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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES APRIL 8, 2013 Present: Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Mark Philipp, Bob Poeschl, Allan Siman, Jonathan Wilson, Terry Wohler Absent: Bill Miller Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Steve Dobish, Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Manager; Lakeshore Clubhouse Manager/Golf Pro; Trish Marks, Recording Trace Gardiner, 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. INTRODUCTION Mr. Dobish introduced Trace Gardiner who is the new Lakeshore Clubhouse Manager/Golf Pro. Mr. Gardiner is a long-time resident of the City of Oshkosh and had been employed by the Oshkosh Country Club for the past 14 years. Mr. Siman arrived at this time (6:02 PM), making an 8-member Board APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wohler for approval of the February 11, 2013 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 8-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1)Update on Stevens Park Community Garden Mr. Maurer gave a brief overview of the request and noted there this is a transition period for the new coordinator (Larry Lautenschlager) of the project. Ron Hansche, 52 Eveline Street, introduced Larry Lautenschlager, (3121 Honey Creek Court) as the new coordinator of the Stevens Park Community Garden program, who will be in charge of the garden project this year. He gave a brief explanation of the proposed fence which would be a 2-foot high wooden fence with a galvanized rabbit fence attached to the inside of the posts. There are ten (10) plots in the garden and it is planned to increase the size and width of each plot since the space between the lots is being narrowed. The cost of each plot is $10 for the season and it is proposed to have the fence erected around May 1. The group is st looking for someone to donate funds or in-kind donations for installing the posts, which he is guessing would be 32 total. Mr. Maurer stated that he had received some comments last year about the plots not being kept up; plants/weeds being left under a tree for someone else to pick up; and people driving on the turf for watering purposes. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO APRIL 8, 2013 Mr. Hansche stated that the rain barrels were approved by the Board last July and they will be placed out again this year which will help with the watering endeavors. It was the consensus of the Board to allow the fence to be installed. It is hoped that someone with the proper equipment will see this telecast and volunteer their services and/or equipment to help with the post holes. 2)Review and recommend 2014 CIP (Capital Improvement Program) Mr. Maurer explained that it was a directive from the City Manager for City departments to begin the 2014 CIP process earlier than in years passed so that the City Council was not rushed in the fall for approval of projects. The list submitted for Board approval (said list on file at the City Parks Office and made a part of these minutes) contains projects for 2013 that were not funded as well priorities from the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Menominee Park Master Plan and Rainbow Master Plan to generate a list of recommended high priority projects for consideration. Each item requested in the CIP was reviewed individually. Mr. Philipp questioned the need for poured-in-place surfacing at Bauman Park. He stated he would be willing to maintain the playground chips. Mr. Michelson stated he would be willing to assist Mr. Philipp in spreading/maintaining the wood chips. Mr. Poeschl inquired that when the Board approved the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan with respect to Bauman Park was it more important to update the playground equipment or to make the playground more accessible, or both? Mr. Maurer stated at Bauman Park the playground equipment is the oldest in the park system and the playground equipment becomes a safety issue. The updated ADA Guidelines, within the past few years, have stressed that accessibility a necessity. Mr. Poeschl inquired what is more affordable and better than what we have there now. The reality is Bauman Park is one of our most under used parks, but that might be because it is unsafe. Discussion ensued relative to fiber wood chips versus poured-in-place surfaces, history of the playground equipment, and maintenance/labor costs of the fiber wood chips. It was the consensus of the Board to replace the playground equipment at Bauman Park and keep the fiber wood chips at this time. The poured-in-place would be utilized at higher use parks such as Menominee Park (Little Oshkosh playground and Sea, Sand and Sailorland), Rochlin Park, etc. Mr. Wohler stated he wants to be assured that the fiber chips at Bauman Park are properly maintained and replaced as the Board members volunteered. Mr. Maurer went over the remaining items on the CIP list noting that the lighting at Roe Park is some of the oldest fiberglass poles in the park system and need to be replaced. With respect to the cemetery roads, there are still some roads that need work and City staff will be doing some most of the work in-house; the Taking Root campaign is a yearly commitment and is in conjunction with the OACF program; Stevens Park restroom/shelter is a project that the neighborhood group has been pushing for a long time as there has been issues with public urination in the neighborhood yards. The restrooms would be placed off Frankfort Street further to the east by the shelter by the active use areas. Mr. Hansche’s group will be helping with fundraising for said restroom/shelter project. With respect to the Rainbow Park Master Plan, it is desired to have the parking lot and launch area design work next year. With respect to William Steiger Park, staff has some estimates for $45,000 for removal of the existing asphalt path, installing and repaving a 12 ft. wide path. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE APRIL 8, 2013 Discussion ensued relative to prioritizing the 2014 CIP projects. It was suggested to place the projects that have segregated funds at the bottom knowing these will be funded. Motion by Wohler to approve and recommend the 2014 CIP (Capital Improvement Program) to Council; as modified: 1) 24 Ave boat launch restroom update/ADA; 2)Poured in Place surfacing Lil th Oshkosh/Sea, Sand; 3) Bauman Park play equipment & surface; 4) Bauman Park accessible route and perimeter walk; 5) Roe Park replace lights; 6) Equipment/vehicle storage building at Golf Course; 7) Cemetery roads repaving; 8) Taking Root project annual commitment; 9) Stevens Park restroom/shelter; 10) Menominee Park Zoo master plan update/ 11) Rainbow Park lot and launch design per 2013 plan; 12) Repave asphalt path in William Steiger Park; 13) West Algoma Park accessible route & perimeter walk. Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 8-0. 3)Approval of Adopt-A-Site Program Mr. Sturm gave a brief background on the Adopt-A-Site program noting that in the past there was not a good tracking system of volunteer groups and this program will alleviate that. This program was designed to formalize the program for the volunteer groups. The volunteer groups will need to contact us to make sure there is an approved project and commit with us so there are not piles of weeds or debris lying around that we don’t know of. Chairman Gogolewski inquired if a neighborhood group wants to Adopt-A-Site, does each individual person in a group need to fill out a form? Mr. Sturm stated that the applicant type is noted on the top of the first page whether it’s a business, non-profit group, neighborhood or individual. The coordinator of a group would have a list and emails which he/she could send a mass email out to each individual within the group. He stated that possible tasks could be litter pick up, landscaping, park clean ups, data collection, usage counts, etc. He didn’t want to get too specific in the contract itself as to duties that the volunteers could do in regard to small operations within the different sites. The core document won’t change, but we will guide the volunteers and have a list attached which can be added to when ideas are developed. The form will be added to the City’s website for accessibility. Motion by Wohler for approval of the Adopt-A-Site Program. Seconded by Wilson. Motion carried 8-0. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer reported that the Michigan Street fishing pier project has been delayed due to construction materials (railings) being on back order and complete improvement/reconstruction won’t be done until early summer. He reported that 891 children attended the Egg-Citing Day at the Zoo event. The event netted $3,500 which will go towards zoo improvements. He announced that when a family purchases a family pass for the Pollock Community Water Park they will receive four (4) tickets to Mt. Olympus thanks to a great partnership that Ms. McCollian worked out with the representatives of Mt. Olympus. The Rainbow Park Master Plan was approved by the City Council on March 26th. PARK OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Dallman reported that the River Otter exhibit will be opening soon and noted that two (2) female otters were recently purchased for the exhibit. The restroom projects at Abe Rochlin Park and the Lakefly Café are doing good and noted that the painting, addition of hardware and stools should be completed soon. The cruiser docks at Menominee Park are being done in-house and they are looking very nice. All of the City’s athletic fields are on hold due to weather conditions. The Pollock Community Water Park pool pump restoration work has been completed and the pool will be opening June 1. With respect to the amusements, things are moving along st well. The Reetz ball diamond concession stand is being renovated to make it more user friendly for groups utilizing it. The Leach Amphitheater will be holding the Half Marathon on April 20 and 21. thst ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR APRIL 9, 2013 LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm stated the department is facing a challenge since they are not being able to utilize inmates any longer due to the carry/conceal law. Staff had to change their hiring efforts for seasonal employment. He noted that the Arbor Day celebration is scheduled for April 24 at the Paine Art Center and Arboretum at 8:15 A.M. th wherein the City will receive the Tree City USA award. Mr. Sturm stated a new cemetery Trades Technician was hired and now they are fully staffed with full-time employees. Crews are working on pruning and removal work and getting ready for planting season. LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Dobish stated the golf course won’t open this week due to weather conditions which will put them a month behind in revenues from last year. He stated there was a lot of lawn equipment that needed to be repaired. He has seasonal staff set with orientations and is looking forward to a good year at the golf course. Mr. Gardiner stated that the golf course club house has new display racks. He has been meeting with various league representatives and is getting to know the public. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, Motion by Girens for adjournment; seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary