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ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 Present: Bill Akan, Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson Excused: Jim Schwochert, Terry Wohler Staff: Thomas
Stephany, Director of Parks; Vince Maas, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chairman Akan called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Bowen for approval of the August 13, 2007 minutes, as distributed.
Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 5-0. PARK BUSINESS 1) 2008 CIP Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated September 7, 2007 (said Memorandum on file at
the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He noted the importance of making the South Park pavilion work the #1 priority for the 2008 CIP. He stated that Mr. Maas suggested
upgrading the electrical infrastructure and noted that costs for that work was included included in the Memorandum. Discussion ensued as to the possibility of installing a steel/metal
roof and Mr. Stephany stated that estimates for same had not been received to date. Mr. Maas stated that a steel/metal roof can still be investigated for a price and if said price is
within the budget guidelines, then it could be added in. Mr. Bowen inquired if the asphalt parking lot work would be contracted out or if the City’s Public Works Department would be
doing the work. He also inquired as to how the cost for the parking lot work was determined. Mr. Stephany stated the parking lot work would most likely be contracted out. He stated that
he had worked with someone from the City’s Public Works Department to determine the cost. Mr. McHugh arrived at this time (6:08 PM), making a 6-member Board. Mr. McHugh concurred that
the South Park pavilion should be the #1 priority, but was of the opinion the parking lot work could be put on hold for another year. Mr. Stephany introduced Anthony Schneider, one of
the fundraiser organizers for the Red Arrow Skatepark. Mr. Schneider discussed the organization’s website (www.oshkoshskatepark.com) and the efforts of the organizer’s to raise funds
for improvements to the skatepark. Mr. Schneider distributed copies of the fundraising form letter (said letter on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minute) that
he has sent to various local businesses and prominent City residents. He noted that while their fundraising results to date have been minimal, they are still working on grants, similar
to the Tony Hawk Foundation. He noted that the Oshkosh Community Foundation has offered a 50% matching grant up to $30,000 and has extended their deadline for grant submittal. He explained
that the Tony Hawk grant work is tedious and requires a lot of information (i.e., design plans, demographics, etc.), which his group has been working on. Once received, the Tony Hawk
grant would be processed within six (6) months, if approved.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 Mr. McHugh inquired if the proposed skatepark work could be piece-mealed. Mr. Stephany stated it would be best to do the work at
one time as once the concrete floor was poured, it would be too hard to add amenities without causing cracks or gaps. Best case scenario would be to pour the floor around the proposed
features/amenities. Mr. McHugh agreed that the skatepark is used quite a bit, however, he questioned if the skatepark was a valuable asset to the City. How did the crack down the middle
occur? How would we prevent that from happening again in the future? Mr. Stephany stated one way to avoid cracking would be to have the surface made out of concrete instead of asphalt.
He stressed that fundraising is a challenge in itself and noted that the skatepark committee has been making a concerted effort to raise matching funds. Mr. Schneider stated that he
realizes his fundraising committee is small and to do the skatepark improvements is a big project, but but they are working hard to raise dollars. He stated if the amenities were added
piece-mealed, then the skatepark would end up with cracks and gaps again which would decrease the life of the skatepark as a whole. Mr. Michelson stated he is a big supporter of the
skateboarders and inquired as to the worse case scenario. He stated he would like to include the $100,000 in the 2008 CIP for skatepark improvements because if the skatepark is planned
correctly from the start, then it would be a better skatepark in the long run. Mr. Stephany stated that the worse case scenario would be to take out the existing asphalt and replace
it with concrete without the additional features/amenities. Chairman Akan concurred with Mr. Michelson and added that the skatepark improvements need to be done and he would like to
help support the fundraising committee. Discussion ensued relative to the possibility of simply overlaying the flooring to make it last another year to allow time for fundraising or
to do the work fully as stated in the Park Director’s Memorandum dated September 7, 2007. Mr. Stephany stated the cracks are too severe and the gaps would just open up again with an
overlay. Mr. Bowen stated the City has an opportunity not to allow a facility to deteriorate – the longer the project is put off, the more expensive it will become. Ms. Hansen concurred
with Mr. Bowen and stated it is time that the City shows the youth that we have belief in them when those youths work so hard on a project that they use daily. Mr. Michelson stated that
skateboarding is a relatively new sport and doesn’t have the history as other sports. He is in support of proposing that $100,000 for skatepark improvements be included in the 2008 CIP
list. Discussion ensued relative to allowing bicycles in the skatepark and Mr. Stephany stated that upon completion of the improvements to the skatepark, the rules would be re-visited
as to keeping bicycles out of the skatepark. Mr. Schneider stated that the extra 60-70 lbs. of bicycles crashing down on the concrete and amenities causes chipping, which is a detriment
to the skatepark. Discussion ensued as to the Spanbauer Field parking area. Mr. Stephany stated he obtained the cost of asphalt repair work of $25,000 from the City’s Public Works Department.
He stated that the $50,000 for the Westhaven Circle Park would be used for the upgrading of the tennis courts at that park. Mr. Bowen suggested reversing the priority list – making Westhaven
Circle Park tennis courts #3 and Spanbauer Field parking area #4. He is of the opinion that resurfacing the tennis courts is more important. Mr. McHugh inquired why the Miller’s Bay
weed chemical spraying is not included on the proposed 2008 CIP list?
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 Mr. Stephany stated the chemical spraying for Miller’s Bay does not qualify under the CIP rules, to-wit: the project must have a
life expectancy of ten (10) years and cost more than $25,000. Mr. McHugh stated that the weeds in Miller’s Bay are a big problem and feels they have become overwhelming due to maintenance
neglect. Mr. Stephany stated that the weeds are a relatively new issue that have only developed over the past few years. He stated staff has not neglected the weed issue. The weeds have
been harvested in past years, but this was the first year that they were chemically treated. Motion by Bowen to amend the proposed 2008 CIP list changing the Westhaven Circle Park tennis
court improvements to #3 and the Spanbauer Field parking area work to #4. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 5-1 (Gogolewski). Mr. McHugh stated he feels the weeds in Miller’s Bay
are more important than the work on the tennis courts at Westhaven Circle Park. Mr. Stephany stated that the Westhaven Circle Park tennis courts do get used frequently. Mr. Maas added
that there is a tennis camp that uses them in the summer. Mr. Stephany stated staff is working diligently to continue to clean up Miller’s Bay through grants and the Miller’s Bay revenue
fund. Mr. Bowen stated once again the tennis court repair work is preventative maintenance to restore a facility and it is an appropriate expense. Mr. Michelson stated he is in support
of the proposed 2008 CIP priority list as amended and would support it. He also stated the Menominee Park restroom work could be laid over another year. Mr. Bowen concurred with Mr.
Michelson and added that he would like to see the Quarry Park playground done in time for the Fast Pitch Club’s opening. Mr. Gogolewski suggested putting off the South Park parking lot
work until the 2009 CIP. Mr. Stephany stated that would hinder the shelter improvements as the parking lot water runs into the shelter and that is what causes a lot of the problems.
Also the parking lot has standing water (puddles) that cause trouble with patron parking (i.e., the motorcycle club’s special event). Mr. Bowen stated he would rather only have one interruption
in a project and that the South Park pavilion and parking area work should be done at one time. Mr. McHugh questioned the additional electrical work at South Park. Mr. Maas stated that
there is only a 70-amp service at the shelter presently and it would be wise to upgrade the electrical at the time of pavilion improvements. Mr. Gogolewski concurred and stated since
the kitchen at South Park has been removed, more patrons are using roasters/nescos, which require more electricity. Motion by Bowen to approve the 2008 CIP list, as amended. Seconded
by Michelson. Motion carried 4-2 (Gogolewski; McHugh). CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS John Kloehn, 1035 Laager Lane, President of the Fast Pitch Club, inquired as to the status of the Agreement
between the Club and the City. He stated he was informed last Friday that City Attorney Kraft requested that Attorney Art Harrington be involved with the environmental issues. He inquired
if that involvement would cause another delay in the approval process. ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 Mr. Stephany stated he was not aware of any involvement with Attorney Harrington. He then distributed copies of emails he received on August 31, 2007
from David Panofsky of the DNR, an email from David Misterek of the DNR office dated August 28, 2007 and an email received from Michelle Dupey of STS dated August 25, 2007 (said emails
on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) relative to the environmental issues. He stated he had a meeting with the various entities involved and he was of the
opinion the matter would be put on the September 25th agenda. He stated the second diamond is the main concern (how to dispose of contaminated soil), but since their meeting, he felt
it was not a matter of getting rid of excavated contaminated soil, but that the infield could be constructed over the current turf. Mr. Bowen inquired if the Council approves the Agreement
on September 25th, then what is the timeline? Mr. Kloehn stated the Club would need to work on the project all of next year and much of the work would be dependent upon weather. PARK
DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS Mr. Stephany stated staff is preparing to work on the Rusch/Sawyer Creek trail. Both the east and west trail wings have been completed and the City received a
grant in the past to do an asphalt trail to connect the wings. The DNR grant is for $36,000 and the remaining monies needed for the project would be derived from the subdivision fund.
Mr. Stephany stated that 2008 budgets have been submitted to the City Manager and gave a brief synopsis of the proposed budgets. Mr. Maas reported that one seasonal employee has been
removed from the parks proposed 2008 budget. To help reduce expenses, staff is considering reducing the number of hours the parks’ restrooms are open and lessening the time that the
South Park splash pad is open. Since electricity is the most expensive utility within the parks system, staff is considering eliminating some lighting within the system as well as obtaining
more energy efficient fixtures. Staff is also investigating obtaining storm water retention credits. Another cost saver would be reducing overtime by full-time park personnel. Mr. Maas
stated Pollock Community Water Park closed on September 2 and staff is now in the process of draining water and winterizing the facility, as well as the Menominee Park beach house. Staff
will also be working on closing the restrooms within the park system, as well as their normal fall/winter duties. Mr. Bowen inquired as to the status of the Menominee Park block building
work. Mr. Maas stated they are waiting on siding that has been on back-order. He also reported that he has a meeting set up for tomorrow to discuss the electric work. Mr. Sturm stated
his crews are finishing up with stump and tree removal work. Crews are also continuing to work on the tree planting projects. Mr. McHugh inquired as to the Sawdust Days event and the
rule regarding no glass allowed in City parks. Mr. Stephany stated that the historical campers/rendezvouers do have a souvenir glass bottle which they sell within the camp area. Those
bottles are supposed to be put in bags. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion to adjourn by Bowen; Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:28
P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary