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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-9-23 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD JANUARY 9, 2023 Present: Lauren Bartelt, Amy Davis, Deborah Martin, Becky Metz, Lester Millette, Lori Palmeri, Kay Qualley, Koby Schellenger (Alternate Board Member) Excused: Tony Dirth, Devon Hudak, Becky Metz, Timothy Franz (Alternate Board Member) Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Stacy James, Recording Secretary; Kathy Snell, Special Events Coordinator 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 Martin for approval of the November 14, 2022 minutes. Seconded by Millette. Motion carried 6-0 with Ms. Palmeri abstaining from vote. NEW BUSINESS 1) UPDATE ON PARKS DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS Mr. Maurer introduced Kathy Snell, the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Oshkosh. She has taken on the lead role with volunteer initiatives over the past couple of years due to her history of working with volunteers in prior positions. Ms. Snell states that when she started working to improve the volunteer processes, she noticed two of the biggest stumbling blocks were communication with volunteers and data collection. She also wanted to improve the follow-up process with volunteers. She began by creating a plan and presented that plan to the Board. Improvements included sending out a detailed e-mail to volunteers providing them with event data, their specific job assignment, and contact for any questions on the day of their volunteer assignment. From this they were able to create a database of volunteers for future sign ups. The department had a volunteer appreciation event as well. Data shows that there were almost twice as many volunteers in 2022 versus 2021. At this time the department is looking into options to have the volunteers start helping out with maintenance opportunities including mulching, park clean-up and boat launch / dock cleaning. The department will continue to collaborate with existing volunteers and expand with new groups and businesses. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO JANUARY 9, 2023 Ms. Qualley inquired about opportunities to work with the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh as well as how the volunteer hours might be used toward grant opportunities. Ms. Snell responded that there could be opportunities for the department to apply for grants in the future and that the improved tracking will help with that. She also added that while working with their current volunteer groups she has been put in contact with members of the University and will continue to work with them in the future. She is also working with the high schools and middle schools in the city. Ms. Snell then spoke regarding the current Adopt-a-Park program. These groups come in to help maintain or clean-up a specific park and the department is looking to expand that program as well. Both Mr. Maurer and Ms. McCollian added that since having Ms. Snell take on the lead role, the volunteer process has been smoother and they appreciate her efforts. 2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE POLLOCK COMMUNITY WATER PARK AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AND OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 2023-2024 Mr. Maurer states that this agreement is consistent with past agreements that the City has had with the school district since the pool opened in 2006. The terms are consistent with prior agreements except that it has returned to the two year period so 2023-2024. Wages were increased in 2022 to improve recruitment and so that returning staff got an increase as well. Staff is also reimbursed for their lifeguard training as this helps with recruitment as well. Motion by Millette to recommend approval of the Pollock Community Water Park Agreement between the City of Oshkosh and Oshkosh Area School District. Seconded by Martin. Motion carried 7-0. 3) UPDATE ON POTENTIAL SELF-SERVICE KAYAK RENTAL PROGRAM Mr. Maurer states that Ms. McCollian was approached by Rent.Fun about a year and a half ago. These rentals would be similar to bike and scooter rentals that are seen in other communities. The company reached out to the department again over the winter about having the rentals in the City of Oshkosh. Mr. Maurer reviewed the units and what is all included with the Board. The company usually starts out with a four unit locker in a community and the department would be asking for an eight unit locker. The location for this would be Menominee Park Miller’s Bay. The company is asking for a five year commitment for the rental units and Mr. Maurer continues to work with the city’s legal department and risk manager on the agreement. The five year cost for the units would be $16,000, which would cover future expansion as well. The company would handle everything including maintenance. The City has applied for grants to cover the costs of the units. The city would receive a 50% revenue share for all rentals and most communities see enough revenue to cover their investment within three years. If the program goes well at Miller’s Bay, it could be expanded to other sites in the city. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE JANUARY 9, 2023 Rentals would be on a first-come-first-serve basis and all rentals would include the paddles and life vest. The Board agreed that these units would be a good addition to the park. 4) UPDATE ON OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINKS Mr. Maurer states that he is asking Mr. Dallman to provide an update to the Board / public regarding the outdoor ice skating rinks in the city. Winter weather has not been as harsh as many years ago which has led to the decision to not place the portable ice rink at Roe Park. Mr. Dallman provided some history on outdoor rinks in Oshkosh. In 2019 the department started using a NiceRink at Riverside Park. There were challenges with site grades, however beyond that it was a great downtown location for the rink. Then the department tried placing the rink at Roe Park next to the YMCA. The first year there were still some grading issues however staff addressed that and resolved some of those problems for the 21/22 season. There were continuous problems however with having sufficient frost in the ground to support the rink as well as the weather cooperating for good ice conditions. Due to the continuous issues, staff decided to review other options for ice rinks this winter. One possibility was at Menominee Park and Zoo on the lagoon. The nearby Lakefly Café could be used as a warming area and for skate rentals. It is also a more controlled environment for staffing and security. It was hoped to be able to open the rink on January 7, however as of today there isn’t sufficient ice for staff to get equipment on the ice for snow removal. They will continue to review the ice conditions and hope to open to the public soon. Parks Department social media sites and the City website will have more information when the rink is able to open for the season. When ice conditions allow the rink will be open on Saturdays and Sunday from Noon until 4pm. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Derks updated that staff continue to work on stump removals in Zone 3 in the city. Weather has delayed their efforts a little, however they continue to work on it. Zones 1 and 2 tree removal is being completed by the contractors and there are about 30 more trees left for them to remove. They anticipate to be able to do so over the next couple of weeks. They are working on stump removals in these areas as well and the contractor has until May to complete the work. Mr. Derks states that he has received some requests for replacement trees, however is continuing to encourage homeowners to contact him if they would like a replacement or terrace tree. Mr. Derks added that staff has also begun the annual pruning cycle. There are roughly 1,900 street trees that staff will need to address and prune. The area currently being pruned is to the north and east of the river up to New York Avenue. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR JANUARY 9, 2023 REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian states that the department is working on updating their activity guide and it will be available on the city website as well as some paper copies for pick-up. Ms. McCollian also adds that February 10 is a non-school day for Oshkosh Area School District and as such the department is working with the Recreation Department to offer a Winter Olympics event at the ice rink at Menominee Park Zoo, if weather and ice conditions allow. The department will also be working with the Oshkosh Seniors Center to host St. Patty’s Bingo on Saturday, March 18 from 1pm-3pm. This is an inter-generational event and there will be concessions and prizes available. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Palmeri asked for an update regarding some outstanding projects. Mr. Maurer states that progress is going well with the Parks Administration Building. Footings are in for the office and the contractor is pouring the remaining footings. Pre-cast walls will be delivered soon also. With regards to the Chief Oshkosh sign project, he had discussions with the vendor in mid- December prior to their plant being closed down for three weeks. He will follow-up with them at the end of January. Two of the plaques are complete and he will continue to work with them on the remaining plaques. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Millette for adjournment; seconded by Martin. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary