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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.02.10 APB Packet OSHKOSH ADVISORY PARKS BOARD AGENDA ROOM 404 (4TH FLOOR), CITY HALL OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN February 10, 2025 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.October 14, 2024 Meeting 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.Update on Menominee Park Amusement Area Operations 3.Discuss and recommend amendment to Section 17-29 of the Municipal Code, Speed Limits for Boats, prohibiting water skiing, wakeboarding, aquaplaning or similar activities in the Fox River in Oshkosh 4.Presentation by Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, on upcoming Native American Culture programs including the recent Menominee Park archaeological work 5.Discuss and recommend approval of the Pollock Community Water Park Agreement between the City of Oshkosh and Oshkosh Area School District for 2025-2026 G.STAFF REPORTS Assistant Park Director (Dallman) Update on Menominee Park Zoo Ice Skating Update on Program and Sponsorship Guide Development Landscape Operations Manager (Derks) Update on Annual Tree Pruning and Removals Program Update on park invasive species management Abbey Park, Lakeshore Park, Red Arrow Park and Akan Acres (North High Conservancy) Stevens Park and South Park fence line trimming H.OTHER BUSINESS I.ADJOURNMENT NEXT MEETING DATE: March 10, 2025 TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:February 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:October 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes AttachmentsAttachments October 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD October 14, 2024 Present: Lester Millette, Jacob Floam, Timothy Franz, Devon Hudak, Steve Herman Excused: Amy Davis, Becky Metz, Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Ericka Maertz, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Vice-Chair Millette called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Floam for approval of the September 9, 2024 minutes. Seconded by Hudak. Motion carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND 2025 PARK SHELTER FEES Mr. Maurer stated that during the annual budget review process, the park shelter fees were assessed. These fees were last updated in 2021 and at that time the Advisory Park Board suggested a review and possible adjustment again in 2-3 years. Regular evaluation of these fees will help to prevent large increases all at once. Mr. Maurer stated that it is difficult to make direct comparisons between facilities because their sizes, amenities and functionality vary so largely. Department staff is recommending a $5.00 increase across the board for all seasonal shelters and a $50.00 increase for the Lakeshore Four Seasons facility. The Lakeshore facility has a larger increase based on the amount of time staff spends at the facility preparing for renters. Staff is responsible for meeting renters at the start and end time of their reservation to open and close the building as well as cleaning and setting up any chairs and tables. Motion by Hudak for recommendation of the 2025 park shelter fees to Common Council. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 OCTOBER 14, 2024 2) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND REETZ FIELDS 2024 CIP ALLOCATION Mr. Maurer stated that due to the large estimated total cost of the overall Reetz Ball Fields and Miller's Bay parking lot CIP 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. Many of the other restroom facilities within the parks have been updated over the last 12-13 years but because these are part of a larger overall project, they have not been addressed. Staff has seen an increase in negative feedback due to these being some of the oldest but most heavily utilized restrooms within the parks. The intent would be to design and bid this potion of the project between now and the end of next summer and utilize the current facilities for one more season with demo and construction to begin in late 2025. The new facilities would be ready in the 2026 season. Motion by Herman for recommendation of the allocation of the 2024 CIP funding for design and construction of a new restroom/concession building at Reetz Fields to Common Council. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. 3) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR POLLOCK COMMUNITY WATER PARK REPLASTERING PROJECT Mr. Maurer stated the 2024 Pollock Water Park budget included $420,000 to replaster the leisure pool and diving well areas. Completion of these items was necessary due to the age of the pool and the increase in cracks and water loss that we have begun to see. Funding for the project was anticipated to come from the pool maintenance endowment fund at the Oshkosh Area Community 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 entire cost of this project from the fund as we had anticipated being able to do, would take the fund below that threshold. Staff has identified remaining funding in the Parks Operations and Administration Building. That project is complete with a $325,000 contingency remaining. Staff is recommending that $250,000 of those remaining funds be used to be used for a portion of this project. Motion by Hudak for recommendation of the reallocation of CIP funding from the Parks Operations and Administration Building project to the Pollock Community Water Park replastering project to Common Council. Seconded by Herman. Motion carried 5-0. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 OCTOBER 14, 2024 4) DISCUSS DISCONTINUATION OF MENOMINEE PARK AMUSEMENT CENTER Mr. Maurer shared a brief history of the Menominee Park Children's Amusement Center including details of the carousal that was previously determined to be unsustainable and was ultimately discontinued. Current amusements include the train and water rides. The Children’s Amusement Center is part of the enterprise fund and is expected to bring in the funds to offset its expenditures. Mr. Maurer then turned it over to Mr. Dallman to detail how that has not been the happening. Mr. Dallman stated that since 2019, staff has modified the operational dates, hours and staffing for the amusement area in attempts to maintain a positive fund balance. Staffing availability and cost have continued to be a hurdle since reopening after COVID. In recent years, special events have been scheduled in amusements in an attempt to raise attendance and exposure. However, the cost of the infostructure and materials needed to keep the train operational continues to greater than its revenues. This effects and burdens other areas within the enterprise fund as well. Mr. Dallman stated that the changes in the lagoon and its weed development have made the water rides difficult to maintain as well. There are specific regulations thought though the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that restrict our ability to clear the water of lily pads. The lily pads obstruct the paddles on the aqua bikes and make it difficult to move in the water. The use of kayaks and paddle boards have also decreased with the rise of these weeds in the water. There may be opportunities in future park development to reuse these items. Ms. McCollian stated that staff operating the amusement area are required to be 18 years old and that has proved to be a difficult position to fill and maintain with limited available hours. Staff and Board members discuss the high costs to bring the train tunnel and storage up to code and the potential cost should maintenance or replacement needed with the train engine. It is concluded that, while nostalgic, the Children's Amusement Center is not sustainable. STAFF REPORTS PARKS DIRECTOR (Maurer) Mr. Maurer stated there were funds left in the ARPA fund from the federal government after projects in the 2024 Capital Improvement Program either came in under budget or were not able to move forward with. A potion of those funds will be used to complete both the Stevens Park play equipment project that was scheduled for 2025 and the Rainbow Park play equipment project in 2026. Purchase orders for these projects will be sent before the end of the year. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 OCTOBER 14, 2024 Mr. Maurer stated that staff is still working to create an ordinance restricting water sports on the river. The recommendation by the Park Board for expanding no wake zone between Oshkosh Avenue bridge and Wisconsin Street bridge will be brought to City Council at the same time as this ordinance. Mr. Maurer stated that after the Advisory Park Board recommended approval of the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan it went to Plan Commission who also recommended approval. Common Council adopted this plan. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman stated that Pollock Community Waterpark plastering project continuing to progress and is expected to be complete by the end of October. Mr. Dallman stated that the 44th Parallel Park playground reconstruction project has also progressed. The new playground equipment has been installed and surfacing is scheduled. The playground is expected to open within the next week. REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER (McCollian) Ms. McCollian stated that the Menominee Park Zoo had another successful year providing the opportunity for us to add additional hours to our regular season and reopen suring the fall/winter season. These new hours are limited and week days only but we have already seen visitors. McCollian continued on to share the growth experienced during the regular season in both educational programs and attendance. Ms. McCollian stated that both the Brews in the Zoo and Zooloween Boo events are still looking for volunteers to help make them successful. These events are fundraiser events for the Menominee Park Zoo. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hudak for adjournment; seconded by Franz. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ericka Maertz Administrative Assistant TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer, Parks Director DATE:DATE:February 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Update on Menominee Park Amusement Area Operations BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND At the October 14, 2024 Advisory Park Board meeting, discussion took place about discontinuation of the amusement area for the above reasons. Advisory Park Board members admittedly had a difficult time coming to the consensus that the amusement ride area should be discontinued. At the October 28, 2024 Common Council budget workshop, Council members had this same difficult discussion and ultimately it was decided not to include the amusement ride area in the 2025 budget. With the recent media reports of the discontinuation of the amusement area, the public has expressed an interest in the continuation of the amusement area while emphasizing a variety of public/private opportunities to assist with amusement ride operations and improvements. City staff has had many recent discussions with potential partners and Common Council members interested in continuing the amusement area if sustainable public/private partnerships are developed. Discussions have included the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation staff and a fund is established there for interested individuals to contribute to the amusement ride operations and improvements. Discussions regarding the future operation of the amusement area will continue. At their January 28, 2025 meeting, the Common Council approved a Parks Revenue Facilities Fund budget amendment to include $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest earnings. These funds will be utilized to begin to make the necessary repairs and improvements to the amusement ride area to allow for operations in 2025. The recruitment of seasonal, part-time staff to operate the amusement area will begin immediately as staffing for this service has been challenging the past number of years. TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:February 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss and recommend amendment to Section 17-29 of the Municipal Code, Speed Limits for Boats, prohibiting water skiing, wakeboarding, aquaplaning or similar activities in the Fox River in Oshkosh BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND At the September 9, 2024 Advisory Park Board meeting, the Board discussed a request from the Board of Directors of the Riverwatch Condominium Association to extend the slow no wake zone in the Fox River between the Oshkosh Avenue bridge and the Wisconsin Street bridge due to concerns of shoreline erosion on their property. After hearing comments from both supporters and opposition to the no wake extension, the Advisory Park Board recommended that staff look into an ordinance prohibiting water sports in the Fox River from Pioneer Island to Lakeshore Park. Parks Department staff has worked with the City Attorney's office and the DNR on verbiage to amend Section 17-29 of the Municipal Code, Speed Limits for Boats, to prohibit water skiing, wakeboarding, aquaplaning or similar activities in the Fox River in Oshkosh. Included in the Board packet is a draft amendment that would essentially prohibit these water sports from the mouth of the Fox River near the Leach Amphitheater to the last navigation buoy approximately 1,900 north/upstream of the Oshkosh/Congress Avenue bridge. If the Board supports this amendment, the Common Council and the DNR would need to approve it as well. Staff has made the Winnebago County Sheriff Department aware of this potential amendment as they are in charge of enforcing the waterway. AttachmentsAttachments Draft Ordinance - Boating Water Sports Regulations SECTION 17-29 SPEED LIMITS FOR MOTORBOATS (A) No person shall drive or operate a motorboat at a speed in excess of slow-no-wake speed on the following waterways: (1) Fox River, from a point 900 feet south of the Canadian National Railroad bridge north-northwesterly to a point under or through the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge; under or through the Wisconsin/Ohio Street bridge, under or through the Oshkosh/Congress Avenue bridge from a point 1,600 feet south/downstream to a point 1,900 feet north/upstream of the bridge. (2) Miller's Bay, including the Special Anchorage Area, approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corp. of Engineers located at Latitude N44 degrees 01'36" and Longitude W88 degrees 31' 5", consisting of an area 300 feet by 500 feet in size, except in case of an emergency or unless prior approval has been granted by the Common Council. (B) The proper City officials are authorized to place, or to cause to be placed, the appropriate navigational aides and buoys to mark the locations of the speed limit restrictions of this Section. This ordinance shall be enforced by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department and the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (C) WATER SKIERS/AQUAPLANES/WAKEBOARDS. No person shall operate a motor boat towing a person or persons on water skis, aquaplane or similar device, nor shall any person engage in water skiing, aquaplaning, wakeboarding or similar activities on the following waterways: (1) Fox River, from a point 900 feet south of the Canadian National Railroad bridge north-northwesterly to a point to a point 1,900 feet north/upstream of the Oshkosh/Congress Avenue bridge TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:February 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Presentation by Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, on upcoming Native American Culture programs including the recent Menominee Park archaeological work BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, will present information on the start of a series of workshops, lectures, and informational opportunities to help understand the region's indigenous communities both past and present. The kick off to this series is a free public event on Sunday, February 23rd at 2pm at the Oshkosh Convention Center where the recent Menominee Park archaeological work will be covered by neighboring Tribal Nations and archaeological professionals. A program flier is included in your meeting packet. AttachmentsAttachments Bringing Past Present Informational Flyer Bridging Past and Present: Exploring Native American Cultural Heritage The Sunday free public event is the start of a series of workshops, lectures, and informational opportunities to help understand the region’s indigenous communities, both past and present. It begins with the recent Menominee Park archaeological work viewed through the lens of our neighboring Tribal Nations and archaeology professionals. It will continue with program offerings of Native American Artists celebrating their vibrant cultural heritage of the past through their art. Light refreshments will be served. Questions about the event may be directed to Anne Schaefer, 920.232.5306 Speakers Include: •David Grignon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin •Jennifer Haas, Director of Cultural Resouce Managerment, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee •Dr. Pascale Manning, Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh •William Quackenbush, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Ho-Chunk Nation •Anna Cannizzo, Director, Oshkosh Public Museum Sunday, February 23 at 2 pm Oshkosh Convention Center 2 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 Please register at: oshkoshwi.gov/SeniorServices/ TO:TO:Advisory Parks Board FROM:FROM:Ray Maurer DATE:DATE:February 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss and recommend approval of the Pollock Community Water Park Agreement between the City of Oshkosh and Oshkosh Area School District for 2025-2026 BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND The Board will review the proposed agreement between the City of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Area School District. The City and School District have had similar agreements since the opening of the Pollock Community Water Park in 2006 whereby the Recreation Department provides lifeguard staffing which is reimbursed by the city. The terms of this proposed agreement are the same as the most recent agreement and is for the 2025 and 2026 pool seasons. Parks Department staff recommends approval of the agreement; the Advisory Park Board is being asked to recommend to the Common Council approval of the agreement. AttachmentsAttachments Polloock Pool Agreement 2025-2026 Attachment A INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH and THE OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into this XX day of February, 2025, by and between the CITY OF OSHKOSH (the “City”) and the OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT (the “District”). RECITALS WHEREAS, the City is the owner of a municipal water park known as Pollock Community Water Park (“Pollock”); and WHEREAS, the City wishes to contract for services with the District to provide lifeguard services during the 2025 and 2026 seasons (Mid-May, through August); and WHEREAS, the District is willing to provide lifeguard services for Pollock through the District’s Recreation Department as well as the use of the Oshkosh West High School parking lot; and WHEREAS, the City and the District (the “Parties”) recognize that intergovernmental cooperation is necessary to ensure the efficacy of this joint endeavor. NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for mutual consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Authority. This Agreement is made pursuant to the authority granted to the Parties under Sections 66.0301 and 66.0305, Wis. Stats. The enforceability of this Agreement will not be affected by changes in the forms of the City or District government or changes in elected officials. The Parties agree that this Agreement shall be construed so as to be binding on their respective successors, agents and employees. The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement imposes on them a duty of good faith and fair dealing. 2. Life Guard Services for Pollock. The Parties agree that the District, through its Recreation Department, shall provide lifeguard services for Pollock during the 2025 and 2026 seasons (Mid-May through August). The District is obligated to provide only the following: 2 A. The District shall provide all lifeguard staff necessary to operate Pollock as mandated by Wis. Admin. Code Section HFS 172. B. The District shall provide materials incidental to providing the lifeguard staff and services such as staff clothing and first aid supplies for lifeguard staff. 3. Cost Associated With Lifeguard Services. The District shall provide the City with an Invoice for the cost of providing lifeguard services for Pollock within Fifteen (15) calendar days of the end of each season at one hundred percent (100%) of the cost to the District of providing said services (based upon the rates set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference; said rates cannot be increased by the District without the written consent of the City). The District shall further provide the City with a discount of $40,000 to assist the City in the cost of the annual operation of Pollock Community Water Park whether or not Pollock operated at a profit or a loss. The City shall pay to the District the cost of the lifeguard services within Thirty (30) calendar days of the Invoice provided by the District. 4. Oshkosh West High School Parking Lot. The District agrees to allow the City to use the Oshkosh West High School Parking Lot (only the north lot bordered by Eagle Street and Taft Avenue) solely for Pollock patron parking, subject to the following conditions: A. The Parking Lot may only be used during the pool season (Mid-May, through August). B. The District reserves the right to preclude use of the Parking Lot when the District deems that it may interfere with events scheduled at Oshkosh West High School and/or Alberta Kimball Auditorium (e.g., the Miss Wisconsin Pageant, Richards School of Dance Recital, etc.) C. The City shall be responsible for cleaning the Parking Lot on a daily basis. D. The City will reimburse the District for any costs incurred by the District for any clean-up of the parking lot when the District determines that the City has failed to clean the Parking Lot. 3 E. The City shall be liable for any damages to property or persons that result from patrons of Pollock who use the Parking Lot. 5. Insurance and Liability. The lifeguard staff provided by the District shall be employees of the District and the District shall have sole responsibility, at its expense, for providing workers compensation and all other insurance that is customarily maintained by the District for similarly situated employees of the District. The District shall indemnify and hold the City harmless from any and all claims, damages, losses or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the City as a result of the acts or omissions of the District’s lifeguards. The City shall have sole responsibility, at its expense, to carry insurance with respect to the improvements at Pollock (e.g., buildings, etc) as well as the Parking Lot for fire, vandalism, malicious mischief and such other perils as are from time to time included in liability coverage for an owner of a public facility. The City shall indemnify and hold the District harmless from any and all claims, damages, losses or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the District as a result of the acts or omissions City employees, including the failure to supervise the Parking Lot. The Parties hereby mutually release each other from liability and waive all right of recovery against each other for any loss from perils insured against under a standard liability policy with extended coverage endorsement; provided, that this Paragraph shall be inapplicable if it would have the effect, but only to the extent that it would have the effect, of invalidating any insurance coverage of the parties. 6. Term. The Term of this Agreement shall coincide with the 2025 and 2026 seasons (Mid-May through August). The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is inapplicable to future years or to facilities other than Pollock. Separate agreements are necessary for services or facilities not expressly referenced in this Agreement. The Parties reserve all rights with respect to other agreements between them. 7. Notices. All notices or other communications under this Agreement shall be sufficiently given and shall be deemed given when hand delivered or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, with proper address as indicated below: To the City: Parks Director City of Oshkosh P.O. Box 1130 805 Witzel Ave Oshkosh, WI 54902 4 To the District: Director of Recreation Oshkosh Area School District 425 Division Street Oshkosh, WI 54901 8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin as to all matters including, but not limited to, matters of validity, construction, effect and performance. 9. Amendment, Modification and Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by mutual written agreement of the Parties. Any party may waive in writing any term or condition contained in this Agreement and intended to be for its benefit; provided, however, that no waiver by any party, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed or construed as a continuing waiver of any such term or condition. Each amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall be in writing signed by each of the Parties. 10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together constitute one and the same instrument. 11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties. There are no restrictions, promises or representations other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements or understandings between the Parties. 12. Headings. All headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not modify or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. 13. No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is intended to be solely between the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement accords any third party any legal or equitable rights whatsoever that may be enforced by any nonparty to this Agreement. 14. Approvals. This Agreement has been approved by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh and the Board of Education of the Oshkosh Area School District. The City Manager, City Clerk, and Director of Recreation have been duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of their respective entities. 5 CITY OF OSHKOSH OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT _____________________________ _____________________________ City Manager Director of Recreation _____________________________ City Clerk _____________________________ Finance Director _____________________________ City Attorney ATTACHMENT A POSITION MAX HOURLY RATE Head Guards: $19.75/hr Lifeguards: $18.25/hr Attendants: $17.25/hr