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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 14, 2024 APB Agenda Packet OSHKOSH ADVISORY PARKS BOARD AGENDA ROOM 404 (4TH FLOOR), CITY HALL OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN October 14, 2024 6:00 p.m. If anyone requires reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact the Parks Department atemaertz@oshkoshwi.gov, or phone 920-236-5080. A.CALL TO ORDER (6:00 PM) B.ROLL CALL C.APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.September 9, 2024 Minutes D.CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Items not listed on this agenda) (Statements are limited to five (5) minutes; they must address items that are not listed on the meeting agenda, are limited to issues that have an impact on the City of Oshkosh and the Advisory Parks Board may address at a future meeting, and must not include endorsements of any candidates or other electioneering. If you require more time please inform the Chair at the beginning of your presentation.) E.OLD BUSINESS F.NEW BUSINESS 2.Discuss and recommend 2025 park shelter fees 3.Discuss and recommend Reetz Fields 2024 CIP allocation 4.Discuss and recommend additional funding for Pollock Community Water Park replastering project 5.Discuss discontinuation of Menominee Park Amusement Center G.STAFF REPORTS Park Director (Maurer) Update on Stevens Park and Rainbow Memorial Park play equipment projects Update on discussion regarding expanding no wake zone between Oshkosh Avenue bridge and Wisconsin Street bridge Update on Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan approval Assistant Park Director (Dallman) Update on Pollock Community Waterpark plastering project Update on 44th Parallel Playground Reconstruction Revenue Facilities Manager (McCollian) Update on Menominee Park Zoo programs including end of season report Update on Brews in the Zoo and Zooloween Boo H.OTHER BUSINESS I.ADJOURNMENT NEXT MEETING DATE: November 11, 2024 TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:October 14, 2024 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:September 9, 2024 Minutes AttachmentsAttachments September 9, 2024 APB Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD September 9, 2024 Present: Amy Davis, Becky Metz, Jacob Floam, Devon Hudak, Steve Herman Excused: Timothy Franz, Lester Millette Staff: Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Hudak for approval of the August 12, 2024 minutes. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND EXTENSION OF THE NO WAKE ZONE BETWEEN THE OSHKOSH AVENUE BRIDGE AND WISCONSIN STREET BRIDGE Mr. Dallman stated that Section 30.77 of the Wisconsin Statutes authorizes the City of Oshkosh to enact ordinances applicable on the waters of the State that lie within its jurisdiction. Further explaining that the city has received a request from the Riverwatch Condominium Association to extend the no wake zone in the Fox River to encompass the entire river between the Oshkosh Avenue bridge to the Wisconsin Street bridge due to erosion along their shoreline property. Dallman opens the item for comment. Public comments included: ▪ Sally Widzinski, 240 N Campbell Road: In favor of extending the no wake zone. Additionally stating the work that she has witnessed to repair erosion and the ways she has witnessed boaters drive in that area. ▪ Nance Wilde, 248 N Campbell Road: In favor of extending the no wake zone. ▪ Dave Wilkens, 260 N Campbell Road (resident): In favor of extending the no wake zone. ▪ John Kubasta, 400 N Campbell Road: Against the extension of the no wake zone. Additionally stating that he is the owner of Kubasta’s Landing and believes the now wake zone is overkill. He claims that wakeboarding in that area is not only unsafe bust causing the most issue and that is what should be addressed. He believes people will not use this long stretch of river is if the no wake is extended AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 and it is not fair to punish everyone for a small percentage problem. ▪ Jeff Hagner, 505 Marion Road (business manager): Against the extension of the no wake zone. Additionally stating that he is the site manager at Mercery Marine and they need this area for performance testing. Most of their endurance testing is done at another plant but they do need this stretch for the research and development done at this plant. Hagner stated that he too has to complete shoreline maintenance at his business. ▪ Timothy Carr, 2815 Shorehaven Court: Against the extension of the no wake zone. Additionally stating that he is a member of the Oshkosh Boat Club, dock slip owner, and one of the Directors on the Board at the Lakeside Harbor Dock Condominiums. He believes that expanding the no wake zone would cause boaters to avoid Oshkosh, negatively impacting business owners and the resale value of boat slips. He has seen the erosion that others have but believes that is part of owning property on the water. ▪ Joe Honsa, 902 Taft Avenue: Against the extension of the no wake zone. Additionally stating that he is the owner of Lakeside Marina where they deliver approximately 200 boats per year. Honsa stated that he too has to complete shoreline maintenance at his business property. ▪ Katelyn Schneider, 902 Taft Avenue: Against the extension of the no wake zone. Additionally stating that she is a delivery captain at Lakeside Marina. She agrees that there is an issue with the wakeboarding and speed leading up to the bridges. She believes that the no wake could be extended a small amount leading up to the bridge to encourage boaters to slow down sooner but not past the bridge. Schneider stated that she is on the water an average of 7 times per day and believes that the problem is speed and it is at the bridge near the senior center but not past that. Following public comment, Mr. Herman stated that the City of Oshkosh does have the ability to enact an ordinance to prohibit wakeboarding and/or water skiing in the river. He suggests that the city could also encourage the Sheriff’s office, DNR, and Coast Guard to more closely monitor boat activity in the area. Herman stated that bridges can often times be closed for up to an hour, and that also needs to be considered when addressing the time it will take boaters to pass though Oshkosh if the no wake extension is approved. Further stating that extending the no wake zone would hurt many businesses and boaters and would be a detriment to the City of Oshkosh. Mr. Floam echoed the safety concerns with wakeboarding in the river. Further suggesting that water sports and the erosion concerns in the proposed area are separate issues and should be addressed separately. He suggests that funding may be available from grants or other sources to help with erosion but does not think that simply extending the no wake will solve this issue. Ms. Hudak would like to see wakeboarding banned on the river and possible options for funding to address the erosion so that everyone can win in this situation. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 Ms. Davis stated that she would like to see the erosion issue resolved without needing to penalize or limit all boaters through the area. Additionally, she would like to see the wakeboarding issue addressed. Motion by Herman to deny the extension of the no wake zone between the Oshkosh Avenue bridge and Wisconsin Street bridge. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Herman to recommend department staff investigate the possibly of a City Ordinance limiting towing-behind sports on the river between Pioneer Island to Lakeshore Park. Seconded by Hudak. Motion carried 5-0 2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND 2025 FEES FOR POLLOCK COMMUNITY WATER PARK Mr. Dallman stated that the program to aid low-income families, using foundation dollars, will stay in tact. Ms. McCollian stated that the tables shown in the memo attachments will also depict a discount that is offered to those buying their season passes prior to opening. Dallman stated that the proposed increase in fees will help offset pool staffing and operating costs. Motion by Metz for recommendation of the 2025 Pollock Community Water Park fees to Common Council. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. STAFF REPORTS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman shared an update on the projects happening in parks on the west side of the City of Oshkosh. First, the Rusch Park trail improvements, between Newport and Ruschfield, have been completed. This was completed in cooperation with the Streets Department. Additionally, the playground replacement project at 44th Parallel Park has begun. This project will include the removal of the current playground and a new one installed. REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER (McCollian) Ms. McCollian shared that the Snooze in the Zoo event was a success with approximately 75 people staying the night in the zoo. Upcoming events include Touch-a-Truck at the Leach Amphitheater and Brews in the Zoo and Zooloween Boo at the Menominee Park Zoo. The Brews on the Bay series has concluded. The events were successfully hosted at Rainbow Memorial Park throughout this past summer proving potential for the location going forward. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ericka Maertz Administrative Assistant TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:October 14, 2024 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss and recommend 2025 park shelter fees BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND As part of our annual departmental review of fees, the Board will review the fees for park shelter rentals. The current fees were last updated in 2021 and prior to that the last increase was 2014. When the 2021 fees were discussed by the Advisory Parks Board, the Board suggested review and possible adjustment of the fees again in 2-3 years to avoid large increases in the fees by waiting so long to review. Staff is recommending a $5 across the board increase, plus tax, in the rental fees (see attached proposed 2025 fee schedule) except for the Lakeshore Park 4 Seasons Building where staff is recommending a $50 across the board increase. With this year being the first year of operation for the Lakeshore Park building, we consistently heard from renters about how reasonably priced the facility is and many commented on how the fees should probably be higher based on their experiences with other facilities. Staff was given direction when setting the initial fees for Lakeshore Park to be sure to keep them reasonable so all citizens could afford to enjoy the facility. Staff believes based on the feedback received this past year that a $50 across the board increase is acceptable. Rental fees for all shelters is the daily rate for use of the shelter. The Board is being asked to make a recommendation to the Common Council for the 2025 park shelter rental fees. AttachmentsAttachments 2025 Proposed Shelter Rates Residents Non-Residents Residents Non-Residents Weekdays $42.00 $52.00 $47.00 $57.00 Weekends/ Holidays $52.50 $63.00 $57.50 $68.00 Residents Non-Residents Residents Non-Residents Weekdays $52.50 $63.00 $57.50 $68.00 Weekends/ Holidays $63.00 $73.50 $68.00 $78.50 Residents Non-Residents Residents Non-Residents Weekdays $63.00 $73.50 $68.00 $78.50 Weekends/ Holidays $73.50 $84.00 $78.50 $89.00 Residents Non-Residents Residents Non-Residents Weekdays $236.25 $288.75 $286.25 $338.75 Weekends/ Holidays $288.75 $341.25 $338.75 $391.25 Small Open Shelters (Menominee 3, 4, 5 & Gazebo/South Park Gazebo) Current Fees Proposed Fees (+$5) Current Fees Proposed Fees (+$5) Current Fees Proposed Fees (+50) Lakeshore Facility Rental Fees (weekens include: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) Large Shelters (Menominee 1/South Park 1) Medium Enclosed/Open (Menominee 2/Rainbow 1 & 2/Abe Rochlin/South Park 2, 3 & 4) Current Fees Proposed Fees (+$5) TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:October 14, 2024 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss and recommend Reetz Fields 2024 CIP allocation BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND Included in the 2024 Parks Department CIP is $500,000 that was originally intended for design services for the entire Reetz Ball Fields and Miller's Bay parking lot project which is estimated at nearly $5,000,000. Due to the estimated total cost of this project and the low likelihood that the city could fund the entire project all at one time, staff informed the Board and Common Council members earlier this year that a phased approach to the project will be considered so that at least portions of the project can begin to be completed. Due to the condition of the restroom/concession stand at the Reetz Fields, staff is recommending that the funding be allocated to design and construct a new restroom/concession building. We believe that since that facility is utilized by ball field user groups, boat launch users and the general public that a new facility is the highest priority. Staff will then prioritize the other phases of the larger project including the ball fields reconstruction and parking lot expansion as part of the CIP process next spring. The Board is being asked to make a recommendation to the Common Council to allocate the 2024 CIP funding for design and construction of a new restroom/concession building at Reetz Fields. If approved, staff would work with a firm to design the building this winter and commence construction late next summer following the 2025 softball/baseball season. TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:October 14, 2024 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss and recommend additional funding for Pollock Community Water Park replastering project BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND The 2024 Pollock Water Park budget included $420,000 to replaster the leisure pool and diving well areas of the pool this fall. Funding for the project was anticipated to come from the pool maintenance endowment fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. This fund was created when the fund raising for the new pool was taking place back in 2005/2006 for future large capital costs at the pool. When developing the 2024 pool budget, staff had anticipated that the entire cost for the replastering project could be reimbursed to the city from the endowment fund at the Foundation. However, earlier this summer staff was made aware of a stipulation in the endowment fund agreement stating that the fund cannot go below a set amount. Withdrawing the funds that we had anticipated would take the fund below that threshold so staff is working on identifying funding remaining from other Parks Department capital projects that we will be recommending be used for a portion of this project. Staff will present further information to the Board and will be looking for a recommendation to the Common Council. TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:October 14, 2024 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss discontinuation of Menominee Park Amusement Center BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND The Board will discuss the recommendation from staff to discontinue the Menominee Park Amusement Center operations. Following is information regarding the amusement center operations from Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, and Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director. The Menominee Park Children's Amusement Center has been challenged with staffing issues and operational increases in recent years that have resulted in negative budgetary impacts. The Park Revenue Facilities Fund, where the Children's Amusement Center operation is budgeted, has a goal of revenues exceeding expenditures to maintain operations and a positive fund balance. Since 2019, staff has modified operational dates, hours and staffing between Memorial and Labor Day as follows for the amusement area in attempts to maintain a positive fund balance: 2019: Open 7 days/week from 11:00 a.m. -- 7:00 p.m. 2020: Closed due to COVID 2021: Open 4 days/week from 11:00 a.m. -- 7:00 p.m. 2022 - 2023: Open 3 days/week from 1:00 p.m. -- 7:00 p.m. 2024: Closed due to Pratt Trail reconstruction Modifications to the operations shown above were determined as follows: Reductions were made based on use during the weekdays versus weekends Staffing availability and costs Special Events the past few years scheduled in the amusements area helped increase exposure and use of train rides Availability of the self-serve kayak rental lockers in Miller's Bay Due to program costs as well as staffing challenges, staff recommends discontinuing the amusement center and researching new programming and amenity concepts for the future in this area. The attached Amusement Center financial information provides fiscal operation results for the past few years. In addition, in order to get the rides operational for 2025, staff estimates that approximately $50,000 in improvements would need to be completed. AttachmentsAttachments Amusement Center Operations Financials City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us Amusement Center Operations 2019 2020 (Closed)2021 2022 2023 Rides Days Open /Week 7 0 4 3 3 Train 11,158 0 13,434 8,642 10,601 Aqua Bikes 418 0 294 300 325 Canoe / Kayaks 204 0 136 36 182 Whip 900 0 Revenue $ 35,463 $ 27,016 $ 16,817 $24,044 Expenses $ (34,400) $ (23,091) $ (16,785) $(37,197) Balance $ 1,063 $ (3,446) $ 3,925 $ 32 $(13,153) $ (11,579)