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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-8-22 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD AUGUST 8, 2022 Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Becky Metz, Lori Palmeri, Kay Qualley, Timothy Franz (Alternate Board Member) Excused: Devon Hudak, Deborah Martin, Lester Millette Absent: Koby Schellenger (Alternate Board Member) Staff: Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Stacy James, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. (Mayor Palmeri arrived at 6:15pm) INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Dallman introduced Kay Qualley who is the new Advisory Park Board member. She has lived in Oshkosh off and on throughout her life and recently moved back to the area. She is a lifelong gardener and has an interest in the outdoors and parks. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Dallman opened the floor for the nomination of Board Chair. Motion by Dirth to nominate Amy Davis to serve as Chair. Seconded by Metz. Unanimous ballot for Davis to serve as Chair. Chair Davis opened the floor for the nomination of Board Vice Chair. Motion by Metz 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 Dirth for approval of the June 13, 2022 minutes. Seconded by Qualley. Motion carried 6-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) TOUR OF WESTHAVEN CIRCLE PARK Mr. Dallman states that Westhaven Circle Park is a 6.6 acre site and reviewed the following upgrades which had been completed over the past couple of years at this site:  ADA compliant restrooms  New play equipment with poured in place rubber surfacing  Softball field with significant drainage improvements ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO AUGUST 8, 2022 Future upgrades include the tennis courts in 2023. It is anticipated that there may be pickleball courts added as well due to their continuing popularity. The department is working with the City Electrician to discuss lighting upgrades on the site to include the potential for solar lighting. Long term plans include an ADA accessible route from the restroom building to both the basketball court and play equipment. Currently park users need to go around the entire park on the sidewalk. There have also been multiple requests from park neighbors to have a splash pad on site. Mr. Dallman added that the department is reviewing proposals for updated park signs at all locations throughout the city as well. Mr. Dallman states this park is mostly used by the neighborhood and is used year round to include sledding in the winter. There would be the potential to install memorial benches in the park as well. Mr. Derks added that his crew has removed 10 ash trees from the park as well as 10 other miscellaneous trees that were dead or dying. He also stated that they have treated a lot of public ash trees in the neighborhood. 2) TOUR OF 44TH PARALLEL PARK Mr. Dallman states that 44th Parallel Park is a 4.9 acre site and reviewed the amenities. The tennis courts were resurfaced in 2011 and are due for updating at this time. Due to the location of the courts this would be another good site to add pickleball to. The athletic field still has limestone on the field which has good drainage but is difficult to maintain. Future improvements would include changing the setbacks and redesigning the field for a different age group. The playground was last replaced in 2003 and is due for replacement as well. It would have updated equipment with poured in place rubber surfacing and have ADA accessible routes around the perimeter of the playground as well as leading up to the equipment. There have been many requests from the neighbors to update the equipment. The lighting around the play structures may be replaced as well. Ms. Metz inquired about selling the old equipment when it is replaced and Mr. Dallman answered that in the past the city has worked with an organization to repurpose the equipment in third world countries. It is generally not re-sold because of liability issues. Ms. Palmeri asked if this could be a good location for natural prairie areas. Mr. Dallman responded that it would depend on the parcel and whether that is something the neighborhood would like to see. Other Board members added that in order to have a proper prairie grass area you would need to take into consideration the regular controlled burns that would need to be done to maintain the vegetation as well as invasive species management that would need to be taken into consideration. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Dirth for adjournment; seconded by Metz. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary