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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-19 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD OCTOBER 21, 2019 Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Scott Greuel, Becky Metz, Bill Miller, Lester Millette, Bob Poeschl Absent: Devon Hudak Other: Kendra Arguello, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Member, Nathan Hilmer; SmithGroup Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/Forester; Stacy James, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. Mr. Miller arrived at 6:06. INTRODUCTIONS Ms. Davis introduced Lauren Bartelt, the newest member of the Board. Ms. Bartelt states that she is new to the Oshkosh area and has been here just over a year. She is an avid runner so she appreciates the impact that parks have on neighborhoods and looks forward to being involved in her community. Ms. Davis introduced Kendra Arguello, the new adjunct member for Leadership Oshkosh. Ms. Arguello states that she works for Evergreen Retirement Community and is excited to have this experience. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Maurer opened the floor for the nomination of Board Chairman. Motion by Greuel to nominate Amy Davis to serve as Chair. Seconded by Poeschl. Unanimous ballot for Davis to serve as Chair. Chair Davis opened the floor for the nomination of Board Vice Chair. Motion by Davis to nominate Tony Dirth to serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Millette. Unanimous ballot for Dirth to serve as Vice Chair. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Metz for approval of the August 12, 2019 minutes. Seconded by Greuel. Motion carried 7- 0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO OCTOBER 21, 2019 NEW BUSINESS 1)REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PREFERRED CONCEPT DESIGN FOR LAKESHORE PARK MASTER PLAN Mr. Maurer states that he has been working with SmithGroup for the past month and a half to put together Board, citizen and city staff comments and create the preferred concept design for the Lakeshore Park. They worked on priority phasing and cost estimates for different aspects of the plan. SmithGroup was there to answer any specific questions. Mr. Hilmer showed an overview of the project so far, when and how information was received, a review of the property that is there and what input was received for ideas to add to the preferred concept design. The preferred concept design pulled a lot of aspects from both option one and three of the initial concept designs. There was a large push from input for the water system so SmithGroup made sure to maintain the current ponds with their functions and redo the edges to make them feel connected with wetland habitat between the ponds. He then reviewed the various pathways through the park and entry points. He reviewed the different features of the west side of the park including buildings, active play lawns, the earthworks that would take place and parking. The Board asked for clarification regarding the restroom location and shelters on the west end of the park. Mr. Miller inquired as to whether the department had enough staff to maintain the park once it is developed. Mr. Maurer replied that there is not enough staff to keep up with maintenance at this time and they are requesting additional staff in the 2020 budget. Mr. Hilmer then reviewed the east side of the park including the year-round shelter, parking, splash play area and small watercraft pier. He then explained that in between the parking lots there would be bioswales to help with storm water management that are similar to those found in Riverside Park . It was then realized that the beach area had been inadvertently removed from the concept plan. Mr. Maurer pointed out that the location of the beach area is really more included with the Rainbow Memorial Park Master Plan but will be shown in this plan as well. Mr. Hilmer then reviewed the budgetary phases for the concept plan. He states that it is difficult to pinpoint the costs because they hinge on what decisions are ultimately made and what is included. He went through the general overview of the budget breakdown for each tentative phase and explained the contingencies within each plan. Mr. Maurer added that he had sensed a lot of uneasiness about the pricing of this project. He reminded the Board that this will likely be a 10-20 year plan and will be broken up over that time. Mr. Hilmer added that with the extensive waterfront of the property there is a lot of partnerships and grants that could be utilized to help offset the costs for the project. Some of the higher priority items to be planned at this time are the parking on the east side of the park as well as the year- round building. There was then discussion regarding the extensive pathways throughout the park. Ms. Metz was concerned that there are more than needed which would drive up costs. Mr. Dirth inquired whether all the paths would be made of the same material. Mr. Hilmer states that the outer loop would be necessary for maintenance and access so it would be a hard surface. The smaller paths would be for patron use and can be adjusted or the materials changed to help save money. Mr. Maurer agreed that the public will use their own natural paths until the pathways are created and they can use that as a guide as to where paths are needed. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE OCTOBER 21, 2019 Mr. Maurer added that the hill on the west side of the park was discussed for a location for a public art display. Mr. Poeschl added that he isn’t suggesting that there be art in every spot but he would like to see it incorporated along the trails on both sides of the park. Mr. Hilmer added that there was discussion regarding the community art spaces throughout the park but this is a general overview of what will be in the park and the specifics can be added when the areas are developed. It was discussed that lighting in the park would match with the other parks in the city and the department would work with the Electrical Division on this matter. Mr. Poeschl added that he likes to see that there is a lot of access options for people by car, bike or walking. He would like to have the Transit Department involved in a discussion regarding a bus stop in the area to have another avenue for park patrons to get to the park. He also commented about having a bridge and lookouts. It was pointed out that there is a location for a bridge in the western part of the park. Mr. Hilmer also stated that there are several nodes along the trail that can be used as lookout points in the park. He reminded the Board that a lot of those details get lost at the 10,000 foot level but it can all be added in with future planning. At this point the discussion was opened up to the public for their input. Kathleen Propp, 1936 Hazel Street, Oshkosh. Ms. Propp states that a lot of the questions she had were answered by the presentation. She had concerns regarding the size of the terraces and public plaza near the year-round shelter. She also had concerns regarding the revetment along the lakeshore. She doesn’t want to see this be just plain concrete. She agreed that the price tag was cumbersome but necessary as this should be a real destination park. She feels that the city needs to have a financing plan for the park before the plan is adopted so that development doesn’t get delayed. She doesn’t want to see only parts of the project completed and the remainder sit in waiting for a long period of time. She has concerns about what the rest of the park would look like in the meantime and feels that this should be a priority for the city to complete. Christine Jeffrey, 1141 Sawtell Court, Oshkosh. Ms. Jeffrey states that she lives in the neighborhood and she already sees people walking in the area so there is definitely a need for walking paths throughout the park. She would like to see them interact with the ponds in the park and liked the idea of having a bridge. At this point discussion went back to the Board for final recommendations and approval. Chair Davis states that she likes the concept plan and understands it is a 10,000 foot view. Mr. Poeschl added that there will still be opportunities for the public to have input and tweak the plan as different parts of the plan are implemented. This is the plan that people are requesting at this time and time can change that. He likes that there have been several levels of community involvement but states that he has heard concerns from the public with how quickly this process has moved along. Mr. Miller states that he has liked the speed of the process because it means that government isn’t just sitting on its laurels and progress is being made. He states that the framework will continue to come back to the Board. Mr. Maurer agreed and states that these will likely be CIP projects that will come to the Board for approval and the public will have many more opportunities for input. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR OCTOBER 21, 2019 Motion by Miller to recommend approval of the Preferred Concept Design for Lakeshore Park Master Plan. Seconded by Metz. Motion carried 8-0. Mr. Maurer added that the matter will now move on to Plan Commission for recommendation and approval and ultimately on to City Council. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer states that during the trail construction at the Lakeshore Park site it was discovered that there were some contaminated soils that need to be removed. The city will be working with AECOM to come up with a plan to address the contaminated soil. The department recently received a donation of a bike repair station from the Chris Kegel Foundation. Mr. Kegel was the founder of Wheel and Sprocket and was a proponent of bicycling. The station will be installed at the Boatworks site this week. On Tuesday night the Common Council will vote on a bid for outdoor fitness equipment to be placed along the new trail at Menominee Park. This equipment will be wheelchair accessible and along the new trail beside Hazel Street. There will also be a couple of pieces placed by the new playground equipment near the Menominee Park Zoo. Staff has also been working on finalizing performance evaluations and preparing for Council budget meetings. The department will have their meeting on Tuesday afternoon, October 29. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman states that the preliminary level of surfacing has been installed around the replaced Little Oshkosh play equipment. The goal is to have it completed by the end of the week depending on the weather. Fencing will remain around the area until restoration is completed. The Eagle Exhibit framework is coming along. The meshing/fabric will be installed in the next month and landscaping will be completed as well. The exhibit will be opening in the spring of 2020. Staff is making good headway at Teichmiller Park. Last month drain tile was installed. They continue to finalize the outfield work and getting the batting cage framework installed. The Westhaven restroom renovation is coming along and will be completed this month. This site will open next spring as well. All restrooms have been winterized with the exception of the central restrooms at Menominee Park. Mr. Dallman added that since the navigation season ended on October 15 all buoys have been removed and boat launch restrooms have been shut down for the year. REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian reports that all facilities have been closed for the year. This past weekend was the 17 th annual Zooloween Boo event at Menominee Park Zoo. They had 4,231 people come through the Zoo in the ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE OCTOBER 21, 2019 two days it was open making it the second highest attended event in the 17 years. She is working on reports and will have them for the Board next month. She will continue to close down the facilities, put together reports and start planning for next year. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm states that he has just completed work resulting from grants received. One grant was the 1000 Friends of Wisconsin grant which was $18,000 for tree planting to help with storm water mitigation. We also received a Bay Lakes grant which was used for tree planting along the Riverwalk. Staff will be installing a permanent Holiday Tree at Opera House Square when conditions permit. It is expected that they will be able to have it planted in advance of the Holiday Parade so that it can be decorated for the festivities. Staff has been working on tree and stump removals. There were a lot of ash trees that were lost this year due to Emerald Ash Borer and the weather has not been cooperative for staff to be able to complete the removals. Staff is also busy cleaning out shrub beds and gardens in the city as well. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Metz for adjournment; seconded by Poeschl. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary