Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 2010 Present: Bob Freid, Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Bob Poeschl, Allan Siiman, Terry Wohler Excused: Tony Duff Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary (via OCM video streaming) CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Gogolewski called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wohler for approval of the October 11, 2010 minutes, as submitted. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 8-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1)Update on 2011 budgets and projects Mr. Maurer gave an update on the budget process and what was approved for 2011 CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) projects. He gave a brief background of the approval process and noted that after the Board’s last meeting with their recommended prioritized 2011 CIP items, he met with the City Manager Rohloff and Finance Director Steeno and they discussed the project listing and what was available for funding. The final determinations were: 1) Consulting fees for the Comprehensive 5-year Park and Open Space Plan; 2) Menominee Park restrooms shelter facility with funding coming from funding that was left over from prior projects that were not completed in 2009/10. In 2010, there was $125,000 budgeted for the central shelter restrooms, but due to staff turnovers, that project was put on hold. There were other projects from prior years that were not completed and that money would also be carried over; 3) the road repairs at the cemetery have been put on hold based on the Catholic Churches in the area no longer having the City take care of the Catholic section of the cemetery. Staff would like to see how the new arrangement goes with the Catholic churches with respect to which roads will be maintained by them and then revisit this project for 2012; 4) the Taking Root tree project – this will be the second year of the City’s $25,000 contribution towards this project, so that was approved; 5) replacement of the bleachers at Spanbauer Field – a set of code compliant aluminum bleachers will be installed this spring; 6) Shelter at the golf course – this project has been removed; 7) Park lighting Phase 1 at Rainbow Park – that was approved. In addition, the Council did a reprioritization and decided that they wanted to ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO DECEMBER 13, 2010 expand on the park lighting upgrading and they included $55,000 for South Park lighting; 8) Rebuilding green #5 at Lakeshore Golf Course – this project was removed from the 2011 CIP; 9) Rainbow Park BMX equipment – Staff previously met with BMX bike users/parents and requested that they look at applying for grant funding through the Community Foundation and other matching fund raising opportunities and it is hoped to raise matching funds for this project through those different avenues. Mr. Maurer reported he has already began working on the Requests for Proposals (RFP) for consultants for the Comprehensive 5-year Park and Open Space Plan. That document will be used for the next couple of budget cycles to prioritize what items/projects need to be done in City parks. Mr. Girens stated the golf course is self-supporting and brings money into the City. The BMX track does not bring in any money to the City since there is no user fee. Why put money into a feature (BMX park area) that doesn’t bring in any revenue? Mr. Maurer stated when the Red Arrow Skate Park facility was built, there was an ordinance put into effect that no bikes be allowed in the Skate Park. In turn, the City allowed some temporary equipment to be erected at Rainbow Park to allow those BMX bike users a facility to use. The BMX group has been around for a number of years and they needed a facility to utilize. As for the golf course, the intent is to determine how much of the work can be done internally. The golf course projects need to be prioritized and included in the 5-year Plan and a determination made as to how those issues could be done and funded. Chairman Gogolewski inquired as to the lighting standards for Rainbow and South Park? Mr. Maurer stated the design work can now be commenced with the City Electrician now that the budget has been approved. It is the intent to come up with a standardized lamp and pole for all the park properties to make future maintenance and part-interchanging more efficient. Mr. Poeschl inquired as to the decorative lighting on the corners of Ohio/Georgia and South Park Avenue and if the globes were going to be replaced. Mr. Maurer stated that the City Electrician has been trying to locate replacement parts for those globes and they will be included in the park lighting upgrades. It is the intent to keep those entranceway lights/globes historic looking. Chairman Gogolewski inquired if more light standards would be added to South Park since that park area is so dark or would the current light standards just be upgraded? Mr. Maurer stated that the lighting at South Park will be dependent upon the master plan for that park. Some factors that need to be determined for South Park is if LED lights would be more effective, the potential new restroom location, etc. Mr. Siiman inquired as to the Taking Root trees - how many trees would be planted and where they would be planted. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE DECEMBER 13, 2010 Mr. Maurer stated that City Forester Sturm is working with the Oshkosh Foundation on the Taking Root campaign. It is the intent to plant 1,000 trees in the spring and possibly more in the fall based on funding and availability of trees. Within the next month or two Mr. Sturm will have an idea of where they are at and be able to give the Board a report on what areas they are looking at. Mr. Sturm applied for and received a grant from the DNR (Urban Forestry) for a project he is looking at and the Oshkosh Foundation also applied for a DNR grant as part of the Taking Root project for the consultant fees and they received approximately $21,000 to help pay for that consultant. 2)Report on Revenue Facilities for 2010 Ms. McCollian reiterated her report which was previously submitted to the Board (said report on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). She noted that the period of 2006- 2009 there is no number for zoo visitors as the Harenburg Fund donated monies and the zoo entrance fees were free to the public since 2006. Since that time, it was requested to make a determination as to the number of visitors to the zoo, so staff installed a turn-style counter to attempt to get an accurate count of zoo visitors in 2010 and beyond. Most of the revenue facilities numbers were down due to the summer being so hot. When the weather is so hot, most people do not want to be at the zoo or amusements and revenues are down. In turn, the hot weather brings more people to the Pollock Community Water Park and that revenue goes up. She stated that with respect to the Pollock Community Water Park, the number of visitors is up from 2009 by approximately 2,500 visitors. Part of the increase in visitors was due to the hot weather. Another reason for the increase was due to new special events that were held in 2010. She noted that a final report should be available at the next meeting. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items Not on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer reported that one of the projects recently completed was new black vinyl fencing installed at Stoegbauer Park at 6 Avenue and Idaho Street. The money for that project was in part th donated from the Girl’s Fast Pitch Club and monies from the Oshkosh Foundation. The other project recently completed was the Pollock Community Water Park lighting with monies derived from the maintenance fund at the Oshkosh Foundation. In working with the City Electrician, it was determined to put in LED lights which will last 10-12 years instead of the usual few years with regular lights. Staff has also been working on the Special Event Policy which goes into effect in 2011. Although the packet looks overwhelming, a lot of it is background information that is needed to determine what City services are required for each event. Mr. Maurer stated he has met with representatives from the Otter Street Fishing Club and the Convention and Visitors Bureau to go over their various special events and helped them fill out their required forms. He stated that City staff is willing to work with any other groups in helping to fill out the required material so that the process moves smoothly. Staff will be working on the Miller’s Bay ice skating rink as soon as it is safe to get equipment on the bay. It is hoped to have that available around Christmas time for park patrons. A press release will be issued as soon as the ice rink is safe for use. He announced that Celebration of Lights at Menominee Park goes through January 2, 2011 and noted it is a great community event. He thanked all the volunteers and groups that help with Celebration of Lights. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR DECEMBER 13, 2010 Mr. Poeschl inquired as to when the Comprehensive 5-year Park and Open Space Plan would be commenced. Mr. Maurer stated that staff has already commenced work on the plan in that he is working on the Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultants and staff is doing an inventory of each park. Mr. Poeschl inquired as to safety guard railings at the Riverside Park Riverwalk? Mr. Maurer stated that he could add that issue/concern to a future Park Board meeting agenda and have Community Development Director Allen Davis available to discuss same. Most areas along the riverwalk do not need a safety railing as riprap will be installed. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Siiman. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:36 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf Recording Secretary