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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2-13-17 ADVISORY PARK BOARD FEBRUARY 13, 2017 Present: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Bill Gogolewski, Steve Herman, Jim Michelson, Carrie Rule, Megan Schuessler, Terry Wohler Excused: Bill Miller, Carrie Rule Other: Brad Brown, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Stacy James, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Wohler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Herman for approval of the January 9, 2017 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Schuessler. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS RENAMING RAINBOW PARK TO RAINBOW MEMORIAL PARK Mr. Maurer introduced Brad Larson, the Museum Director for Oshkosh Public Museum. Mr. Larson has done extensive research and gave the Board some background information regarding the history of the park. Mr. Larson is requesting that the name of the park be returned to Rainbow Memorial Park. When it was first dedicated on August 4, 1957, its name at that time was “Rainbow Memorial Park” in honor of the men of Co. C, 150th Machine Gun Battalion of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division of World War 1 fame. It is unknown when the park name changed from Rainbow Memorial Park to simply Rainbow Park. In light of the fact that the 100th anniversary of the U.S. participation of the war is coming up Mr. Larson feels now would be an appropriate time to formally change the name of the park. Mr. Herman questioned whether there were still any family members of the original servicemen to which Mr. Larson stated that there are quite a few remaining in the area. Mr. Gogolewski pointed out that there is one sign that says “Rainbow Memorial Park” and one that just states “Rainbow Park”. Mr. Larson said he would like to work with the Board regarding signage and placards for the park. Mr. Maurer stated that the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) update will be kicked off in the next few weeks. He feels that now would be an appropriate time the formally make this name change. The Board agreed that Mr. Larson should move forward with this initiative with the World War I Commemoration Committee he is serving on. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO FEBRUARY 13, 2017 2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND SALE OF APPROXIMATELY .04 ACRE OF 44TH PARALLEL PARK Mr. Maurer stated that he has been working with the landowner, Mr. Thomas Sullivan, who was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Sullivan would like to purchase the land from the City in order to straighten out his property line and has already paid for a survey of the property to be completed. City staff agreed that it would be a “good neighbor” move to square off the property for Mr. Sullivan. The purchase price would be based on assessor information on sales in the area. Mr. Maurer advised that a fence had been put up some time ago by Mr. Sullivan on the park property and has been using the property for approximately 25-30 years. It is unknown if he received permission for the fence at the time it was installed. Mr. Herman inquired as to whether or not it is possible to earmark the funds received from the sale of the parcel specifically to the 44th Parallel Park or if the funds will go into the general fund to which Mr. Maurer responded that that is a question for City Council or the Finance Director to determine. Mr. Michelson stated that he had viewed the property and noted that there are other neighbors nearby that also have odd shaped lot lines. He has concerns that selling this property to Mr. Sullivan would set a precedent for other land owners in the City. He proposed that an exchange of property for the lines to be more uniform would be a better option for both parties. Ms. Schuessler inquired whether the land was assessed with and without the parcel for comparison and whether the current lot lines would greatly affect any potential sales. Mr. Maurer responded that the land has not been appraised at this time but he feels the current lot line would affect marketability for the property. Mr. Dirth voiced concern about the fence on the park property, understands the concern of setting a precedent but feels over all that it would make sense to move forward with the sale of the property. Mr. Wohler stated he supports the proposal by staff. Motion by Dirth to recommend approval of sale of .04 acre of 44th Parallel Park. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 6-1 (Michelson). 3) RECONSIDER REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 26 TREES AND VEGETATION OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE. Motion by Gogolewski to reconsider revisions to Chapter 26 Trees and Vegetation of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. 4) DISCUSS/RECOMMEND REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 26 TREES AND VEGETATION OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE. Mr. Sturm stated that there were good points brought up at the last meeting and as such he added clarification to Section 26-5(2) by adding subsection (c) which covers items growing on private property but overhang onto public property. The primary area of concern regarding this is with sidewalks. Mr. Sturm added that the Forestry Department works closely with Inspections for these issues. He also added Section 26-8 which covers relocation/shut off of electrical service for tree work, which rarely occurs. In the past public service has handled this. Chapter 26-10 was also added to cover home moving permits. In these ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE FEBRUARY 13, 2017 situations it was decided that when a structure is moved down a street the path needs to be approved by the City Forester and if deemed necessary the moving company will be required to hire someone to trim any trees. Lastly, Section 26-11 was added to put in writing the process that is currently used when working with utility companies for trimming public trees or shrubs. Motion by Michelson to recommend approval of revisions to Chapter 26 Trees and Vegetation of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code. Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 7-0. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer gave a synopsis of the 2016 Year in Review and 2017 Look Ahead report which he provided to the Board at the time of the meeting. In 2017 the Parks Department intends to complete further renovations at various parks throughout the City as well as work on updates to the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Mr. Gogolewski asked for clarification as to the location of the pump house at Mary Jewel Park. Mr. Maurer answered that it will be in right field area near the oak tree and the bidding process/construction will begin late fall. There will be a South Park lagoon project beginning in July and continuing through spring/summer of 2018. The Golf Course will be focusing on selling remaining hole sponsorships, renovations to the course and promoting Foot Golf and private lessons. Forestry will look to make improvements to round-a-bouts and traffic island areas, update their inventory, work on neighborhood tree planting in conjunction with their DNR grant and develop of city-wide tree pruning schedule. The Cemetery intends to work on marketing for lot sale, repaving roads and implementing a “Malts and Vaults” historic tour to bring attention to the cemetery. Mr. Maurer noted that there are many local brewers that are buried in the cemetery and this tour could be used to distribute information about the cemetery and drum up interest in the community. Revenue Facilities will be working on fundraising for events and determining the future of the carousel ride which needs extensive renovations ($100,000 - $150,000 to repair). They will be looking for input from the citizens regarding interest and reviewing necessity of the repair. Revenue Facilities is also investigating automatic pay stations for boat launches for ease of use. Special Events has been collecting responses from their 2016 users. The Seniors Center will focus on updates to their facilities, increasing sponsorships and fitness class offerings. They also intend to focus on the “younger” seniors and possibly modifying the center’s hours and programs to accommodate those individuals. As a follow-up to prior discussions regarding the I-41 Heritage Trail, the City staff had applied for a DOT grant last year and was unsuccessful and intend to apply again in 2018. This will connect the trail between the Two Brothers restaurant and Mary Jewel Park. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR FEBRUARY 13, 2017 LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm informed the Board that they are working on a marketing plan for Riverside Cemetery to give the public more information. There is a common misconception that the cemetery is full, which is untrue. He is also working with Planning Division regarding a DNR grant to continue the Neighborhood Tree Diversification Program. He will have more information regarding this after the upcoming bids that will be taking place. Another project they are working on is installing signs for the statues and landscaping at Menominee Park for the Chief Oshkosh Landscaping Project. Crews have been taking advantage of the good weather recently and removing trees in the parks as well as at the cemetery. They continue to prune the newer trees and plantings as well as raising trees in the parks to make it easier for summer mowing. Staff will be attending the Wisconsin Arborists Association Conference next week. REVENUE FACILITY MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian was unable to attend the meeting and will give her report at the March meeting. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Gogolewski for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary