Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-13-18 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD AUGUST 13, 2018 Present: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Scott Greuel, Steve Herman, Todd Kaufmann, Bill Miller, Lester Millette Excused: Devon Hudak Other: Kelly Nieforth, Economic Development Services Manager; James Rabe, Director of Public Works 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 Vice Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Maurer opened the floor for the nomination of Board Chairman. Motion by Miller to nominate Amy Davis to serve as Chairman. Seconded by Herman. Unanimous ballot for Davis to serve as Chairman. Chair Davis opened the floor for the nomination of Board Vice Chair. Motion by Miller to nominate Tony Dirth to serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Davis. Unanimous ballot for Dirth to serve as Vice Chair. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Herman for approval of the July 9, 2018 minutes. Seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) REVIEW AND RECOMMEND REVISED CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP FOR LAKESHORE SITE Mr. Maurer introduced Kelly Nieforth, Economic Development Services Manager and James Rabe, Director of Public Works who have been working on the revised map and can give information and answer questions regarding the roads and locations of different items at the Lakeshore site. They have also been involved in the discussions surrounding the need for the land disposition/swap and will explain to the Board why they are recommending approval for this land swap to take place. Discussions have also been had with Common Council regarding Oshkosh Avenue and the need for additional right of way. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO AUGUST 13, 2018 Ms. Nieforth explained that as part of the proposal to Oshkosh Corporation, they agreed to dedicate a portion of the land as right of way to ensure access to the sight. She has worked with many departments in the City to ensure that they had the best lay out for the future use of the property. Mr. Rabe explained that after the wetland delineation was completed it was determined that the original layout for the roadways would require a high level of permitting. After meeting with several wetland delineators as well as meeting with Army Corps and City Engineering an alternate layout was decided on to avoid having to pull such a high level of permits and to determine the best use for the property. Ms. Nieforth added that with these considerations there was additional, excess land that would be land locked with the extension of North Westfield. Mr. Hoopman, a developer in the area has dedicated approximately 35,000 square feet for frontage for road use on Oshkosh Avenue. They are proposing that the city dispose or swap 36,184 square feet back to Mr. Hoopman to make the land swap even and get the right of way that is necessary with the new layout. There is an additional 13,000 square feet in Outlot 2 on the map that they city will keep at this time. Mr. Miller inquired whether the developer is happy with the arrangement. Both Ms. Nieforth and Mr. Rabe stated that the developer has been involved in all of the discussions about the property and he is in agreement with the swap. Mr. Herman asked if this change will affect the remaining parkland in the area. Mr. Maurer stated that they knew from the start that there would be a road going through the area and feels it will have minimal impact. Mr. Rabe then discussed with the Board the location of the retention basin. They will be filling in two current ponds and replacing it with the smaller pond freeing up more park land. Storm water will run through underground pipes that will not impact the parkland ultimately. The retention basin is suggested to be placed close to the property line in order to minimize impact on the parkland. These plans have been discussed with Oshkosh Corporation since it will be so close to the property line and they have agreed with the location and size of the retention basin. Mr. Herman inquired about fishing at the pond much like they do at South Park. Mr. Rabe responded that they are going more for aesthetics and educational opportunities with the retention basins much like they have at other sites throughout the city. The DNR has regulations regarding raising fish in these types of ponds. Mr. Miller stated that he believes these changes will provide an opportunity to make this future park a jewel of the community as well as really improve the Oshkosh Avenue corridor as a new gateway to the community. Motion by Davis to recommend approval of the revised Certified Survey Map for Lakeshore site. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 7-0. Mr. Maurer added that the park site is currently closed to the public due to the construction. Because of the fact that further construction will begin in the next 60-90 days the various departments have met and determined that it would be best to just keep the park site closed to the public at this time for safety reasons. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE AUGUST 13, 2018 PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer updated that both the Spanbauer Field project as well as the Riverwalk repairs behind the Leach Amphitheater are out for bids at this time. Work should begin this fall on both projects as well. City Council approved the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative Funding and as such the Stoegbauer Park play equipment was slated to be replaced this fall. The neighborhood association is asking that the project be held off until next spring so that they can work on raising more funds to put toward the equipment. Mr. Maurer will be at another walk through at South Park on Tuesday to discuss the final punch list of items that are remaining to be completed. Turf is coming up nicely and they anticipate that the fencing should be able to come down by the end of the month. Mr. Maurer is currently working on 2019 Budgets which are due on Friday as well as performance evaluations for employees. He reminded the Board that the new segment of the Fox River Riverwalk between the Boatworks Site and Oregon Street will have its grand opening on August 23 at 4:00 pm and they have all been invited to attend. The Lakefly Art that was decorated by local artists has been installed along the Riverwalk and in Opera House Square by Parks staff. Unfortunately over the weekend the Lakefly that was installed along the Riverwalk in the Morgan District was vandalized. He encouraged the public to keep an eye out for these sorts of things and be sure to report any wrongdoing to the local police. Mr. Maurer states that the Board received the 2017 Impact Report when they arrived at the meeting tonight. This was put together by Anne Schaefer the Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator for the Parks Department with help from the various managers within the department. This is an opportunity for the department to let the public know what is happening and what improvements are being made. He drew everyone’s attention to the long list of items that their department is responsible for. Mr. Maurer spoke on behalf of the Seniors Center and the work that they have been doing there including the Any “Fin” is Possible! event which was previously held at Menominee Park. The event is made possible through volunteers and donors. It was held at that location again in 2018 and will likely become an annual event due to its success. Friends of the Senior Center also have been very successful with their Food Truck Fridays event which are well attended and a great fundraiser for the Seniors Center. REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian stated that the Tuesday Night Concert Series has been very successful again in 2018. It was sponsored again this year by Verve, a Credit Union and WPS was the activity sponsor. At this point last year they had roughly 3,000 attendees and this year they have had about 5,000 attendees which shows that this event is growing in popularity. The facilities have had a great year due to the weather cooperating. It’s been a great year at the Pool as well as at the Leach Amphitheater. Kids from Wisconsin played this year thanks to the Oshkosh Area ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR AUGUST 13, 2018 Community Foundation sponsorship. Julie’s Touch of Silver performed as well. The free movie nights have been well attended also and she appreciates that there are so many family friendly events that they can provide to the community. Mr. Maurer wanted to point out that the various Revenue Facilities bring in 190,000+ people annually which is great for the City and shows that the department’s hard work is paying off. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm reviewed his portion of the Impact Report which highlights the $25,000 DNR Urban Forestry Grant that was received and afforded staff the ability to conduct four different neighborhood workshops which were well attended. Staff was also able to plant over 300 trees and treat 570 ash trees to prevent against Emerald Ash Borer. The Oshkosh “4 Education” Curb Appeal project also took place in the fall of 2017. Landscape Operations Division staff helped with the design work to re-landscape the schools throughout the community. It was a large undertaking and made possible through a tremendous volunteer effort. The Riverside Cemetery chapel restoration project was able to take place in 2017 thanks to an anonymous donor as well as grant funding. They have been conducting tours of the grounds and begin each one in the chapel to showcase the improvements to the plaster and the painting that has been done. There will be more tours this fall and in the spring. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman states that reviewing the Impact Report it is impressive to see how everything has come together and how the community has supported their department. He highlighted the Menominee Park Zoo Eagle Exhibit and how they continue to fundraise for this project. Playgrounds were replaced at Menominee Park Sea, Sand, and Sailorland as well as at Fugleberg Park. Page 10 of the document shows the long list of enhancements that have been made at the various locations throughout the community. He notes that parks staff also assisted with the Seniors Center Fitness Center upgrades as well as the Riverside Park Ice Skating Rink. Mr. Maurer added Kathy Snell, Special Events Coordinator, is also a part of the department and noted that there were 120 special events approved by the city in 2017 and that there was a high rate of satisfaction with the event organizers. He also noted that Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator was successful in receiving the $45,000 grant for the Riverwalk work behind the Leach Amphitheater as well as various donations and sponsorships for the Seniors Center. Social media was really utilized in 2017 to help spread the Parks message to the community as well with a 67.1% increase of “fans” since May of 2016 and reaching 15,312 “likes” on their pages. Mr. Maurer finalized by stating that there is so much more to what the department does than even what is highlighted in this document and if anyone ever has any questions they should feel free to ask. Mr. Dirth wanted to thank the department staff and stated that the staff does an amazing job. It is good to see the work that is being done in the parks. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE AUGUST 13, 2018 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Miller for adjournment; seconded by Davis. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:49 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary