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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 8, 2011 Present: Bill Gogolewski, Bill Miller, Mark Philipp, Bob Poeschl, Allan Siman, Jonathan Wilson, Terry Wohler Excused: Victor Girens, Jim Michelson Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; 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 Wohler for approval of the June 13, 2011 minutes, as submitted. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 6-0. Motion by Wohler for approval of the July 11, 2011 minutes, as submitted. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 6-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. Mr. Poeschl arrived at this time (6:03 P.M.) thereby making a 7-member Board. PARK BUSINESS 1)Election of Officers Motion by Miller that Gogolewski serve as Chairman. Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 6-0 with 1 abstaining (Gogolewski). Motion by Philipp that Wohler serve as Vice Chair. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 6-0 with 1 abstaining (Wohler). 2)Presentation on City Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Plan Update Dave Buck, Associate Planner/Zoning Administrator for the City of Oshkosh Department of Community Development, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the City of Oshkosh Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation ™ Plan. Said Powerpoint presentation can be viewed on the City’s website at ™ http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Community_Development/Planning_Services/pedestrian_bicycle_plan/index. htm. Mr. Buck stated that Board member, Jim Michelson, is on the stakeholders/steering group for the plan. Chairman Gogolewski stated that although Mr. Michelson could not be at tonight’s meeting Mr. Michelson stated that the committee did a good job with the plan and he highly recommends approval of the plan. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO AUGUST 8, 2011 Tony Palmeri, 212 W Parkway Avenue, stated the committee did an excellent job and had listened to the needs of the public. The plan is practical and cost-effective. He stated that Menominee Park is a great place to bike, but biking to the park is an adventure. With this plan in effect, there are solutions that would help with that problem. Motion by Miller to recommend to the City Council approval of the City of Oshkosh Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Plan. Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7-0. 3)Discussion on Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Mr. Maurer thanked Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, and his staff for their work on this project. Discussion ensued relative to the proposed plan and it was noted that ADA accessibility is a top priority. It is the intent to have a perimeter walk around all of the parks’ playgrounds. Questions arose as to the present playground equipment. A synopsis of discussion relative to each individual park is as follows: Congress Avenue Tot Lot – Discussion ensued relative to the playground equipment not being in compliance with ADA standards even though the equipment is fairly new. It was suggested that a list be prepared and provided to the Board members with dates of replacement of all playground equipment within the park system. Garden Club Park – Board members questioned where this site/park was located as may were not aware of it. Mount Vernon Tot Lot - No discussion on this park. 44 Parallel Park – Questions arose as to th the need for electricity in this park. A suggestion was also to add tennis courts resurfacing with a low priority. Abbey Park – No discussion on this park. Abe Rochlin Park – Discussion ensued relative to the proposed adding of an open shelter on the east side. Mr. Siman suggested that the restrooms be included for upgrade since they are in pretty bad shape. Volleyball courts would remain in that park but would be relocated. Bauman Park – Discussion ensued relative to updating the ball fields. The highest priority is upgrading the playground area since this one is still on the grassy area. Fugelberg Park – Discussion ensued as to the history of a baseball field in this park. Mr. Maurer stated that a baseball field was not identified for this park due to the parking situation and the mature trees in the area. Mary Jewel Park – Discussion ensued relative to the possibility of restrooms due to the ball field usage. Mr. Maurer stated this site is not the ultimate site for a ball diamond. Quarry Park – Discussion ensued relative to the need for public input for a dog park in this area. Mr. Poeschl stated that he has been approached by the public for the installation of a community garden in this park (on the east side where the old ice rink used to be). Roe Park – No discussion on this park. Stevens Park – It was stated that the neighbors in this area would like a shelter constructed. Discussion ensued relative to the tennis courts and it was the consensus of the Board to include the cost of crack filling for all tennis courts into future operation budgets. Stoegbauer Park – Mr. Miller inquired as to cost for the construction of restrooms and an open shelter. Mr. Maurer stated he would obtain cost figures and include those in this master plan. Techmiller Park – Discussion ensued relative to the improvement of parking in this park. West Algoma Park – Mr. Maurer stated that with the proposed construction of an open shelter, the costs for electrical will be included. Westhaven Circle Park – Mr. Maurer stated the public has indicated a desire to have another splash pad installed and this site would be a good location. Menominee Park – Mr. Maurer stated that in next years CIP there would be a request for the expense of a separate master plan for this park. Rainbow Park – It was noted that the inclusion of an enclosed shelter was included for both park patrons and storage for the golf course. It is desired to have the older shelter removed and possibly leaving the restrooms in their current location to alleviate boat launch congestion. Red Arrow Park – Mr. Maurer stated that staff is working with the Department of Public Works with respect to parking lot patching and paving. South Park – Master plan funding for this park will be included in the 2012 CIP. 24 Avenue Boat Launch – No discussion on this park/boat launch. Al th Broullire Memorial Garden – No discussion on this park. Bowen Street Fishing Dock – No discussion on this park/dock area. Carl E. Steiger Park – No discussion on this park. Fugleberg Boat Launch – Discussion ensued relative to restroom ventilation. Michigan Street Fishing Dock – No discussion on this park/boat launch area. Mill Street Boat Launch – There was discussion on the possibility of increasing parking in this ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE AUGUST 8, 2011 area. William A. Steiger Park – No discussion on this park. Camp Bragg Memorial – No discussion on this park/memorial area. Hikers Monument – Mr. Maurer stated that staff maintains the whole nature (triangle) area. William G. Spanbauer Field – Mr. Maurer stated that the fencing is the biggest issue in this park. With respect to the scoreboard costs, Mr. Maurer stated staff will work with user groups to obtain funds for that cost. Discussion ensued relative to adding more parking. North High Conservancy Park – No discussion on this park. Sawyer Creek Park – No discussion on this park/creek area. Mr. Bahling did a brief overview of three proposed maps, to-wit: proposed park acquisition map, existing park location map and park service area map (said maps on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). Lori Hoover, 212 W. Parkway Avenue and a member of the Middle Village Neighborhood Association, inquired where the park acquisition areas are in conjunction with the proposed comprehensive plan, to-wit: high, medium or low priority. Mr. Maurer stated acquisitions would be based on the economy, future developments and deferred maintenance being addressed in existing parks. Mr. Miller stated the City has years of deferred maintenance to catch up on yet alone acquire new parks. The city would be doing a disservice to acquire new parks when it doesn’t have the money or manpower to take care of what it has now. Mr. Poeschl stated he is in favor of addressing the need for new parks in the central city and working with neighborhoods to develop those types of parks. Discussion ensued relative to tot lots and deficiencies, who will buy the properties, what properties are available, etc. Mr. Bahling stated that there will be general acquisition park language contained in the master plan, not site/address specific language. Mr. Maurer stated that the map can be amended to show a yellow circle indicating potential future park in that area. Mr. Miller inquired where does the city draw a line when it has all this deferred maintenance? It is a dangerous position to start doing the tot lots as more neighborhoods will be addressing the Board and City Council to request them. CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Items not listed on the Agenda) There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTORS REPORT Mr. Maurer stated that staff is working on bid specifications for the Menominee Park restrooms and noted that construction should begin in September. He noted that the budget process is beginning. Mr. Maurer announced that on August 21 The Kids From Wisconsin will be at the Leach Amphitheater sponsored by st Festival Foods. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR AUGUST 8, 2011 Mr. Dallman stated with respect to parks operations, staff is still low due to retirements, but noted that positions will be filled in the very near future. Grounds maintenance work is coming along nicely. Major accomplishments include Spanbauer Park bleachers installation, donation benches at the zoo and park trail have been installed. The tennis courts at 44 Parallel Park are under construction and being paved within th two weeks with color-coating being scheduled for late September. Menominee Park baseball field #8 is being planned for reconstruction later this fall. In late August we begin to lose seasonal staff. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary