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ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2007 Present: Bill Akan, Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Jim Schwochert, Terry Wohler Staff: Thomas Stephany,
Director of Parks; Vince Maas, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Steve Dobish, Lakeshore General Manager Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Vice Chairman Akan called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Sympathy was expressed relative to the
passing of Chairman Larry Pasquini. Motion by Schwochert that Akan serve as Chairman. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0 w/1 abstain (Akan). Motion by Bowen that Gogolewski serve
as Vice Chairman. Seconded by Schwochert. Motion carried 7-0 w/1 abstain (Gogolewski). APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Bowen for approval of the May 14, 2007 minutes, as distributed. Seconded
by Wohler. Motion carried 8-0. PARK BUSINESS 1) Playgrounds Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated August 10, 2007 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks
office and made a part of these minutes). He explained that the reason for the proposed closing language of the Little Oshkosh playground, from November 1st through March 1st, had to
do with the Celebration of Lights event. He stated there are a lot of lights and cords that are affected with activities at the playground. Also, with the accumulation of snow and ice,
there is a general potential safety hazard if children are running and chasing in the playground. Chairman Akan inquired if signs would be posted as to the closing and Mr. Stephany stated
that signs would be posted. Mr. McHugh inquired if the Oshkosh Police Department had any input in this regard and Mr. Stephany stated they had not. Mr. McHugh inquired if any of the
City playgrounds were ever closed and Mr. Stephany stated they had never been closed in the past. Mr. Wohler inquired when the set-up for Celebration of Lights begins? Mr. Stephany answered
that set-up begins the first part of November. Mr. Wohler commented that some years it is still sunny and warm in November. Mr. Bowen stated he does not like the idea of closing the
park for a special event and because of that reason he is not in favor of the November 1st closing date for the playground.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 AUGUST 13, 2007 Discussion ensued as to penalties that would be applied and/or enforcement issues. Discussion also ensued as to the possibility of
discrimination as some handicapped and/or special needs individuals also use the playgrounds. It was also brought up that some adults like to use the swings and putting an age restriction
on the use of playgrounds would not allow them to continue to do so. It was the consensus of the Board that there are too many “gray areas” with the proposed ordinance language and they
were not comfortable approving same. Putting an ordinance into effect that may or may not be enforced is not something they would approve, or would not approve. Mr. Wohler stated while
there are gray areas in different laws, if someone is causing problems at the playgrounds, this proposed ordinance language at least gives the Police something to hang their hat on.
Mr. McHugh stated that the problem with signs is once you pass by the sign, you don’t know the rules. He stated that the Police Department should have input on this issue. He also stated
that a specific time should be set to close the playground – not just stating “until the end of daylight or when it becomes dark outside”. He is of the opinion that the proposed ordinance
language is ambiguous in many respects. Mr. Stephany stated he went over the ordinance language with the Assistant City Attorney who is of the opinion that the proposed ordinance would
be enforceable. Discussion ensued to as current ordinance language already in effect and if those regulations are being enforced. Mr. Stephany stated present ordinance language does
not allow for smoking at the Little Oshkosh playground nor profane language. This additional ordinance language would help deter problems associated with the teens in the playground.
He stressed that the Police Department cannot enforce ordinances that are not of a defined language or is not posted. Chairman Akan stated the City already has ordinance language about
loitering, etc., on the books, and if kids are congregating and causing trouble, then the Police Department could cite them based on the ordinance already on the books. Mr. Schwochert
stated that the most incidents that are occurring are at the Little Oshkosh playground. The older kids are knocking down the younger kids by their running in and out of the castles,
etc. He is concerned about these proposed rules applying to one group of kids causing a problem, but also affecting the good kids that are just on a swing or playing quietly in the playground.
Motion by Bowen for approval of the ordinance language stated in the August 10, 2007 Memorandum to the Board (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these
Minutes) with the amendment that Section 19-4(J)(1)(3) reflect the time of closing as to the daily published sunset time and that Section 19-4(J)(1)(4) be deleted. Seconded by Hanson.
Motion lost 4-4 . Quarry Park/Fast Pitch Club Status Mr. Stephany gave a brief history of the City and Club’s activities. He explained that the Agreement is currently being handled through
the Club’s Attorney and the City Attorney’s office and had been scheduled for the next City Council meeting with amended language. Recently, Public Works Director Patek pulled it from
the Council agenda because he felt there were issues with the DNR as the area is an old landfill. Staff is doing a double check with the DNR and the Fast Pitch Club and the issue will
be put back on the Council agenda as an amended Agreement. Mr. Bowen stated that he was in attendance at a recent tournament with this group and was impressed by their professionalism
and skill level. He stated that this organization deserves every bit of help that we can give them and hopefully, the Club will be able to use the Quarry diamonds next year. 2) 2008
CIP Mr. Stephany stated that staff is still working on obtaining costs for some of the proposed projects. He stated that the flooring at the Red Arrow Skatepark is in terrible condition
and needs to be redone. Once the floor is taken out, there is an opportunity to add new play features. While some of the teens that use the skatepark had been before the Board previously
stating they were working on fundraising, no monies have been received to date. Approximately $100,000 would be needed to put new ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE 3 AUGUST 13, 2007 amenities in place. Including the $100,000 in the 2008 CIP is one project that staff would like to pursue since it would benefit a lot of teens that currently
use the skatepark. It was suggested to forego the Red Arrow shelter and the Quarry Park playground at this time to allow for the funding of the additional amenities at the skatepark.
Mr. Stephany stated his number one priority is still the improvement work at South Park, but questioned if the center restrooms at Menominee Park could be laid over for another year.
Mr. Wohler stated that his number one priority was the South Park pavilion. Mr. McHugh inquired if money was not already budgeted for the skatepark in the 2006 budget? Mr. Stephany stated
$70,000 had been carried over from the 2006 CIP budget. Mr. Gogolewski stated he would like to know how much the skateboarders have raised to date. He stated there are other activities
teens can utilize as well, i.e. the Red Arrow disk golf course and Lakeshore Golf Course. Mr. Mr. Wohler stated he has no problem helping groups who help themselves. He feels something
needs to be done there because so many kids do use the skatepark. Chairman Akan inquired if it was possible to have the skatepark group come back before the Board and give a status report
as to their fundraising activities. Mr. Michelson stated that fundraising might be difficult since those kids have now aged and there is a different leadership. He stated it is important
to maintain activities as long as they are being used and noted that the skatepark is used a lot. He also feels that the South Park pavilion needs to be repaired. As for the Menominee
Park center restrooms, while he feels that is an important project, he would like a study done as to the pattern of the current restrooms in that park. He would also like to determine
the cost of adding a restroom by the Kiwanis shelter area. Mr. Bowen stated that while the Spanbauer Field fence needs replacement, that is not a deterrent to play and could be carried
over one more year. It was the consensus of the Board to make the South Park pavilion improvement work the #1 priority on the CIP list. Once staff obtains costs for the remaining projects,
the Board will finalize their priority list for Council approval. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS Lois Luedtke, Main Street, stated the bathrooms at Menominee Park need to be improved. She also
stated she would like to see more flags in the parks. She added that the bushes around the Convention Center need trimming. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS Mr. Dobish gave a brief overview
of the Statement of Revenues & Expenses through June 2007 (said report on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these Minutes). He also gave an update on the Lakeshore Gateway
Center project and noted that the options that are being talked about would have a positive impact on the golf course. Mr. Stephany stated the plans are preliminary and the plan is still
in development. Mr. Dobish reported that the City tournament is finished this week and has been been the biggest one to date. He commended Steve Ziblut for the excellent job he did with
respect to the tournament. Mr. Gogolewski stated staff at the Golf Course did a great job with the course during the tournament and noted that he had heard no complaints about the course.
Mr. Maas reported that the parks crew have completed the Abbey Park sign and suggested that the Board visit the park to determine if that is the type of sign they would like for the
remaining parks. He stated that the elk exhibit at Menominee Park is almost completed; the project crew finished painting the Ohio Street shelter at South Park; crews are working on
the trail maintenance at Oshkosh North High Conservancy Park; at Rainbow Park, the crews are removing the old railroad ties and developing a berm along Oshkosh Avenue; crews are continuing
to mow the various City properties; staff will be doing a tour ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE 4 AUGUST 13, 2007 of the disk golf course at Red Arrow Park – giving attention to the berm there; crews will be replacing the playground behind Pollock Community Water Park;
and the work at the Menominee Park block building is currently on hold as they are waiting on parts and materials that are on back order. Mr. Sturm stated that next Saturday, August
18th, at 12:30 P.M., there will be a small ceremony at Red Arrow Park, which will include the planting of a Memorial Tree in honor of Larry Pasquini, and he invited the Board to attend.
Forestry crew is working on stump removal and cleaning up from recent storm damage; crews will be working picking up the pace on the tree planting project for fall; crews are doing tree
maintenance throughout the City; and working of the berm improvement project at Rainbow Park. Mr. Bowen wanted to commend the Randy Larsen, the Boat Launch Ranger, for his diligent and
outstanding work at Menominee Park during the recent Yacht Club event. He also wanted to point out that there is a big separation (gap) on the stone bridge at Menominee Park by the globe
lamp and the fence wing. Mr. Maas stated that the Department of Public Works is aware of the separation and has it scheduled for repair some time this year. ADJOURNMENT There being no
other business, Motion to adjourn by Wohler; Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary