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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-12-21 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD APRIL 12, 2021 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 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Palmeri for approval of the March 8, 2021 minutes. Seconded by Metz. Motion carried 9-0. OLD BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS DRAFT DESIGN OF LAKESHORE PARK – 4 SEASONS BUILDING Mr. Maurer updated the Board that the proposal for the size of the building was taken to City Council after the last meeting and was approved. As such SmithGroup moved forward with drafting the design of the Lakeshore Park 4 seasons building with 125 capacity in the assembly room and 150 capacity for building. The site plan and floor plan was included with the packets. Mr. Allen from SmithGroup updated the Board as to the status of design process. There are three design steps, schematic design, design development and construction document administration. He states that with the completion of the design development phase the process is about 60% complete at this time. SmithGroup will continue to meet with city staff to keep everyone involved. The site design will incorporate the 80+/- car parking lot with the large drop off space. He briefly explained changes that have been made regarding the outdoor family restrooms which will be single user restrooms and gender neutral. The interior restrooms will still be gender specific. With regards to the assembly room, the kitchenette area has improved access as well as a pass thru window. With regards to the fireplace, this will be accessible by both assembly room users as well as patrons on the deck. It is designed for 6-8 people to be able to sit around the fireplace on either side of it. This fireplace was designed for atmosphere purposes as opposed to a warming source or area. There would be ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO APRIL 12, 2021 a timer on the fireplace so that users could turn it on at any time for use. There has also been discussions about having a standalone fire pit in the plaza space. There would be options in that it could be permanent or set up to be removed in the summer months. Discussions were then held regarding handicap accessibility to the building. Automatic door openers would be installed on the primary doors but have not yet been discussed for the outdoor restrooms. This is not typically done for public restrooms however it is an option. The restrooms would maintain ADA clearance but not automatic openers. Restrooms will also have baby changing stations. Mr. Allen discussed the roof drainage explaining that the roof is a series of three triangles, the planes of all which slope to one point. They would incorporate an open downspout that collects water and would go into an open rain garden. He added that most storm water drainage goes into city sewers but they are designing the building to look at options of a rain garden with a small bridge for water to drain off the building and into the rain garden into the naturally existing lagoon on site. This shows that they are trying to celebrate sustainability and storm water collection with the drainage. Additional discussions were had regarding the changes to the roofline to support the water collection and whether it would cause there to be a loss of patios space or shaded areas. A review of the space shows that the patio is actually larger than previously planned and could potentially provide more shaded areas. With regards to the storage area located off the assembly room, this space would be used to store chairs and tables for the assembly room. Board members thanked Mr. Allen for incorporating ideas they expressed at previous meetings and are pleased with the building design. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSSION ON CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE XIII OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO PARKLAND DEDICATION AND FEES IN LIEU OF PARKLAND DEDICATION Mr. Maurer referred to the pages from Chapter 30 of the Municipal Code that he provided in the Board packets which refer to the subdivision code in the City. He states that with new subdivisions coming into the City, the code states that because of the additional homes being added that additional park space should be added as well. During the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) update process there are two maps that are updated and relied on heavily for parks service areas in neighborhoods and to determine where there are areas in the city where park space is insufficient. If a developer comes in to the City it is determined if a park space is needed, if so how much space is required and where the park should go in that subdivision. The other option is that the builder can pay a parkland dedication fee in lieu of land dedication. When a subdivision would come into the city, a referral regarding park space or a parkland dedication fee being paid comes to the Advisory Park Board then to Plan Commission and Common Council. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE APRIL 12, 2021 Ms. Palmeri made reference to a recent development that came into the city and whether this process was followed. Mr. Maurer explained that he discussed this matter with Planning Division staff. If there is Plan Development, parkland dedication is not a requirement. Only land division requires parkland dedication. This loophole was discussed and staff is looking at ways to address that. Looking at the Park Service Area Map from the CORP, you are able to see areas of the city not presently served by a park. These areas are then represented on to the Proposed Acquisition Map for areas that are in need of parkland. These maps are shared with developers to explain the request for parkland dedication. Mr. Maurer states that city staff is planning to have a joint meeting in June with the Advisory Park Board, Plan Commission and Common Council to discuss this further. Park space is requested in some new subdivision plats but doing so takes away lots in the subdivision and drives up costs for the homes which goes against one of the City’s goals of providing affordable housing. City staff is hoping that the joint meeting will get everyone on the same page and wanted to give the Board the heads up that they will be hearing from the City Manager’s Executive Assistant in the near future to schedule this meeting. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer wanted to advise the Board and the public that the bathhouse at Menominee Park will not be opening in 2021. The bathhouse was closed in 2020 due to COVID. After reviewing the building’s deteriorating condition, staff is not comfortable opening the building to the public. There are currently no funds to remodel the current building or funds for a new building. . An ADA portable toilet will be placed on site and the public will be asked to come to the beach swim ready. The May Advisory Park Board meeting may include a tour of the facility as well as recent improvements to Menominee Park. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman states that the Westhaven Circle Park play equipment replacement and ball field renovation are moving along well. The play equipment site has been excavated and ready for the install of the new equipment which is scheduled for the third week of May at this time. The South Park tennis and pickle ball reconstruction is on the Council agenda for approval on April 13. The project is planned to be completed by August. The department has seen an increase in Memorial Bench requests over the past year. To date in 2021 we have received 9 memorial bench requests. These locations include Menominee Park, South Park, Glatz Nature Conservancy, Menominee Park Zoo and Red Arrow Park. There are many other opportunities for benches throughout the city and it is a great program to utilize to honor a loved one. Restrooms will open for the season as of April 16 at all park locations. Shelters will also be open and available for rentals as of this date. Crews continue to work on repairs and maintenance of facilities. Ms. Hudak inquired if there is also a memorial program for trees and landscaping. Mr. Dallman answered that there is also a Memorial Tree program which has also seen an increase in participation. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR APRIL 12, 2021 Mr. Maurer added that the online services website was recently updated and brochures for both of these programs as well as a “Donate Now” option are available on the website. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Martin raised a concern that she heard from a citizen regarding dogs not being leashed in parks. Mr. Maurer states that there is a city ordinance that allows dogs in parks so long as they are on paths and hard surfaces, on a 6 foot leash and the owners clean up after them. He encourages the public to say something if they see anyone disobeying this ordinance or, if they are uncomfortable saying something, they can try calling the non-emergency police line and ask that they look into the matter. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Hudak. Motion carried 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary