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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-9-19 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD DECEMBER 9, 2019 Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Scott Greuel, Devon Hudak, Becky Metz, Bill Miller Excused: Lester Millette, Bob Poeschl Other: Kendra Arguello, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Member; Michelle Bogden-Muetzel, Friends of Menominee Park Group 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Greuel for approval of the October 21, 2019 minutes. Seconded by Hudak. Motion carried 7-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) REPORT FROM MICHELLE BOGDEN-MUETZEL REGARDING MILLER’S BAY PLANTING SITE Mr. Sturm introduced Michelle Bogden-Muetzel to the Board. She is the volunteer coordinator for the Friends of Menominee Park Group and will be giving a recap of the season at the Miller’s Bay Planting Site as well as looking for feedback from the Board as well as giving any requests for the 2020 season. Ms. Bogden-Muetzel reported that things went well in 2019 and that she did not hear any negative comments from the public. The group had many community interactions in 2019 including United Way, Target, Pathfinders, Oshkosh Housing Authority as well as UW-O and elementary school students. The groups helped to clean up the area as well as plant new species of plants. She states it is inspiring to see the community and especially children get involved with the site. Ms. Bogden-Muetzel states that the site is listed as a Monarch Waystation and she would like to see a sign installed at the site to note that. The Audubon Society is willing to work with the group to install signage as well. She also would like to be able to put up bird houses at the site which helps make the plantings look more intentional as well as promoting regrowth of the plants due to the symbiotic relationship between the birds and the plants. One new thing the group tried this year was leaving the old growth up over the winter because it helps with native insect species and animals to thrive on the habitat that is there. The Board reported that they have not heard any negative comments from the public, mostly positive. Mr. Sturm adds that there is a great volunteer effort by the group to get the community involved as well as it being a good educational component for the community which was the original mission of the group. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO DECEMBER 9, 2019 Ms. Bogden-Muetzel wanted to thank the following groups for their support over the year: Wild Ones, Audubon Society, Oshkosh Garden Club and Benvenuto’s Oshkosh. The group will meet in January/February to discuss the next season, strategize and put together a calendar for the 2020 season. 2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND HOSTING BEER GARDENS AT MENOMINEE PARK IN 2020 Ms. McCollian advises that the Beer Gardens will be similar to the Tuesday Night Concert Series at the Leach Amphitheater in that it would be family friendly, bring people to the Menominee Park Children’s Amusement Center and bring awareness to these assets in the community. There would be fair games, a band and food trucks. The event would be held once a month on a Wednesday June through September. She has researched surrounding communities that held the event in 2019 for ideas and information about the events. The Board inquired about who would staff the event, if the lakeflies might pose a problem and what the intended revenue might be. Ms. McCollian answered that seasonal staff would work the events like all others at the park. Lakeflies tend to be the worst in May and that is why the month was avoided for the event. The remainder of the summer they don’t tend to be as bad at the park. As for the revenue, she was not able to obtain that information from the surrounding communities that held the event. Mr. Dirth states that having the event at Menominee Park makes sense. South Park events are always very popular and it might provide a different opportunity to get families out and into the parks. Motion by Hudak to recommend approval for hosting beer gardens at Menominee Park in 2020. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 7-0. 3) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND PROPOSED FEE INCREASES FOR POLLOCK COMMUNITY WATER PARK FOR 2020 Ms. McCollian states the Pollock Community Water Park opened in 2006 and there have been no increase to the daily rates since that time. Back in 2016 the season pass fees were increased and a non-resident fee was also imposed. A comparison was made with the surrounding pools in the area and as a result she is proposing a $1 increase to all of the daily rates. Based on 2019 usage this would generate approximately a $39,000 increase in revenue for the pool. The increase in revenue is necessary due to the rising costs of staff and maintenance. Mr. Miller states he does not have a problem with the rate increase but recommends that the rates be reviewed on a more regular basis. Mr. Maurer added that the rates are reviewed internally on an annual basis and the rates have been in line with surrounding communities. Also, the city Finance Department is now working on a city policy regarding review of fees. He also added that a large part of the staffing expense is due to the difficulty of finding lifeguard staff for the facility and they are now being reimbursed for some of their training. Mr. Dirth inquired if the comparisons were made with pools that are similar to ours, which they were. Motion by Dirth to recommend approval of proposed fee increases ($1.00 for all daily fees) for Pollock Community Water Park. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 7-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE DECEMBER 9, 2019 4) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND PROPOSED FEE INCREASES FOR RIVERSIDE CEMETERY FOR 2020 Mr. Sturm states that the city maintains both the Riverside Cemetery as well as Boyd Cemetery in the city. Rates were last adjusted in 2013 and he felt like it was an appropriate time to look at comparisons in the area. The city does have resident and non-resident rates. He is recommending a slight increase to some of the services to be comparable to other cemeteries. When comparing pricing he made sure that it was with similar operations to what the city runs to keep it fair. The increase is necessary due to the increase in staffing, equipment and maintenance costs as well as decrease the tax levy from the City. His goal is to try to recoup some of these costs but still make the cemeteries a good value for the citizens. The list of increases proposed are as follows: o Adult Interment increase from $750 to $850 o Adult Interment (winter rate) from $800 to $900 o Cremains Interment from $400 to $450 o Adult Resident Burial Space from $575 to $650 o Adult Non-Resident Burial Space from $675 to $750 o Marker Permits from $25 to $50 Motion by Miller to recommend approval of proposed fee increases for Riverside Cemetery. Seconded by Hudak. Motion carried 7-0. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer reports that the Plan Commission approved the Lakeshore Park Master Plan at their meeting on December 3 and it will now go to Common Council for approval on December 10. The Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets were both approved by Council in November. In 2020 the department will be working on Lakeshore Park development with proceeds from the sale of the property as well as improvements at Rainbow Memorial Park, Westhaven Circle Park ball diamonds, and Spanbauer Field restrooms. Compliments of the Chris Kegel Foundation the city now has a bike repair station at the Boatworks Site on Michigan Street. Chris Kegel was the founder of Wheel and Sprocket and was an advocate for bicycling. After his passing the Foundation continues to support local communities and has done so with the donation of this bike repair station to the City. He would like to publically thank the Foundation for their support. Lastly, he advised that as of today the Riverwalk will be closed for 3-4 months between the Boatworks Site and Jackson Street bridge while work is completed on the storm water outfall in that area. The lights along this section of the Riverwalk have not been operable due to this project needing to be completed. Once it is complete, the Riverwalk will be re-opened and the electrical will be hooked up so that the lights are operable. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR DECEMBER 9, 2019 ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman reports that along with the 2020 projects that have been approved by Common Council there was additional equipment that was approved for and much needed by the department as well. They continue to wrap up the 2019 projects including the Westhaven Restroom renovation which is nearing completion and will be open to the public next spring. The Teichmiller batting cage project has continued to be held up due to wet conditions. Once there is enough frost in the ground staff will install supports and the remainder of the project can be completed next spring when conditions allow. The Eagle Exhibit at Menominee Park Zoo is moving along and staff is hoping to complete restoration of the area surround the exhibit yet this winter. Mr. Dallman further reports that there have been some playground warranty work that will be completed throughout the city over the next few weeks. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm reports that staff is busy with winter tree removals. As he has stated previously there are quite a few ash trees that have had to be removed throughout the city. Once the removals are complete staff will begin the next annual pruning cycle on the south side of town. Staff will begin working on specs for the new equipment that was approved by the Common Council with the Capital Improvement Program. He will also be working on getting the tree inventory data updated in the computer system over winter. Mr. Sturm is working the Planning Department on a grant application with a group called America Blooms which is sponsored by Canadian National Railroad. This would provide funding for planting in and around the new Oshkosh Community Playground at Menominee Park. Announcements should be made later this month about whether or not they will receive this grant funding. REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian reports that December and January are her busy months for planning events for 2020, finding sponsors for the events and applying for any grants. There will be winter events again this year held at the Senior Center in January, February and March. The events will be family friendly and have entertainment as well as concessions. In February she will also begin working with applications for seasonal staff employment in 2020. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Miller for adjournment; seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary