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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES MARCH 10, 2014 Present: Sean Fitzgerald, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Carrie Rule, Megan Schuessler, Jonathan Wilson, Terry Wohler Excused: Victor Girens, Bill Miller Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager; Steve Dobish, Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Manager; Trish Marks, Recording Secretary Guests: Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin Chairman Gogolewski introduced the new Board member, Megan Schuessler. Ms. Schuessler stated she has lived in Oshkosh for approximately five (5) years and that her husband is a native of Oshkosh. She works at EAA in the marketing department. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Gogolewski called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. ROLL CALL A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wohler for approval of the January 13, 2014 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Wilson. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1)Discuss/recommend lease agreement extension for concession stand operation at Spanbauer Memorial Field with Fraternal Order of Eagles Mr. Maurer reiterated the background of the proposal from his Memorandum to the Board dated March 4, 2014 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). He stated since 1996 the city has worked with the Fraternal Order of Eagles to provide concessions at Spanbauer Memorial Field. There have been a number of lease extensions with the most recent lease expiring on December 31, 2013. It is requested to renew the lease for two more years on the same terms and conditions as the original lease. Mr. Maurer noted that staff has had a good working relationship with the Eagles group and would like to continue that relationship. Dan Brewer, representative of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, stated there has been a decline in revenues over the years since the men’s leagues were removed from using the field (due to massive home runs and the disbanding of Club 6-1/2). He stated that there are women’s and co-ed leagues on Monday through Thursday nights and that the Eagles Club is working with Oshkosh Youth Softball in scheduling some games and tournaments. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO MARCH 10, 2014 Motion by Wohler to recommend approval of a two-year lease agreement extension for concession stand operations at Spanbauer Memorial Field with Fraternal Order of the Eagles; seconded by Fitzgerald. Motion carried 7-0. 2)Discuss/approve Little Free Library project proposal by North High School Students for Abe Rochlin Park, Roe Park and Fugleberg Boat Launch Mr. Maurer gave a brief overview of the request and introduced Anthony Wegenke, an Oshkosh North High School student who is working on the project. Mr. Wegenke stated the Vocational Skills class at Oshkosh North High School is requesting to add “Little Free Libraries” at Rochlin Park, Fugleberg Boat Launch and Roe Park to encourage literacy within the Oshkosh community. The Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” gathering place wherein neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. The Little Free Libraries will be accessible to individuals who are wheelchair bound and are designed for the various park locations. Students will receive school credit for keeping up stock and maintaining the library boxes. He showed the Board members the two (2) boxes that were done for Roe Park (flowers and children playing) and a boat (Fugelberg Boat Launch). He noted that the boxes will have pitched roofs to allow rain water runoff and doors that will open for easy access as well as metal poles for in-ground installation. Mr. Maurer inquired as to what the third design was and Mr. Wegenke stated it is a “fish” for placement at Rochlin Park. Mr. Fitzgerald inquired if these library boxes would be available year round or seasonal. Mr. Wegenke stated that they would be removed in the winter months to avoid snow damage or animals using them for winter homes. Mr. Fitzgerald inquired if staff had concerns with mowing or snow plow maintenance. Mr. Maurer stated that he did not think the library boxes would pose a dilemma with mowing or plowing. The school would be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of these boxes. If there would be a considerable amount of vandalism or other issues, they would be pulled. It is suggested that these Little Free Libraries be placed out for a trial period of one year with the understanding that if vandalism or maintenance issues arise that cannot be resolved, the “libraries” will be removed. In checking with other communities that allow these “libraries” in public spaces, they have had few issues. Chairman Gogolewski inquired as to (informational) signage. Mr. Wegenke stated the students are working on plaques to put on the boxes. Motion by Wohler for approval of the Little Free Library project as proposed for a trial period of one year and that final product approval to be done by the Parks Director prior to placement; Seconded by Rule. Motion carried 7-0. 3)Review South Park Master Plan Concept Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, did a brief overview of the preferred concept plan (said conceptual plan on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). He noted that on February 24, 2014 he had a meeting with AECom and the City’s Engineering Department relative to a storm water engineering project study with respect to the Stringham Creek and was glad to announce that all parties involved were on the same wave length. Mr. Wohler inquired as to the pond on the Ohio Street side of the park as the preferred plan shows it as being twice as big as it is presently. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE MARCH 10, 2014 Mr. Bahling stated the intention would be to first do a dredging of the pond/lagoon and then make it deeper and have a larger spillway with storm water features. He did not know if funding would be available at this point for dredging expenses. Mr. Fitzgerald stated he thought those expenses might be covered under the storm water utility budget. Mr. Wilson inquired as to how long these improvements would take and did the park have to be closed for an entire summer. Mr. Maurer stated that master plans are typically done in phases and as funding becomes available and like the other master plans, it is a 20-year plan. With respect to the South Park plan, it is hoped to start with the inclusive playground and the accessibility restrooms and then as the engineering study gets completed work can begin on some of the other projects as noted in the plan. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the preferred plan shows decorative boulders in the lagoons and inquired if there were liability concerns in that regard. Mr. Bahling stated that those decorative boulders will be removed from the plan as staff had already expressed concern with them due to maintenance issues. Ms. Rule inquired as to the playground surface. Mr. Maurer stated that cost estimates will be determined, but it is anticipated to use pour-in-place for the playground surfaces which may have to be done in sections according to CIP dollars available. He noted that the inclusive playground will be pour-in-place at the time of installation. Mr. Michelson expressed concern with the upper northwestern basketball courts being so close to the roadway in that he felt that bouncing balls would go into the roadway and that the sound of the bouncing balls would disrupt the neighborhood. Mr. Bahling stated that while he has them indicated 15 ft. from the sidewalk, they could be realigned to address any concerns. Mr. Bahling stated his staff will put together some cost estimates for the South Park Master Plan for consideration at a future meeting. CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Items not listed on the Agenda) There were no citizen statements. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer reported that the Sawyer Creek dredging work at Bauman Park is now completed and noted that staff will be working on the restoration plan. Monies from the City’s CIP fund will be used for replacement of the playground equipment and noted that staff will be obtaining cost estimates for the equipment. With respect to the Inclusive Playground project, fundraising monies are now nearing $90,000 of the $100,000 needed to obtain the City’s matching funding to begin the project. He reminded the Board that The State of the City is scheduled for Monday, March 31 at the Convention Center and invited the Board and public to attend. st PARKS OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT Mr. Maurer reported that the parks crew have been working on the cruiser docks at Menominee Park and that the dock work at William Steiger Park is now completed. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT Mr. Sturm stated that he has been working with crews on the Emerald Ash tree removal/clearing and injection treatments to trees that are not presently infected. He is working with the City’s IT Department relative to mapping of the EAB trees for inventory purposes. Mr. Sturm stated that the Cemetery’s new computer system is up and running and staff is currently working on merging the cemetery data with the GIS system. He stated that the Taking Root program recently had some good publicity and he recently did a presentation at the Paine Center and Arboretum. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR MARCH 10, 2014 REVENUE FACILITIES MANAGERS REPORT Ms. McCollian reported that revenues were good in 2013 despite the rainy weather conditions at the beginning of the season. The River Otter exhibit opened in 2013 and the otters are enjoying their new home. With respect to the Amusement Center, the train had been down for repairs for 23 days in 2013, but is now in good operating condition. She noted that all special events went great in 2013 and will have a breakdown of each event and the Pollock Pool end of the year breakdown in her final report which she is compiling. She stated revenues for all special events were $200 shy of $10,000 which will be used for zoo improvements. Ms. McCollian stated she is presently working on 2014 upcoming events and obtaining sponsorships for each event. With respect to the Tuesday night Live Streaming concerts, she has the bands booked but not all of the contracts have been signed or returned to her so she is unable to announce the bands at this time. One new event for 2014 is Breakfast with the Bunny that she is working on in conjunction with staff from the Oshkosh Senior Center. LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE MANAGERS REPORT Mr. Dobish stated that although rounds and revenues were down in 2013, revenues during the prime months of 2013 were level with 2012. The revenue from May to October in 2013 was up from 2012. He noted that the trend is that fewer people around the country were playing golf in 2013. The cart revenues were up 22% which he attributes to the new fleet; he also noted that less gasoline was purchased which he also attributes to the new fleet. Merchandise sales were up 10% which he feels was due to the variety and recognizable branding. It is hoped that with the Board approved reduction in junior golf fees that more kids will be coming to Lakeshore in 2014. The Young Adult pass is being continued and it is hoped that students at UW-O and Fox Valley Technical College will be purchasing passes. The Youth play for free with a parent or guardian on weekends after 3 PM will be restored for 2014. A new venture they will be trying for 2014 is using a big cup format which is a 50% larger cup (6-inch cup) that will be placed on the front 9 holes as an option. Crews will be mowing the rough closer which will help with speed and flow of activity. Crews will also maintain the height of the berms to help with lost balls. OTHER BUSINESS There being no other business, ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wohler for adjournment; seconded by Fitzgerald. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary