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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 Present: Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Terry Wohler Excused: Jim Schwochert 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; Jennifer McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Vice Chairman Gogolewski 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 August 11, 2008 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7-0. PARK BUSINESS 1) Update Fishing Ordinance Language Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated September 5, 2008 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He then introduced Steve Lindo, who lives near the Bowen Street deck. He stated Mr. Lindo had presented a petition (said petition on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) requesting that the deck be closed at 10 PM. Mr. Lindo, 2 Bowen Street, stated he has lived at his residence for the past 12-13 years and noted that he bought his residence based on the understanding that the deck closed at 10 PM. He stated the previous owner assured him that the deck hours were from sunrise to 10 PM. Mr. Lindo stated he lives 30 ft from a public fishing deck and that deck needs signage so that him and his family can sleep at night and enjoy their property. He stated over the years, another neighbor, Mark Raedl and himself became pro-involved with the fishing deck and handled 90% of the protection of that deck from vandals. He stated the deck had been vandalized three (3) times this spring. He stated not everyone that utilizes the deck is there for fishing – it is a haven for mistreatients. Mr. McHugh stated that the problems Mr. Lindo has alluded to with the deck are conducive with problems that are occurring all over the city. He is of the opinion that enacting an ordinance limiting times on that deck will just move the problems to another area – not resolve the issue. Mr. Wohler stated he has fished on that deck since he was a child. He stated he needs proof that the hours for closing that particular deck was done through an ordinance. He stated, if the Board wants petitions, then he will get a petition to keep the deck open similar to the other decks within the city. That deck was there long before the houses. Ms. Wendorf stated she would try to find records through the Clerk’s office and the Parks cold storage facility to determine if the 10 PM closing was through an ordinance or just through a neighbor’s request. Mr. Wohler inquired about the Mill Street dock. Mr. Stephany stated the Mill Street dock is used for launching, not fishing. It was the consensus of the Board to bring this item back before the Board at a future meeting to allow more research to be conducted as to the signage. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 2) Rainbow Hockey Rink Boards/Bike Use Area Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated September 5, 2008 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He questioned if it is worth doing some work to the boards for the minimal amount of skaters that now use the rink. With the renovation work being done at the Red Arrow skate park, there is a need to deter bike users from using that skate park and possibly allowing the bikers to use the hockey rink for that activity. He stated that Green Bay and Fond du Lac Parks do not allow bikes on their skate parks. By allowing bikes to use the Rainbow Park rink, it would alleviate the problems that bikers create at the Red Arrow skatepark. Discussion ensued as to ice skating locations and it was suggested that some basketball courts could possibly be utilized for ice skating. Mr. McHugh stated that the wooden boards are rotted and need to be torn down. He suggested tearing down the boards and maintaining the concrete pad and if a group comes together with teams, then they could make a proposal to the Board. The City cannot afford to operate and maintain the rink with minimal use. Mr. Wohler suggested taking the wooden boards down and installing basketball standards. It was the consensus of the Board to bring this item back before the Board at a future meeting to allow for more discussion and suggestions. 3) 2009 Capital Improvements Program Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated September 5, 2008 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). Discussion ensued relative to the renovation work that is being done to the South Park large pavilion windows as well as to the parking lot. Mr. Maas stated the parks operations building is an “L” shaped building with three (3) shops tied into one (1) building, which is in need of a new roof to help reduce the utility (heat) bills. Repairs would “button down” the building and make it more energy efficient. Mr. Sturm stated the cemetery building is old and numerous repairs have already been made to the roof to alleviate the extensive leaking, but it has been determined that a completely new roof is needed. There is also loose drywall in the building that is causing problems. He noted the SW corner of the cemetery building was built in approximately 1921-25. Mr. Sturm stated that there are no funds available in the cemetery’s operations budget for road repair. Some road areas are in tough shape, especially after the recent June storm. FEMA determined that the road conditions were in poor condition due to pre- storm conditions and, therefore, would not be covered any FEMA claims by the city. Mr. Dobish reiterated his previous comments about the #5 green condition at Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course and noted that he was not 100% sure that the green would “come back” after this coming winter. Mr. Wohler questioned Mr. Dobish – if you had to pick between the maintenance building and the greens and paths, which would you choose? Mr. Dobish stated the greens and paths. Mr. Wohler stated the proposed shelter at Lakeshore could be a double usage and would be a good feature to the golf course that would pay for itself. Discussion ensued relative to the history of the Quarry Park and the baseball diamonds. Vice Chairman Gogolewski stated that putting $30,000 into a park that 300 kids would be using is a good idea. Mr. Michelson stated he would like it if there would be some concrete action going on before investing money into the project. Motion by Bowen to approve the 2009 CIP projects as submitted in the following order: 1) Menominee Park – renovate central restrooms; 2) Operations Shop – repair work to two sections; 3) Cemetery – new shop roof; 4) Lakeshore Golf Course – construct new green for hole #5; 5) Cemetery – upgrade roads; 6) Operations Shop – repair work to remaining third section of roof . Seconded by Hansen. Motion carried 7-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 It was the consensus of the Board to also include the $30,000 for fence work at Quarry Park diamonds in the 2009 CIP. It was the consensus of the Board to approve the 2010 CIP projects as submitted in the following order: 1) South Park- renovate current restroom building or construct new building; 2) South Park - reconstruct main parking th Parallel Park – reconstruct tennis courts; and 4) Lakeshore Golf Course – Construct shelter/cart area; 3) 44 storage facility. Matt Mikkelsen, 906 Winnebago Avenue, inquired if Rainbow Park would be viable for a dog park facility. Mr. Stephany stated that the concrete would not be conducive for a dog park. Mr. Mikkelsen inquired as to the lack of garbage cans in the parks and Mr. Stephany explained the “take out what you bring in” garbage ordinance and the history of the creation of the ordinance. Mr. Sturm suggested that the Board consider authorizing the study for electrical standards in the very near future as part of the CIP program. 4) Election of Officers Motion by Wohler that Gogolewski serve as Chairman. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 6-0 w/1 abstaining (Gogolewski). Motion by Michelson that Wohler serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 6-0 w/1 abstaining (Wohler). CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS Reports 1) Lakeshore Golf Course – Mr. Dobish reported that the revenues for the end of August is in good shape and September is going well. The course is offering lots of discounts through various advertising venues; leagues are going strong; and in May, 2009, they may offer another “pass” (week long pass); and noted they have a budget meeting this coming Friday with the City Manager. 2) Red Arrow Skate Board Park Project – Mr. Stephany stated the project is scheduled to be done by mid-October. 3) Menominee Park Zoo Fence Project – Mr. Stephany stated the project was completed today. 4) Menominee Park Construction of New Wood Fence at Maintenance Building – project is going well. He stated the table/bench storage area has been moved. 5) Menominee Park Zooloween Boo Event – Ms. McCollian has made great progress with this event which is th scheduled for October 25 from 11 AM – 4 PM. Last years event included 1,133 children and 917 adults and it looks like this year’s event will be even larger, since there are more vendors getting involved. 6) Rainbow Park Construction of New Shelter by Playground – Mr. Stephany stated the parks crew will be putting up the new shelter in the very near future and then complete the concrete work. 7) Rainbow Park Boat Launch Extension Work – Mr. Stephany stated this work will begin in October for the front four (4) docks. 8) Westhaven Park & Techmiller Park Tennis Courts Work – Mr. Stephany stated the tennis courts work has been completed as well as the repair work to the Menominee Park tennis courts. The color coding on the courts is now being commenced. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 9) Parks System Previous Special Events – Ms. Wendorf stated that she will email the Board the list of 2008 special events for their information. 10) October Board Meeting Topics – Mr. Stephany reiterated that the addition of language to the current boat docking ordinance will be on the October agenda. Mr. Wohler suggested that the status of the boat launch fees also be reported. Mr. Michelson suggested that there be signage in each park identifying the park – the signs don’t have to be huge, but the parks need to be identified. Ms. Hansen suggested that Glatz Park needs to be cleaned out to enable users to gain access to it. Mr. Maas stated he would look into it and have the parks crew (and possibly the Public Works Department) work on clearing an access trail in that park. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Bowen for adjournment; seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary