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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.14.2024 APB 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