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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2010 Present: Tony Duff, Bob Freid, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Allan Siiman, Terry Wohler Excused: Mark Philipp Staff: Bill Sturm, Interim Parks Director/Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Gogolewski called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Duff stated that the November 9, 2009 minutes should be corrected to state he has been an Oshkosh resident 17 yearsFox Valley Technical College for is currently employed by . Motion by Wohler for approval of the November 9, 2009 minutes, as amended. Seconded by Hansen. Motion carried 8-0. PARK BUSINESS Mr. McHugh requested that the Citizen Statements be placed on future agendas similar to the City Council agendas. Mr. Sturm stated there is a provision for Citizen Statements already on the Advisory Park Board meeting agendas, but that he would have staff include similar language that is on the Council agendas. 1)Dogs in South Park Chairman Gogolewski stated that approximately three (3) months ago, the Board discussed a proposed City-wide referendum about dogs in parks. Since that time, a group associated with South Park brought forth a petition requesting that dogs be allowed in South Park. This petition first was presented to the City Council who referred it back to the Advisory Park Board for discussion and recommendation. Mr. McHugh stated he would recommend that the Board only accept the petition to be filed at this point in time. He noted that the majority of signees to the petition are not from the South Park area. Chairman Gogolewski and Mr. Duff both stated that they concur with Mr. McHugh. Mr. Duff suggested that the Board continue to look at all parks before making any further determinations. Ms. Hansen stated that citizens from the Sawyer Creek area came before the Board several times. After the City’s survey, the Board analyzed the situation and the recommendation was referred to the Council. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The people affected by the situation need to be involved, i.e. residents surrounding South Park. Ms. Wendorf gave a brief background of the steps taken to initiate allowing dogs on the Sawyer Creek/Rusch Park trail. She explained that after that petition was filed that she had surveyed the surrounding property owners of the Sawyer Creek area and compiled the results. After presenting the results to the Advisory Park Board, the Board ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 JANUARY 11, 2010 then made their recommendations to the Council, who then passed an ordinance allowing dogs on the trail at the Sawyer Creek/Rusch Park. Mr. Fried stated the whole dogs in parks issue should not be piece-mealed park by park – the entire park system needs to be addressed. Mr. McHugh pointed out that the ordinance does not refer to “dogs”, but states “domestic animals” which could possibly include cats, snakes, and other smaller critters. Mr. Wohler stated the current petition request is to allow dogs in South Park. He suggested a similar survey that was used for the Sawyer Creek/Rusch Park area be used for the surrounding properties at South Park. After further discussion it was the consensus of the Board to file the current petition relative to South Park and let the petitioners take the imitative to proceed with the issue further. 2)Dogs in Parks Chairman Gogolewski complimented Ms. Wendorf on her research work with respect to other communities in the state on their position with dogs in parks and/or on trails. Mr. Sturm stated that the results show a 50/50 split with those communities allowing dogs in parks and/or trails. He stated a determination needs to be made if there is interest in proceeding with the entire park system or individual requests? Mr. McHugh stated there wasn’t an overwhelming response by the Council to go to a referendum with dogs in parks/trails. Mr. Siiman inquired as to where the fees for dog licenses go to? He suggested that some of the money received by those fees could be used for the bags/dispensers for dog waste along the trails. Ms. Wendorf stated she would gather the information Mr. Siiman inquired about the dog/cat licenses relative to the amount of fees collected and where those funds are distributed before the next regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Fried stated the City doesn’t enforce the rules already in effect and by the results of the survey that Ms. Wendorf compiled, a lot of other communities don’t either. Where do the kids/adults go that don’t like or are afraid of dogs go? Dogs can walk on any City street. The Parks Department doesn’t have the staff to service any receptacles nor to do the service maintenance or installation of the receptacles. Mr. Michelson stated that the survey was interesting. He stated that safety is a big issue as well as people picking up after their dog. Without enforcement, any rules are moot. Mr. McHugh stated that parks and especially playground areas are highly concentrated with little children, and a big dog could knock a child over very easily. He concurred that the survey taken is very valuable and full of information. Mr. Duff stated he would hate to discount that the Police Department would not enforce the rules. He stated that he had worked with the Oshkosh Community Service Officers (CSO’s) in the past and they had the authority to enforce animal violations. When the quality of life issues are affected, the Police Department has always been very helpful. He stated the Board is closing the door on the Police Department as to enforcement without checking with them. Mr. Fried stated that with the Police Department’s time constraints, they are unable to get to the scene in a timely fashion. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 JANUARY 11, 2010 Mr. Duff stated sometimes it is just a combination of presence, staffing, etc., that would be effective. There is some potential of allowing dogs on the trails. Mr. Michelson concurred and stated that basically education and signage would be helpful. Mr. McHugh suggested that a police officer be available to discuss this matter further at the next Board meeting. Mr. Siiman suggested that the City should have a volunteer goose patrol similar to the City of DePere. Mr. Sturm stated that the City did just that for a short period of time and noted that it became too time-consuming for the dog owners. Ms. Wendorf stated that she would make arrangements with the Police Chief to have an officer present at the next meeting to discuss enforcement issues. 3) Fast Club Organization Group Update Mr. Sturm reiterated the email/letter received from Board member, Mark Philipp (said email on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He stated from Veterans Trail (home plate) to the trees is 275 ft., which would only allow for one diamond. Veterans Trail is currently mapped as a street. Mr. Fried suggested closing off Veterans Trail. Mr. Sturm stated if the BMX rink wasn’t there, then there would be room for two diamonds. In any event, with one diamond, it would be helpful to the Fast Club organization. He noted the area could not be used as a complex though. Chairman Gogolewski inquired of Mr. McHugh if he had any further discussions with the School Board. Mr. McHugh stated the School Board did not wish to complicate the sale of the land by installation of a ball diamond. Chairman Gogolewski inquired what the School Board was asking monetary-wise for the land? Mr. McHugh did not know the sale price, but stated he would try and determine how much is being requested. 4)Special Event Policy Mr. Sturm stated that the City Attorney’s office has a third draft of the policy ready for review. There have been several meetings with staff and special event organizers with regard to the proposed policy and there was good attendance at each meeting. Staff will forward the latest proposed draft to the Board members as soon as they are made available. He stated the proposed draft of the special event policy will be discussed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. If approved, the proposed changes would not take effect until 2011. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen’s statements. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 JANUARY 11, 2010 PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS 1)Announcement of New Parks Director/Start Date th Mr. Sturm announced that the new Parks Director, Ray Maurer, will begin his duties on Monday, January 18. Staff has met him briefly and believes him to be approachable. 2)Landscape Operations Manager’s Report Mr. Sturm stated that the Parks Administrative office has moved from City Hall to 805 Witzel Avenue. 3)Park Shelter Reservation Changes Ms. Wendorf reiterated the move to 805 Witzel Avenue and noted that the entrance to the office is from the Idaho Street side. She stated that she sent a letter to all the park patrons who had previously reserved shelters that the patrons will need to pick up the shelter keys from the 805 Witzel Avenue address and not City Hall. She also stated that the boat launch permits, Pollock Pool passes, and Miller’s Bay permits could be purchased at the 805 Witzel Avenue building as well. Ms. Wendorf reminded the public that reservations for park shelters can be made a year ahead and encouraged the public to make their reservations as soon as possible. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Siiman for adjournment; seconded by McHugh. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary