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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 12 Park Board Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES APRIL 12, 2010 Present: Bob Freid, Tony Duff, Bill Gogolewski, Kay Hansen, Dennis McHugh, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Allan Siiman, Terry Wohler Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Assistant Parks Director/Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Dave Patek, Director of Public Works; 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 Chairman Gogolewski requested that page 2, paragraph 17, should be amended to read, “Chairman Gogolewski suggested that Bauman Park could possibly have one small diamond for T-ball.” Motion by Wohler for approval of the March 8, 2010 minutes, as amended. Seconded by Hansen. Motion carried 9-0. PARK BUSINESS 1)Review & Discuss Riverside Park Riveralk plans Terry Peterson o f AECOM Environmental gave a brief background of the Riverside Park Riverwalk conceptual plans. He stated the proposed light fixtures will be similar to the ones currently at the Leach Amphitheater and noted that the railings have been changed. The main issues included that the railings were very expensive (preliminary costs for the rail being $500 per linear fee t) and would detract from waterway activities, so the rail bid was done as an alternative. He distributed sketches of the proposed walkway (said sketches on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). Public Works Director, David Patek arrived at this time (6:05 PM) Mr. Peterson went on to explain the construction of the proposed riverwalk. He stated the front part of the project would include docking for transient docking purposes. There would be an open area from Main Street approximately 150 ft. and then extended down to the end of the Leach property. Mr. McHugh inquired as to why they would want to remove the railing and why safety devices are not included. Mr. Peterson stated railings were being bid out as an alternative, since the preliminary costs for the railing were estimated at 700 ft at $500 per linear feet. In discussions with the City Attorney and other Department Heads, it was determined that railings were not required. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 2 APRIL 12, 2010 Mr. McHugh stated that railings are prudent. He stated it appears that the edge of the walkway has a depression that the public could trip off/over. He questioned as to where the public’s fishing poles could be placed. He stated he was concerned that the City was cutting dollars for safety features that are necessary. Discussion ensued relative to fishing and it was stated that the dock is about 300 ft and is not the full length of the walkway. Mr. Maurer stated that the conceptual plan from 2000 included space for fishing purposes. Mr. Siiman inquired as to the height of the proposed railing and Mr. Peterson stated it would be at standard height of 42 inches. Mr. Maurer stated that the City’s Electrician will incorporate LED lighti ng along the walkway. He also stated in discussions with the promoters of Irish Fest (June 11-13, 2010 at the Leach Amphitheater), construction of the proposed walkway would not commence until after that event. Mr. McHugh stated that unless the proposed walkway being presented tonight did not adhere to the original plan approved by the City Council in 2000, he could not vote in favor of it. Mr. Wohler stated there isn’t a dock in the City that a person couldn’t fish off. He stated he did not want to see a sign on the proposed dock area stating “No Fishing”. He inquired where the funds for this project were coming from. Mr. Maurer stated funds were in the City’s Capital Improvement Budget (CIP) - prior years borrowed funds were being carried over. There is 1.4 - 1.5 million dollars allocated in the CIP dollars. Mr. Duff inquired if the fence would be included in the final decision? Mr. Maurer stated the project will be bid out and will include the railing as an alternative to the bid. The City wi ll obtain costs for the railing. Mr. Siiman inquired if the design of the railing would come before the Board and Council for approval and Mr. Maurer stated it would. Motion by Fried for approval of the Riverside Park Riverwalk Plans as submitted. Se conded by Hansen. Motion carried 8-1 (McHugh). 2)Discuss proposed detention basin in North High School Conservancy Mr. Maurer stated this is another area that the Parks Department needs to work with the Engineers of the Public Works Department. Mr. Patek gave a brief background of the project. He distributed a packet of information (said packet on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) that was given out at public information meetings previously held. The proposed detention ba sin would be west of Oshkosh North High School between Packer Avenue and Murdock Avenue. The proposed storm water detention basin will store storm water from rain or melting snow and slowly release it for discharge to Lake Winnebago. The area involved is 13.5 acres of conservancy park that contains over 160 trees over 6” or more that need to be removed. The trees proposed to be removed have no value in this area since they consist of Silver Maple, Boxelder, Cottonwood, Ash and Elm. It is proposed to plan 3-4” of trees in coordination with the City Forestry Department. The proposed trees will be Bur Oak and others species more native to Wisconsin, i.e., Maples, Lindens, etc. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 3 APRIL 12, 2010 Mr. McHugh expressed concern with the detention pond being in close proximity to the park area. Mr. Michelson expressed concern with keeping the limited number of parking spaces that are presently in the park area. Mr. Wohler stated he would vote in favor of the re quest as long as it is not a major infringement on the North High Conservancy Park and that the detention basin would enhance the area. Motion by Wohler for approval of the construction of the detention basin in the North High School Conservancy Park as proposed. Seconded by Siiman. Motion carried 8-1 (McHugh). 3) Miller’s Bay Weeds Issue Update Mr. Sturm stated that earlier this morning, he met with Mr. Maurer and Tim Hoyt (representatives from Onterra) relative to how to handle the weed issue at Mi ller’s Bay. Currently, staff is in the process of formalizing a plan document. The focus of the 2008 Onterra plan was does the City need to acquire a harvester or continue with chemical treatments. Staff is still contemplating both options and needs to do more research relative to owning and operating a harvester. Discussion ensued relative to the potential of harvesting as more of a comprehensive maintenance plan for the Miller’s Bay area. Mr. Wohler stated that the chemical treatment of the bay i s a good idea. Harvesting is expensive and staff might want to research the possibility of sharing the purchase/maintenance expenses with other counties, i.e., Fond du Lac, Neenah, Menasha, etc. Mr. McHugh stated that under Bill Sturm’s leadership term, the Council received complimentary remarks from general users of the bay that the weed program in place was effective. Mr. Siiman inquired if any county had a harvester? Mr. Sturm stated he did not know of any community in this area that had one. St aff needs to find a relationship that would work – such as who would pay for repairs, parts and maintenance of the machine. One method could be that costs could be pro-rated as to how many hours a community actively uses the equipment. CITIZEN’S STATEMENTS There were no citizen’s statements. PARK DIRECTOR/STAFF REPORTS 1)General Parks Operations Update Mr. Maurer stated last Tuesday interviews were held for the position of Parks Operations Manager. He noted there was a lead candidate and staff hopes to have the position filled in mid-May. Mr. Maurer reported that last week he held a meeting with Bill Miller of the Girls Fast Pitch group and they discussed diamond improvements, master planning, etc. He also stated he is and will continue meeting with representatives from Onterra about the Miller’s Bay weed issue. Staff is busy with the early Spring – water turn on and major park restrooms openings as well as the opening of the Leach Amphitheater for the Half-Marathon event which is scheduled for the weekend. He stated there were 886 rounds of golf done at the Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course this season. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE 4 APRIL 12, 2010 2)Landscape Operations Manager’s Report Mr. Sturm stated that his staff is currently worki ng with the UW-O Extension office relative to the community garden program. He stated the community garden program on Sherman Road is at capacity and there is limited space at Riverside Cemetery that could be used for such a program. There is a potential for small plots on a trial basis. He stated that the Taking Root and Urban Beautification Projects are underway, noting that bare root stock is presently being planted in the Waugoo Avenue area (Otter Street has been completed). It is hoped to plant 1,000 trees within the City. Mr. McHugh announced this was his final appearance at the Advisory Park Board meeting since he would be stepping down from his City Council position. He wished to thank the Board for their support during his term. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by McHugh. Motion carried 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary