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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.10.2025 APB Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD February 10, 2025 Present: Amy Davis, Becky Metz, Lester Millette, Jacob Floam, Steve Herman Excused: Timothy Franz, Devon Hudak Staff: Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Ericka Maertz, Administrative Assistant; Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development 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 Floam for approval of the October 10, 2024 minutes. Seconded by Millette. Motion carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) UPDATE ON MENOMINEE PARK AMUSEMENT AREA OPERATIONS Mr. Dallman shared that, 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. Common Council approved a budget amendment that will be utilized to begin to make the necessary repairs and improvements to the amusement ride area to allow for operations in 2025. Seasonal employment positions have been posted for advertisement and staff is working to create a comprehensive budget to include staff wages, annual maintenance and repairs. Mr. Floam requested that department staff further update the Board with any appropriate information pertaining to a working relationship with a nonprofit, 501c3, friend groups, etc., pertaining to future operations, as it becomes relevant. Mr. Herman clarified that the aquatic equipment will also be operational during the operational season alongside the train which Mr. Dallman confirmed. 2) 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 AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 10, 2025 Mr. Dallman shared that prior to the September 2024 meeting, the Parks Department has a request from the Riverwatch Condominium Association Board of Directors to extend the slow no wake zone in the Fox River. After hearing comments from both supporters and opposition to the no wake extension, the directive from the board was to have staff explore an ordinance prohibiting water sports instead. 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. Mr. Dallman clarified for those in attendance that there are no proposed changes to the speed limit or wake zones within the proposed amendment. Motion by Millette for recommendation of amendment to Section 17-29 of Municipal Code to Common Council. Seconded by Metz. Motion carried 5-0. 3) PRESENTATION BY ANNE SCHAEFER, MARKETING AND FUND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, ON UPCOMING NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE RECENT MENOMINEE PARK ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK Ms. Schaefer shared that though a partnership with the Friend of the Oshkosh Senior Center, the City of Oshkosh received a Wisconsin Arts Board Grant which will be used to PROVIDE Native American Culture programs including the recent Menominee Park archaeological work. With the help of the Oshkosh Public Museum, funding from the grant will be used to offer a series of workshops, lectures, and informational opportunities to help others better understand the region's indigenous communities. 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. 4) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE POLLOCK COMMUNITY WATER PARK AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AND OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 2025-2026 Mr. Dallman shared that this is a standard agreement between the City of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Areas School District (OASD) that has been in place since 2006 in retaining life guard services from the Oshkosh Recreation Department. There were no changed to this agreement outside of the wage matrix. Motion by Davis for recommendation of the 2025-2026 Pollock Community Water Park Agreement to Common Council. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 10, 2025 STAFF REPORTS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman shared that ice skating at the Menominee Park Zoo lagoon has been open 9 dates and has seen approximately 700 participants. During our weekend hours, the Oshkosh Recreation Department runs a warming shelter and Dr. Eric offers skate programs. Mr. Dallman deferred to Ms. Schaefer to offer additional information about the development of a new Program and Sponsorship Guide that she worked with Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, to create. The goal in creating this guide was to show community partners a complete collection of what we offer and why they should invest in the continuation and growth of these programs. Opportunities range from monetary donations to in kind and volunteer opportunities. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER (Derks) Mr. Derks shared that staff is working their way though the annual tree pruning operations and have already completed all of the smaller trees accessible from the ground. They are now working to follow up with larger operations using the bucket truck. Winter conditions have been very favorable for using heavier equipment within the parks to manage invasive species without causing damage. This includes mowing buckthorn in Abbey Park, Lakeshore Park, Red Arrow Park and Akan Acres (North High Conservancy), fence line trimming in Stevens Park and South Park, and overall low clearance branch pruning in all of the parks. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ericka Maertz Administrative Assistant