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ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 12, 2005 Present: Bill Akan, Bryan Bain, Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Larry Pasquini, Terry Wohler Excused: Kay Hansen, 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; 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 Bowen for approval of the
November 14, 2005 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 6-0. 1. Menominee Park – Introduction of the Christmas Box Statue Project Mr. Stephany reiterated his
memorandum of December 12, 2005 (copy of said memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He stated he had a meeting with the Fishers regarding possible
sites. The last Board meeting was not televised due to City budget meetings. The Christmas statue has to do with creating a monument for parents that lost a child and noted that the
Fishers from Oshkosh lost a child three (3) years ago. Terry Wohler arrived 6:30, making a 7-member Board. Mr. Stephany explained that one criteria that the Fishers requested was that
they wanted the statue by water. Their first choice has to do with location on the north end of Menominee Park at the point where the Ames Park Point breakwater and/or trail starts.
The second choice was at the opposite end of Menominee Park by the Legion. There are some old crabapple trees there and the area needs renovation there and that is a possible site. The
third site has to do with the big bed garden – dependent upon if that area is made into a more formal garden (#5 agenda item). Mr. Stephany stated he received an email from Amanda Wimmer
of the Oshkosh Northwestern (copy of said email on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) who forwarded a letter from parents of a deceased child and they were
very supportive of the project. Mr. Akan inquired what is planned for the location #3 – there was some mention about a formal garden? Mr. Sturm stated staff had discussions in the past
about the signature flower bed and upgrading the garden site to be utilized for special events, wedding photography, etc., -maybe making the area into a miniature arboretum with brick
paver areas possibly incorporating this sculpture into the garden site. Mr. Stephany stated the area may be made into a more formal beautiful spot in the park for wedding pictures, and
making it an educational area for horticultural goals. Discussion ensued as to the time frame for developing area #3 and possible fundraising. Mr. Stephany stated all three sites are
fine with staff. If not too many issues, he would support the Fishers in their selection. Mr. Bain stated if the big flower bed area is to become more of a formal area with pavers and
sitting areas, then having another structure in that type of setting would be more of a focal point of that area. Mr. Stephany stated the only negative would be the cars coming around
the bend or the train coming around the track tooting the horn, but the same could be said with the other areas and the boaters.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO DECEMBER 12, 2005 Mr. Gogolewski inquired if the area was to be utilized for “quiet times”, then Option #3 would it be in conflict because other
people would be walking through or photographs being taken. Mr. Gogolewski stated he would lean towards Ames Point where it would be more secluded. Mr. Bowen stated the signature flowerbed
would be his 4 or 5 choice because of the activities already in that area would detract from their personal experience due to kids on the amusements and other activities in that area.
He stated he did not think a formal a mini-arboretum with the type of this statue would be in tune with that area. He would prefer the Legion area because it has a lot of potential because
it needs redevelopment and that redevelopment could separate from what’s there from what they are proposing successfully and make it secluded and peaceful. Chairman Michelson stated
his first choice would be by the Legion. His least choice would be the Ames Point area as he would like to keep that area natural. Mr. Akan stated he had looked at two sites and feels
that with the strobe light at the Legion tower, Choice #2 would be a neat place to have a statue. It was the consensus of the Board to table this item until the January 9, 2006 meeting
and that it is the further consensus that the Legion site would be the suggested location (#2 location map). 2. Meeting Day Change Mr. Bain stated he had discussed this issue with Mr.
Stephany and how it relates to the City Council meetings. If the Board meetings were changed to a Tuesday or Thursday, it would allow at least 48 hours before a Council meeting, thereby
allowing opportunity for citizens to voice their opinions or oppositions to an item. Mr. Stephany stated there had only been one incident/situation that was “perceived” as being fast-tracked.
He would suggest the day of the meetings remain the same. Chairman Michelson stated the Board is on the input side of items and the decision of when items go to the Council is up to
staff. staff. Mr. Stephany stated staff can make sure that items go on the second meeting of the month without having to change the Board meeting dates. Mr. Bain stated it may just be
a staff issue, but would suggest that it be a Board policy and he would like to support that policy being established. Mr. Wohler stated the Council has at many times waived second readings
and then voted on issues and that is not the Advisory Park Board’s fault. It was the consensus of the Board not to change the meeting day at this point. Mr. Bain stated he was responding
to concerns that were brought to his attention. Since the Board does not feel there are concerns that need to be addressed, he did not feel a motion should be made on this issue for
motion’s sake. 3. Parks Project Notification Policy Mr. Bain stated he would like to form a subcommittee to decide on a practice, policy or procedure on how to notify different neighborhoods
when park projects occur – what’s a threshold for those notifications – is it a community versus local, etc., and how to hammer out some concerns so citizens can become more aware if
they should attend the meetings to voice their concerns or not. Misters’ Pasquini and Bain stated they haven’t had the opportunity to meet to date to discuss this, but they plan to discuss
it sometime before February and then submit their practice/policy/procedure information to the Board for consideration.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE DECEMBER 12, 2005 4. Red Arrow Park – Name Aquatics Facility Mr. Stephany reiterated his memorandum of December 12, 2005 (said memorandum on file
at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) relative to having the aquatic center being officially named and incorporating the “Pollock” name into it. Mr. Stephany stated
he discussed this with Julienne Heftner of the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association (WPRA) – her specialty is aquatic centers -and she stated the name should have a good marketing
spin to it so people get interested in the project. Ms. Heftner suggested that when people hear the phrase “aquatic centers”, they think of a swimming pool or indoor facility and that
“water park” might be more in line with the type of facility that it will be – with a lazy river and other amenities. She felt naming it “Family” gives it a conotation that it’s only
for families, but naming it “Community” would be more inviting for the surrounding communities to visit. Motion by Akan to officially title the new water park “Pollock Community Water
Park”; Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7 -0. 5. Menominee Park – Formal Garden Conceptual Plan Mr. Stephany discussed creating another area of interest in Menominee Park. Mr. Sturm
would work on a plan and dollars could be raised by groups such as “Progress Oshkosh” and their subgroup “Private Place” and could be done in a piece meal way as the dollars become available.
Mr. Sturm stated he is of the opinion that he could generate interest and support, as this would be a nice addition to the park. Mr. Bowen inquired if the vision is to have the area
as a formal setting similar to The Paine or a mini Hampton? Mr. Sturm stated, not necessarily – more of an area where there are some brick paved areas, some benches, naïve rose plantings,
perennials and flowering shrubs, and maybe incorporate some lighting. Mr. Bowen stated it is an interesting idea. It’s an area comparable to a cul-de-sac to the zoo wall -it is on it’s
own little corner now and it would do well. Mr. Sturm stated it is a nice space and doesn’t want to get away from the garden idea. The area now doesn’t encourage entry and staff would
like to work on more concepts to make the area more inviting. Mr. Bowen stated he is in favor of investigating based on fundraising. Mr. Sturm stated there are members of the community
interested in supporting this – and he wanted to make sure this is appropriate land use from the Board’s view. Mr. Bowen and Chairman Michelson both stated they like the concept. Mr.
Sturm stated he will pull together more details and put it on a cad drawing and get costs estimates. Consensus of the Board to allow staff to investigate concepts and possible fundraising.
PARK DIRECTORS AND STAFF REPORTS Mr. Maas gave a report on a recent sledding hill incident. He stated at the top of the hill there is a fence that goes around the top of the sledding
hill and in one corner there is a sign that says “No Sledding Beyond This Point” (east). To the east of the hill there was a run that ran down to the construction snow fence of the water
park. He took pictures of several different angles of where people were sledding, where the sign states “No Sledding Beyond This Point”. He then called C.R. Meyer regarding concern of
the fence on Monday. On Tuesday they put up a bale of hay and then Public Works staff put snow against the bales of hay to stop sledding activity into the water park. At some time there
will be a need to address this issue because it won’t go away with the completion of the water park. Staff may need to either extend the fence to the north along the hillside so people
are forced to go down that way or maybe install a second fence half-way down to discourage sledding in that area and maybe plant some evergreen trees to help discourage sledding in that
area.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR DECEMBER 12, 2005 Mr. Maas stated there was also an incident of a person injuring themselves with a disk golf basket in the sledding hill area.
Staff has since removed six disk golf baskets that were within range of the sledding hill and are making a due diligence to make the area safe. Staff will continue to monitor the area
with the snowmelts and will ask Public Works staff to bring in more snow for buffer. Mr. Dobish gave his report on the golf revenues and expenses (said report on file at the City Parks
office and made a part of these minutes). He stated there has been great utilization of the course when there are discounted rates and noted there has been heavy discounting by competitors
and Lakeshore staff has reacted to those discounts. It is the nature of the beast to compete and staff is doing their best to reduce overhead and work as lean as they can. They do anticipate
by November to be at break-even. The rounds throughout the year are approximately 30,500 -approximately the same level as last year. Mr. Gogolewski inquired as to when are the down times
on the course? Mr. Dobish stated Mondays are typically slow; what used to be slow times, are now discounted; but the increase in rounds did not show up as increase in revenues because
of the discounts. Mr. Wohler stated the Lakeshore staff is doing a wonderful job and Mr. Bowen stated he hears nothing but good things about the Lakeshore operations. Mr. Gogolewski
inquired as to how the equipment is holding up? Mr. Dobish stated if the equipment is properly maintained it will last for years. Maybe next year when the current lease expires, then
they can institute another lease agreement and possibly lease a rotary bank mower. Mr. Stephany gave an update on the Menominee Park fishing pier appeal. There is a group contesting
the permit and the appeal is pending. Construction is on hold until a final decision is made. Mr. Stephany stated the Board received information from the Department of Community Development
on the the new walkway and reiterated that there is a joint workshop scheduled for January 3rd beginning at 4 PM, and urged the Board members to attend the workshop. Mr. Bowen inquired
if Mr. Maas had an opportunity to take an inventory of the parks and equipment. Mr. Maas said he did an inventory of the parks, except Menominee Park, and did a condition report which
is available for review by the Board. Cost estimates are not included at this time as he is still working on them. Mr. Bowen requested a synopsis of Mr. Maas’ report in the near future.
ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion to adjourn by Bain; Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf,
Recording Secretary