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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2014 Present: Sean Fitzgerald, Victor Girens, Jim Michelson, Bill Miller, Carrie Rule, Jonathan Wilson, Terry Wohler Excused: Bill Gogolewski, Megan Schuessler Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Trish Marks, Recording Secretary Guests: Gregg Baum, Representative of FEH Associates, Inc., Delafield, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wohler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Miller for approval of the October 13, 2014 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Girens. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZENS STATEMENTS (Items on Agenda) There were no citizen’s statements. PARK BUSINESS 1)Review/recommend approval of Menominee Park Zoo Master Plan Mr. Maurer reiterated the background of the proposal from his Memorandum to the Board dated December 2, 2014 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). Gregg Baum, Representative of FEH Associates, Inc., Delafield, Wisconsin, gave a brief overview of the proposed Menominee Park Zoo Master Plan and pointed out the added narratives and other information that he inserted per the last Board meeting discussion. He stated that the Welcome Center (Lakefly Café) area would be the most important spot as it will contain most of the educational information as well as the proposed aquarium and is where everything begins and ends for zoo visits. Mr. Baum stated there are two (2) different types of approaches that could be taken with respect to the proposed aquarium, to-wit: 20,000 gallon lake aquarium and life support for $650,000 or a 4,000 gallon marsh aquarium and life support for $350,000. He noted that under Section 1.7 Phase 1 - Cost Estimates, he had them both listed under Opinion of Probable Cost and inquired if the Board preferred to keep it that way or decide on an option and only list one cost. Mr. Baum stated he made the parking lot changes per the Board’s request with respect to Pratt Trail main entrance/tennis courts area. He stated if the Veteran’s monument is relocated to the Museum property, that land area would be valuable to the zoo. Mr. Baum did a brief overview of the various footprints of the proposed buildings (Service building, Education/Welcome & Aquarium/Domestic Barn). The construction phases were proposed as Phase 1- Aquarium/Welcome Center Building & Marsh; Phase 2-Service Building; Phase 3-North Highland Forest Exhibits; Phase 4-Domestic Animal Barn; Phase 5-Glaciel Plains Exhibit; Phase 6-Bear & Bobcat Exhibit. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO DECEMBER 8, 2014 Mr. Baum stated that with respect to the proposed parking lot across from the zoo, the area would be reconfigured to allow 30 parking spaces by the tennis courts as well as the 5–6 parking spaces along the building area. With respect to the Veterans Monument, if the opportunity with the Museum occurs, the monument would be moved to the Museum grounds which would make more room for the zoo area. That land area where the monument is presently would be valuable for zoo operations. Further discussion ensued relative to the proposed aquarium and it was the consensus of the Board to modify the cost estimate to include the verbiage of the cost of a Lake Aquarium & Life Support or a Marsh Aquarium & Life Support, but to only include the $650,000 cost for the Lake Aquarium in the total costs with a footnote that the Marsh Aquarium would be approximately $350,000. Mr. Michelson stated that the proposed Menominee Park Zoo Master Plan looks great and he appreciates Mr. Baum’s help in pulling the proposal together. Motion by Fitzgerald to recommend approval of the Menominee Park Zoo Master Plan contingent upon the modification of the aquarium as presented; Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. 2. Review/recommend approval of the Pollock Community Water Park Agreement between the City of Oshkosh and Oshkosh Area School District Mr. Maurer reiterated the background of the proposal from his Memorandum to the Board dated December 2, 2014 (said Memorandum on file at the City Parks Department and made a part of these minutes). The Agreement is similar to the last two 3-year Agreements that have been entered into. Discussion ensued as to the operating budget and revenues of the pool for the past few years. Motion by Wilson to recommend approval of the Pollock Community Water Park Agreement between the City of Oshkosh and Oshkosh Area School District; Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 7-0. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer gave a brief update on the 2015 Capital Improvement Budget (CIP) noting that the South Park restrooms will be constructed next. At the January meeting staff will be bringing forth the designs submitted by HGM Architecture of the Stevens Park restroom project for the Board’s consideration and approval. Other proposed 2015 CIP projects include the asphalt path at William Steiger Park; the existing path will be removed and a new base and asphalt will be installed from the Wisconsin Avenue bridge to the boat launch area in the park; updating the 24 Avenue boat launch restroom which includes basically gutting it and putting in an th efficient water facilities and making the restroom ADA compliant, as well as lighting and electrical; repaving of the deteriorating access roads in Riverside Cemetery; and the 6 year of the Taking Root tree planting th campaign. Other projects that will be worked on or continue to be worked on include path work design at Techmiller Park; and the restroom facility at Michigan Street Boat Works property as part of the Riverwalk project, that restroom and shelter being built and will be added to our inventory. We have a request going to the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to help us obtain final funding for the inclusive playground project at South Park so we can complete that funding and get the project underway. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE DECEMBER 8, 2014 Mr. Miller inquired as to revenues/expenses of the Pollock Community Water Park. Mr. Maurer stated that Ms. McCollian will be giving a report at the January Board meeting. OTHER BUSINESS There being no other business, ADJOURNMENT Motion by Michelson for adjournment; seconded by Fitzgerald. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary