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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 14, 2008 Present: Bill Akan, Ted Bowen, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Jim Schwochert Excused: 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; Steve Ziblut, Lakeshore Clubhouse Manager/Golf Pro; 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 September 10, 2007 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Gogolewski for approval of the October 8, 2007 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. PARK BUSINESS 1)NORTH HIGH CONSERVANCY PARK PROJECT Chairman Akan introduced Aaron Minerath to the Board. Mr. Minerath, 2301 Vinland Street, stated he is a senior at Oshkosh North High School and a Life Scout of Troop 604. He gave a brief summary of his Eagle Badge project. He stated he would be working on the project with Mr. Akan and his biology teacher Mrs. Reed. The project would entail construction of a six-foot (6’) wide gravel path around the Conservancy pond as well as brush removal around the pond area. Motion by Gogolewski for approval of the North High Conservancy Park Project as presented by Mr. Minerath. Seconded by McHugh. Motion carried 7-0. 2)BALL DIAMOND SIGN POLICY Mr. Stephany reiterated his Memorandum addressed to the Board dated January 11, 2008 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He stated that Ms. Wendorf had done some research last year on this issue, wherein various state parks and recreation departments responded that signage was being considered because of budget issues and the need to generate different revenues. The Marshfield Parks & Recreation Department had submitted their ballfield sign policy and Mr. Stephany used that policy as a model for the proposed City of Oshkosh Guidelines for Ball Diamonds Outfield Fence Sponsorship Sign Program (said document on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He suggested that the signs be made with coroplast since coroplast signs were used for the Celebration of Lights signs and he was impressed with the quality and versatility of those signs. He stated he had talked to several sign companies who indicated the signs could be produced at the cost of $150 - $180 per sign, unless there was a unique logo. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 JANUARY 14, 2008 Ms. Hansen inquired as to sign content; if promoting tobacco was being banned, what about the promotion of alcohol being banned as well; what is the life of the material (coroplast); and would the signs be taken down after the baseball season? She felt that sponsors might prefer to have the signs taken down after the season since it would possibly make the product last longer if stored when not being utilized. Mr. Gogolewski stated that the restriction as to banning the promotion of alcohol would be covered under the WIAA restricted signage language. Mr. Bowen inquired if this material (coroplast) was readily available? Mr. Stephany stated it was and noted that he would bring a sample of the sign material to a future Board meeting. Chairman Akan inquired if the vinyl lettering would be attached to the signs? Mr. Stephany stated yes and noted that by using vinyl lettering, the letters would peel off easily for changes to the signs. Mr. Stephany suggested that parks crews could place and take down the signage. He stated at Quarry Park there might be room for storage and there is a little storage space available at the Reetz ball diamonds or the Beach House at Menominee Park. Mr. Gogolewski inquired as to where the revenues would go from the sponsorships? Mr. Stephany stated it is proposed that the sports organizations would receive the sponsorship revenues. He stated he would submit a blanket contract to the City Attorney’s office for review and approval. Mr. Gogolewski stated if the sports organizations receive the revenues, then they should be responsible for the installation, removal and storage of the signs. Mr. Michelson concurred with Mr. Gogolewski as long as the sports organizations followed the rules/recommendations as to sign content and contract. Mr. McHugh stated there might be some challenges, i.e. people wanting to submit signs containing information about PETA, abortion, religion, etc. He stated he is happy that the City Attorney’s office would be reviewing the contract beforehand. Questions might be raised as to how many signs are allowed on a ballfield and who makes that determination? Who determines how the revenue money is spent? He expressed concern with installation of the signs since City staff time is thin. He stated this proposal is a good way to raise funds for ball diamond improvements as long as there is some control and rules in place. Mr. Stephany suggested that one like sign be allowed at each site. For example, if a company wanted to sponsor three signs, they would need to put one sign at three different sites. He suggested that the Board thoroughly review the proposed guidelines and then call or email Ms. Wendorf with any suggestions as to how to improve/modify the guidelines. Mr. Gogolewski inquired if any service organizations had been approached as to this issue and Mr. Stephany stated, they have not. Mr. Gogolewski expressed concern about vandalism to the signs. He stated that the ball diamonds at the EJ Schneider Field are locked up so the likelihood of damage to their signs is minimal. Mr. Maas stated that there are signs at the Leach Amphitheater and there has been no damage done to those signs. Mr. Stephany stated there were signs at the Celebration of Lights and no damage was done to those signs. He noted there is always the possibility of vandalism with any park property. Ms. Hansen inquired if the Parks Department would be taking a percentage of the revenues generated? Mr. Stephany stated that could be an option. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 JANUARY 14, 2008 Mr. McHugh stated he could foresee problems occurring by allowing a particular group of people to determine what improvements should be made – as each parent has a different idea of how things should be done. If they are given full control to spend the money as they see fit, it may not be in the best interest of the ball diamond. Mr. Stephany suggested that diamond improvement language could be added for each site. 3.Update Fee Schedule for Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Mr. Dobish gave a brief summary of the proposed updated fee schedule. Mr. McHugh inquired if the proposed fees were comparable with other courses? Mr. Ziblut stated they are pretty comparable. In general they would be less in most cases. He then gave a brief summary of the proposed fee increases. He stated their pass structure is unique to the area. On the dollar, it is not a big increase. 100 rounds would show an increase of 25¢ a round. Mr. Michelson inquired based on this year, how much money would this raise? Mr. Ziblut stated anywhere from $2,300 to $3,000 based on last year. Mr. Dobish stated many other area courses have lost rounds and Lakeshore is staying pretty even. Mr. Michelson inquired if the fees have not been raised since 2004 and Mr. Ziblut stated that was correct. Mr. Gogolewski inquired if there were only 28 players passes sold in 2007? Mr. Ziblut stated that was correct, but noted that they do upgrade on a prorated basis and those fees are reflected under the “Promotions” category. Motion by Gogolewski for approval of the 2008 Lakeshore Golf Course Fees as presented. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS Mr. Stephany reported that he is working on the Miller’s Bay Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grant, which is due February st 1. He stated that it is hoped that staff will be able to submit the grant application next week. He stated that the $25,000 grant though State Representative Gordon Hintz’s office requires the filing of a grant application as well, and staff will be working on that grant application as well. Mr. Stephany reported that the Celebration of Lights went well this season. Mr. Maas stated that the parks crew are working on painting and maintaining park equipment (tables/benches, etc.); buoy maintenance; polishing/cleaning the pool equipment; refurbishing the Bowen Street fishing pier handrails; dismantling the Menominee Park carousel; rebuilding the sweeps and redecking and painting the carousel as well; and snow removal. He suggested that the hockey boards be taken down at the Rainbow Hockey Rink and make that into a regular ice rink since the Quarry Park rink is not useable. He stated that the hockey boards are deteriorating and noted that the sun reflects off the boards and melts the ice. Mr. Michelson stated if the hockey boards are taken down, where would the players go to play hockey? He questioned if it was possible to do a smaller rink next to the existing hockey rink? ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 JANUARY 14, 2008 Mr. Stephany suggested placing the Rainbow Hockey Rink discussion on a future Board meeting agenda for discussion. Questions that need to be answered are “do we still get the hockey activity there? Does it get used like it did 5-6 years ago?” Mr. Sturm stated the Forestry Department received a DNR Tree Inventory Grant and his crews are working on doing street and park tree inventory. The Forestry crew is also trying to complete tree removals and pruning, preparing for spring tree planting and flower bed preparation orders, as well as doing a lot of snow removal. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. McHugh inquired as to the status of the Little Oshkosh issue and the teen concept that Police Chief Gruel brought forward? He stated that something needs to be down with problem visitors before spring. Mr. Stephany concurred with Mr. McHugh and stated he would be bringing that issue back to the table at a very near future th Board meeting. He stated that there would be an informational session with regard to Sawdust Days at the February 11 Parks Board meeting. He then gave the background/history relative to neighbor issues with regard to Sawdust Days. Mr. McHugh stated the criticism Mr. Stephany has received in the local newspaper with respect to the neighbor’s issues has been unwarranted since he has been in contact with the particular neighbor and was working on addressing those concerns. He stated that Mr. Stephany had covered all his bases and the recent article in the local newspaper surprised him. Chairman Akan stated he did not think it should be brought back to the Advisory Park Board level as they are only an advisory council, especially since the Council had already approved the Sawdust Days event for 2008. Mr. McHugh concurred and noted that the City Council has no control over the police violations (firecrackers, parking, etc.). He noted that the City Council has room on their docket for public discussion on issues such as Sawdust Days and other special events. Mr. Stephany stated the February 11th meeting with regard to the Sawdust Days discussion might educate people more about the event and give some answers to the neighbors’ questions. Mr. Stephany stated that once the Miller’s Bay grant work is completed, he will be working on Manager ideas for the Leach Amphitheater and will be meeting with the Council in that regard. He stated he would like to have the Board revisit the Zoo’s Master Plan within the very near future. Mr. Bowen stated he would like to have discussion about the parks lighting policy at a future Board meeting. Mr. McHugh inquired if the goose control program was being implemented this year? Mr. Maas reported that he recently sent in a renewal request to the DNR for egg oiling and removal. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Gogolewski for adjournment; seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary