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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES APRIL 13, 2009 Present: Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Mark Philipp, Colin Walsh Excused: Ted Bowen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Allan Siiman, Terry Wohler Staff: Thomas Stephany, Director of Parks; Vince Maas, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Steve Dobish Lakeshore Golf Course General Manager; 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 not to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Since there was not a quorum, the minutes of January 12, 2009, could not be approved. The January 12, 2009 minutes will be brought back before the Board at their May 11, 2009 meeting for approval. PARK BUSINESS 1) Miller’s Bay Aquatic Plant Study Report Mr. Stephany gave a brief overview of the weed (aquatic problems) situation in Miller’s Bay and attempts that have been made to rectify the weed problems. He stressed that this meeting is for informational purposes and discussion only and that no Board action would be taken at this time. He introduced Tim Hoyman, an aquatic ecologist who owns Onterra, LLC from DePere, Wisconsin, who was commissioned to conduct a study of Miller’s Bay, and also Paul Leisten, an aquatic biologist from Aquatic Biologists Inc., from Fond du Lac, who has previously treated Miller’s Bay. Mr. Hoyman gave a PowerPoint presentation (said printed version of the presentation on file at the City Parks £ office and made a part of these minutes) of the Miller’s Bay Aquatic Plant Management Planning Project. He stated his goal is to help the Board decide what to do with the weed situation and to develop an implementation plan. He explained how his crews did a point intercept survey to collect plants in the Bay and then determined what species were collected to analyze the alternatives and give their recommendations for treatment. Mr. Hoyman noted that the coontail was the most commonly found plant, along with Eurasian water milfoil, which contribute greatly, but are not the primary reasons for the weed problems. He stated that Onterra does not do the chemical treatments, they just do the studies. Mr. Phillips inquired as to which plants/weeds were the “stinky” ones? Mr. Hoyman stated that the dying algae are what start to stink. Mr. Phillips inquired if Mr. Hoyman knew of other bays that were suffering similar problems? Mr. Hoyman stated there are several bays in Wisconsin that have similar issues/situations. Mr. Phillips inquired if covering the bottom of the bay would help deter the weed problem. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 APRIL 13, 2009 Mr. Hoyman stated it is too large of an area to cover plus the sediment on the bottom would have to be removed – dilution and maintenance would be difficult. He noted that covering the area would stop recreational uses as well. Chairman Gogolewski inquired if the weeds could be treated every other year and not on a yearly basis? Mr. Hoyman stated, in his opinion, he would say “no” because of the way the plants are currently being treated. Mr. Leisten stated he is limited to only using contact herbicides. Mike Nigl, 1021 School Avenue, stated he is a Miller’s Bay patron, and inquired if the primary objective of the weed control is strictly for navigational purposes only? He stated the number of boats in the Miller’s Bay program has drastically reduced. He suggested relocating the mooring area to the south end of the bay and just chemically treat that particular area to alleviate some costs. Mr. Hoyman stated he has held discussions with the DNR, and their department is willing to allow the same chemical treatments to the bay as were used last year. Bob Plummer, 5251 Ivy Lane, inquired as to what agency had jurisdiction over Miller’s Bay? Who owns the water and Miller’s Bay? He is of the opinion that any monies expended for this study/remedy should be taken from Winnebago County taxes. Mr. Stephany stated the City Parks Department takes care of Miller’s Bay because it is a program (Miller’s Bay Mooring Program) that is operated by the City. He also stated that nothing for this study/remedy has been paid for by or through taxes. Chairman Gogolewski stated Miller’s Bay affects not just sailboat navigation, but motorized boats’ navigation as well. th Dave Fenrich, 19 W 14 Avenue (former City Parks Department employee) stated he had worked for the Parks Department for over 33 years and as part of his park duties, he was required to apply the herbicide treatments to Miller’s Bay. He stated the bay had been dredged by the water filtration plant area approximately 25 years ago. He gave a brief description of the way the Montello (Buffalo Lake) area staff cut the weeds with weed harvesters. He stated he would prefer that Miller’s Bay be chemically treated as he did not feel it would be harmful to the fish (weed harvesting tends to also affect the fish population). Mr. Philipp stated he was shocked about the amount of fish that were “caught up” with the weed harvester. Michael Lizotte, Ph.D., 229 Hickory Lane, stated he is the Winnebago Lakes Council President, and stated that the submitted report of Onterra LLC (said report on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes) is excellent. He stated he would prefer to see weed harvesting done at Miller’s Bay since it is a cheaper route. Dr. Lizotte stated the amount of fish being pulled out by the weed harvester is not in excess. He inquired as to how many days after the weeds were harvested, did they return? Mr. Stephany stated the weeds started to grow back almost immediately and after nine (9) days, they were significant. Mike Nigl, 1021 School Avenue, stated that the cuttings that he observed were not significant and didn’t accomplish much. The cuttings also made it harder for the boats to maneuver because the weed harvester left behind a lot of debris. He is of the opinion that chemical treatments would be more effective. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 APRIL 13, 2009 Mr. Stephany explained the DNR regulations relative to weed harvesting and noted they were only able to cut one- half of the depth area. Mr. Philipp inquired if it was possible to get rid of the coontail with a chemical application, how long before they would grow back (navigation area)? Mr. Hoyman stated there are too many variables – type of strain of coontail, dependent upon winds, etc., so that question becomes unanswerable. Mr. Stephany expressed concern with the chemical treatment and inquired if there have been any negative impacts with communities utilizing chemical treatments? Mr. Hoyman stated that is difficult to answer because there are different types of chemicals being used by different communities. If chemical 2,4-D is used correctly, there should be no negative impacts. Mr. Leisten stated chemical 2,4-D has been used since the 1940’s and is the most widely used and researched chemical out, and there should be no ill-effects if applied properly. Dr. Lizotte encouraged the Board to have the park staff apply for State funded grants and suggested that the academic and government get together to partner for a study of the chemicals for long or short term effects. Andrew (?), 333 Saratoga Avenue, stated he is in favor of a weed harvester for the Miller’s Bay weed problem. Mr. Maas stated he has been and is continuing to do research for the pricing of a weed harvester and noted that a trailer for the harvester would also have to be purchased. He noted that he would also attempt to apply for grant dollars to help with the cost of the harvester and trailer. Mr. Stephany inquired who would operate the harvester? How will staff maintain it? How will it be hauled? These are all questions that need to be researched as well. 2) Introduction of 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Mr. Stephany stated he will get copies of this Board meeting video tape to the Board members not present at this meeting so they are aware of the dialogue/discussion. He will also get a list of proposed CIP projects to all of the Board members so that they can view and prioritize them and get the results back to Ms. Wendorf so she can get the Board members’ selections prioritized for the next Board meeting. Chairman Gogolewski questioned the project at Menominee Park – construct an asphalt trail from the lake-side trail to connect to the central toilet building and amusement rides * * * also repair areas of the roads within the parks – for a cost of $40,000. Mr. Maas stated there are some areas where it would be cutting and patching areas – poor areas, not the entire roadway. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS th Mr. Stephany stated that the first event at the Leach Amphitheater is a half marathon scheduled for April 18. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 APRIL 13, 2009 Mr. Dobish stated the Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course has been open for the best part of two weeks and so far, so good. He also stated that he will be bringing a request to grant an easement for transmission lines on Highway th 21 before the Board at their next regularly scheduled meeting (May 11). The easement needs Park Board approval and then approvals from the Plan Commission and City Council. It is a standard easement requested by American Transmission Company (ATC) for planting trees, construction, etc. Mr. Maas stated that since it is now spring, crews are getting ready to cut grass, as well as their regular spring duties. Mr. Sturm stated his forestry crews have a lot on their plate and are continuing their regular duties for a typical season. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Philipp for adjournment; seconded by Hansen. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary