Park & Rec Board- MINUTES - 6/10/2013
City of Muskego
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
Monday, June 10, 2013
Approved 7/8/13
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 Thursday, June 8, 2013.
Present: Mr. Jerald Hulbert, Mr. Brett Hyde, Mrs. Kelly Koble, Mr. “Butch” LeDoux (5:37 p.m.), Mr. Paul Peardon, Ald. Dan
Soltysiak, Mr. Toby Whipple and Director Anderson.
GUESTS: Alderman Borgman, Alderman Kubacki
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
May 13 Minutes
Ald. Soltysiak moved to approve the minutes of the May 13 meeting, seconded by Mrs. Koble. Upon a voice vote,
the motion to approve carried.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Bluhm Park Party with Bouncy House
Director Anderson presented the request from the rental party for permission to have a bouncy house at their park event.
Mr. Hulbert moved to approve the request. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Park Arthur Request
Director Anderson advised the Board that he has been in contact with Mr. Charles Thiesenhusen on the development
activities at Park Arthur since the conceptual plan was approved. Recently Mr. Thiesenhusen noticed the historical write-up
on Park Arthur on the city’s web page. He rewrote the historical information for the web site and sent it to Director Anderson
for the Board’s approval. He also requested that the Board consider posting a short history of the family at the park or
possibly a history and photo tablet mounted somewhere in the park. Mr. Hulbert did not think the Board should fund family
history for the park; it would be appropriate if the Board consider putting the historical information on the Internet. He
mentioned that in conjunction with the county historical society and the Muskego historical society the Thiesenhusen family
could create a historical marker and fund it. If they want a sign, Mr. Hulbert felt they needed to fund the sign and it would be
nice if those using the park could read some of the history. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board members
that their family could fund the sign and coordinate with the historical society on it. The Board did not have an issue with his
write-up being on the web site.
Dunk Tank/Tent at Idle Isle Park
Director Anderson said that Dr. Cigno has been doing this event for four years in conjunction with the Waterbugs show. It’s
similar to what the Chamber of Commerce does at Idle Isle. There have been no problems in the past. Mr. Hyde moved to
approve and Mr. LeDoux seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
inutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 10 2013, page 2
BS Pack 599 Waiver Request
Board members were in receipt of the Boy Scout Pack 599’s usage waiver request for their picnic event at Veterans
Memorial Park on August 11. Mr. Hulbert moved to approve. Mrs. Koble seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion
carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Idle Isle Park Dumpster
Board members were provided with the material cost for the dumpster enclosure. A wood enclosure was budgeted at $875
each. For a plastic material, the cost would increase to $1,050 each. Ald. Soltysiak brought in a sample of a plastic material
for the Board. The parks staff had looked at a material called MiraTEK which has a limited 50-year warranty. It is smooth on
one side and grooved on the other side. Board members continued to discuss what they wanted for the enclosure and one
prominent issue was how easily graffiti could be cleaned off the material. Board members deferred to Director Anderson’s
research and expertise, leaning towards the MiraTEK material. It was the consensus of the Board members to leave the
selection of the material to Director Anderson’s discretion.
NEW BUSINESS:
Idle Isle Park Sign
Board members reviewed the language for the Idle Isle entrance sign. In order to make the language more concise, Mrs.
Koble suggested removing Park Hours, the word open after launch hours, the word “allowed” appearing after no dogs and
no parking and placing “No dogs in park” and “No parking on grass” on the same line. Board President Whipple stated to
leave Park Hours as the launch hours are different. As Mon.-Thu was confusing or could be misinterpreted, Board
recommended this be removed. Other wording discussed was the courtesy issue and the depth issue. Mr. Hulbert
moved, Mrs. Koble seconded, to make the following changes: Remove the word “allowed” and put “No dogs in
park” and No parking on grass” on the same line and a larger font. Remove the wording “(Mon.-Thu.). Director
Anderson stated the sign would be placed on the right, leaving a view of the lake upon entry to the park. Upon a voice
vote, the motion carried.
Parks Maintenance Plan
Director Anderson refreshed the Board members that a parks maintenance plan was discussed shortly before the budget
discussions of last year. Since the staffing cuts in 2009, parks maintenance has been taken down to a basic level. With the
department’s surveys of parks, it has become evident that maintenance was being done on a reactive approach rather than
a proactive approach. Residents have been complaining that the parks are not being maintained properly. It is being
proposed for the 2014 budget to add two part-time seasonal workers to the crew to do those responsibilities that are not
done as frequently as they should be. The cost for the added seasonals would be $10,405 with the caveat of $.25/hour
increase annually for returning employee, roughly $258. This would affect the operating budget. Board members were
provided with a memo regarding the rationale behind the parks maintenance plan and the job description for the parks
maintenance position. No action on this item until the presentation of the 2014 budget.
ALDERMAN’S REPORT:
Council approved the Park Arthur south pavilion and bathrooms along with heating the building. The outside heating was
not approved. The lighting of the sledding hill and baseball fields was approved.
STATUS OF PROJECTS:
Park Arthur
The contracts are with the city’s attorney for his review. The project start date for the pavilion will be around June 25. There
are a few issues with the sod on the baseball field. The new sod can’t be cut down to within inches as you’d end up scalping
the area. The length of sod interferes by stopping the ball prematurely. This will not be the case next year. It still is a
wonderful field.
inutes, Parks & Recreation Board, June 10 2013, page 3
Waterbugs May Report
No complaints on the Waterbugs in May.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
May Gleanings
The May issue of the Gleanings is out. The Gleanings is published in May and September.
Sledding Hill Swale
Director Anderson explained the situation that occurred with water from the sledding hill on to the ball field creating a river
through the infield. The Department of Public Works staff was able to correct the problem by creating a swale with a culvert
under the asphalt whereby the water now runs around the field.
OTHER BUSINESS
Subdivision Plans from Plan Commission
None
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mr. Hulbert moved for adjournment at 6:22 p.m. Seconded by Mr.
Hyde. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Stella Dunahee, CPS
Recording Secretary
pc: Board Members, Craig Anderson; email: Peter Theis, Tammy Dunn; posted: www.cityofmuskego.org