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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-9-22 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MAY 9, 2022 Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Devon Hudak, Lester Millette, Lori Palmeri, Joseph Stephenson (Alternate Board Member) Excused: Scott Greuel, Deborah Martin, Becky Metz, Koby Schellenger (Alternate Board Member) Other: Anne Schaefer, Marketing & Fund Development Coordinator for City of Oshkosh Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, 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. INTRODUCTION OF TRAVIS DERKS – NEW LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER Mr. Maurer introduced Mr. Derks as the new Landscape Operations Manager. Mr. Derks states he has been with the City for 9 years, the last five of which were as the lead worker for the division. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Hudak for approval of the March 14, 2022 minutes. Seconded by Millette. Motion carried 7-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) PRESENTATION OF PARKS DEPARTMENT 2021 IMPACT REPORT FROM ANNE SCHAEFER, MARKETING AND FUND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Mr. Maurer introduced Anne Schaefer who is the department’s Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator. Ms. Schaefer explained that the Impact Report is something that she has been putting together annually for the past couple of years to highlight the accomplishments of the entire department. She states that over the past year at many of the events it was common to hear “This is the first time I’ve felt comfortable going to an event because it is outdoors”. Statements like this reflect the mission statement of improving quality of life for citizens; which is certainly something to be proud of. Ms. Schaefer the reviewed the 2021 Impact Report with the Board including reviews of: A) Department Key Performance Indicators which line up with the City’s Strategic Plan: a. $393,557 in grants and donations received for the department b. 16,445 people attended department events c. 10,284 volunteer hours logged with a value of $293,531 ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO MAY 9, 2022 B) Work she has done including helping with the Food Truck Friday fundraiser for Oshkosh Seniors Center, adding more social media outlets, attending more fundraising training and successfully applying for a $216,638 grant from the DNR C) Events held in 2021 as well as projects completed D) Work completed by the landscape operations division including trees planted and removed E) Attendance at both the Menominee Park Zoo and Pollock Community Water Park F) Events and their impact at Menominee Park Zoo, Leach Amphitheater, Menominee Park Children’s Amusement Center and Pollock Community Water Park G) Improved attendance and event highlights at the Oshkosh Seniors Center The Board agreed that this is a good document to be able to reference annually and show all of the hard work that the department does. 2) DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THE QURRY PARK RESTROOM/SHELTER AND PARKING LOT Mr. Maurer states that as the department is working with Department of Public Works on upcoming projects and assessing parking lots, this property came up. It was decided to barricade the parking lot at this time due to its poor conditions. This is a site of a former landfill and as such the land is settling and causing problems. The shelter/restroom building has not been open to the public in 10+ years and had been used as storage but now sits vacant. The replacement of both the building and parking lot were in the CIP in the past, but the department is now questioning best use of this facility. Any improvements would need to be approved by the DNR given the history of the landfill at this location. If the restroom facility is updated, it would require significant funding to improve ventilation and keep it safe. Previously it was thought that $150,000 would be enough to complete this project but with the current condition and work that would need to be completed together with the current cost of materials it has been determined that the number would be substantially higher. The department is questioning the need to do the work or possibly remove the building and parking lot and turn it back into green space. There is ample on street parking for anyone who would be visiting the park. He wanted to pose this question to the Board and get their input. Discussions were had regarding current use of the property. Previously a soccer group would use the open area for practices, but they have moved to a different facility and the lot is mostly used by neighbors for passive recreation. A couple of Board members mentioned the possibility of planting more trees and having it be more of an urban forest space. Mr. Maurer stated that would be something to look into and any improvements would still need approval from the DNR. Mr. Dirth questioned the need for a restroom at the site. Mr. Maurer responded that the lack of complaints for there not being a restroom at that location is indicative of the fact that there isn’t a great need for one to be there. Ultimately the Board agreed with the decision to move forward with plans to remove the parking lot and building at the Quarry Park site. 3) UPDATE ON STAFFING SHORTAGES AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON PARK OPERATIONS Mr. Maurer states that as he was asking staff for their reporting topics, everyone wanted to discuss the staffing shortages they are currently facing. There has been some positive movement in that Ms. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE MAY 9, 2022 McCollian has been able to hire another manager at the pool so the department is able to avoid a reduction in hours. There is still a need for maintenance staff at the pool however. Without seasonal maintenance, the work will fall on the full-time staff which will then pull them from projects and other work that needs to be completed. Also needed is one additional boat ranger to help with filling in as well as amusements staff that are over the age of 18. Given the staffing shortages it is a possibility that the department will not be able to open the Children’s Amusement Center for the 2022 season. The parks department is also looking for general laborers for both Parks and Forestry positions. All job openings are posted on the City’s website and Mr. Maurer asked the Board and any citizens watching to please encourage people to apply. With regards to full time staffing, a new arborist started for the department today. There are still openings for one more arborist, a landscape operations maintenance worker and Travis’ former position of lead worker. The department has decided to hold off on hiring for the lead worker position until the other full-time positions have been filled. Ms. McCollian added that there is also a need for seasonal staff for special events and the ball diamond. In previous years, staff from the Amusement Center has helped out with special events as well as ball diamonds. Mr. Maurer added that volunteers can be used for working at special events and staff continues to work on recruiting more volunteers as well. Ms. McCollian added that they are having different community groups volunteer for special events as well. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer updated that the Common Council approved the Three Party Agreement for the Bear/Fox Exhibit at Menominee Park Zoo at their last meeting. Staff has been working with CR Meyer on this project which is funded by $1.4 million in donations. He wanted to thank Tom and Penny Harenburg for their continuous generous support of the zoo. He is hopeful that the exhibit will be open for the 2023 season. The four season building at Lakeshore Park is well on its way. Earth work is taking place right now to set up for the parking lot. The target date for completion of this project is November. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman updated that the gazebo at Riverside Park will begin installation in the next week and will be ready for use in early July. With regards to the memorial bench program, there continues to be a substantial delay for delivery of benches ordered in 2021 but staff will continue to do what they can to install them as soon as they do come in. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Derks stated that contractors have begun wok for removing dead ash trees and are mainly working south of the river at this time. They are roughly half-way through the project having removed 130 trees. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR MAY 9, 2022 The spring tree order was recently received and staff will begin work on spring plantings including terrace trees and memorial trees. Materials have been ordered for flower beds and will be installed when received. REVENUE AND FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian updated that the department was able to have their first Bunny event since 2019. In 2022 they moved to Webster Stanley School from the Oshkosh Seniors Center as they had outgrown that space. The department limited how many people were able to come each hour time slot and that worked well for the flow of the event. As always the event was fully sponsored for 2022. The Egg- citing Day at the Zoo event was also well attended again this year. Combined the events brought in $4,500 to go toward the Zoo. Brews on the Bay events were well attended in 2021 and as such have been expanded for 2022. There will be 7 nights with a Brews in the Zoo event added at the Menominee Park Zoo on the eve of Zooloween Boo. The department has made good connections with local breweries and it is an event that many people look forward to. The Menominee Park Zoo opened on May 7 and had good weather for opening weekend. Visit Oshkosh was a great partner and took some good photographs over the weekend that the department will be able to use for future marketing. The Lakefly Café is scheduled to open Memorial Day Weekend. Over the winter Ms. James worked with staff to put together a Parks Department Activity Guide. Previously there were multiple flyers for different park locations and with the creation of this guide all activities can be found in one place. QR codes were added to many pages for people to find updated information throughout the year as well. Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored the printing of the guides and it can also be found as an online magazine or PDF for printing. Links to both items are on the Parks Department home page. It has proven to be a great resource for information as well as fundraising efforts. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Palmeri wanted to thank Scott Greuel for his time on the Board and his contributions over the years. The entire Board wishes him well in the future. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 6-0. (Ms. Palmeri had to leave early) The meeting adjourned at 6:53 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary