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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-2025 APB Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MAY 12, 2025 Present: Amy Davis, Becky Metz, Jacob Floam, Timothy Franz, Steve Herman Excused: Lester Millette, Devon Hudak Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Ericka Rick, Administrative Assistant 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 April 14, 2025 minutes. Seconded by Franz. Motion carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND PARKLAND DEDICATION AND/OR FEES IN LIEU OF PARKLAND DEDICATION FOR THE ISLAND VIEW ESTATES SUBDIVISION Mr. Maurer stated Island View Estates is a subdivision located on the far northeastern boundary of the city, north of Sunnyview Road and east of County Road A. Included in the preliminary plat for that subdivision was 21 single family lots requiring 23,100 square feet of parkland and 18 condominium units requiring 16,200 square feet of parkland for a total of 39,300 square feet of parkland dedication. Included in the preliminary plat is Outlot 1 which encompasses 36,897 square feet and is the proposed parkland site. The Park Service Area Map included in the current Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) shows that the Island View Estates Subdivision is not currently being serviced by City parks. Similarly, the Proposed Park Acquisition Map shows that a neighborhood park was intended for this same area. The parkland dedication of Outlot 1 will align with the approved CORP. Since the proposed parkland dedication is approximately 2,400 square feet short of the required 39,300, staff recommended acceptance of the parkland and a payment in lieu of parkland dedication of $800 for the deficiency. Motion by Herman for recommendation to Common Council of approval of the parkland and a AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 MAY 12, 2025 payment in lieu of parkland dedication of $800 for the deficiency. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. 2) UPDATE ON MURALS AT MENOMINEE PARK ZOO Mr. Maurer stated Parks Department staff has been working with Discover Oshkosh and a consultant that they hired, called Spark Towns, to improve visitor experiences throughout the community. One area of focus has been improvements to the aesthetics at the Menominee Park Zoo which includes adding murals on various zoo buildings. A Call for Artists flier has been distributed. Select artists will work with the Parks Department, Discover Oshkosh and Spark Towns to potentially paint murals on the husbandry building, Lake Fly Cafe, otter exhibit walls and bear/fox exhibit walls. The murals will reflect the zoo's mission, animals and environment to create a cohesive and engaging visual theme throughout the facility. These murals are just one of many ideas being discussed to enhanced the visitor experience at the Menominee Park Zoo. Additional improvements include the potential for shade structures, adding more color to the area, entryway and gate improvements, ADA compliance at the Lake Fly Café, concrete and asphalt replacement and paving of the previously gravel trail. Options regarding the train are also being discussed. The City Planning Department has been involved with helping to ensure that all municipal code requirements for the murals are being met. These improvements were not budgeted for however, department staff will be pursuing opportunities for donations and grant funding. 3) PRESENTATION OF THE 2024 PARKS DEPARTMENT IMPACT REPORT Mr. Maurer stated key performance indicators include 360 grants and donations worth nearly $725,000, 553 department sponsored events with nearly 32,000 participants, and 12,508 volunteer hours completed by 553 volunteers worth $413,636. Significant highlight of 2025 include an update to the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) and the opening of the new bear and fox exhibits at the Menominee Park Zoo. The Pollock Community Water Park received $5,000 in sponsorships, $330,113 in donations and welcomed 33,923 in attendance. There were 9 special events hosted by the department with 1,914 in event attendance. The Leach Amphitheater received $4,250 in sponsorships, $11,737 in donations. Overall attendance was 11,000 including those at the 11 department events. The Children’s Amusement Center remained closed in 2024 due to the Pratt Trail reconstruction project so event typically hosted in that area were moved to South Park. The department hosted 3 events with a combined attendance of 900. The Menominee Park Zoo received $14,992 in sponsorships, $74,065 in donations. Attendance over 102,000 thanks to the addition of off-season hours implemented during 2024. The department hosted more than 65 events with an overall attendance of 23,340. Special Event permits reached a record high of 104, marking a 11% increase on the number of events than the year prior. The entire 2024 Impact Report can be found on the Parks Department website. STAFF REPORTS PARKS DIRECTOR (Maurer) Mr. Maurer stated the Parks staff is working with Museum staff and a sign company to complete historic and culturally significant signage at Lakeshore Park. Department staff and the Quarry Park Neighborhood Association are continuing to work on the master plan for Quarry Park. After recommendation of the The Pickart Park Master Plan by the Advisory Park Board, it was approved by both Plan Commission and Common Council. As part of the implementation of that plan, request for proposals have been posted for the play equipment at that park. Department staff is planning to bring the 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) before the board at the June meeting. Staff review will focus on the first 5 years of that plan. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER (Derks) Mr. Derks stated that 25 memorial trees will be planted this spring. He issued a request to the public that they refrain from putting any sort of mulch or decorations on or around memorial trees. This is not only for the good of memorial items themselves but also for the maintenance and wellbeing of the tree. Beginning this week, approximately 60 flags be placed and over 100 flower pots will be planted, along Main Street downtown. Aimes Point shoreland plantings are being managed by a new group called Urban Ecology Oshkosh. They will be presenting at the June meeting and bringing forward a work plan to renew their contract. ADJOURNMENT AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 MAY 12, 2025 Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ericka Rick Administrative Assistant