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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2008 Present: Bill Akan, Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Jim Schwochert, Terry Wohler Excused: Kay Hansen Staff: Thomas Stephany, Director of Parks; Vince Maas, Parks Operations Manager; Steve Dobish, Lakeshore Golf Course General 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 January 14, 2008 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7-0. PARK BUSINESS Sawdust Days Neighborhood Concerns 1) Mr. Gogolewski requested the public to state where they live in comparison to Menominee Park Mayor Tower, 1369 West South Park Avenue, thanked everyone for coming together today and stated he would take responsibility for this meeting and had been working with the Parks Department on this issue. He stated that he had been approached by people not just concerned about the event, but the effects the event had on their neighborhood. He further stated that hopefully this meeting would open dialog to give information to the neighbors about the options relative to the community and give them the opportunity to voice their concerns. Ken Bender, 806 Oak Street, expressed concern with the traffic and speed limits, as well as individuals littering and urinating publicly. He is of the opinion there is a need for more policing and portapots by the area across from Webster Stanley Middle School. He stated he looks forward to the festival and knows that Mr. Stephany is trying to do a good job. He enjoys watching the people at the festival having a good time. Dan Becker, 847 Oak Street, expressed concern with public urination and littering. He concurred with Mr. Binder’s comments relative to more policing being needed. He noted that the additional police staffing should be at the expense of the Sawdust Days festival. Sue Becker, 847 Oak Street, expressed concern with unsupervised children and public urination. She stated she is fearful to leave her home unattended during the festival because of the potential of vandalism. She suggested that a fee be charged for the festival. th Chairman Akan inquired as to what day/time seems to be the most disconcerting during the 4 of July? Mr. Becker replied that anytime during the festival is disconcerting. th Mr. Wohler requested clarification by inquiring of Ms. Becker, “are you saying the worst of it is on the 4 of July itself?” to which she replied, “Yes”. Tina Haffeman, 907 Washington Avenue, stated she likes Sawdust Days with the bands, rides, corndogs, etc. She stated that she had gathered information from different venues, including the blogs on the Oshkosh Northwestern website. She stated that the whole idea of Sawdust Days is admirable, but after 37 years of one event, there is need for a change since the event has grown tremendously. She stated there needs to be more of a protocol on the event, especially since Mr. Stephany has a personal interest in this event. She questioned various issues, i.e. attendance figures, inmate labor, cleanup workers, garbage, th alcohol sales, etc. She also stated that the 4 of July event is not handled correctly either as it has too many visitors. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 11, 2008 Helen Herlache, 1029 Hazel Street, stated Sawdust Days is a business run by a committee of which none of the committee members live in Oshkosh. She also stated there is no such thing as “free electricity” or “free garbage”. She also stated there are a lot of freeloaders during the Sawdust Days festival. She would still like to see the fireworks at Menominee Park, but suggested they be lit off earlier in the evening and that the remainder of the festival be held at the County Park. She would like the City to deny the Sawdust Days committee a liquor license for their event. Polly Briley, 1249 Merritt Avenue, stated she did not want to see the Sawdust Days event disbanded as she enjoys the history camp area, although she is not a fan of the midway. She expressed concern with the parking issue and suggested signage stating that if a person parks their vehicle illegally, the vehicle will be towed. She stated that some of the festival attendees show a disrespect to the adjacent neighborhood. Sergeant Matt Kroening stated he is the special events officer on behalf of the Oshkosh Police Department. He stated that holding this meeting is a great idea. He stated the following statistics: In 2005, it took 483.25 man hours to staff the festival and 150 hours of overtime was paid out. In 2006 it took 430 man hours to staff the festival and 156 hours of overtime was paid out. In 2007 it took 277 hours of man hours to staff the festival and 122.5 hours of overtime was paid out. His Department did not staff the park festival grounds before 4:30 PM in 2007. During the time that they did staff the event, there were 57 complaints including underaged drinking, theft, disturbances and drug complaints. Neighborhood complaints in 2005 th amounted to 31; in 2006 there were 49 complaints; and in 2007 there were 44 complaints – of which one-fifth (1/5) were complaints relating to parking issues. Bonnie Manske, 631 Grove Street, stated she is more concerned with the EAA event then Sawdust Days. She really enjoys the Sawdust Days festival. She stated “take my taxes and put them into Sawdust Days, at least that’s something I enjoy”. Ms. Manske stated the Sawdust Days committee is doing a wonderful job. Nan Adams, 1216 Merritt Avenue, stated she lives adjacent to the park and loves the Sawdust Days event. She does not wish to see anything change with the event. Candy Pearson, 543 Hazel Street, stated she has never had a problem with the Sawdust Days festival and noted that her front door is right by the entrance to the parking lot of the park and has not experienced any problems with parking. She stated Menominee Park is an amazing place to visit and the Sawdust Days festival is amazing, as well. Ms. Pearson stated she owns Apple Blossom Books (Main Street) and stated that the Sawdust Days event draws people to our City and she wished to thank the Sawdust Days committee for their fine work and encouraged them to continue to do the work that they do. Ralph Beck, 4130 Twilight Court, stated he has attended the Sawdust Days for over 20 years and wished to thank the committee for all their hard work. He also wanted to commend the Oshkosh Police Department for doing all that they can do. Ms. Becker stated it is not her responsibility, as a neighbor of the festival, to shoulder the parking problems of the 100,000 people driving and the individuals urinating in her yard. She is of the opinion that the members of the Sawdust Days committee are arrogant and “talk over people”. Mike Jordan, 5770 Church Rd., Omro, stated he is involved with the Knights of Columbus and they have a concession stand at the Sawdust Days festival and noted their tent is “family organized” and they have no problems with the visitors at Sawdust Days. Ellen Schmidt, 4303 Shallow Banks Lane, stated she is on the Sawdust Days committee and owns a home on Grove Street. Menominee Park is near and dear to her heart and she wished to take this opportunity to thank the City for their help during the festival. She has co-chaired the Sawdust Days festival for over 21 years. She read a letter she had written and submitted to the Board (said letter dated February 11, 2008 is on file at the Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). th Don Kujawa, 655 W 19 Avenue, stated he is the events manager for the Auxiliary Police/Sawdust Days and assists with the coordination of garbage pick up, water and electrical hook ups, spaces for vendors, etc. He went on to explain how the proceeds from past years has financially assisted with the electrical infrastructure in the park at present. Mr. Becker stated he personally believes that Sawdust Days should pay for the policing and take responsibility for all problems resulting from the festival. Mr. Gogolewski stated all special events in parks cause some neighborhood problems, i.e., LifeFest, EAA, with regard to parking and crowds, and those types of problems won’t disappear. Even if there were no sales of alcohol in the park during these events, people would still bring in coolers of beer/alcohol. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 11, 2008 Mr. Bowen stated he was happy to see that the garbage pickup was outside of the park area. He suggested that the neighborhood clean up be started earlier. He stated he does not support the midway, as he feels most of the policing problems begin in that area. Mr. McHugh stated that the parking issues are very important and the police need to continue to ticket and/or tow those vehicles that are non-compliant. He stated that the fireworks show needs to start earlier. He would like to see the festival more “family oriented”. He stated he would not support helicopters rides at the event and is concerned with the glass containers being used by the re-enactors. He expressed concern with emergency vehicles being able to access the park. Mr. McHugh stated he is 100% supportive of the Sawdust Days festival to be able to continue their event at Menominee Park in the future. Mr. Stephany stated he has held discussions with the Police Chief about emergency vehicles during the event and the Chief stated there have been no problems in that regard. Mr. Schwochert concurred that the parking issues are a major concern and was happy to learn that concerned citizens were conversing with the Oshkosh Police Department with their issues in that regard. He stated that the Sawdust Days festival is a fantastic event and noted that it is not perfect and there will always be some sort of problems. Chairman Akan stated he has not received any complaints about the festival since he has been Board Chairman or on the Board itself. He stated he supports the festival and would like to see it continue. He suggested that the fireworks need to start earlier and noted he is concerned with the parking problems and the emergency vehicles being able to get to where they needed in times of emergency. Mr. Michelson stated he is happy that they were holding this great forum tonight. Mr. Wohler stated he does not want to see Sawdust Days festival moved to a different location – he likes it exactly where it is. He stated that although parking is a major concern, the Police Department cannot address every single parking issue. He gives the Sawdust Days committee a lot of credit for their hard work for the community. Mr. McHugh stated the Sawdust Days workers should get a lot of credit for all the things that they have accomplished throughout the years. Mr. Bowen suggested an article/ad be published in the local newspaper advising the public that during this event, the public not park in front of fire hydrants, driveways, and park a certain distance from intersections. Ms. Haffeman stated her main concern is that the emergency vehicles are not able to maneuver in the park areas in times of emergency and that issue needs to be addressed. Mayor Frank Tower, thanked the Board and citizens for their input on this festival. Ms. Manske inquired how shuttle buses would work for this event? She reiterated that emergency vehicles need to have access to the park at all times. Ms. Schmidt stated she did not think that shuttle buses would be effective due to the amount of festival goers to the event. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Schwochert. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary