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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-14-20 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Scott Greuel, Devon Hudak, Deborah Martin, Becky Metz, Lester Millette, Lori Palmeri Other: Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney; David Praska, Deputy City Attorney; Amy VandenHogen, Assistant City Attorney; Alexa Naudziunas, Associate Planner Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; 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 August 10, 2020 minutes. Seconded by Hudak. Motion carried 9-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) PRESENTATION BY CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ON OPEN MEETINGS, PBULIC RECORDS, ETHICS, RULES OF ORDER AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD Ms. Lorenson introduced her staff and referred to the manual that was included with the Board packets. She advised that staff was there tonight for a quick overview of the manual and if at any time in the future someone has any questions they should feel free to contact the City Attorney’s office. City Attorney staff then reviewed polices as it pertained to the Advisory Park Board. Policies included: o Open Meetings o Public Records o Ethics o General Ruses of Order o Ordinances o Purpose and Interrelationship of other Boards and Commissions o Guidance for Decision-making The gift policy for the City of Oshkosh was referenced and Ms. Lorenson recommended that the Board receive the most recent version of this policy for their records as well. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 2) DISCUSSION OF WILLIAM WATERS PLAZA PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Maurer introduced Alexa Naudziunas, Associate Planner for the City of Oshkosh. She is here to show planned improvements that will be taking place at William Waters Plaza. She has been leading this project working with city staff and the River East Neighborhood Association. Ms. Naudziunas presented to the Board a map of the location and gave a brief history on the project. It has been in the works since 2015 when Washington Avenue was planned for reconstruction. City staff decided at that time to work in conjunction with this project to bring utilities to the space. The River East Neighborhood Association and the Oshkosh Public Library Board were both instrumental in helping to fundraise and put together a vision for the space. MSA Professional Services is the company that put together the concept design for the location. Ms. Naudziunas reviewed the site amenities installed to date including the paths, green space improvements and tables that were installed last year. The next items will be the gazebo and a public art installation. The gazebo was also designed by MSA Professional Services and was designed to match the surrounding historical buildings but made with materials that are more durable. There is a slightly raised pathway leading up to the gazebo which was designed to not be overbearing in the space that is provided. There is currently a landscaping bed in that location and the gazebo will have roughly the same footprint. Questions were raised regarding the ADA compliance of the pathway and what materials would be used. Ms. Naudziunas confirmed that all walkways would be ADA compliant and it is intended that concrete will be used for the path and gazebo floor. As for a timeline, they are at the end of the design process and are now looking for public input from this Board, the Library Board and the River East Neighborhood Association. This project has been fully funded through generous donations and they hope to finalize design over the winter so that it can be installed in 2021. Concerns were raised about how often the space would be used as well as who will maintain the area and landscaping. Ms. Naudziunas states that the city and neighborhood associations have been working together to attract people to the downtown area and this plaza space will be a good amenity to do so. Many staff have seen people using the area and it will continue to be maintained by park staff as it has in the past. Suggestions were made to work with the Washington Building Apartments for a partnership regarding maintaining the space. Ms. Palmeri raised questions regarding the benches in the gazebo as well as whether there would be any kind of bike rack at this location. Ms. Naudziunas stated that the benches and decorative panel in the gazebo would be to keep people from going through the landscaping bed that will be between the sidewalk and the gazebo on the west side. The benches will provide seating within the gazebo and will not impede the path through the gazebo for park patrons. Bike racks are not included in the plan. As for the public art installation, this will be a collaborative effort with the Public Arts Committee to discuss and design. They are looking for an open concept and letting the artists be creative. They would like something that pays homage to William Waters and his architectural work in the area. The consensus of the Board was that the project looks good and will be a nice amenity for downtown. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 3) DISCUSSION OF GATEWAY SIGNAGE FOR MILLER’S BAY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Mr. Maurer states that Ms. Naudziunas is leading this project as well. The Neighborhood Association had developed a streetscape plan for their neighborhood and part of that plan is the gateway signage. There will be one sign located in Menominee Park near Nevada Avenue and the pump station. Ms. Naudziunas has been working with the consultant and wanted to bring the design to the board for feedback. Installation of these signs is a couple of years down the road. Ms. Naudziunas advised that the Neighborhood Association was looking for a design that mirrored the mid-century architecture found in many of the homes in the area. They would like the design to be similar to the signage recently installed at Emmaline Cook School. One side of the sign will have the neighborhood logo and the other side will have the City of Oshkosh logo. Mr. Dirth brought up the location of the sign and it was clarified that the sign would be closer to the road and not along the park path. He feels the signage near Emmaline Cook is a good addition to the neighborhood and likes the idea. He did bring up concerns about whether all of the neighborhoods in the city would want similar signage. Ms. Naudziunas stated that this was the only neighborhood association requesting this kind of signage and the reason the City is entertaining the signage idea is because it is in their streetscape plan. Ms. Palmeri questioned whether the signs would be used as benches as referred to in the concept design. Ms. Naudziunas confirmed that while the concept mentioned the idea, the implementation plan is to have plantings around the sign to discourage people from using it as a bench. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer updated regarding Lakeshore Park phase 1 development. There were 13 proposals received by the City for architecture and engineering design. City staff has narrowed down their choice and will refer it to Common Council at the September 22, 2020 meeting. Electronic pay stations were installed and brought online on July 23, 2020 at 24th Avenue Boat Launch, Fugleberg Boat Launch and Rainbow Memorial Park Boat Launch (2 pay stations). From July 23-31 there were 333 transactions of which 59% were cash and 41% were debit/credit cards. In August there were 1200 transaction of which 53% were cash and 47% were debit/cards. As expected, credit card usage is increasing which is safer and easier for both the park patron and city staff. The department has since ordered four more units that will be installed in the remaining boat launches by the end of the month. Remaining locations include William Steiger Boat Launch, Mill Street Boat Launch and Menominee Park Miller’s Bay Boat Launch which will have two units. The electronic pay stations have been well received and there have been minimal issues with them. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman states there was a leak in the Pollock Community Water Park lazy river. Neuman Pools was brought in as a consultant to locate the leak. Two separate leaks were ultimately found; one in the turbine pump and one in the surge tank. The turbine pump leak has been repaired and Neuman Pools is working on repairing the surge tank as well. It is intended the pool will be fully operational for the 2021 season. The memorial bench program was very popular this year. There were benches installed at Rusch Park, South Park and Menominee Park. When one bench is installed it brings awareness about the program and additional benches end up being installed as well. He wanted to advise that there are currently many opportunities for benches in South Park along the trails. Rainbow Memorial Park field work continues to be completed. Drainage and grass work have been completed. Asphalt repairs along Pratt Trail in Menominee Park took place between the Kiwanis shelter and the bridge. Staff has been working with the Streets Department to complete the work and they will continue to budget further repairs to be completed. Menominee Park Zoo eagle exhibit is complete and staff is working on landscaping items. He will continue to work on finding birds in time for the 2021 season at the zoo. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm reminded the Board about the Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Grant that the city received. This permits for installation of terrace trees in the Sawyer Paine and Congress Field Neighborhoods. Ranger Services, Inc. has been contracted to complete this work and will do so in late October and early November. The Menominee Park flower bed plantings received a “Community Beautification Award” by the Rotary Club of Oshkosh Southwest for “Outstanding Curb Appeal”. The department is honored to receive the award since staff works so hard on the landscaping beds throughout the city. The Oshkosh Community Playground landscape installation has been completed. Ms. Martin added that the landscaping is outstanding but advised that some of the smaller flower plants along the paths are being trampled on. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) mitigation is something staff has been managing for the past couple of years. Staff has treated what they can and has completed removals as needed. Trees were hit hard with EAB last winter which did result in a lot of tree removals in 2020. He has a small staff and they have been working hard to keep up with the work that this creates. He reminds residents that they will want to be sure to treat any private property trees for EAB as well. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian states that the Menominee Park Zoo was restricted to only 50 patrons at a time due to COVID-19 concerns. This did result in some lines on busier days, mostly weekends, but park patrons were very understanding and just happy to have someplace to go. A new zoo counter was installed this year that works with the computer system in the Lakefly Café and did an excellent job of tracking the number of visitors. Due to the Safer at Home order the zoo was unable to open until June 6, which is a month later than it normally would have opened. Even with the late opening and restrictions on visitors the zoo saw roughly 17,000 patrons each month it was open. People are excited to see the new animal additions to the park. The Menominee Park Zoo will close for the season on September 27, 2020. In an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the department has cancelled their annual Touch a Truck event as well as Zooloween Boo. Staff worked to create a new event called Truck or Treat. This will be a fundraiser for the zoo. Area business will have trucks and trick or treat stations spread throughout the park and families will be able to stay in their vehicle, drive through the park and still take part in a family- friendly event. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 11am-1pm. There will be 250 tickets sold for each hour time slot. Tickets are available online only and are selling quickly. There will also be entertainment provided throughout the park for patrons as well. She is receiving a lot of positive feedback from vendors and organizations who are happy that there will be some kind of event for the public to partake in. The Children’s Amusement Center also had to adjust their hours and operations for 2020. The center was opened Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from June through August. Staff worked hard to ensure social distancing and sanitation guidelines were met to keep the center open. OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Motion by Millette for adjournment; seconded by Greuel. Motion carried 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary