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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes (2) ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 Present: Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Bob Poeschl, Allan Siman, Terry Wohler Excused: Bill Miller, Jonathan Wilson Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, Trish Marks, Recording Secretary Guests: Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point 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 Mr. Philipp stated he would like Page 6, Paragraph 5, of the August 13 minutes to reflect that he proposed a th compromise that there be plantings in areas where there are already obstructions such as trees or buildings (not that he was opposed to the natural plantings). Mr. Michelson stated he would like Page 6, Paragraph 2, of the August 13 minutes to reflect the following th addition to the second sentence: “He suggested that the installation of more prairie plantings be re-visited in 3 years by the Board.” Mr. Philipp stated on Page 7, Paragraph 12, of the August 13 minutes to reflect with respect to the motion th approving the proposed 2013 CIP as presented, to-wit: that motion was seconded by Mr. Miller and not himself. Motion by Wohler for approval of the August 13, 2012 minutes, as amended. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1)Discuss and recommend Menominee Park Master Plan Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, stated that the preferred plan by the Board at the last meeting was to move the amusement center building towards the drive and move the tunnel. The other plan request was to move the amusement building back to the original spot redevelop the area. Ms. McCollian stated she would be in favor to moving the amusement building closer to the road so that it would be receive more exposure. An example was this past weekend there were parties at both the Kiwanis #1 shelter and the new #2 shelter. With all that activity, a person couldn’t see that the amusements were open yet alone that they even existed in that area. Having that building set back so far, people don’t even know they are there and by having it closer to the drive, it would increase visibility as well as revenues. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 Helen Herlache, 1029 Hazel Street, stated that at the August 13 Board meeting she suggested that a softball th complex could be constructed near the former Morton Drug Store at the corner of Jackson Street and Pearl Avenue – there is a lot of undeveloped land there that belongs to the City. Since the City owns the land already the only expenses that would be necessary would be moving costs and costs for equipment. She would like the City to investigate that option. She suggested that the City appoint a citizen committee before the Master Park Plan is adopted. The second item is the soccer field – 15 years ago she counted 20 soccer fields at County Park and now there are only 10. She believes the issue with the soccer teams disbanding was due to user fees being implemented. She feels the soccer families are affluent and can easily pay fees for both County and City parks. She feels if the Master Plan is approved as currently presented, it will devalue the neighbors’ homes. Lynne Leedle, 2017 Menominee Drive, stated the city should focus on maintaining what is already in place. With respect to the proposed shelter at the north end of the park, she requested that something conservative be done there and not build a huge shelter/restroom at that end of the park. She also stated that both her and her husband appreciates the work that was recently done on the prairie area as it looks much better. Al Wenig, Director of the Oshkosh Recreation Department, stated that he is pleased with the proposed improvements for the Menominee Park Reetz ball diamond complex, but wanted to reiterate that with respect to diamond #8, he requested that consideration be given for fencing for safety and liability reasons similar to what is at the current Reetz ball diamonds. Mr. Poeschl inquired as to the primary use of the amusement building. He stated that ice skating is only for about 3 to 4 months of the year. More people will see the building if it is closer to the street, which would increase the revenues. More people would see the building and it would become more functional. Mr. Wohler stated he concurs with Ms. McCollian as she is the expert on the issue. Ms. McCollian stated it could be utilized as a multi-use building. The primary use of the building would be to bring revenues in during the summer season. Mr. Michelson stated that there is a need for a trail spur (or two) in this area - from the docks to the new building. Motion by Michelson to amend the motion with 1-2 trail spurs in the children’s amusement center area to the trail at the north end; Seconded by Poeschl. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Wohler to adopt the new location (closer to the drive) for the children’s amusement center into the Menominee Park Master Plan; seconded by Girens. Motion carried 7-0. Mr. Michelson inquired if Parkway Avenue is still in the plan and would connect to Siewert Trail. Mr. Bahling stated that Parkway Avenue will remain in the plan as it is with shared use paths on each side. Mr. Poeschl expressed concern with fencing around diamond #8 as it comes down to conflicting use for the school. There is a new Principal and he’s not sure what the school’s intent will be for that area. Mr. Michelson stated that past history shows the field is used and if fenced in, it would restrict the usage. Chairman Gogolewski concurred with Mr. Michelson and stated he would like to see diamond #8 kept open. Jerry Diemel, representing the Senior Softball Tournament, put up a portable (temporary) fence, and took it down after the tournament. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 Mr. Poeschl suggested a revision on Page 11(C) of the Master Plan; he had a written proposal (said proposal on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) that he would like included in final conceptual plan as it brings a little more history and where it fits into the comprehensive plan and multiple other plans that have been passed by the City. Discussion on the proposed revision took place and Board members were not comfortable approving the proposal on short notice. Mr. Wohler stated he is content with the present wording. Mr. Michelson concurred with Mr. Wohler. Motion by Siman to approve the proposed wording presented by Mr. Poeschl; seconded by Poeschl. Motion denied 3-4 (AYES: Philipp, Poeschl, Siman; NAYS: Girens, Gogolewski, Michelson, Miller, Wohler). Motion by Wohler to recommend that the Menominee Park Master Plan be forwarded to the City Council for approval as presented; seconded by Poeschl. Motion carried 7-0. 2) Discussion and recommendation of 5 MPH/Slow No Wake Zone request from the mouth of Lake Winnebago to the Butte des Morts bridge Mr. Maurer gave a brief overview of the proposal. He stated that City staff received a petition (said petition on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) from Daniel Henning, 214 Prospect Avenue relative to the proposed slow/no wake zone request. Mr. Maurer stated he has received a number of emails from fishing groups, boat clubs and individuals reflecting an overwhelming opposition. He read off a list of organizations/businesses (said list on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes) in opposition to the petition. He stated that staff is not taking a stance on this issue and if the Board approved the request, it would go to the City Council on September 25, 2012. Daniel Henning, 214 Prospect Avenue, stated people don’t use common sense when boating on the river. There is shoreland erosion and safety issues involved and boaters need to slow down. He gave several examples of near accidents he has had over the past year due to excessive speed on the river. He noted that the shoreland erosion within the past 5 years is astonishing and it needs to be addressed. Mr. Philipp inquired as to how long the petition was in circulation and at what locations. Mr. Henning stated it was in circulation for approximately one week and was signed by people from the boat house and other individuals. Mr. Philipp inquired as to the locations where Mr. Henning’s recent incidents occurred. Mr. Henning stated he was at the end of Michigan Street and on the west side of the Wisconsin Street bridge. Terry Schroeder, 317 Hawk Street, stated he is building a house at 1010. This year he built a new dock in front and is unable to tie up to it due to boaters going too fast along the river. He stated the buoy that was at the end of VanBuren has moved at various times within the past 15-20 years, but is now in the correct location. He stated he objects to total no-wake zone due to businesses, fishing, and tourism. Mr. Girens inquired who enforces the no wake zones. Chairman Gogolewski stated the Sheriff’s Department enforces it. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 Daniel Clarkson, Director of Facilities for Engineering at Mercury Marine, expressed opposition to the petition as it would impair Mercury Marine from doing their work in that area. Eighty people working out of his facility on the river and 300 individuals that work at Mercury Marine from the Oshkosh area. If this no wake zone is approved, it would add 3,600 hours of test time as all of their tests are done in the Fox River, which would be very costly to them. Erosion also occurs from waves or ice flows or just from the river or wind itself, not just from boaters speeding. Mercy Marine is opposed to the no-wake request. Keith Burgett, 1711 Columbia, is in favor of the no-wake zone. He suggested exempting tournaments and Mercury Marine. He is in favor of getting 90% of these people to slow down. Mike Racer, 204 Glen Avenue, is against the petition. While he lives in Oshkosh, his boat is in Butte des Morts and it takes one hour to get to Oshkosh. If he has to slow down, it will add 45 minutes onto my time. He stated he will go north to Winneconne and not visit/spend his money in Oshkosh because the no-wake zones will take too long to get from point A to point B. Cheryl Miller, 343 Captains Cove in Winneconne, representing the Tri County Power Boat Alliance, stated they are totally against any more slow, no-wake zones. There are already laws on the record that need to be enforced. This proposal will hurt the businesses. Steve Stebert, Captains Court, Winneconne, they had a Condo meeting on Saturday and over the weekend they obtained 35 signatures from the Captain’s Court area and they are against the petition. Jim Chase, 3994 Highland Shores Lane, who stated he has been boating his whole life and is opposed to the petition, noting there are enough laws already. People will spend their money in Winneconne instead of using the Fox River by Oshkosh due to the no-wake zones. Tim Doberstein, Spellman’s Marina, 1713 W New York Avenue, stated he is against the proposal as he would lose business (50% of gas customers). Mark Hanson, 1059 Tyler Avenue, stated opposition to the proposed petition. The petition is supposed to be just for City residents and half of the signators to the petition submitted are not City residents. Has an erosion study been done by anyone? If so, he hasn’t seen one. Chairman Gogolewski requested that the audience do a show of hands in favor of the petition - there was a show of 1-2 hands. Ninety-nine (99%) of the audience showed their hands in opposition to the petition. Mr. Wohler asked the business owners who were against the no-wake proposal to raise their hands and there were 10-12 show of hands. He stated that he could add about another 10 or more business owners that are not on this list. You can’t have a no-wake zone on the entire river and the business owners are here telling us just that. Discussion ensued relative to the current limits , areas of no wake zones and areas of jurisdiction. Mr. Siman stated he is against the petition as well and noted that the current laws need to be enforced. Mr. Michelson stated he likes the present no-wake the way it is. Motion by Wohler not to accept the petition and leave the no- wake zones the way they are presently; Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Philipp to amend Mr. Wohler’s motion that the no wake zone be extended between the Oregon Street bridge and the Wisconsin Street bridge; Seconded by Poeschl. Motion denied 5-2 (Philipp, Poeschl). ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 Mr. Philipp stated that the City spent a considerable amount of money for new docks along the Riverwalk and the boats that are tied up to those docks take a real beating from waves from boats that are speeding. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer stated he had been working on the Parks Department’s operating budget and CIP budget in addition to the Advisory Park Board agenda items. PARK OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Dallman reported his crews have been kept very busy with the Stevens Parks tennis courts restoration, athletic field improvements, and ADA accessibility projects within the whole park system; the aerator project was awarded to Aquatic Biologists at their last Council meeting and staff is working with them to get that project started. In general, since the pool shut-down for the season, staff is working on restoration projects at the pool as well as working on athletic fields; getting them ready for next spring. Crews are continuing to do mowing, leaf pickup and maintenance. Since school started it seems that graffiti incidents have been increasing and staff has been working on removing that graffiti. The State Inspector has indicated that the Menominee Park train tracks need work as well as the carousel, which is down due to gear equipment that needs to be reconstructed. Chairman Gogolewski inquired as to what is happening at West Algoma Park. Mr. Dallman stated that dredging work is being done in Sawyer Creek and West Algoma Park is a dewatering area. LANDSCAPE OPERATION’S MANAGER REPORT Mr. Sturm stated that he had nothing new to report. His crews have been assisting with the clean up from the prairie plantings at Menominee Park; weeding issues noting that volunteers did a lot of weed removal work and they are working at maintaining the park in coordination with City staff. REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian stated the pool attendance was phenomenal. She indicated that final attendance reports will be done shortly. The Lakefly Café and amusements will be closing for the season at the end of September. She noted that revenues have increased from prior years due to the nice weather. Saturday night was the fall Snooze at the Zoo event. From the two Snooze at the Zoo events this year, they brought in $3,200 in revenues which will be used for zoo improvements. Zooloween Boo event is scheduled for October 20-21 which is their 10 year th anniversary of that event. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Philipp. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary