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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes (2) ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES JUNE 13, 2011 Present: Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Bob Poeschl, Allan Siman, Jonathan Wilson Excused: Bill Miller, Terry Wohler Steve Dobish, Lakeshore Golf Course General Manager; Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; 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 Motion by Girens for approval of the May 9, 2011 minutes, as submitted. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 5-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. (Mr. Siman arrived at this time (6:05 P.M.) making a 6-member Board) PARK BUSINESS 1)Presentation on Miracle Field and accessible playground Tim Cook of Clarity Care gave a PowerPoint presentation on Miracle Fields. He stated that every child ™ deserves to be able to play baseball. (Mr. Poeschl arrived at this time (6:07 P.M.) making a 7-member Board) Mr. Cook stated the players work on a buddy system as they have a partner helping them. There are close to 250 Miracle Fields in the United States and Canada as well as Puerto Rico. Mr. Philipp inquired if the fields are currently built similar to the way they were built back in 1998? Mr. Cook stated they may be a little different as they learn from their mistakes on building the fields. Jessica Stieg, therapist, and Pam DeLap of Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin were present. They distributed two booklets; Landscape Structures’ “The Outside Scoop” and “A Higher Level of Inclusive Play” (said booklets on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). They stated they wish to make an accessible playground their life project. Their suggestive areas for the facility would be Abe Rochlin Park, West Algoma Park, behind the Pollock Community Water Park in Red Arrow Park, Mary Jewel Park, Jackson Athletic Field or Rainbow Park. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO JUNE 13, 2011 2)Discussion on Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and Survey Tim Wolf 1220 Ardmore Trail, stated he is a member of the Oshkosh Youth Baseball (OYB) organization. He stated that members of OYB are open to discussions with creating more baseball/softball areas for Oshkosh. Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, stated when he went through the over 812 survey responses, there were 260 individual written comments, i.e. allowing leashed dogs in parks, barrier free playgrounds, Miracle Field, fields needed, trails desired, etc. He noted that a lot of people care about this community. He stated that Capital Improvement projects are the next item to visit. Mr. Maurer stated that he will be meeting with the staff of UW-O and the Oshkosh Recreation Department about their future plans and if their facilities can be used by the public. Mr. Poeschl thanked Mr. Bahling for his work and requested copies of the individual written comments from the survey. Mr. Michelson stated the questions posed to the public were well done. Mr. Siman stated it is a great survey and inquired if they were surprised by any of the survey responses? Mr. Bahling stated he was surprised by the number of responses; much greater than they have seen. He noted that the trends are the same as he is seeing around the state. Mr. Siman inquired what does Mr. Bahling see with trails and bike expansions. Mr. Bahling stated people want more of them and with wider paths. Mr. Philipp inquired if it is known if any members of OYB contributed to the on-line survey? Mr. Wolf stated he thinks a few members did fill the survey on-line. He noted there are over 800 kids and 700 families in the OYB organization and some families most likely did the survey on-line. He stated there was not an organized effort to fill it out. 3)Review and approval of conceptual design for Menominee Park restrooms/shelter Mr. Maurer gave a brief background on the Menominee Park restrooms/shelter project that was included in this years’ CIP program. He stated that staff is working with HGM Architecture on design options. He noted that the restrooms would have skylights for natural lighting and stone siding that will match the zoo’s river otter exhibit material. Ron Hansche of HGM Architecture, stated the building is proposed to be heated and that the fixtures would be porcelain. Mr. Poeschl inquired as to the electrical room and why so large? Mr. Hansche stated there is a need to have required space in front of the electrical panels. Mr. Siman inquired if the restrooms would have automatic flush? Mr. Hansche stated they would be hand flushed and noted that the hand dryers would be energy saving ones. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE JUNE 13, 2011 Discussion ensued relative to the restroom sizes and amount of stalls. Mr. Maurer stated if the budget allows, it might be possible to add an additional stall to each side. Mr. Hansche stated that in mid-August demolition would begin and construction starting late August, early September. Mr. Poeschl inquired as to when the work would be bid out? Mr. Maurer stated bidding would begin in 30-60 days. He noted that the restrooms may be shifted a bit on the site due to location of the utilities. Motion by Girens for approval of the conceptual design for Menominee Park restrooms/shelter with the addition of one restroom stall for both men/women’s rooms. Seconded by Wilson. Motion carried 7-0. 4)Review and recommend repealing and recreating Section 19-4(O) of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code pertaining to weapons prohibited in City parks Mr. Maurer gave a brief background on the request. He stated that discussion commenced last fall on this request due to waterfowl hunters going through Menominee Park with guns. He has been working with the Police Chief and City Attorney in this regard. With respect to gun raffles, people need to get a special permit granted by the City Council upon recommendation from the Chief of Police. Motion by Siman to recommend repealing and recreating Section 19-4(O) of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code pertaining to weapons prohibited in City parks. Seconded by Poeschl. Motion carried 6-0 with 1 present (Philipp). 5)Review and recommend parking restrictions for Carl Steiger Park parking lot – Section 27- 23(A-11) of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code Mr. Maurer gave a brief background on the request. He stated that students from UW-O over-extend their parking times and the people that want to park for fishing purposes don’t have access to parking spaces. Mr. Michelson inquired if the City owned all of the parking spots? Mr. Maurer stated that the City owns the whole parking lot. Mr. Poeschl inquired as to who enforces the parking in that lot? Mr. Maurer stated that the Oshkosh Police Department enforces the parking. Mr. Siman inquired if signage would be installed? Mr. Maurer stated yes, there will be proper signage. Motion by Michelson to recommend parking restrictions for Carl Steiger Park parking lot – Section 27-23(A-11) of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code. Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 7-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR JUNE 13, 2011 6)Review and recommend approval of request from WPS for utility easement at Lakeshore Golf Course Mr. Maurer gave a brief background on the request. Mr. Dobish stated the easement is on the backside of the hotel on the golf course’s edge along the parking lot. He has been working with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and is confident working with them on this easement. This request also needs to go to the Plan Commission and City Council for approval. WPS might be willing to assist the golf course with benefits through their Nature Wise Program similar to the program being utilized at the Leach Amphitheater. Motion by Girens to recommend approval of request from WPS for utility easement at Lakeshore Golf Course. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Items not listed on the Agenda) There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTORS REPORT Mr. Maurer reported that the Pollock Community Water Park opened on June 4 which was one of the th busiest openings at the pool. He announced that there were 102 people at the Snooze at the Zoo event and all had a great time. There were also 52 people on a “waiting list”. It is hoped to hold two nights for Snooze at the Zoo in 2012. Seasonal employees are now on board so the mowing will be going strong. With recent retirements going on within the department, there are some vacancies which need to be filled. LAKESHORE GOLF COURSE GENERAL MANAGER S REPORT Mr. Dobish stated that the grass is growing quickly, but the golf course staff is getting caught up on mowing and the golf course is in good shape. Mr. Girens stated that the traps are in horrible shape. Mr. Dobish stated that staff will try harder to get them into better shape. Chairman Gogolewski stated that staff did something to the greens and they are in great shape and whatever they are doing to please continue to do so. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Siman for adjournment; seconded by Girens. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary