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ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2006 Present: Bill Akan, Ted Bowen, Kay Hansen, Jim Michelson, Larry Pasquini, Terry Wohler Excused: Bryan Bain, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Schwochert,
Staff: Thomas Stephany, Director of Parks; Vince Maas, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Steve Dobish, Lakeshore General Manager; Jackson
Kinney, Director of Community Development; Trish Wendorf, Parks Office Manager Chairman Michelson called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES Motion by Wohler for approval of the April 10, 2006 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 6-0. 1) Riverside Park Phase II Plans Mr. Stephany reiterated
his memorandum of August 11, 2006 (copy of said memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). Mr. Kinney gave a brief overview of the proposal per the
handouts he previously submitted to the Board (said handouts on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He then introduced Ron Hansche of HGM Architecture. Mr.
Kinney stated that the Phase II plans would continue to improve the Riverside park area. The Riverside Park Review Committee held a joint meeting with Mr. Hansche, the Park Board members
and Mr. Kinney on July 24th to discuss the proposed project, and have since requested that the item be put on tonight’s meeting agenda for approval. The proposal for Phase II was designed
to be harmonious with Phase I. Mr. Kinney gave an overview of the illustrations/skematics of the proposed project. He explained the easement area is part of the staging area. He then
went on to explain the remediation issues of the site and how Wisconsin Public Service would resolve that issue. Discussion ensued as to the construction of the proposed Phase work and
the estimated costs of same. Mr. Kinney suggested the total being $3.2 million plus construction drawings and engineering costs. He also stated there is a law office in the southwest
corner of Ceape Avenue and Court Street that will need to be acquired by the City before Phase III is done. He stated that the Convention Center is the key element in the area and was
taken into consideration at the time of the plans being designed and it was noted that the proposed Community Pavilion would not be utilized and/or designed to compete with the Convention
Center. Mr. Hansche met with Riverside Park Committee to get potential uses for the pavilion. It was determined that the building would be approximately 28,000 sq. ft., would hold a
maximum capacity of 500 and strictly be limited to advertising/holding community oriented events. The facility would be operated/managed on a daily basis by possibly the Convention &
Visitors Bureau or other groups such as the operators of the Leach Center. He also suggested a restaurant could be operated in the facility on a leased basis, and that the north parking
lot could be a permanent location for a farmer’s market. Mr. Kinney suggested that the dollars to do construction drawings with cost estimates could be earmarked from the 2007 CIP. Construction
could be scheduled as 2008 start Phase I, 2009 -Phase II (and acquisition of the law office); and 2010 -Phase III. A workshop is scheduled for the City Council and staff in October.
Motion by Akan for approval of the plan for the Phase II area for Riverside Park as presented; seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 6-0.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 AUGUST 14, 2006 CITIZENS STATEMENTS Mr. Akan introduced Barbara Reed, Science teacher at Oshkosh North High School, and Andrew Jarowski, student at
Oshkosh North High School. Ms. Reed wrote a grant in order to obtain benches for the North High Conservancy Park as part of Mr. Jarowski’s Eagle Scout Badge project. They are receiving
a grant from the Southwest Rotary for $1,000. The benches would be used for an outdoor classroom for such classes as water quality analysis program. Mr. Jarowski obtained quotes from
Block Iron for $704 for 12 benches (for 30 students) and $296 for lumber. The grant would not cover the expenses for hardware, varnish and/or concrete, and they are looking for an addition
$500+ for those items. Mr. Bowen inquired if Block Iron would be making any donations? Mr. Jarowski stated they had already put a discount on their quote. Discussion ensued as to the
type of materials that would be used for the benches. Discussion also ensued as to other organizations they could attempt to obtain funds from for the project. Mr. Stephany stated a
vote to accept/reject the offer could not be made at this meeting since the item was not on the Board’s agenda. He stated he would work with the group in assisting to obtain additional
donated monies for the project. It was the consensus of the Board that this was a very good project and complimented both individuals on the work they have done so far on the project.
2. Parks Showmobile Mr. Stephany reiterated his memorandum of August 11, 2006 (copy of said memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). Chairman Michelson
inquired as to how the City would handle the special events that relied upon the showmobile? Mr. Stephany stated there are stage companies that could be utilized. Discussion ensued as
to possibility raising the fees for the use of the showmobile and it was determined that just raising the fees would not generate that much revenue to make the rental program feasible
in the future. Mr. Bowen stated the City could not generate enough money to buy a new showmobile and the present one is becoming an eye sore – it would cost more than it is worth to
repair it, so the City should cut it’s losses and be done with the program. Chairman Michelson stated the Board brought the issue of repairing the showmobile a few years ago and it was
determined that there were no monies available to do so. The condition of the showmobile is getting worse and worse over the years. Motion by Bowen to eliminate the showmobile rental
program and sell the unit per City policies. Seconded by Pasquini. Motion carried 6-0. 3. Lakeshore Golf Course Property Mr. Dobish stated this is a project that staff knew was fast
approaching and he didn’t see an alternative that would be financially feasible. The issue is with access to the golf course and that there would be 300-400 yards of unsupervised access
and make areas dangerous due to flying golf balls. He stated the proposed maintenance facility is in the targeted area area and staff needs to address these issues at some point. The
project would definitely limited staff’s options if this goes through. Mr. Stephany stated there is a possibility of obtaining acquisition dollars that could be used by the golf course
for other projects or have some funds applied to the debt service. Ms. Hansen inquired if the money received by way of acquisition would go back to the golf course. Mr. Stephany stated
while that is a possibility, it could not be assured. He noted that staff would be lobbying strongly for that. Discussion ensued as to construction of a new berm and the possibility
of constructing a chain link fence, as well as the plantings of evergreens, as part of the process.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 AUGUST 14, 2006 Chairman Michelson stated at the last public meeting he attended with the Department of Transportation, he was under the impression
that the pedestrian overpass is not in the plans now. Had that pedestrian overpass been still in the plans, it would have had a more detrimental effect upon the golf course by way of
traffic and parking. Motion by Wohler to approve the sale of 60 feet of Lakeshore Golf Course property for the Rath Lane road extension work, per the DOT Hwy 21 plans, contingent upon
any acquisition funds that may be generated be used for ongoing improvements or the debt service of the golf course. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 6-0. 4. Election of Officers Motion
by Michelson that Pasquini serve as Chairman. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 6-0. Motion by Wohler that Akan remain status quo as Vice-Chairman. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried
6-0. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS 1) 2007 Budget Mr. Stephany stated staff is working on budgets and noted the drafts are due Friday. Mr. Maas stated parks is possibly being forced to
eliminate a full time position and that is an option he does not prefer. Some programs that may need to be eliminated are the flower bed program; elimination of the ice rinks; elimination
or reduction of lights in all parks (reduce the hours to save electricity); and the mowing program may have to be redone to eliminate the properties that the City does not own, but have
mutual agreements with various entities; elimination of seasonal help and/or contractual labor from the county; overtime for the cleaning of bathrooms and repair of vandalism; elimination
of the goose/geese control program; and events for organizations and festivals, the project crews may have to be reduced; and that seasonal decorations would be reduced or eliminated.
Mr. Stephany stated the parks budget is bare bones now. He stated the zookeeper resigned last week and there is a opening there, if the budget allows it. It was noted that the staff’s
directive was was to eliminate 3% from their budgets. Mr. Bowen inquired 3% is what of what? Mr. Maas stated it would be a cut of about $38,000-$42,000 from the Parks budget. Mr. Sturm
stated the budget would not allow the roads to be repaired at the cemetery. Equipment repairs would be reduced; and that five seasonal workers and 6-8 workers from the work release would
have to be reduced or eliminated. As for Forestry, the 3% reduction will eliminate all funds for tree planting, which impacts ability to fulfill the Tree City USA program. Forestry would
have to rely upon funding or donations to help with street tree plantings. Conferences, training and membership dues to have the three certified arborists within the Forestry Department
would be at risk. The budget cuts would also affect the repair and/or maintenance of safety equipment, which has a dramatic impact on the Forestry Department to safely perform aerial
work. 2) Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Mr. Dobish gave a brief synopsis of the recent Golf Course Report (said report on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes)
previously submitted to the Board. He stated the golf course is pretty much in line with last years figures. Discussion ensued as to the debt service and how it is paid and how long
it is in effect. Discussion also ensued as to the newly paved driveway into the golf course becoming a speedway. Mr. Dobish stated he had discussion with the Public Works Department
about putting a speed bump near the 18 tee (17th green) area. Public Works will be doing the work as soon as they are able. 3) Miller’s Bay Mr. Stephany stated that the explosion of
weeds in Miller’s Bay has become a hot issue with the Parks Department and the sailboat mooring program participants. He stated in June, staff hired a weed harvester to rid the bay of
weeds, but the weeds came back strongly in a short period of time. Discussions had been held between staff about dredging or discontinuing the
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 AUGUST 14, 2006 Miller’s Bay Mooring Program. He stated he had talked with DNR officials as to dredging and there are criteria that the City needs
to meet to be able to do so. He also stated the DNR is opposed to chemically treating the lagoon in order to resolve the weed issue. Al Grall, member of the Miller’s Bay Mooring Program,
distributed photographs (said photographs not made a part of these minutes) of the area and weeds in question. He stated he did not feel the lake level has gone down all that much –
just a few inches. He stated he had to abandon his spot at Miller’s Bay because he simply could not get to his mooring spot. Discussion ensued as to the silt problem and possible remedies
to attempt to resolve the weed issue. Mr. Wohler stated it is a lake area problem, not just Miller’s Bay. He inquired as to the cost for dredging. Mr. Stephany stated that Mr. Maas is
investigating the costs for dredging and will report back to the Board in the very near future. 4) 2007 Capital Improvements Mr. Stephany stated that some of the Board members attended
the tour of the parks last month. Staff is proposing to replace the roof on the Beach building in Menominee Park. He stated staff would also like to continue the playground replacement
program. Mr. Maas is investigating the tennis courts in the neighborhood parks to determine the needs to repair or replace them. He also suggested that the large shelter at South Park
may need to be razed and replaced with another (possibly an open shelter) shelter, but that project may need to be deferred for 1-2 years. He stated the CIP budget needs to be submitted
by September 1, 2006. Mr. Wohler & Mr. Pasquini both stated they would like to see maintenance work done rather than new projects undertaken. Mr. Maas stated he would have Trish forward
the 5-year CIP worksheets out to the Board members and requested that they fill them out and return them right away so that he could work on a report for the next meeting. BOARD MEMBERS
STATEMENTS STATEMENTS There were no Board member statements. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion to adjourn by Wohler; Seconded by Akan. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting
adjourned at 8:02 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary