HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-20 Minutes
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
DECEMBER 14, 2020
Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Scott Greuel, Devon Hudak, Deborah Martin,
Becky Metz, Lester Millette, Lori Palmeri
Other: Mike Villeneuve, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Member; Tanisha Alvarado, Alternate
Board Member; Jamie Constantine, Alternate Board Member; Leigh Allen, SmithGroup;
Gregg Calpino, SmithGroup
Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; 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. Ms.
Palmeri joined the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
INTRODUCTIONS
Mr. Maurer introduced Tanisha Alvarado and Jamie Constantine, the new alternate board members
who have been appointed by the Mayor. The alternate members will not have voting rights unless a
board member is absent and voting will alternate between the two of them as necessary. Ms. Alvarado
states that she has been an Oshkosh resident for about four years. She applied to be on the Board
because she frequently visits the parks with her children and since she is wheelchair bound she has an
interest in ensuring that as parks continue to be enhanced they are accessible to everyone. Ms.
Constantine states that she was born and raised in Oshkosh and is looking to be more involved in her
community. She has worked with the Board in the past when she was part of re:Th!nk Youth Coalition
and they approached the Board to pass a tobacco free parks ordinance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Davis for approval of the November 9, 2020 minutes. Seconded by Hudak. Motion carried
8-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
Kathleen Propp, 1936 Hazel Street, Oshkosh
Ms. Propp states that she watched the November presentation by SmithGroup and appreciates that
they will be adjusting the building plans to keep as many of the trees that are currently on site as
possible. She would prefer to see less concrete utilized with the new building. She also voiced
concerns that she would like to see the building used more for public events rather than private
rentals. Her other recommendation, as a member of the Plan Commission, is that the architecture be
similar to that of the Oshkosh Corporation building.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE TWO DECEMBER 14, 2020
NEW BUSINESS
1) DISCUSS DRAFT SCHEMATIC DESIGN OF LAKESHORE PARK – 4 SEASONS BUILDING
Mr. Maurer introduced the team from SmithGroup. He states that over the past month they have been
working together to look at the site to work on building orientation and views adding that SmithGroup
has done a good job of walking through different scenarios.
Mr. Calpino states that they have been making refinements to the site plan to better fit the area. The
driving factors for the building are location, embracing the water, serving the park, arrival views, the
fabric of the building and working with neighbors. They would like to use the long, open views of the
park and water to the building’s advantage. Mr. Allen added that they have also taken into
consideration the 100 year flood level and what materials would be used. Currently the building is one
foot below this flood level and they are looking to raise the building to be above that level. Mr. Calpino
added that in working through different alternatives for the building design they also took into vehicle
parking and the drop off location.
Mr. Allen commented that the building will combine the main programming elements which include a
deck space that wraps around the building, wholly or partially, for the assembly room that will be
utilized for public use as well as private rentals. There will be both indoor and outdoor restrooms in the
building and the outdoor terrace area will have an overhang to protect people from the elements. The
rentable portion of the building will face the water. He reminded the Board that they had refined the
overall site plan to take into consideration the existing trees in the area as well and use the landscaping
to maintain a buffer with the neighbors.
SmithGroup then provided the Board with a presentation for the overall site plan showing the drop off
location and parking lot. They reviewed the flow of the site and how it will interact with surrounding
amenities, vehicle traffic, bicycle traffic and pedestrian traffic. They also reviewed the materials
intended to be used at the site. Site plantings were reviewed as well including trees and native prairie
plantings. SmithGroup further discussed storm water drainage and how grading will be utilized to keep
water draining properly at the site.
Future improvements at the site were also considered with the building planning. The Park Master Plan
calls for a splash play area off the plaza. Mr. Calpino stated that the plaza may be a future add on as
well unless there is funding available at the time the building is constructed.
SmithGroup then talked about the specifics for the building itself including views, the assembly room,
indoor and outdoor restrooms, and kitchenette for the assembly room and the potential for wrapping
the deck around three sides of the building rather than just two. These items were all being brought to
the Board for input. Other options for the site are a fireplace on the terrace space as well as a wall
fireplace along the storage/mechanical room. The assembly room will be an open space with an
emphasis on natural lighting, a view of the water and access to the deck with windows/doors that will
open onto the deck to expand the assembly room space. Mr. Allen adds that passive design strategies
will be incorporated allowing for the natural elements to come in to include natural heating, cooling
and lighting. Windows will be used to promote natural ventilation of the space. He also added that this
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE THREE DECEMBER 14, 2020
passive design strategy will not negate the need for climate control in the building including heating
and air conditioning, it will just reduce the loads on each unit.
The Board then asked questions regarding materials to be used for different elements of the building as
well as the pros and cons of having the decking wrap around the three sides of the building rather than
just two. Privacy in the assembly area was one concern which could be handled with window
coverings. The view of the building when arriving was also considered as well as the cost of the
additional materials and additional maintenance. The consensus of the Board was to limit the deck to
two sides of the building.
The restroom sizes and accessibility were discussed. It was stated that there would be one exterior and
one interior restroom for both men and women. There will be further discussions held as the building
plans progress whether there will be gender specific or gender neutral restrooms.
The assembly room will be rentable for private use and also available for community events. The
capacity of the space is planned to be around 100 people.
Mr. Allen explained that the next steps will be to wrap up the schematic design phase of the building
and begin refining the details of the building as well as materials used for the building, mechanicals and
the plumbing. Mr. Maurer added that the concept design will be presented to engineering and planning
staff for review as well.
2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONCESSION STAND AGREEMENT
FOR WILLLIAM G. SPANBAUER FIELD BETWEEN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AND
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES, AERIE NO. 267
Mr. Maurer advised the Board that the City has had a concession stand agreement with the Eagles for
many years and this is essentially an extension of that agreement. They had to rework the fees due to
the city in 2020 due to Covid restrictions creating a lack of games. The current agreement is only for one
year and the payment is either $1,000 or 10% of the gross income, whichever is greater.
Motion by Metz to recommend approval of the William G. Spanbauer Concession lease
agreement between City of Oshkosh and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Seconded by Hudak. Motion
carried 9-0.
3) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONCESSION STAND AGREEMENT
FOR RED ARROW PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX BETWEEN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AND
OSHKOSH YMCA
Mr. Maurer advises that this is a similar agreement to the one in place with the YMCA previously as
well as the concession agreement with the Eagles Club. This agreement is proposed for two years. The
YMCA agrees with the two year agreement as well as the same payment of $1,000 or 10% of the gross
income.
Motion by Metz to recommend approval of the Red Arrow Park Baseball Complex Concession
lease agreement between City of Oshkosh and Oshkosh YMCA. Seconded by Martin. Motion
carried 9-0.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE FOUR DECEMBER 14, 2020
PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Maurer states that the ice rink will be opening in the near future. The department worked with the
Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and other partners to make this possible again. Due to the
uneven ground at Riverside Park that was not conducive to the rink freezing properly and requiring
more maintenance and adjustments it was decided that the rink would be moved to Roe Park which has
flatter ground. The group has established a working relationship with the YMCA and Recreation
Department to provide programming at the rink with the help from Revenue Facilities Manager, Jenny
McCollian. Dr. Eric’s Skate Club will have a trailer available on the weekends for skate usage on certain
days as well. He feels this is a good move for the rink and the goal is to get the rink operating between
Christmas and New Year’s depending on the weather. He encourages everyone to keep an eye on the
Parks Department Facebook page for updates. The rink will be open to the public during regular park
hours.
The Westhaven Circle Park ballfield renovation project was included in the 2020 Capital Improvement
Program. The city has started the design process which is being finalized and the project will go to bid
early in 2021. Work will be started in early spring. Improvements include replacing the backstop,
benches, fencing and the field. The facility will be unavailable in 2021 but with recent improvements to
other ballfields the department feels they will be able to accommodate the regular season play at other
facilities.
The five year CIP has been approved by Common Council and provides funding for the new Parks
Department Building.
ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Dallman states that the historic light columns have been repaired at South Park by the flower beds.
The annual mowing of invasive plants at Rusch Park started today. This is a select mowing to contain
certain invasive species in the park. Once complete with this location staff will move on to North High
Conservancy to complete trail work there.
The Lakeshore Park maintenance building is scheduled to be razed next spring. This is the future site
for the Lakeshore Park 4 seasons building.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Metz. Motion carried 9-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M
Respectfully submitted,
Stacy L. James
Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary