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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-11-23 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 Present: Amy Davis, Lauren Bartelt, Becky Metz, Lester Millette, Timothy Franz, Devon Hudak Excused: Matt Mugerauer Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; James Rabe, Director of Public Works; Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works; Jason Ellis, Utility Operations Manager CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Maurer introduced Hannah Schueler who is the new Administrative Assistant. She transferred from the Planning Services Division. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Maurer opened the floor for the nomination of Board Chair. Motion by Millette to nominate Amy Davis to serve as Chair. Seconded by Franz. Unanimous ballot cast for Davis to serve as Chair. Chair Davis opened the floor for the nomination of Board Vice Chair. Motion by Millette to nominate Becky Metz to serve as Vice Chair. Metz declined. Motion by Bartelt to nominate Lester Millette to serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Franz. Unanimous ballot cast for Millette to serve as Vice Chair. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Davis for approval of the April 10, 2023 and June 12, 2023 minutes. Seconded by Millette. Motion carried 6-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) DICUSS AND RECOMMEND CLEARWELL PROJECT ELEMENTS PERTINENT TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT Linda Mohr, Jacobs Engineering, 1610 N 2nd St, #201, Milwaukee, WI; gave a short presentation to the Board outlining the needs for Clearwells replacement, the timeline of the project and a summary of the work that the Ad Hoc Committee had performed, along with the Committee’s recommendation. Aaron Sherer, 1720 Cliffview Dr, talked in support of the two recommendations that were given by the Ad Hoc Committee. He passed out a handout showing buildings nearby comparable in size. He talked of the importance of landscaping that will be planted and the access to the waterfront while keeping hardscapes limited. Andrew Clark, 802 E Lincoln Ave, representative of the Otter Street Fishing Club, shared that the club would like to see the two access points still available and keep the extra parking spots. Ms. Bartelt shared her experience on the Ad Hoc Committee and what the Committee discussed; which included pedestrian paths, one way drive, and preserving the parking while expanding green space. Ms. Metz asked if the purpose of the one-way drive is being able to have more green space. Ms. Bartelt said green space and controlling traffic flow were two factors in the one-way drive. Mr. Rabe shared that there is no current pedestrian path, and it is a tight space. The safety aspects of the layouts were the most important. Mr. Gohde said that the north portion is still two-way access because of the water filtration department needs. Ms. Mohr shared the different alternatives and how much parking each alternative would lose. She mentioned that spots lost here could possibly be made up in Menominee Park near the beach house. Mr. Maurer talked about the neighborhood complaints that were received by the fishermen parking along streets and losing the spots would be a negative impact on the neighborhoods. The Board discussed the different alternative design options mentioning the importance of landscaping, parking spots, and traffic flow. Motion by Millette to recommend approval of the North Alternative 1 and the South Alternative 1 designs. Seconded by Franz. Motion carried 6-0. 2) REVIEW CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR MENOMINEE PARK BEACH BATHOUSE RECONSTRUCTION Mr. Maurer said that during the February 13th Advisory Park Board meeting a conceptual design was shared that is similar to the current building. TR Karrels staff prepared a contemporary design. The Board asked if a more modern design could be developed. Mike Karrels, TR Karrels, 1418 Hazel St, shared a brief history of the building and how it is important to preserve the mission of the space. He presented images and renderings of the modern conceptual design that TR Karrels developed. The Board discussed the modern design and agreed they liked this design and how beneficial it could be for the community in its unique features, bringing people to the park, the storage for the Otter Street Fishing Club and the seasonal program space. Ralph Harrison, 3498 Nelson Rd, representative of the Celebration of Lights; said that Oshkosh is growing rapidly and with additions such as this facility it makes it a more attractive place to visit and live. It was the consensus of the Board that staff should continue refining this modern design with TR Karrels team. 3) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND 2024 FEES FOR RIVERSIDE CEMETERY AND BOYD CEMETERY Mr. Derks shared that the cemetery fees have not been raised in a while, and the fees that have been raised are similar to fees in surrounding areas. They would be effective starting January of 2024 if approved by Council. Motion by Franz to recommend the 2024 fees for Riverside and Boyd Cemetery. Seconded by Bartelt. Motion carried 6-0. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer said that the Four Seasons Building at Lakeshore Park and the Parks Administrative/Operations Buildings have continued to experience some supply chain and subcontractor issues. There is no date for either building to be open. The Pratt Trail reconstruction was originally planned for this past spring but now started on August 28th and if the plan remains on schedule, it should be completed before Zooloween Boo which takes place on October 21st. The Rusch Park Trail connection runs from the current Rusch Trail system to the west to the Preserve at Sawyer Creek. The project will go out for bids this week. The intent is to give the contractor time to start this fall and a potential completion date of spring. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman shared that Menominee Park is going through a lot of changes with the Pratt Trail reconstruction and the Fox and Bear exhibit. The roof is expected to go on the building this week and then landscaping should start within the next few weeks. Teichmiller and Westhaven Circle parks should have the courts up by the end of September. They went from having two tennis courts to one single tennis court and two pickleball courts. The South Park tennis court parking, the 24th Avenue boat launch area, Lakeshore Park parking lot, and Teichmiller lot at the end of Crane Street will be taking place during October. LANDSCAPE OPERATION MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Derks said the memorial tree program did well so far in 2023. There are a few that need planting but there are going to be 26 trees planted so far this year. Most of the trees went to Menominee and South Parks. There will be 100 trees planted this fall which would be a total of 375 of street trees planted. There are 150 stumps to be ground this fall. Pruning season will be starting soon and will include hazard pruning. Oshkosh North Communities Program went out into Akan Acres/North High Conservancy to pick up brush and spread wood mulch. They are showing pride in their community and helping to revitalize the area. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Millette. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 P.M Respectfully submitted, Hannah Schueler Administrative Assistant