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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES MARCH 10, 2008 Present: Bill Akan, Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Jim Schwochert, Terry Wohler Staff: Thomas Stephany, Director of Parks; Vince Maas, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Akan 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 February 11, 2008 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Schwochert. Motion carried 8-0. PARK BUSINESS Update on Zoo Master Plan and New Exhibits 1) Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated March 7, 2008 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He distributed two (2) schematics to the Board (said schematics on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) – one being from the original Zoo Master Plan which he highlighted the proposed change of location for the Prairie Dog exhibit and the second one being color-coded to depict locations of the various current and proposed exhibits. He then gave a brief description of how the proposed Otter exhibit would be built, noting that there would be a rock outcropping similar to the present Wolf exhibit. There would also be limestone flats as a back drop for the Otter exhibit. He also explained there would have to be a new heated building (less than 20 ft. x 20 ft.) built for the Otter exhibit that would contain 3-4 kennel type areas and a 4 ft. x 4 ft. area for them to swim. He suggested that the total cost for the exhibit would be $60,000 of which the majority of the cost would be for the purchase of the lime stone flats. Mr. Stephany stated that Otters are interesting attractions to Zoos as the public perceives them to be very playful, active and fun to watch. Mr. McHugh inquired if the proposals for the exhibits were sent out to the public to seek their advice on the expenditures for same? He stated maybe there is a different zoo display that the public would prefer. Mr. Stephany stated that public input was requested approximately eight (8) years ago when they first developed the Zoo Master Plan. He stated that the Jim Ryan Estate had donated money to the Zoological Society for the construction of the River Otter exhibit. Chairman Akan inquired if the water for the Otter exhibit would be pumped in or would there be a well? Mr. Stephany stated that staff is looking into putting in a well, as they would like to be able to recirculate the water. Mr. Maas is currently researching the costs for placement of a well. Chairman Akan stated that he recalls problems with the prairie dogs escaping and inquired if that was due to the concrete problems. Mr. Stephany stated that sometimes the prairie dogs had kicked the dirt out which created piles and they then jumped over the exhibits. He stated the zookeepers now pay closer attention and dig the dirt around the edges of the exhibit so that the prairie dogs cannot pile the dirt to escape. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 MARCH 10, 2008 Mr. Bowen inquired if the Ryan donation included the cost to purchase the animals rather than leasing them. Mr. Stephany stated that was correct and noted that purchasing the animals is much better cost-wise than leasing them. He then discussed the proposed Black Bear exhibit and noted that the Zoological Society has $20,000 that needs to be used before this fall on the exhibit, or the money is in jeopardy of being lost. He stated that staff would most likely beginning the rock outcropping work and back filling the area with dirt. By starting that work, it will clean up the area and start blending the proposed exhibit in with the present exhibits. Mr. McHugh inquired if it was cost effective to purchase the animals versus leasing them. Mr. Stephany stated there is already a partial permanent collection of animals in the zoo that are taken care of year-round (i.e. prairie dogs, wolves, birds, elk) that requires full-time personnel to feed and take care of them. It costs approximately $6,000 to lease zoo animals for five (5) months and it is not guaranteed that the type of animals leased are of a good quality. The type of animals that are leased are not the most desirable. Chairman Akan suggested that a member from the Zoological Society should attend a Board meeting to share their plans on the future of the zoo. Mr. Stephany stated he could invite a member to attend a meeting in the near future. He stated this issue had been put on tonight’s agenda by way of an introduction of the items for discussion and it is his intent to bring it back on the April Advisory Park Board agenda to obtain official approval for the Otter and Prairie Dog exhibits. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS 1) Miller’s Bay Council Workshop Information Mr. Stephany announced a workshop scheduled after the City Council meeting tomorrow night (March 11, 2008) and noted that a few specialists will be attending that workshop. He noted there are some concerns relative to the proposed chemicals that would be used to treat the weeds and what effect those chemicals would have on the drinking water, if any. He also explained the two (2) grants that were submitted to help with the growth of aquatic invasive species in Miller’s Bay. Chairman Akan stated he keeps hearing from people that the boat launch area at Miller’s Bay needs to be dredged, but Radtke’s report suggested that the water is at an adequate depth. He inquired if anyone on the Board felt a need to obtain another opinion. Mr. Bowen stated that the survey work performed by Radtke Contractor’s was very thorough – the soundings that were taken were nicely laid/tracked out and he did not doubt those results. 2) Pollock Community Water Park Report Mr. Stephany gave a brief overview of the 2007 Annual Financial & Statistical Report and 2007 Annual Report Narrative (both reports on file at the City of Oshkosh Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). He noted that one of the reasons the attendance was down from last year was due to seven (7) days of being closed due to bad weather. Another reason for low attendance was expected since the facility is no longer “new”. A 2007 state-wide aquatic facilities survey (said survey on file at the Oshkosh Parks Department and made a part of these minutes) complied by the City of Eau Claire, shows that the Pollock Community Water Park had the second highest attendance of those cities surveyed. Mr. Michelson stated he would like to see a more detailed report of expenses, including concessions. Ms. Wendorf stated she would prepare and forward same onto the Board members. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 MARCH 10, 2008 3) ReLeaf Oshkosh Brochure Mr. Sturm introduced the Releaf Oshkosh Terrace Tree Program to the Board and noted that this project has been in the works for a year now and is modeled after the former “Plant A Tree For Me” program. He reiterated that it is hoped that this initiative will assist the increase of tree canopy for the Oshkosh Urban Forest and that it would be a nice situation to get stock in hand prior to plantings. Mr. Bowen suggested that the proposed program be intertwined with the Oshkosh Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch program. Mr. Sturm stated that was a good idea and he would get in contact with the Oshkosh Police Department in that regard. Mr. McHugh inquired as to problems with sight distance trees that completely block views of intersections and signage. Mr. Sturm stated that when he is designing an area for tree plantings, he takes into consideration the sight distance triangle situation. His crews have been attempting to correct mistakes (problem trees) made in the past and presently works with the Oshkosh Police Department, as well as the City’s Transportation and Electrical Divisions so trees are not planted so to create future problems. Mr. McHugh explained the scenario of damaged trees on Greenfield Trail and inquired as to whose responsibility it is to take care of those trees. Mr. Sturm stated that he will have his crews assess those damaged trees to determine what steps need to be taken. He stated there is an ordinance that there must be a 14 ft. high clearance off public roadways. It is the City’s responsibility to take care of terrace trees. 4) Special Events Mr. Stephany stated that Ms. Wendorf will continually update the 2008 Calendar of Events list (said list on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes) and include it with the Board’s monthly packet of information. Discussion ensued as to special events policies and procedures. Ms. Wendorf stated that it is difficult to schedule the special events along with her yearly park shelter reservations, since she was informed that the City Council would not review the special events until after the first of each year. She noted that the park shelter reservation procedure was changed a few years ago to allow patrons to rent the shelters a year ahead. Mr. McHugh stated he did not think the Council was concerned when the special events were submitted for approval as it is not their intent to micromanage. He stated the Council is of the opinion that if events are approved by the Advisory Park Board and submitted for Council approval, there is no need to be concerned. However, if there is some special event that causes the Advisory Park Board some concern, then that special event should be brought to the Council’s attention. It was the consensus of the Board that after submittal of the updated matrix of special events at each meeting, if a Board member had a concern about an event, they could make their concerns noted at the Board meeting. Mr. Bowen inquired as to the time schedule for the pavilion and parking area renovation at South Park. Mr. Stephany stated since the Ohio Street construction work will begin in April and there are already special events scheduled for South Park (motorcycle show, car show, etc.), he is anticipating the pavilion and parking area renovation work to begin in the fall of 2008. Mr. Gogolewski inquired if they were proposing to replace the shelter roof with steel rather than asphalt. Mr. Maas stated nothing has been done with respect to the specifications for the pavilion. The option of installing a steel roof could be put into the specs as an option. The use of steel for a roof would also be dependent upon the weight of the steel and if the City Inspectors determine that the weight of a steel roof is feasible with the remainder of the building. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 MARCH 10, 2008 5) Project Updates/Reports – Parks Staff Mr. Maas reported his crews are continuing to do the typical winter maintenance of equipment (i.e. painting picnic benches/tables, etc.). Crews are also working on the carousel, which is now completely dismantled except for 4-5 new sweeps. Crews are checking the gears and bearings of the carousel to make sure they are workable. He stated that as soon as the snow melts, crews will be removing/replacing the train tracks. His crews have installed a white scuff material on the boat docks (except for William Steiger Park) which will mean less maintenance work as opposed to the old carpeting that formerly was used for the docks. His crew has also replaced the dock piling caps with white cone typed caps which hopefully will deter the seagulls from perching on the docks thereby creating less of a mess with their waste. Another project that his crew will undertake once the snow melts, is to replace the scoreboards at the ball diamonds. The standards were left up, but the scoreboards need to be installed before the season starts. Mr. Bowen inquired as to the time table for replacing the lights and standards at Roe Park? He has brought this issue to staff on several occasions and no results have transpired. He feels those lights and standards at Roe Park are a disgrace and need to be addressed. Mr. Maas stated that Roe Park is not the only park that needs to be revamped with lights and standards. Other parks have fiberglass lights that are damaged and there are some WPS concrete light poles that need to be replaced. He is of the opinion that the lights and standards are CIP expenses since the cost exceeds $3,000 - $4,500 per pole. Mr. Wohler stated that the lights and standards work has been discussed in the past by the Board and it was determined there was no money available to pursue the project(s). Mr. McHugh concurred that the lights and standards are expensive to revamp since underground cable work is also involved. He stated some of those cables are split and eventually they will crumble. The underground wiring is worse than the lamps and he believes that no work has been performed on the lights and standards since the 1950’s. Mr. Stephany stated that his department needs to look at the whole lighting system at all the parks and include the costs for fixing/replacing in the 2009 budget. 6) Other Mr. Stephany announced that there is a gentleman that will most likely come before the Board in April to discuss the possibility of a dog park at Quarry Park. Mr. Stephany requested that if any Park Board member has an item they would like on the April agenda, to please let Ms. Wendorf know before the Agenda is prepared. Mr. Bowen stated he would like to know how much money the skateboarders have collected (money on hand) for the renovation work at Red Arrow Skate Park. Mr. Stephany stated he would make that determination and report back to the Board in time for their April meeting. Mr. Sturm reported that the State DNR office had contacted him relative to the community participating in the Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week of May 18-24, 2008. By being involved, the City will be recognized in the $110,000 statewide radio campaign which will contain messages related to EAB, firewood movement and potential harm to trees in backyards, parks and forests. He stated there would be educational posters and/or yard signs erected around the City informing the public of this important community activity. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Bowen for adjournment; seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary