R.E. Recognition Certificate The Parks and Recreation Board received a recognition certificate from S.H.A.R.E. They use Jensen Park as the Muskego distribution site. Season Pass Sale Issue In their packets, Board members were provided with the eMail correspondence from a non-resident relative to the handling of season passes. Bluhm Park North Parking Citizen Annette Goebel lives behind Bluhm Park and she expressed her concern about the limited parking available at the park. Park users are parking along the road and encroaching on neighboring properties and not abiding by the no parking signs. It is a safety issue for the pedestrians and the drivers. Mr. Hyde said that when they notice the problem to give Director Anderson a call and he can notify the league involved. Board President Whipple inquired primarily when it occurs. Citizen Goebel stated during the baseball season because it is every night of the week. She also stated that families backing out of the parking spaces are not always paying attention. Mrs. Koble could also attest to the parking problem as her family is involved with sport activities that are held at the park. She thought maybe more bumpers or car stopping facilities would be helpful. The park is a very tightly scheduled place for these activities. Board members brainstormed solutions on how the parking issue could be accommodated. The Board would like to know how many cars can be accommodated right now. If there is a possibility of expanding the parking lot, how much they could expand it, or making another parking lot on the south side near the intersection of Bluhm and McShane or maybe both? Are there any underground amenities that would hamper extending the parking area, any engineering issues? They would also like Director Anderson to provide cost estimates. Dunk Tank/Patient Appreciation Event at Idle Isle Park Dr. Cigno’s request for his annual patient appreciation event at Idle Isle Park on Wednesday, July 22, was reviewed by the Board. The event would include a small tent and a dunk tank set up and access to water for the dunk tank. Mr. Brett Hyde moved to approve the request. Alderman Schaumberg seconded. It was noted that the approval did not constitute a reservation for the park area and the group would be responsible for any damage that can be attributed to the event and any cost incurred for water. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. ALDERMAN’S REPORT: Alderman Schaumberg reported that there is a problem with parties being held at the Engle Conservation Area, mostly on Saturdays but some Fridays. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 8, 2009, page 5 STATUS OF PROJECTS: Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. During the month of May, the police did not receive any complaints regarding the team. Also, no compliance checks done during that time period. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Facebook Page for Department Program Manager Tammy Dunn has set up a facebook page for the department. Moorland Skate Park Press Release on Rules Board President Whipple noted that the rules for the skate park were published in the MUSKEGO NOW. Idle Isle Concessions RFP Status The department did not receive any response on the RFP for concessions at Idle Isle Park. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:21 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,