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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2012 Present: Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Allan Siman, Jonathan Wilson, Terry Wohler Excused: Bill Miller, Bob Poeschl Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Lester Millette, Adjunct Board Member; 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 December 12, 2011 minutes, as submitted. Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1) Discuss surveys for Menominee Park Master Plan Mr. Maurer gave a brief overview of the two surveys, to-wit: Needs Assessment Survey and User Group Needs Assessment Survey (said surveys on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). He explained the procedures that will be used to get the surveys out to the user groups and property owners adjacent to Menominee Park via the City’s website, emails, US Postal Service, etc. Mr. Maurer stated there will be public input meetings scheduled as well. Mr. Millette stated having the surveys on the City’s website would be a great way for the public to access them especially the daycare providers who use Menominee Park on a daily basis. Mr. Siman inquired as to how many surveys would be sent out and how distribution would be made. Mr. Maurer stated he held discussions with the staff in the City’s Community Development Department as to distribution of the surveys and it was determined to do the adjacent property owners of Menominee Park as well as a 3-4 block radius of property owners around the park. Mr. Maurer requested that if the Board has any additional questions they would like on the survey to please email him as he would like the surveys to go out to the public as soon as possible. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO FEBRUARY 13, 2012 2) 2011 Revenue Facilities attendance report Ms. McCollian gave a brief synopsis of the Revenue Facilities Attendance data sheet (said data sheet on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) that was distributed to the Board. She pointed out that low attendance on the train rides was due to the train being down for a month due to mechanical problems this past spring/summer. Mr. Wohler stated that Ms. McCollian did a great job with the Zooloween Boo event. Ms. McCollian stated that this past year Zooloween Boo was a 2-day event in which different organizations and businesses set up their own trick ‘n treat stations. She noted that on Saturday the event had a huge amount of attendance and on Sunday attendance was lower due to weather conditions. Ms. McCollian stated that the Snooze at the Zoo event this past year went over so well that this year she plans on holding two (2) of those events in 2012 – one in spring and one in the fall. She would like to limit attendance to 100 people for each “Snooze” event to enable the patrons to enjoy the event and not be crowded. Mr. Dallman also pointed out that there is a limited amount of space for tents. Ms. McCollian stated that with respect to the Zoo, attendance in 2005 and prior thereto was approximately 45,000 per year. Since the Harenburg family’s donation through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation started in 2006, attendance has risen to approximately 65,000 per year. The public is very appreciative to the Harenburg family for their yearly donation which allows families to enjoy free visits to the zoo. Chairman Gogolewski inquired as to the status of the addition to the zoo. Mr. Maurer stated that the Zoological Society has raised approximately $230,000 for the river otter exhibit (a $300,000 project). Staff is working with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the Zoological Society and it is hoped to have the project started this fall and opened next spring. The intent is to run the donation monies through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to allow them to oversee the project similar to the way the Pollock Community Water Park project was handled. CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Items not listed on the Agenda) There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTORS REPORT Mr. Maurer gave a brief background on the CIP project updates and noted that he is currently working with Rettler Corporation on various projects. Mr. Maurer reported that Oshkosh will be hosting Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA) tour this summer. The last time the City co-hosted the tour was in 2000. There will be approximately 100+ professionals from all over the state. Activities include touring park facilities as well as the UW-Oshkosh facilities, attending Waterfest and visiting the park facilities in Fond du Lac. Mr. Maurer stated that Ms. McCollian will be assuming the scheduling of additional special events at the Zoo, the Leach and Pollock Community Water Park. Through assistance from the OACF, the parks department will be able to purchase a large movie screen for use at those facilities for additional special events. Mr. Michelson inquired as to the backstop north of the parking lot on the Irving Avenue entrance at Menominee Park. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE FEBRUARY 13, 2012 Mr. Maurer explained that when the Melvin Street pump station was built, it was necessary to remove the ball diamond. The ball diamond had been there for years and was simply re-orientated on the site due to the pump house construction. Monies expended for the re-orientation of the field was derived from the project cost for the pump station because it was necessary to move that diamond. This diamond is necessary for the Oshkosh Recreation Department leagues, adult and youth softball play as well as for use by the school for Phy Ed, recess and practice. Mr. Michelson inquired if there are problems associated with parking. Mr. Maurer stated that there is a parking agreement that is entered into with user groups for the area southwest of Irving Avenue. Mr. Maurer stated that in March he will be working with OYB relative to improvements at Mary Jewel Park in order to make the diamond safer. The OYB representatives are obtaining cost estimates for the project. Mr. Philipp stated that respect to the Melvin Street pump station, it is necessary to re-evaluate the trees and bushes (landscaping in general) to improve the stark look of that building (i.e. vines). James Rabe of the Public Works Department is working with Bill Sturm, City Forester, with respect to landscaping. Mr. Michelson concurred with Mr. Philipp in that the plantings don’t look like they work for that large of a building. He noted that the west side of the pump station is a prime view from the street and that side needs a larger landscaping scheme. Mr. Maurer stated that Mr. Sturm is currently on vacation but he will discuss the Board’s concerns with him upon his return to the office. Mr. Philipp inquired as to the construction status of the new restrooms/shelter at Menominee Park. Mr. Dallman stated construction is going very well and noted that weather has been great to work on it. Staff has already accepted reservations for the new shelter for 2012. Mr. Philipp inquired if any of the former restroom building/roof was going to be re-used within the parks system. Mr. Dallman stated that most of it will not be re-used with the exception of some electrical parts. PARK OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT Mr. Dallman stated he is ecstatic with the construction staff as to how they are progressing on the restroom/shelter building in Menominee Park. He stated he is currently processing the 2012 CIP projects. One of the projects includes improving the Pollock Community Water Park ventilation within the bathhouse as there are problems with drywall moisture. The pool pumps are also all being serviced as well as obtaining cost estimates for rebuilding them. He stated he is also investigating ADA compliance requirements for both the Rochlin Park and Lakefly Café (Menominee Park) restrooms. It is hoped to start compliance with those restrooms in late August/early fall. Another project is sediment removal from Sawyer Creek for storm water issues. He added that he has been approached by users of the disc golf course who have requested that the course at Red Arrow Park be re-oriented. With respect to staffing issues, he is working with Ms. McCollian to determine to work more fluently with seasonal employees. A new position of Crew Leader within our department is being developed and it is hoped to be able to promote from within. The Celebration of Lights event was great and take-down of the displays is coming along nicely. Staff will be working on the lagoon aerators by the amusements in Menominee Park. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR FEBRUARY 13, 2012 Mr. Philipp requested further elaboration of the Sawyer Creek project. Mr. Dallman stated that the project would take placed from USH 41 to the Fox River area - the reason for storm water management. REVENUE FACILITY MANAGER’S REPORT The Zoological Society would like to do more educational enrichment events and will be utilizing an intern from UW-O. An annual Easter event is being planned (Egg-citing Day at the Zoo) for April 7. It is hoped that staff th could partner with the Oshkosh Jaycees in the future and do one large event. Ms. McCollian noted that the amusements and zoo will be opening on May 5 and there will be a small celebration event held for that day at th Menominee Park. With respect to the amusements, the old paddle boats are being replaced with small pontoon boats. She then distributed a schematic of the pontoon boats. With respect to the Pollock Community Water Park, additional dive-in movies are being scheduled. Other celebrations will include an ice cream social when school lets out and the annual pass holder appreciation night. With respect to the Leach Amphitheater event, she is working with the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Board relative to Tuesday night bands being scheduled. Mr. Wohler stated that it appears that Ms. McCollian is doing a wonderful job pulling all these events together. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Siman. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Wendorf Trish Wendorf, Recording Secretary