Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 2013 Present: Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Bill Miller, Carrie Rule, Terry Wohler Excused: Sean Fitzgerald, Mark Philipp, Jonathan Wilson Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Trish Marks, Recording Secretary Operations Manager/City Forester; Guests: Amy Davis, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member; Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; CALL TO ORDER Chairman Gogolewski called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wohler for approval of the September 9, 2013 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 5-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1)Discuss/Recommend Play Equipment for Teichmiller Park Mr. Maurer reiterated the background of the proposal from his Memorandum to the Board dated October 10, 2013 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). Jennifer Jensen, 2420 Parkside Drive, representing the neighborhood association, stated that City staff has been working with the neighborhood association as to the type of equipment they would like at Teichmiller Park. At their neighborhood meeting on September 30, 2013, it was decided on a vote of 15-4 for their top choice of Landscape Structures Play Sense playground designed by Gerber Leisure Products from the six (6) proposals submitted. She stated the neighborhood is very excited about the project and noted that the entire process has pulled the neighborhood together. Mr. Michelson stated he thinks the plan is great and good for the surrounding neighborhood. He inquired if the perimeter walk around the playground would have a curb cut access. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO OCTOBER 14, 2013 Mr. Maurer stated there will be a curb cut/pathway from the cul-de-sac to the playground. There is an additional $20,000 in the fund for path work in the park. Motion by Michelson to recommend play equipment for Teichmiller Park as proposed; Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 5-0. 2)Discuss South Park Master Plan Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, explained the process for the proposed South Park Master Plan. He stated that the consensus from nine (9) of the user groups that responded to a survey noted that their major concerns/items they would like addressed were improved electricity, updated restrooms and larger pavilions (more seating) made available. He noted there was a meeting held on September 20 with the park maintenance staff who provided good input of issues they would th like to see addressed at the park. A heavily attended public meeting was also held on September 20 at the th Senior Center at which time the City’s Engineers were present to address concerns with the park’s lagoons and issues with the storm water. Some of the issues include siltation of the lagoons and erosion of the lagoon’s edges. He noted that the depths of the lagoons are only three (3) ft deep and the lagoons edges are filled with silt. Dredging of the lagoons and treating the edges of the lagoons are also items that will need to be addressed in the future. If the Vulcan Quarry would close a plan would need to be in place to keep a water supply available for the lagoons. Storm water issues need to be managed even without considering the lagoons. We also need to address the installation of the inclusive playground for this park as well and how that works with the existing playground. The restrooms and shelters need better accessibility and up-grades especially the Ohio Street side shelter. Some of the trails are getting older and some of the older trees will need to be removed due to the Emerald Ash borer. Mr. Maurer stated that Rettler staff did a good job providing minutes of both meetings. It is planned to have Rettler design conceptual plans to be presented to the Board in December at which time the public will be invited to narrow the plans down to the preferred plan and then work on cost estimates. Mr. Miller arrived at this time (6:15 PM) thereby making a six (6) member Board Mr. Michelson expressed concern with the Ohio Street side shelter (#3); to make the shelter more accessible to the public. He suggested that the South Park Master Plan also reference the Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan. Carol Levine, 1211 Georgia Street, stated she would like to see the Ohio Street shelter (#3) moved closer to the present restroom area/baseball diamonds and otherwise keep the park status quo. She stated she lives across from the small Georgia Street side shelter (#2) and expressed a concern that there is a need for more police presence in the park, especially after school hours. She also noted that the dams in the park need attention and that the swings are hung too high for some individuals and should be lowered. She inquired if it was the intent to incorporate the handicapped playground with the existing playground? Mr. Maurer stated that it is proposed to install the inclusive playground south of the basketball courts as it is planned to have them close to the restroom area. He reiterated that the shoreline restoration is a big concern of the neighborhood. 3)Discuss/Recommend long-term use arrangement for Carl Steiger Park with UW-Oshkosh Foundation Mr. Maurer gave a brief overview of the proposal noting that City staff would like to work closely with the University staff and UW-Oshkosh Foundation to make sure the park looks presentable along with the Alumni Center. Essentially, the existing parking lot at Carl Steiger Park would be removed and replaced with open green space with new and improved landscaping. One of the things that was discussed is that the park and ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE OCTOBER 14, 2013 trail maintenance would become the responsibility of the UW-O Foundation, but the property would remain a public park owned by the city (it would not change ownership). The existing shoreline would need to remain as is; any changes in plantings to the shoreline would need to be approved by the Board as well as the City Forester. By removing the park’s parking lot, the University’s existing parking lot has 28 yellow marked parking stalls that can be used for public park usage. Currently there are 31 stalls at Carl Steiger Park with two for the bridge tender and one handicapped spot. People would have an extra 300 ft to walk to the parking lot. To the north end of the plan on Osceola Street, the University would construct an additional 15 parking spaces at the end of Osceola Street for park use in the future. Budgets getting tighter and the proposed Agreement would help alleviate parks cost for maintenance in the future. The Alumni Center building will be an attractive building and this park space beautification would be an asset to the City. Art Rathjen, 842 Algoma Blvd., representing the UW-Oshkosh Foundation, and JoAnne Rife, representing UW- Oshkosh, were present to answer questions of the Board. Mr. Rathjen stated it is the intent of the UW-Oshkosh Foundation to work closely with the City to make sure new alumni center and parkland look good. This Alumni Building will serve as the new front door for the UW-O and expending conferencing capabilities for the University and the community. The point of working together is not to form any legalized transaction to exchange property or ownership, but to serve as a new front yard for the UW-O. Mr. Miller stated it is a beautiful building and will be an asset to the City. Mr. Maurer stated that the alumni building will be a public building and people using the trail can utilize the restrooms during business hours. Mr. Wohler stated he does not see a downside to the proposal. Mr. Michelson stated it appears to be a win/win situation and a more functional parking lot. He would like to see the wording clarified relative to the repaving of the WIOUWASH Trail in #6 of the Agreement. Mr. Maurer stated that the date of reconstruction of the pathway is penciled in for December 1, 2015, but with the intended parking lot off Osceola Street on December 1, 2016 he thinks they both should be completed by the December 1, 2016 date to be consistent. Mr. Michelson suggested the addition of another sign on the western perimeter of the property stating Carl Steiger Park by the WIOUWASH Trail border by the University property. Chairman Gogolewski stated his concern was the parking lot – moving it 300 ft to the northeast, but then Mr. Maurer pointed out the proposed 15 stalls at the end of Osceola Street and thinks that gives the public better access to the WIOUWASH Trail and is a better fit for the area. The landscaping on the corner of UW-O building (along the Wellness Center) and the shoreline at the end of Osceola Street is rough looking (weeds). Ms. Rife stated those are prairies in progress. Under state guidelines when developing university property, part they are required to develop storm water retention basins. Instead of developing those gardens and having natural areas since they use more water, prairies help with long term water issues on campus. It takes a few years for them to become generated and not such a weed bed. Motion by Miller to recommend long-term use arrangement for Carl Steiger Park with UW-Oshkosh Foundation as proposed; Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 6-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR OCTOBER 14, 2013 4)Discuss/Recommend acceptance of donation from Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for flag pole in Opera House Square Mr. Maurer reiterated his comments from his Memorandum to the Board dated October 10, 2013 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks office and made a part of these minutes). The proposed flag pole would be installed in the shrub/flower bed area just south of the sun dial with a small plaque (donor recognition) installed near the flag pole. Motion by Wohler to recommend acceptance of donation from Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for flag pole in Opera House Square as proposed; Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 6- 0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Items not listed on the Agenda) There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer introduced Amy Davis as the new Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member. Ms. Davis works for Jay Manufacturing. He stated that staff has been working on the 2014 operating budget as well as completing the staff evaluations. He noted that he and two other staff members will be attending the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA) conference in Green Bay in early November. PARKS OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT Mr. Dallman reported that it had been a busy summer and staff is finishing up projects before the snow. He noted that mowing has been a challenge within the past few weeks. With respect to Red Arrow Park, crews have been working on the disk golf t-pads and basket projects. The Pollock Community Water Park and Leach Amphitheater have been shut down for the season and crews will be working on winterizing both facilities. He announced that the Zooloween Boo event will be held on Saturday and Sunday (October 19-20) at Menominee Park. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT Mr. Sturm stated that the cemetery operations are continually mowing and doing leaf clean up. Forestry crews have been working on stump removal and Memorial Tree planting as well as preparing the planting beds for winter. With respect to the George Washington monument project, they are still moving forward on that project and at this point staff is working with the City Electrician. He stated he has been working with Jeff Bahling of Rettler Corporation on the final plans and bid documents. It is anticipated a spring 2014 construction beginning. OTHER BUSINESS There being no other business, ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Miller. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary