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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES JULY 13, 2009 Present: Bob Freid, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Allan Siiman, Colin Walsh Terry Wohler Staff: Thomas Stephany, Director of Parks; 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 to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wohler for approval of the June 8, 2009 minutes, as submitted. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 9-0. PARK BUSINESS 1) Allowance of Dogs in City of Oshkosh Parks Mr. Stephany stated at the last meeting, the Board had only discussed about the possibility of allowing dogs on the trail at the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park. After thinking about the issue for several weeks, Mr. Stephany felt he would bring the issue of allowing dogs within all City parks to the Board for consideration. He stated he had been at the Country USA Festival last week and had been approached by several individuals who expressed an interest in allowing dogs in other parks. Mr. Stephany reiterated his memorandum dated July 10, 2009 to the Board (said memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). Cynthia Rosenau, 2209 Mt. Vernon Street, stated her son lives in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, which is very similar to Oshkosh. She stated that Mt. Pleasant allows dogs on trails in their city and it works well. Ms. Rosenau stated a responsible pet owner is just that - responsible. She is in favor of allowing dogs on trails in Oshkosh. Mr. Walsh inquired as to how the dog “oops” bags/containers would be funded? At the last meeting, it was suggested adding a fee to the dog licenses to pay for the stations. Ms. Rosenau stated she would be in favor of adding a fee onto the regular dog license to be able to pay for those stations and noted she felt that other dog owners would not be opposed to it. Mr. Walsh inquired as to the number of dog permits issued by the City? Mr. Stephany stated he did not know the number, but could check with the Clerk and get the information back to the Board. He then stated that there are more problems/issues with the Little Oshkosh playground than there are with dogs in parks. He stated he hasn’t heard about dogs causing problems in the parks. Mr. Freid stated you can’t compare the playground issue to the dog issue. He inquired how would staff enforce dogs on leashes and people cleaning up after their dogs in parks? He stated some children are afraid of dogs and that’s why they go to parks – because it’s their sanctuary away from dogs. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 JULY 13, 2009 Mr. McHugh suggested polling a half-dozen or more cities and determining whether they allow dogs in their parks or not. He then inquired as to what time-frame was being suggested for a trial basis? He stressed that if a trial basis is recommended for dogs being allowed on the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park trail, there should be an ending date for that trial basis. He stated if we don’t have a sunset clause, we won’t be able to get it off the books. Ms. Wendorf suggested she could do a survey with her Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association (WPRA) office support staff. Mr. Michelson stated he feels there is a consensus to allow dogs on the trail in the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park area. This area could be monitored to see how it goes before suggesting that dogs be allowed in other city parks. Mr. Wohler stated that since the last Board meeting he had people contact him that they would want dogs allowed in all city parks. He concurred with Mr. McHugh in that he would like to determine if other communities are allowing dogs in all of their parks or just along trails and if there are any concerns or issues. He is in favor of allowing dogs on the trail in the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park area. Ms. Hansen stated the Board should only be considering the Rusch/Sawyer Creek area for dogs being allowed on the trail, since that neighborhood was the only neighborhood that was surveyed. If the Board wants to consider other parks, then those adjacent property owners should also be surveyed. Chairman Gogolewski inquired as to Oshkosh North High Conservancy Park since it is very similar to the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park? Ms. Hansen stated that the Oshkosh North High Conservancy Park has not been explored yet and the neighbors have not been surveyed as to their feelings in this regard. Mr. Michelson suggested adding in the legal language of “domesticated animals” – similar to the ordinance language used for the boat launches, to-wit: “Those domesticated animals shall be on a leash no longer than six feet (6’) and shall be under full control of their owners.” Mr. McHugh stated dogs should be on a leash while being walked in a park regardless. He stated in some parks the grass is tall and if you let a dog run wild, there could be issues with dog droppings in the tall grassy areas. He suggested Stevens Park as a park that could be used for experiments to see if the public would pick up after their dogs in a park. Mr. Walsh stated that allowing dogs in Menominee Park might deter the goose/geese population. Motion by Wohler to allow dogs on the trail in the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park. Seconded by Hansen. Motion denied 3-6 (AYES: Gogolewski, Hansen, Michelson; NAYS: Freid, McHugh, Phillip, Siiman, Walsh, Wohler). Ms. Hansen stated that staff should survey all the other parks before recommending that dogs be allowed in all city parks. And noted that approval for dogs on the trail should be approved only for the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park at this time, since that area was the only area that was surveyed. Mr. Wohler concurred and stated that if dogs are allowed in all of the parks, then there are a lot of issues with the amenities – playgrounds, beaches, golf course, ball diamonds, etc. He agreed with Ms. Hansen in that surveys would need to be done with the surrounding property owners of all of the parks. Mr. McHugh suggested that the garbage cans be reissued in the parks – that would help alleviate the clean up of dog droppings. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 JULY 13, 2009 Mr. Michelson concurred with Mr. Wohler in that the focus should just be for the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park for allowing dogs on the trail. Motion by Wohler to allow dogs on the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park trail. Seconded by Hansen. Motion denied 3-6 (AYES: Gogolewski, Hansen, Michelson; NAYS: Freid, McHugh, Philipp, Siiman, Walsh, Wohler). Motion by Michelson to allow domesticated animals on the trail in the Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park. Said domesticated animals shall be on a leash no longer than six feet (6’) and shall be under full control of their owners. Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 5-4. (AYES: Gogolewski, Hansen, Michelson, Phillip, Wohler; NAYS: Freid, McHugh, Siiman, Walsh). 2)Menominee Park Observation Tower Mr. Stephany reiterated his memorandum dated July 10, 2009 to the Board (said memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). Roy Duxstad of the Oshkosh Southwest Rotary Club stated he has received feedback from neighbors and concerned citizens and reiterated that his group would be promoting navigable safety and it is hoped that the tower would promote civic pride as well as provide educational experiences. He stated the group had worked the costs for various locations and determined that they no longer recommended proposed location #3. They would prefer to install the tower just north off the beach house. He stated it is proposed to build the tower from treated southern pine so that it would age gracefully. If angle parking was put in at that location, the parking spaces could be doubled. Another idea would be the northeast corner of the City’s water treatment plant that has a 30’ x40’ grassy area that could be fenced out and would leave plenty of room for the tower. Option #2 has a phone line which would help with the handicapped camera and could be lighted at night which would work well with the Celebration of Lights event. Chairman Gogolewski inquired if the City’s Public Works Director, Dave Patek, was in agreement with the proposed tower being placed by the City’s water plant. Mr. Duxstad stated that he had talked with Mr. Patek about that location and Mr. Patek did not wish to have it in that area because of future expansion of the water plant. Chairman Gogolewski stated he preferred Option #4. Mr. Michelson stated he was in full support of the tower project, but had concerns with the locations. He stated he is not comfortable with the tower being placed by the beach area. Mr. McHugh stated his ideal location would be option #2. He stated he did not wish to see the tower placed by the Waters building. Ann Hintz, 1361 Washington Avenue, stated she was present on behalf of the League of Women Voters, and that group would like to see a comprehensive plan for the entire park. The group has concerns with the tower project – as a 75 ft tower is out of scale for that area and would intrude upon the natural landscape. A tower of the type being proposed is more suitable for a state or regional park. She also suggested that the City’s gift policy needs to be updated. Mr. Walsh inquired as to how the tower project would be funded? Mr. Duxstad stated there are no dedicated funds at this time. His group would be approaching the Oshkosh Foundation to assist with funding similar to the way the Foundation assisted with the building of Little Oshkosh in Menominee Park. Mr. Siiman stated he is not satisfied with the proposed locations and concurs with City Manager Rohloff’s recommendation that the Park Department’s staff compile an updated comprehensive plan for Menominee Park. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 JULY 13, 2009 Mr. Michelson stated he likes the tower project, but is opposed to the location of Option #2. Mr. McHugh stated he is aware that people like the towers and noted that it would be unique to the valley and might possibly bring more people to our community. Motion by Hansen to accept the plan with Option #2, as requested. Seconded by Freid. Motion carried 6-3 (AYES: Freid, Gogolewski, Hansen, McHugh, Philipp, Wohler; NAYS: Michelson, Siiman, Walsh). 3)Support of No-Wake Zone Along Riverside Park This item was bypassed since it was determined that language already exists in the City’s Municipal Code. 4)Accept Addition of 1.56 Acre of Land for Abbey Park Mr. Michelson stated the proposed addition would be a great wildlife sanctuary. He inquired if staff felt there were any negatives in acceptance of this land? Mr. Stephany stated staff had no negative concerns. Motion by Wohler for approval of the acceptance of the additional 1.56 acres of land for Abbey Park, as proposed. Seconded by Hansen. Motion carried 9-0. 5)Need for Fast Club Organization Group Mr. Stephany reiterated his memorandum dated July 10, 2009 to the Board (said memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He then gave a brief background of the different proposed locations and issues. Mr. McHugh gave a brief history on ball diamonds. He stated when lights were installed at the Red Arrow Park, his crew ran into the same scenario as with Quarry Park – diamonds being built on a landfill – and noted that his crew actually dug up old magazines that could still be read. There are ways to engineer league lighting that will stay intact. He suggested the Board revisit the request for utilizing Quarry Park for the Fast Club organization because he believes it could be done. He stated the Board needs to get some answers and soon. Mr. Wohler concurred with Mr. McHugh and inquired as to who would be paying for this? He stated the Fast Club organization would need to be fundraising for any improvements. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen’s statements. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS 1) Leach Amphitheater verbal report – Mr. Stephany reported that staff is thin with all the activities that are scheduled. Mr. Maas left the City of Oshkosh for a different job with the Town of Menasha. Mr. Sturm has been filling in for Mr. Maas’ duties as well as his own with Forestry and the Cemetery. Ms. Wendorf has been taking over a lot more duties as well. He stated the Leach has a great mixture of music and production and then gave a brief background of upcoming events. 2 & 3) Parks Operations Manager’s report/Landscape Operations Manager’s Report – Mr. Sturm stated that Mr. Maas had called Mr. Sturm this afternoon and wish to extend his thank yous to the Board for their past cooperation and support. Mr. Sturm stated he is attempting to get up to speed with all the upcoming projects. He ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 5 JULY 13, 2009 stated crews are replacing or installing new park signs. Crews are also constructing a new shelter at Rainbow Park with electrical service and landscaping. Crews are upgrading the lawn areas around the City Center and will be installing new playground equipment in Menominee Park at the Sea, Sand and Sailorland playground area. He stated that Sawdust Days went well with no serious park issues. The DNR did another goose round up at Rainbow and Menominee Park last month – rounded up about 300 geese. Mr. Sturm reported that the Forestry work is demanding due to the last few winters having heavy snow and the crews were not able to prune trees since their time was spent on plowing. He stated the flower beds are all planted. Mr. McHugh stated he recently attended the sock hop at South Park and it appeared to be a great success. It was the most fun he had in a long time. The improvements to the large shelter are great and make that shelter a good park feature. He stated the bathrooms are in real bad shape and need work. 4) Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course report – Mr. Dobish report a slow to average start, but noted that through June 2009 they appear to be 24% in revenues ahead of 2008. Since May, they have held small events that have gone well. Greens are in good shape and the customers are well pleased. City tournament will be held in August at Lakeshore and staff has sold all but four (4) tee sponsorship signs. Both Mr. Wohler and Chairman Gogolewski concurred that staff is doing a great job at Lakeshore. 5) Revenue Facilities Manager’s Report – Ms. McCollian was not present to give a report. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Siiman. Motion carried 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary