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ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES
MAY 12, 2014
Present: Sean Fitzgerald, Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Bill Miller, Megan Schuessler,
Terry Wohler
Excused: Jonathan Wilson, Carrie Rule
Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Steve
Dobish, Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Manager; Trace Gardiner, Lakeshore Clubhouse
Manager/Golf Pro; Trish Marks, Recording Secretary
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 6:02 P.M.
ROLL CALL
A quorum was determined to be present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Wohler for approval of the March 10, 2014 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Miller.
Motion carried 7-0.
CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda)
There were no citizen’s statements.
PARK BUSINESS
1)Discuss/recommend South Park Master Plan
Mr. Maurer reiterated the background of the proposal from his Memorandum to the Board dated May 6, 2014
(said Memorandum on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes).
Jeff Bahling, Senior Landscape Architect for the Rettler Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin did a brief
overview of final draft of the plan (said plan on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these
minutes). He noted that with South Park was dedicated as a park in 1889 and is approximately 24 acres in size,
with three (3) of those acres being lagoons. Mr. Bahling went through the plan’s needs and assessments. He
noted that the width of the trails will be corrected within the document to reflect that they will all be 10 ft wide.
It was the consensus of the Board that Rettler Corporation did a great job with the proposed plan.
Motion by Miller to recommend the South Park Master Plan contingent upon the correction within the
document to reflect that all trails will be 10 ft wide; seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE TWO MAY 12, 2014
2)Discuss/recommend 5-year CIP 2015-2019
Mr. Maurer reiterated the background of the proposal from his Memorandum to the Board dated May 6, 2014
(said Memorandum on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). Mr. Maurer went
through each item on the proposed 2015 CIP request summary noting that: 1) Rainbow Park boat launch
improvements per 2013 plan – this is the entire portion of the south end. In 2014, a consultant would be
hired to design the launch improvements at Rainbow with design work beginning this year and if Council
approves the proposal, construction could begin in 2015. Mr. Miller inquired if additional funding would be
available? Mr. Maurer stated that there is grant funding that will not be used at the Boat Works property
because there is not a motorized boat facility going down there so the DNR stated if we had another motorized
project area they are willing to shift that grant money to Rainbow Park. 2) South Park Redevelopment per
plan-restroom – It is the intent to redo the restrooms near the playground equipment and make the restrooms
ADA compliant. The City Council committed $100,000 if the Universally Accessible Playground committee could
raise a matching $100,000 before construction could begin. The UAP committee recently received another
donation of $25,000 bringing their donations to date of approximately $80,000. Mr. Miller inquired if the
restrooms would be similar to the one just built in Menominee Park. Mr. Maurer stated while a design has not
been determined yet, that would be the prototype that would be preferred. 3) Repave asphalt path in
William Steiger Park – this would be the section from the Wisconsin Avenue bridge to the William Steiger boat
launch and would be a connection to the River Walk. 4) Menominee Park improvements per plan –
trail/asphalt work – Mr. Maurer stated this is a placeholder for trail work. Mr. Michelson inquired if this
includes spurs and access points per the Menominee Park Plan and Mr. Maurer stated it does. 5) Stevens Park
shelter/restroom – Staff would be working with a consultant for design work on the project this year and
noted that designs should be coming this year yet. 6) 24 Avenue boat launch restroom update/ADA – If
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the funds were raised in 2014 and the UAP playground would be commenced in 2014, then this project would
be pushed to 2015. 7) Taking Root project year 6 – This is year 6 of the City’s commitment from 2009. 8)
Poured-in-place surfacing Little Oshkosh/Sea, Sand and Sailorland – Mr. Dallman, Parks Operations
Manager, is working with the Southwest Rotary Club with respect to refurbishing the Little Oshkosh playground
and has a meeting scheduled for next Monday for honing down the project. 9) Design services for
Menominee parking and Reetz fields - This consists of improvements at the parking lot, boat launch, ball
diamonds and concession stand. 10) Cemetery roads repaving – This is a yearly committal to repave the
roads within the cemetery. Mr. Wohler inquired if the funds were cut last year. Mr. Sturm stated the funds for
the cemetery road repavement work has gotten bumped over the past few years. What is proposed is basically
the cost of the materials since staff works with the City’s Department of Public Works for the actual work. 11)
Cart path paving at golf course – Mr. Girens inquired if the storage building wouldn’t be more important to the
golf course than the path work. Mr. Dobish stated that while the storage building is important, the cart path is
a revenue generator for the perception of Lakeshore and would reduce the amount of dust and pot holes. The
golf course is trying to attract customers and what is out there now leaves a sour disposition on people.
Mr. Michelson stated he thinks the general list of the 2015 CIP is good. Chairman Gogolewski inquired if the
Council pushes the Rainbow Park boat launch improvements out further would the grants be at risk. Mr.
Maurer stated that most likely yes as there are deadlines that need to be fulfilled when you receive grant
funding.
Mr. Wohler stated that the South Park restrooms are tops on his list. He also stated we need to keep repairing
the things that need repair like the cemetery roads.
Mr. Miller inquired if Stevens Park was pushed back because of the construction on Frankfort Street. Mr.
Maurer stated it was pushed back due to money not being available in 2014.
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE THREE MAY 12, 2014
Mr. Miller stated that the Rainbow Park boat launch improvements need to be at the top of the list if grant
funding is available.
It was the consensus of the Board to renumber the priorities of the 2015 CIP as follows: 1) Rainbow Park boat
launch improvements per 2013 plan; 2) South Park redevelopment per plan-restroom; 3) Repave asphalt path
in William Steiger Park; 4) Stevens Park shelter/restroom; 5) Cemetery roads repaving; 6) Menominee Park
improvements per plan – trail/asphalt work; 7) 24th Avenue boat launch restroom update/ADA; 8) Poured-in-
place surfacing Little Oshkosh/Sea, Sand and Sailorland; 9) Design services for Menominee parking and Reetz
fields; 10) Cart path paving at the golf course; 11) Taking Root project year 6.
Motion by Miller to recommend the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan as amended; Seconded by
Schuessler. Motion carried 7-0.
Discussion ensued relative to the proposed 2016 CIP projects. Mr. Michelson stated that the highest project
should be east/west access to Techmiller Park. Mr. Maurer stated there are funds in this year’s budget for path
work.
Mr. Michelson stated that the North High Conservancy Park is another important project that needs to be
addressed due to drainage issues on the east side and a need for more wood chips and/or gravel. Mr. Maurer
stated that staff needs to take a look at that park because it might be a wetland with restrictions as to fill. Mr.
Sturm noted that there was some gravel installed by the main loop and that the spurs might just need additional
wood chips. Mr. Maurer stated that staff will look at the area.
Chairman Gogolewski stated that the proposed CIP request summaries for 2016 through 2019 should go
through as submitted as they most likely will be changed next year anyway.
Motion by Wohler to recommend the 2016-2109 Capital Improvement Plan as submitted; Seconded
by Girens. Motion carried 7-0.
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
Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) for replacement of the playground equipment has gone out. Staff will be inviting
the adjacent neighbors to a meeting to determine their preference on which play structure they would like
installed. Mr. Maurer stated that the Zoo and Amusements at Menominee Park opened in May on weekends
and noted that last weekend they were both very busy. Due to parking complaints by the boat launch/softball
diamond areas, Ms. McCollian (Revenue Facilities Manager) has pulled together an advisory committee which
recommended to take eighteen (18) of the single parking stalls into double stalls and add more signage to help
alleviate some of the complaints.
PARKS OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT
Mr. Dallman reported that the William Steiger launch piers have been revamped and that the third part of the
cruiser docks in Miller’s Bay has been redone. Some restoration work was just completed at the Zoo. In order
to eliminate grass parking at the 24 Avenue boat launch, new striping of the parking lot is being undertaken.
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The roof at Abe Rochlin Park was restored in December and detailed work was finished in March. Work is
continuing on the access paths at Stevens Park as well as Techmiller Park access paths. A volunteer group from
ADVISORY PARK BOARD
MINUTES PAGE FOUR MAY 12, 2014
the Southwest Rotary Club has completed clean-up work at Miller’s Bay.
LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT
Mr. Sturm stated that on April 30 the City held its 33 annual Tree City USA event. Crews are working on tree
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replacements and Memorial Tree plantings as available. Landscape work is being done at the Leach
Amphitheater as well as some median islands. Mr. Sturm is also working with a volunteer group with respect to
landscaping work at Oshkosh North High School. With respect to cemetery operations, crews are getting the
cemetery grounds cleaned up for the Memorial Day procession and event. It is hoped to have a full staff (with
seasonals) next Monday.
LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE MANAGERS REPORT
Mr. Dobish stated even with the recent rough weather conditions, he is pleased with the conditions of the golf
course (except for the moisture).
Mr. Gardiner reported that the course opened on April 10 and that it was one of the wettest Aprils on record
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for Oshkosh with over 7 inches of rain. There were 260 more rounds this April from last year in April and
$3,369 more in Revenues through April 2014 than in April of 2013. Staff is starting to accept entries for the City
Match Play tournament with qualifying beginning on June 7. Mr. Gardiner reported that nine (9) junior passes
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have been sold for 2014 as compared to three (3) for last season.
OTHER BUSINESS
There being no other business,
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Miller for adjournment; seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Trish Marks
Trish Marks, Recording Secretary