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Park & Rec Board - MINUTES - 5/18/2009 City of Muskego PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Monday, May 18, 2009 Approved 6/8/09 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, May 14, 2009. Present: Mr. Gary Boisits, Mr. Eric Hetzel, Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde (arrived 5:55 p.m.), Ald. Neome Schaumberg, Mr. Toby Whipple, Director Anderson and Recreation Program Manager Tammy Dunn Absent: Mrs. Kelly Koble, (excused) GUESTS: Ald. Noah Fiedler, Rick Henneberry, Scott Lago, Ken Bitter, Phil Sandoval, Bluhm Park Neighbors INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS Ald. Neome Schaumberg was introduced to the Parks and Recreation Board members. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 20, 2009 Minutes Mr. Eric Hetzel moved to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2009 meeting, seconded by Mr. Jerald Hulbert. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried . PERSONAL APPEARANCES: 2009 Community Festival—Scott Lago On behalf of the Muskego Community Festival Committee, Scott Lago made a formal request for use of Veterans Memorial Park facilities and the Old Settlement Centre parking area for their annual community festival. The festival dates are August 27-30 with set up taking place on the Monday before, August 24, and tear down of the festival on Monday, August 31. Like last year, they will run Thursday night, 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., as a family night. New to the festival is the Teen Advisory Board’s “Muskego Idol” contest. Some of the vendors may elect to open up to serve refreshments. It’s strictly “no alcohol” event on Thursday. He stated that the garbage would be taken care of by the Muskego High School downhill ski team and Veolia. The bathrooms will be open for their event and they will monitor them and restock the paper products. Director Anderson requested that they routinely monitor the boardwalk as the department has noticed garbage in that area after their event and some damage to the signage. Director Anderson inquired if there was any contingency in case of rains. Mr. Lago stated that they have not made a contingency plan yet but they have talked in the past about setting up on the paved roadway. He’ll bring it up at their meeting on Wednesday. Mr. Hulbert asked who paid for the restoration two years ago. Mr. Lago said the festival committee paid for it and Director Anderson clarified it was for the product, the city covered the staff time. Mr. Hulbert would like more patrols through the area of the Old Settlement Centre. Last year, the log cabin had a door kicked in. They need good patrol on the boardwalk. Director Anderson asked if the times were the same as well as the time the music plays. Mr. Lago stated Thursday, 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Saturday, Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, May 18, 2009, page 2 12:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The music would stop the same time as previous years. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the festival request for this year. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Lion’s Club Event at Idle Isle Park—Scott Lago Ken Bitter and Scott Lago of the Muskego Lion’s Club presented their request for usage of Little Muskego Lake, a one-day event, and usage of Idle isle Park for June 27, 2009. They propose to have a food and beverage tent with music available. The hours of operation would be 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. The hours for the band from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Their goal is to bring in about 400-500 attendees. They are proposing to take control of the park and offer it back to the public to come and visit their event. They are looking for foot traffic as well as boat traffic. They are looking at this event as an opportunity to start an annual event to raise money for the club, noting that 50 percent of what they raise gets funneled back into the community. They would not be taking up any of the parking area for boat trailers. However, weather permitting, they would be looking at adding a couple rows of parking on the grass for cars and boats anchoring in the area of the beach. Director Anderson asked if they were looking for the beach to be closed during their event. Mr. Lago stated that if they were to take over, they would be looking for the beach to be closed starting at 3:00 p.m. as they would not want to assume that responsibility. Mr. Hulbert said they would have to leave the piers open for those coming and going on the lake. Director Anderson would like them to have extra toilets, extra dumpsters at their costs. The facility bathrooms can be used but they would have to restock the paper products. Speaker placement for any bands faced so the majority of the noise is going out over the lake. Launch area would have to remain open. They also need the paperwork filled out with the department. He also recommended they contact the Little Muskego Lake District about the event as they have weed cutters in the area. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request and grant them two rows of grass parking if weather permits; otherwise, with them being responsible for restoration of any damage. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. They would take over the park from 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. They would be setting a tent to the west side of the shelter with the beer and music underneath and have a food preparation tent on the east side. They still have to meet with the Waukesha County Health Department regarding the food preparation and sales. Mr. Lago shared that they had already taken their request to the Finance Committee and that approval was given contingent upon the Parks and Recreation Board’s approval. Director Anderson advised that the parks staff would not be in attendance once they started set up for their event. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Horn Field Improvements—Rick Henneberry Mr. Rick Henneberry provided a sketch of their proposal for the Horn Field improvements. The Muskego Athletic Association, Warriors organization and Impact are willing to put forth the funds for the project. He had two quotes each on the dual bullpen and the fencing. He was asking for the Board’s approval so they could move forward on the project. Director Anderson felt it was a worthwhile project. They would have to work with the department staff to make sure it is completed correctly. Mr. Hetzel asked how long it would take to complete? Mr. Henneberry said 1-2 days for the actual mound installation and the fencing, 1 day. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Moorland Park Cameras—Phil Sandoval, Centec Security Director Anderson refreshed the Board members on the history leading up to the installation of cameras at Moorland Park. Board members were in receipt of a proposal with two options from Centec Security for security cameras. Mr. Sandoval explained the options and what type of image quality could be realized. He recommended going with the higher-priced option. The type of system is expandable up to 8 cameras, initially starting with four—two looking at the skateboard park directly, one looking at the parking lot entrance and the other looking at the playground. They are asking the city to provide poles to mount the cameras, the location of the Ethernet connection, and a pad with a housing to house the DVR unit. This would give the city the availability to view this from city hall as well as the police from their on-board laptops. They would be able to Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, May 18, 2009, page 3 visibly see what is happening. As the park is very dark, he proposed IR (Infrared) for night time viewing with a 75’+ radius. Director Anderson reviewed the Ethernet connection and the cost for the Time Warner connection. The connection would be purchased at $59.96 per month. The impact on the department budget would be $719 annually. Mr. Sandoval mentioned the three-year warranty that comes with the equipment. Director Anderson stated that they still have to meet with We Energies regarding the electricity to the park. Everything would be done in the grass areas. This is expected to be up by mid-July. Mr. Whipple asked about the housing for the camera. Mr. Sandoval said it consisted of blower and a heater for all weather and alongside of it will be an infrared device mounted to give the night vision. Mr. Hulbert asked how many times the company would come out to focus the camera. Mr. Sandoval stated that for the first year they would come out as much as they want. They do offer a maintenance package but he recommended time and material calls. Mr. Hulbert moved to accept the proposal for Option 1 in the amount of $10,919. Mr. Brett Hyde seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Reconsideration of Bluhm Park (North) Prairie Plantings Mr. Boisits moved to reconsider the prairie plantings at Bluhm Park. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion to reconsider carried with 4 ayes and 2 nays (Mr. Hyde and Mr. Hulbert) Mr. Boisits stated in rethinking the issue through, the city is making a good deal effort in budgeting itself. The Board may be talking minor amounts of money here but the Board is making exceptions for four or five residents; basically, extend the use of their property. A budget was developed in terms of doing the cutting and there has been thorough discussion as far as that is concerned. He considered the fact that there are areas of parkland that are not being used that the Board is ignoring or spending more money on , if not for cutting, for prairie grass, etc. Maybe there should be some consideration if residents are that adamant as far as avoiding plantings, etc. Perhaps, the Board should allow the city to proceed with the budget they developed, save that money, and the suggestion was made by the very residents when they spoke to allow the residents to purchase the property that is not being used. He did not want to set a precedence or shrink the parks but sometimes the parks get land that they never thought of, it just came with the parcels that they were dealing. When the Board starts dealing with maintaining the land and it starts having an effect on the budget and start making budget considerations; for example, what grass to cut, what grass not to cut, all the attention by a fixed number of residents that are directly affected by that as opposed to the whole public, then perhaps there should be a consideration that the people that wanted that particular use which is not being used by the public at all that they be allowed to consider purchasing the property. It serves several means of doing it, first of all, the city doesn’t have to maintain it; second of all, the city gets some income from the sale of those portions; and third, a regular tax-base income; however, minor it might be in terms of the property purchase in the way it has been assessed. It’s the only thing he asked as far as reconsidering the issue. It is opening some doors and it is obvious that the Board is always going to have people that are close in the neighborhood deciding things like this. Frankly, the people that were there, and here today, they are the ones receiving the direct benefit from what they asked as a direct benefit to their property. There wasn’t any other argument or thing proposed that showed it would benefit the public one way or another. This was going to benefit them. Again, it’s the offer that was made while they were arguing this that they would be willing to consider buying the property that had him think of this. The Parks and Recreation Board are in the business of deciding on parks for the community, etc. If the Board decides certain portions of the parks aren’t worth maintaining or aren’t of use to the public, why not consider the people next to it that they have the right to purchase it and the city can get the tax proceeds out of it, plus the income from the minor purchase. That concluded Mr. Boisits comments on his issue of reconsideration. Ald. Schaumberg agreed with Mr. Boisits that if someone can use it; if it is prairie grass, no one can use, it would be great to have the neighbors purchase it and the money can go for something else that is needed. Board President Whipple was reluctant to sell park land and setting a precedent. He did not have an issue with the neighbors mowing the area. Director Anderson was not in favor of selling park land. Since the April meeting, he now has the cost of $500 annually for that area to be mowed. Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, May 18, 2009, page 4 Mr. Boisits felt that the neighbors mowing the area was not out of line; the property being mowed was a direct benefit. Mr. Hyde also recalled the residents expressed their willingness to mow the area. Mr. Hulbert stated that the Board should separate out the selling first of all and if so, then go along that path; if not, then look at other options. He is adamantly opposed to selling of park land. Ald. Fiedler addressed the Board members. In discussion with the neighbors, the question was whether or not the piece of property was actually used for park land. The residents advised him that sometimes the football people use it and some of the baseball teams. Now that the reconsideration has passed, he said it might be a good idea to talk to the M.A.A. and see if the baseball teams actually use it for a park. In his opinion, if the property is actually used for park purposes as opposed to personal purposes, then it is park property and should be continued to be maintained; if not, then the question is what do they do with it? There are at least two options, one is sale which was brought up by the residents and the other is potentially having to pay for mowing. It might benefit everyone to spend some time researching its use. Director Anderson stated that he had discussions with M.A.A. Board President who had spoken to the M.A.A. flag football chairman and Director Anderson also spoke to the rugby person that was in charge and M.A.A. for baseball itself. There are football teams that do use it. There are baseball teams that use it. Rugby does not. The question was asked if it went to prairie, are there other areas in the park that they could utilize and the answer was yes. Their main concern was that the prairie grass not be in the area they use for games. Board President Whipple asked about the value of the land? Director Anderson would have to get it from the assessor. Mr. Hyde was opposed to selling the land unless it was absolutely needed. Board President Whipple was opposed to selling it. Mr. Hulbert said he would not vote to sell it. Director Anderson clarified that right now, based on their motion at the April meeting, the area gets mowed. He was advised by Mayor Johnson the $500 cost of mowing would be cut from the department’s 2010 budget. Mr. Hulbert moved to defer any action until next month. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: 2009 Baseball Field Usage Fees Board members were in receipt of a copy of a letter sent to the leagues advising them of the baseball field usage fees for the traveling teams for 2009. It was noted that there were no maintenance fees as the leagues will be prepping their own game fields. Mr. Hetzel moved to approve the 2009 usage fees. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Moorland Park Playground Mrs. Dunn provided the Board members with the 3-D renderings and a map of the site. She, accompanied by Director Anderson, marked out the site at Moorland Park based on the information received from Game Time. The playground will be located between the parking lot and the soccer field. It will be on the west side of the parking lot. There will be a berm between the parking lot and the playground area to act as a buffer. The berm will be about three feet high. Mr. Hulbert questioned if the police would be able to see the area from the street. Mrs. Dunn stated that the size of the structure would allow the police to see it. She said Mr. Zagar had been contacted about putting in some trees for shade in the area. Every playground piece is wide open so you can see what is happening on each playground piece. There will be benches and age signage indicating what the two playground areas are. It will be similar to Veterans Memorial Park with the three-foot wide concrete apron around it. She added that one resident with a wheel-chair bound child was contacted and the resident suggested a change to the access to the slide and the rest of the playground was satisfactory. Game Time was contacted to change the access. DPW (Department of Public Works) will make sure the site is just the right slope for drainage purposes. The colors selected are blue, green and slate. The swing sets will have a rubber mat underneath the fibar. The cost of the playground structure is $75,000. Some preliminary costs for the concrete to do the apron came to $5,000. This puts the playground cost at the $80,000 mark that was budgeted. Because Game Time is part of U. S. Communities and Muskego is one of the communities that participates, the department is getting about 16 percent off the price, a savings of $14,000 which is reflected in Minutes, Parks & Recreation Board, May 18, 2009, page 5 the $75,000. Mr. Hyde moved to approve the expenditure not to exceed $80,000 for the Moorland Park playground. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Mr. Hyde would like to check out the cost of rubber around the playground instead of the concrete. Mrs. Dunn will look into it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Community Garden at Moorland Park Mrs. Dunn reported the garden area had been staked out and Parks Supervisor Peter Theis has sent out soil samples and those results should be back by June 1. Once they decide to move forward, DPW will turn the soil and add manure like they did at the Old Settlement Centre. Mr. Hulbert questioned who is actually going to be doing this? Some contact needs to be made with the residents to find out the interest level before more time is spent. The department will turn the soil and will get the ground ready but the people will have to do the rest. Mr. Hulbert reported on the garden at the Old Settlement Centre. The area for the community garden is about 200 feet x 150 feet. Staff is to notify Alderman Harenda to see if there is interest in continuing with the project. If there is interest, the people will have to come to the next meeting. Mr. Hulbert moved if there is interest, to leave it up to the staff to move forward with the plan as presented. Mr. Boisits seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Plan Commission Representative Mr. Hyde moved to nominate Mr. Hulbert as Plan Commission Representative. Mr. Boisits seconded. Mr. Hulbert accepted the nomination. No other nominations. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. President Mr. Hetzel moved to nominate Mr. Whipple as President. Mr. Hulbert seconded. Mr. Whipple accepted the nomination. No other nominations. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Vice-President Mr. Hulbert moved to nominate Mr. Boisits as Vice-President. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Mr. Boisits accepted the nomination. No other nominations. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. Secretary Mr. Hulbert moved to nominate Mrs. Koble as Secretary. Mr. Hetzel seconded. Mrs. Koble was not present to accept the nomination but had indicated verbal approval with Director Anderson. No other nominations. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW: ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 7:08 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Hyde. 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,