Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 3/9/2009
City of Muskego
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Monday, March 9, 2009
Approved 4/20/09
Board Vice-President Koble 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, March 5, 2009.
Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde (departed 6:59 p.m.), Mrs. Kelly Koble, Ald. Dan
Pavelko (arrived 6:59 p.m.), Recreation Program Manager Tammy Dunn and Parks Supervisor Peter
Theis.
Absent: Mr. Eric Hetzel, (excused), Mr. Toby Whipple (excused) and Director Anderson (excused)
GUESTS: Dana Zwick, Debbie Zwick, Ald. Werner, Ald. Borgman, Mr. Lederhaus, Mike Moriarity, Larry
Lefebvre
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
February 9, 2009 Minutes
Mr. Jerald Hulbert moved to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2009 meeting, seconded by Mr.
Gary Boisits. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried .
PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Girl Scout Group—Town Hall Grounds Improvements
Miss Dana Zwick presented the troop’s gold project (Muskego Revamped) for the proposed improvement at
the Old Settlement Centre grounds and buildings. Some of the items involved in the project are benches
around the fire pit, birdhouses and bat houses, scrape, prep and paint the church and the barn, flags on the
buildings, planting of flowers and garden. Mr. Hulbert mentioned that another girl scout group was working on
projects with Linda Mishefske for the park and he would hope to see them work together. Miss Zwick stated
that they will be helped by other groups on these projects. Mrs. Koble asked if they had contacted the historical
society. Mr. Hulbert indicated that the group had made that contact. Mrs. Koble inquired if the projects would
be done in one year or phased in. Mrs. Zwick stated they needed to be done during the summer before the
end of September. Mrs. Koble asked if they would then maintain the area. Miss Zwick said the younger troop
members would take care of it and Mrs. Zwick indicated they were going to ask groups to adopt the garden
and take care of it. They were also thinking that the Parks & Recreation Department would have some summer
programs incorporating the garden into some of their activities. Recreation Program Manager Dunn indicated
that is something they have been thinking of doing for years. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the proposal.
Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Center Street Pier—Ald. Werner
Ald. Werner presented his request to put a pier on the city-owned lake access located near the intersection of
Center Street and Lake Drive. He stated the Public Works Committee had approved the concept last year.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 9, 2009, page 2
They proposed putting in a 48-foot pier based on other piers in the area and the cost. The pier would be open
to residents and it would offer those on the south side of the lake access. They could fish off the extreme end
of the pier allowing space on the pier to moor approximately four or five boats allowing residents to take
advantage of the stores/restaurants along Janesville Road. One of the rules for mooring would be only
between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. He mentioned that the project would be a private/public venture as the
owners of Tres Locos are willing to dedicate up to 50 percent of the $10,266 cost of the pier with the city
funding the other 50 percent. Mr. Kurt Lederhaus of Muskego Dock and Boat Lifts offered to pay for 20 percent
of the pier, bringing the cost down to $8,000,leaving Tres Locos to pay $4,000 and the city $4,000. The pier
will be ADA compliant, a 6-foot wide pier with bumpers on the sides. He was also recommending purchasing
the roll-a-dock pier which would make it easy for DPW to get the pier in and out. They can hook to the pier and
just pull it out and put it on the property and there is room on the property to store the pier. The topography of
the area does not allow for boats to be launched from the site so there would not be any boat traffic on the
roadways. Mr. Boisits questioned if there was any parking issues. Ald. Werner stated there was street parking
on Center Street but not on Lake Drive as that can best be described as an alley. Also, in the area is parking
on Lannon Drive and Michi Drive. Mrs. Koble inquired if the decking of the pier was all aluminum as she was
concerned about noise. Ald. Werner stated it was aluminum and taped underneath by the manufacturer so
there is no noise. Mrs. Koble questioned if he had talked with the neighbors about the pier as well as the
mooring times. Ald. Werner stated a year ago he walked the entire neighborhood and made inquiries and
found no objection to the project. Mr. Hulbert commented since Parks and Recreation Board doesn’t have
jurisdiction over the area and the DPW has control over the area, he was asking the Board to participate in
putting in the pier. In conversation with Director Anderson, Ald. Werner said they were looking at it as being a
recreation area so it made sense to come before the Parks and Recreation Board as under an ordinance they
can control the lake access point in regard to such items as mooring times, fishing from the pier, etc. He
shared that the residents in the area have been maintaining the lot. He will be asking for a garbage barrel and
a picnic table to be placed on the lot. He wants to improve the lot so that the community can use it. Mr. Hulbert
asked if there would be any parking on the lot. Ald. Werner stated no parking on the lot and right now there is
a barrier on the lot with a chain across it. Parks Supervisor Theis recommended for liability issues to remove
the chain and extend the fence. In the winter, with snowmobiling, the chain would create a liability issue for the
city. Relative to the $4,000 funding, Mr. Hulbert asked what fund would be used? Recreation Program
Manager Dunn stated it would come from park dedication. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the joint
private/public venture for the installation of the pier on the Center Drive lake access with the following:
The cost to the city not to exceed $4,000 with funding from the park dedication account. The city to
provide a picnic table and garbage can. It would be under Parks and Recreation Board jurisdiction
with the Department of Public Works putting the pier in and pulling the pier out and doing the
maintenance of the lot and the neighbors would continue to mow the lot. Mooring hours would be 6:00
AM-10:00 PM. Signing of the area would include no swimming and no diving, area of the pier for
fishing, acknowledgement of Tres Locos and Muskego Dock and Boat Lifts contributions and the staff
will determine the rules to be signed. Mr. Boisits seconded. Mr. Hyde voiced his concern that with the pier
location in the proximity of Muskego Elementary School, there may be a traffic impact during school hours
when the Janesville Road is under construction as Lake Drive may be the only access to the school.
Recreation Program Manager Dunn asked when they would be purchasing the pier. Ald. Werner stated they
would be purchasing the pier this year and that DPW will be putting it in. Upon a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
2009 LMLA Weed Cutter Placement
Mr. Larry Lefebvre of the Little Muskego Lake District stated they are requesting permission to park their four
conveyors at Idle Isle, Hillview, Pleasantview and Oak Court as they have done for several years. Last year
there were no complaints as far as the conveyors; however, there was one relative to the weed cutters being
parked at Idle Isle which they accommodated by moving them over near the fishing pier. Mr. Hyde moved to
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 9, 2009, page 3
approve the four sites for parking the conveyors. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Mrs. Koble shared that Director
Anderson would like the cutters parked in front of the riprap area. Parks Supervisor Theis requested that the
stakes used for tying the conveyors be visible so people walking don’t trip over them. Upon a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
Water Bugs Ski Team, Inc. Dates & Agreements
Mr. Mark Moriarity informed the Board members that they would have 15 show dates and 33 practice dates for
2009 which would be one practice date less than 2008. He also requested to amend the dates presented to
not having a practice on June 29 but rather a practice would be on July 2 to get things in order for their July 3
show date. Mr. Boisits moved to accept the 2009 projected practice dates (33) and show dates (15) for
the Waterbugs with the amendment of canceling the June 29 practice date and adding the July 2
practice date. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Staff noted that the projected schedule also listed the 4 ski lesson
dates offered through the Parks and Recreation Department. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
VFW Post 8171 Fee Waiver Request
Board members were in receipt of a fee waiver request for the use of the Veterans Memorial Park shelter by
the VFW Post 8171. They have a request to use the facility on July 12. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the
waiver of fees. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Earth Day Celebration Event—Muskego Historical Society
The Muskego Historical Society will be holding its first annual Earth Day Celebration at the Old Settlement
Centre on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. The Board members reviewed their application for the
use of both the upper and lower levels of the Old Town Hall and the settlement grounds. Mr. Brett Hyde
moved to approve the applications and to waive the fees for the Earth Day Celebration Event with the
Muskego Historical Society, girl scouts and Conservation Coordinator Zagar. Mr. Boisits seconded.
Recreation Program Manager Dunn cautioned that they should monitor the attendance to keep within the 100
people maximum capacity at the Old Town Hall. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried with Mr. Hulbert
abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS:
Baseball Field Usage for 2009
Board members reviewed the field usage for 2009. Recreation Program Manager Dunn advised that the
leagues had been notified of the field assignment and their schedules were due April 1. Mr. Hulbert moved
to approve the 2009 baseball field usage as presented. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
2009 Service Contracts
Vice-President Koble advised the Board members that a dollar amount amendment to the lawn mowing
services had been received by Mr. Frank Fischer of F&W Landscape Specialists. A reduction of $4,000 off
contract proposal of $37,500 down to $33,500 for 2009 and $33,500 for 2010 based upon reduction of grass
cutting area. The original contract amount was without the no-mow areas of 16 acres. Parks Supervisor Theis
stated that Mayor Johnson had directed the department to look at potential no mow areas in an effort to reduce
costs. The price change reflects that difference with areas in the past that had been mowed and now will be
naturalized. Vice-President Koble said the weed eradication services proposal received from F & W
Landscape Specialists was $975 for 2009 and $975 for 2010. The total contract amount for mowing and weed
eradication, with the amendment to the lawn mowing cost, was $34,475 per year. Mr. Hulbert moved to
approve 2009 grounds contract services for $7,049 from Terra Firma and the amended lawn and weed
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 9, 2009, page 4
eradication services contract for $34,475 per year, reflecting the $4,000 annual reduction for the non-
mow areas received from F & W Landscape Services. Mr. Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
Community Garden at Moorland Park
Ald. Pavelko stated the residents are interested in the community garden. They wanted to know what area of
the park. They would like it closer to Sandalwood. Dave Birch of Bonestroo was recommending an area on
the west side of the park just beyond the parking lot. This was based on the other amenities in the park. Mr.
Hulbert thought some other area could be conducive to a garden plot area; something with undisturbed soil.
Parks Supervisor Theis stated that most of the area is graded. Board members discussed the soil conditions
relative to being used for gardens and whether to provide topsoil or mulch. Ald. Pavelko suggested that if
Eagle Scouts are looking for a project, this would be good one. Recreation Program Manager advised that the
area would not be available for planting this year when you consider soil preparation and the water issue. Mr.
Hulbert expressed that he would like to see it happen this year. If the residents wanted to do it, they could
make it happen and it should be made available to them. He acknowledged that she may be conservative and
may be right. Ald. Pavelko would like to see staked-out plots for the residents. Parks Supervisor Theis
believed that the Department of Works staff could prepare the site initially and the parks staff could stake it out.
Mr. Hulbert would like Parks Supervisor Theis to assess the area to see what it looks like. Recreation Parks
Manager Dunn referred to what may be in Chapter 26 relative to what can or cannot be brought into a park or
removed from a park. Mr. Hulbert made a motion to accept the general location of the proposed park for
the surrounding residents and that the area will be staked out and in April the Board will look for a plan
of operation. Mr. Boisits seconded. Director Anderson is willing to meet with anybody from the condo
association and talk about the steps necessary to proceed. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Idle Isle Concessions RFP
Board members reviewed the RFP for the Idle Isle Concessions to send out for bids to be received by May 1. It
was being recommended that it be weekends only as the shelter is available for rental Monday through
Thursday. Also, it would exclude special events approved by the Parks and Recreation Board. It was noted
that the concessionaire would be responsible for electrical usage costs above $165. Mr. Hulbert moved to
approve the RFP. Mr. Boisits seconded. Mr. Hulbert inquired how they would keep track of sales so the
correct percentage is paid to the city. Staff was not sure; however, Mr. Boisits stated they have to keep record
of their receipts, expenses and gross value of sales in their proposal. Mr. Hyde thought it would be a matter of
trust. Recreation Program Manager Dunn advised that if they have a vendor’s license, they have to keep track
of some form of accounting. Discussion on whether or not there is a cash register and it was recommended
that they purchase one and be part of the proposal. What mechanism will they use to keep track of sales
should be added to the RFP. Mr. Boisits stated to make it a requirement that they have a cash register and
that the customers receive receipts. Mr. Hulbert also agreed that customers need to get receipts should be
added to the RFP. Mr. Hulbert amended his motion, Mr. Boisits agreed, to add to the RFP that the
customers receive receipts and that the concessionaire have a recording device. Upon a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
ALDERMAN’S REPORT:
Ald. Pavelko reported he had spoke with Superintendent Schroeder and a small committee is being formed,
including Ald. Pavelko, Jim Schaefer and Tom Zagar to discuss the idea of the joint effort for the recently
acquired school property. Mr. Hulbert expressed an interest in attending a meeting, but not committing to
serve on the committee.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 9, 2009, page 5
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Highway 36 Trail
Parks Supervisor Theis reported that the consultant was doing a flood plain analysis where the bridge is going
in. It will be about a 3-4 month project yet with the WDNR before they give approval.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Moorland Park Playground
Recreation Program Manager Dunn shared that the department is starting to work on the playground for the
park. The playground was approved for installation in 2009 with a target amount of $80,000. Playground
equipment will be about $60,000-$65,000 and the remaining balance will pay for the concrete and surface
material. Because of the anticipated use between the skateboard park, soccer, and the housing area around
the park, the department will try to be creative with what is put in. The age group for the playground equipment
is 2-12 years. Also, look at some fitness equipment for the residents in the area. In May, the department
should have a conceptual plan available. There is an organization known as U.S. Communities which is a
government-purchasing alliance and the city is a member and, therefore, the project may not have to be bid as
long as the city uses one of those companies and there are also increased discounts.
Summer Program Guide
Staff is starting to work on the summer program guide and it should be in the mailboxes the end of April. The
school district is doing physical education classes over the summer and this impacts the facilities available for
programs.
(Mr. Hyde departed and Ald. Pavelko arrived.)
Prairie/No Mow Grass Areas
Board members were provided with maps showing the area of Schmidt Park, Denoon Park, Kurth Park, Bluhm
Park and Manchester Hill Park designated to be put into a natural state with prairie grass. This was being
done at the Mayor’s request in an effort to save costs on cutting. Parks Supervisor Theis reviewed each area
and whether or not the area being restored to its natural state would have any impact on current park activities.
Mr. Tom Zagar had formulated a letter on the cost to convert these areas to their natural state or prairie. His
projected cost was $5,000. Mr. Boisits inquired if that was a one-time fee and would any other maintenance be
necessary. Parks Supervisor Theis stated that was a one-time fee; however, in establishing a prairie, more
seed may be needed at times as well as an occasional burn of the vegetation or mowing in the second or third
year. Vice-President Koble offered that due to the herbicide being put on, the area would look unattractive for
a good solid year. Parks Supervisor Theis added that a letter will be sent to the neighbors letting them know
about the project. Ald. Pavelko voiced his concern about the area in Schmidt Park. He was familiar that the
children play on the hill and would not like to see that taken away from them. He and Parks Supervisor Theis
will take another look at that open space. Mr. Hulbert also would not like to take away the recreation play of
rolling down the hill. Ald. Pavelko was concerned also about the ball playing errors being thrown into the
prairie grass and trying to find the ball at Bluhm Park. Parks Supervisor Theis and Ald. Pavelko will take a look
at that area also. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the planned areas in cooperation with the Alderman’s
inspection. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Trail along Racine Avenue from MRT to MHS
Parks Supervisor Theis stated this trail installation was proposed as part of a stimulus package; however,
since the stimulus money was not awarded to counties, only to Federal and State agencies. There will be no
trail.
Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, March 9, 2009, page 6
Parks Security Camera Project Update
Parks Supervisor Theis reported that Centec Security out of Waukesha is putting a plan together based on
what was discussed with them in a recent meeting. This would be the cameras at Moorland Park. Department
is looking at three, possible four cameras to view the skateboard park, the playground area and the parking
area. Staff from the Police Department, Information Systems Department and the Parks and Recreation
Department met with Centec.
North Cape Road Recreational Trail
Board members were in receipt of a letter Mayor Johnson sent to City of Franklin that Muskego does have
plans to connect on Durham and go in the southern direction. Parks Supervisor Theis shared that this is the
portion of the trail that will connect to Highway 36 trail. Franklin is interested in getting our plans. He spoke
with a Franklin city engineer today who indicated they would like Muskego to consider a northerly route also to
the recreation trail, to focus on both directions. Mr. Hulbert couldn’t see any benefit in going north. Parks
Supervisor indicated it would connect the loop to the trail on North Cape Road.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans
No plans were submitted for the Board’s review.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW: None
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment 7:32 p.m. Seconded
by Mr. Boisits. 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,