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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2015 Present: Amy Davis, Victor Girens, Bill Gogolewski, Jim Michelson, Carrie Rule, Terry Wohler Excused: Steve Herman, Bill Miller, Megan Schuessler Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Elizabeth Williams, Assistant Planner-Community Development; Trish Marks, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wohler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL A quorum was determined to be present. PARK BUSINESS 1)Tour of Menominee Park – Shoreland Restoration Area at the North End of Miller’s Bay off Oak Trail (1900 Block of Menominee Drive) Chairman Wohler stated that the purpose of the Park Board meeting being held at Menominee Park at the Shoreland Restoration area at the north end of Miller’s Bay was to ensure that all Board members had an opportunity to view the area. He stated that he has no problems with the way it looks at present as it appears to be evenly cut and free of Menominee Park Shoreland Committee is weeds. It is a little higher than he would like, but he is aware that the working on keeping the height of the plantings down. He stated that he would like to see pathways (viewing areas) cut in the project area. Mary Stille, 1900 Menominee Drive, stated the project area as shown tonight is an unrealistic example as all summer long it was over 5 ft in height. She is in opposition to the whole project area and would like it removed and/or moved to a different location. Janet Scalpone, 2033 Menominee Drive, stated if the project area was cut down in June, it would only grow 3-4 ft tall. She stated she is a member of the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board and a neighbor of the project area, and noted that the project area is attractive and serves as a buffer to the pathway. Ms. Stille stated she is not sure a buffer is needed in the area and noted that it blocks almost one-half of her view of the bay and at times the project area “smells” bad. David Misterek, 5114 David Drive, stated he had been an Advisory Park Board member in the past for 10-12 years, and it always disturbed him that with any improvements made to Menominee Park came upon opposition by the neighbors of the park, whether it was additional trees, pathways, or other amenities. He walked along the project area from the roadway before the meeting and noted that it does not obstruct views from any of the adjacent homes at its present height. These are native plants, flowers and grasses which attract the bees, butterflies and birds. Without native plants, we won’t have the bees, butterflies and birds. These plantings provide nectar for the birds and insects migrating. He is in favor of the plantings and encouraged the Advisory Park Board members to recommend maintaining the area in the future as a shoreland restoration area. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO OCTOBER 12, 2015 Dennis Lewandowski, 1358 Menominee Drive, stated the adjacent neighbors of the project area are being taxed for lake property and deserve to have a view of the lake; otherwise, the City should not tax them for lake property. He is against the shoreland restoration project area in its present location. Ruth McGinley, 1516 Menominee Drive, stated she values the vista that is lost due to the project. Jan Beck, 1332 Menominee Drive, stated she would like to protect the vista for all the adjacent neighbors. She would prefer the project area be done at County Park as she would like to preserve the beauty of Menominee Park without the shoreland restoration plantings. Michelle Bogden Muetzel, 719 W 6 Ave., UW Oshkosh Environmental Research and Innovation Center, stated that th the Onterra Study that was done suggested that there be a shoreland restoration area in Menominee Park where there are algae blooms and there is poor water quality. It would be a mistake to remove the project area. Mike McGinley, 1516 Menominee Drive, stated he does not believe that this small project area will affect the water quality as it is ill-conceived idea that it would. He would like this grand experiment to be somewhere else other than in Menominee Park. Chad Casper, Winnebago County Resource Conservationist, stated that shoreland restoration areas such as the one in Menominee Park question, does help with water quality and creates a wonderful habitat. He commends what the Shoreland Committee has been doing with this project. He suggested putting in view corridors as that would still accomplish what they are trying to do with the shoreland restoration. He stated no matter what is done, you cannot make everyone happy, and he and the Winnebago County Water Conservation Department would be willing go work with the Shoreland Committee to keep the height of the plantings down. He feels that the Shoreland Committee is off to a good start with this project. Marvin Stille, 1900 Menominee Drive, stated that for most of the summer the plantings were over 6 ft high. He hasn’t seen anyone fishing over the summer in the area and noted that the project area wasn’t maintained very well over the summer. Melanie Leet, Winnebago County Conservation Technician, stated their Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Department would like to work with the shoreland committee with this or another site. Kathy Propp, 1936 Hazel Street, representing the League of Women Voters, stated she considers this a beautiful perennial garden and can see the value of it. She stated Menominee Park is not just the neighbor’s park; it is the public’s park. She stated the project area is a demonstration plot and urged everyone to make this work and not take it down. Ms. McGinley stated she takes offense that the neighbors are made out to be selfish. She has lived at her residence for over 12 years and enjoys watching the public utilize the park. She has seen multiple fishing events occur from New York Avenue to Nevada Street, as well as people biking, skating, and walking along the shoreland, but with this project area, there is no room for those activities or to just sit and enjoy the area and that’s just not right. Janet Wissink, 7035 Mountain Road, Pickett, President of the Winnebago Audubon Society and Co-Chair person of Bird Fest, stated she understands the concerns of the height of the plantings. With the reorganization of the Shoreland Committee members, it is hoped there will be more organization and communication with respect to the project noting that their hearts are in the right place. They are scheduling another cutting in June to keep the height down. The shoreland committee would like the opportunity to continue to work on this plot. Mr. Misterek stated he would like to commend the organization with their involvement on this project. Although it is not at the 2-3 ft. height that was discussed, it is a successful project that shows what native plantings can be. The adjacent sign depicts the various organizations that are working together on this project who feel this is an important project. He noted there are no weeds or thistles in this plot. He emphasized that the Advisory Park Board ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE OCTOBER 12, 2015 represents the citizens of Oshkosh and Winnebago County and not just the adjacent property owners of Menominee Park and that the Advisory Park Board members need to keep that in mind when making their decision about future prairie plantings and other plots as well as the one being discussed tonight. Mr. Gogolewski stated he does not think anyone is against the project itself pro se, but are against the height of the plantings. Ms. Rule stated that she thinks the plot looks wonderful and noted that lots of time and effort by various individuals and organizations went into the project. While there may be some blockage of the view of the lake from a minuscule percentage, there are so many other areas available along the shoreland that the view can be seen. Ms. Davis stated she feels the project site looks good, but would suggest a few viewing corridors be installed. Mr. Girens stated the project area is not what was promised by way of height and he would not like it in his backyard. Mr. Michelson reiterated that the project area is not what was promised by way of height and would prefer to see the pilot project in a different location, i.e., North High Conservancy Park. Because of the soil type, lack of fertilizer application and the pitch of the land, the benefits of this site are reduced. There may be other sites in the city or the area that feed Lake Winnebago that may have a greater impact on improving the environment. Mr. Maurer stated that the Advisory Park Board members and staff respects everyone’s comments. He likes the idea of viewing corridors being installed. Staff would be willing to work with the group to remove taller plantings and mow viewing corridors – whatever is decided. This project was for a 3-year trial period and this is the 3 or 4 year rdth and he wanted to acknowledge that the group did a good job in bringing the plantings down to a good height. If the group could keep it maintained at the present height and make sure that once a month it is cleaned up, he does not see a problem with the project. At the November 9, 2015 Advisory Park Board meeting, this item will be placed on the agenda for further discussion and possible action. There being no other business, ADJOURNMENT Motion by Gogolewski for adjournment; seconded by Girens. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary