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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-25 APB Packet OSHKOSH ADVISORY PARKS BOARD AGENDA ROOM 404 (4TH FLOOR), CITY HALL OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN November 10, 2025 6:00 p.m. If anyone requires reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact the Parks Department atrmaurer@oshkoshwi.gov, or phone 920-236-5080. A.CALL TO ORDER (6:00 PM) B.ROLL CALL C.APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Approval of the August 11, 2025 And September 8, 2025 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.INTRODUCE SUE THELEN, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT F.OLD BUSINESS G.NEW BUSINESS 2.Update on the City Manager's reorganizational plan for the Parks Department 3.Discuss ideas for recognizing Lurton Blassingame on a section of the Oshkosh Riverwalk H.STAFF REPORTS Park Director (Maurer) a. Update on Reetz Ball Fields Restroom/Concessions building project b. Update on Siewert Trail reconstruction in Menominee Park c. Update on Quarry Park Master Plan Assistant Park Director (Dallman) a. Update on Pickart Park play equipment project b. Update on Stevens Park and 44th Parallel Park court projects c. Update on the Menominee Park amusement train operations for 2026 I.OTHER BUSINESS J.ADJOURNMENT NEXT MEETING DATE: Monday, December 8, 2025 DATE:DATE:November 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Approval of the August 11, 2025 And September 8, 2025 minutes AttachmentsAttachments 08.11.2025 APB Minutes 09.08.2025 APB Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD AUGUST 11, 2025 Present:Amy Davis, Lester Millette, Becky Metz, Timothy Franz, Steve Herman Excused:Jacob Floam, Devon Hudak Staff:Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager; Tyler Klaver, Management Analyst 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 Herman for approval of the June 9, 2025 minutes. Seconded by Franz. Motion carried 5-0. INTRODUCE TYLER KLAVER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST Mr. Maurer introduced Tyler Klaver who joined the department in March of this year. Tyler previously worked at UW-Oshkosh and is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a Secondary Education and Public Administration background. NEW BUSINESS 1)DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND CLEARWELL PROJECT ELEMENTS PERTINENT TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT Mr. Maurer provided background on the project and how it relates to the adjacent park areas. Saiki Design and Water Utility staff in attendance to present the two concept plans for the design of Lake Shore Drive and adjacent park areas. Julie from Saiki Design presented the two concept plans highlighting the differences in the two plans. Board members expressed the desire to retain as much as parking along this stretch as possible. Mr. Maurer shared that Parks Department staff preferred concept 1. Board members expressed their preference for concept 1 as well. Motion by Herman to recommend concept 1 and allowing flexibility for Engineering staff for final design of Washington Avenue in this area. Seconded by Franz. Motion carried 4-0. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2025 PAGE 2 2)DISCUSS THE MURAL PROJECT FOR MENOMINEE PARK ZOO BUILDINGS Mr. Maurer introduced Greg Wright from Spark Towns, a consulting firm hired by Discover Oshkosh to work with the community to enhance visitor’s experiences. Mr. Wright explained the process used to select the artist to complete the murals at the zoo. In May, a call for artists was announced for interested artists to create a cohesive and engaging visual theme that reflects the zoo’s mission and environment and complements the park around it. There were two rounds to the process. The first round had 16 applicants that were reviewed by a 7-member community selection committee to identify three finalists. The second round had the three finalists design at least one complete mural and concepts for the rest of the zoo. The committee selected Jake Reeder from the Quad Cities area. Mr. Wright shared the concepts submitted by Mr. Reeder. Board members expressed support for the concepts and are excited to see this project take place. It will make the zoo more inviting. 3)DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND AN ON-LAND, WHEELED TRAIN TO REPLACE THE TRACKED AMUSEMENT TRAIN FOR 2026 Mr. Maurer introduced the idea of going from a track train to an on-land wheeled train that could travel throughout Menominee Park and be less maintenance since no track. Community partners have been working with Parks Department staff on the idea and donors have expressed support for this idea. Staff is recommending inclusion of the on- land train to replace the tracked train in the 2026 operating budget. Photos of this type of train were shared with the Board. If enough staffing would be available, the intent would be to operate the train 7 days a week. The train would travel on the park paths. Board members expressed support for the idea. Mr. Franz questioned the width of the train and width of the park paths and ensuring sufficient room is available for allowing 2- way travel. Staff shared that the train is approximately 42 inches wide so less than half of the trail width would be utilized by the train and allow plenty of room for other trail users. Motion by Herman to recommend replacing the tracked train with an on-land wheeled train for 2026. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 4-0. 4)DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND NAMING A SECTION OF THE OSHKOSH RIVERWALK IN MEMORY OF LURTON BLASSINGAME Mr. Klaver provided background on the request to name a section of the Oshkosh Riverwalk in memory of Mr. Blassingame. He provided information from the City’s Gift Policy pertaining to naming of facilities and criteria to consider as part of the process. The Policy states that at least 5 years must pass before consideration of naming of a facility; Mr. Blassingame passed just over 5 years ago. Mr. Klaver provided information on Mr. Blassingame’s involvement in the community and specifically his vision for the Riverwalk many years ago. Mr. Klaver did contact the Blassingame family and they appreciate and support this idea. Former Councilor Mike Ford, who initiated this proposal, spoke to the reasons for his request. He shared background information on Mr. Blassingame’s community involvement. Mr. Herman suggested the section of Riverwalk between the Main Street bridge and the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge be the site to recognize Mr. Blassingame. He stated Mr. Blassingame was on the City Plan Commission in the 1970’s when initial discussions started about a Riverwalk. Motion by Herman to proceed with naming the section of the Riverwalk between the Main Street bridge and the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in memory of Lurton Blassingame. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 4-0. Mr. Maurer stated that Parks Department staff will work on generating some ideas on how to recognize Mr. Blassingame and staff will bring those ideas back to the Board for consideration at a future meeting. STAFF REPORTS PARKS DIRECTOR (Maurer) Mr. Maurer updated on the parkland dedication and fee-in-lieu of dedication process and the Siewert Trail reconstruction in Menominee Park. ASSISTANT PARKS DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman updated on the 44th Parallel Park tennis/pickleball court project, the improvements at Stevens Park and the Pickart Park play equipment project. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER (Derks) Mr. Derks updated on the Urban Forestry Plans and the Memorial Tree Program. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Davis for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ray Maurer Parks Director ADVISORY PARK BOARD SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 Present:Amy Davis, Becky Metz, Jacob Floam, Timothy Franz, Steve Herman Excused:Lester Millette, Devon Hudak Staff:Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. NEW BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND QUARRY PARK MASTER PLAN Mr. Maurer provided an overview of the master plan development process so far. Parks staff and Rettler Corporation staff have met with Quarry Park neighbors a number of times to gather input. These meetings have resulted in a preferred concept plan being developed and is included in the meeting packet. John Kneer, President of Rettler Corporation, provided an overview of the process and discussed the site constraints due to the former quarry operations and landfill. Discussions took place with DNR staff and AECOM staff as to what could and what could not occur on the site. This will be a passive park site without posts being driven into the ground to not disturb the clay cap on the landfill and no deep-rooted plants or trees will be planted in the former landfill site. Mr. Herman questioned if we had music equipment similar to this in other parks. Mr. Maurer stated that some years ago there was some installed in Tiechmiller Park. Two neighbors in the audience spoke in favor of the music equipment stating it was a high request from the neighborhood meetings. Motion by Franz to recommend approval of the Quarry Park Master Plan to the Plan Commission and Common Council. Seconded by Floam. Motion carried 5-0. STAFF REPORTS PARKS DIRECTOR (Maurer) Mr. Maurer provided updates on the Reetz Ball Fields restroom/concessions building design, Siewert Trail reconstruction in Menominee Park, Rainbow Memorial Park projects and Lakeshore Park historic signage project. AVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 PAGE 2 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (Dallman) Mr. Dallman updated on the Pickart Park play equipment project, Stevens Park and 44th Parallel Park court projects and upcoming Parks Department programs and events. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Floam for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 P.M Respectfully submitted, Ray Maurer Parks Director TO:TO :Advisory Parks Board FR OM:FROM:Ray Maurer, Parks Director DATE:DATE:November 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Update on the City Manager's reorganizational plan for the Parks Department BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND The Human Resources Manager will be in attendance to provide an update to the Board on the reorganization plan for various city departments, including the Parks Department. TO:TO :Advisory Parks Board FR OM:FROM:Ray Maurer, Parks Director DATE:DATE:November 10, 2025 SUBJECT:SUBJECT:Discuss ideas for recognizing Lurton Blassingame on a section of the Oshkosh Riverwalk BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND The Board will review proposals and discuss options to honor Lurton Blassingame, recognizing his significant contributions and advocacy for both the Oshkosh Riverwalk project and the greater Oshkosh community. The designated area is along the north section of the Oshkosh Riverwalk, situated between North Main Street and Jackson Street. The Parks Department staff has put together four different options for consideration and will present these at the meeting. Staff is seeking direction on which option to pursue and any other feedback from the Board. AttachmentsAttachments Blassingame Memorial Lurton Blassingame Recognition Ideas Option #1- Bronze Plaque ●More traditional option ●Various styles ●Can include image of Lurton ●Cost: $250 - $800/each ●Two (2) plaques ●Multiple mounting options Option #2 - Riverwalk Pole Design ●Designed to mirror existing directional signage ●Can include image of Lurton ●Can come in various sizes ●Cost: $400/each ●Two (2) signs Option #3 - Riverwalk Pedestal Sign ●Designed to mirror existing informational pedestal signs ●Can include image of Lurton ●Smaller 24”x36” size ●Cost: $1,135 ●One (1) sign Option #4 - Dedication/Name Pole Banners ●Designed to mirror existing pole banners ●Would indicate dedication of the specific path/portion of the Riverwalk ●Cost: $400/each ●Fourteen (14) banners -Light pole -Existing pedestal sign -Proposed pedestal sign location -Other proposed sign location Main Street Side Jackson Street Side Projected Cost Summaries ●Option #1 - Bronze Plaque: $250 - $800/each ○$500 - $1,600 for two (2) ●Option #2 - Pole Sign: $400/each ○$800 for two (2) ●Option #3 - Pedestal Sign: $1,135 ●Option #4 - Pole Banners: $400/each ○$5,600 for fourteen (14) ●Installation will likely be done in-house ●Can pursue a mix of options, as well Feedback and Questions?