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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-8-16 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD AUGUST 8, 2016 Present: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Bill Gogolewski, Steve Herman, Jim Michel Wohler Excused: Bill Miller, Megan Schuessler Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/City Forester; Trish Marks, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Mr. Herman called the meeting to order at 6:06 P.M. ROLL CALL A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES paragraph on page two of the June 13, 2016 minutes. rd Motion by Gogolewski for approval of the June 13, 2016 minutes, as amended and distributed. Seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 6-0. CHAIRMAN WOHLER ARRIVED AT THIS TIME (6:10 PM), THEREBY MAKING A-MEMBER BOARD CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS Due to the presence of a large audience and press relative to the Sawdust Days discussion, the item was placed at the top of the agenda. 2) Discussion regarding Sawdust Days use of Menominee Park Ellen Schmidt, 4303 Swallow Banks Drive, Oshkosh, representing S stated she was not sure why this item was on the agenda, but wanted the Board to be accurately informed that the City was responsible for security from 8 PM until 12 Midnight on July 4, happened was not on Sawdust Days grounds. She stated that the Sawdust Days organization has invested over $30,000 in infrastructure of the electrical work in Menomin donated a memorial bench valued at $1,500 in the zoo area. The withthe City and abide by the rules applied. A person cannot predic is unjust to imply that their event draws undesirables (gangs, detc.). ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO AUGUST 8, 2016 Mr. Maurer s Chairman Wohler stated one of the Board members expressed an int update on the event. He stated he was glad that Ms. Schmidt was present and was interested in what she had to contribute. He noted that there were some things that ha event, but did not feel it was the fault of the Sawdust Days eve Ms. Rule stated she did not understand the issues at hand and requested some history (education). Ms. Schmidt explained that there was an incident with a lady tha and the Oshkosh Police Department had gotten involved. She did red on Sawdust Days grounds. Mr. Herman stated that the Board is interested in the status of al events to determine if there was any damage to the park shelters, grass area, boat launches or pa review. Mr. Gogolewski stated the Oshkosh Police Department has not complnished their reports to date. He stated it is his opinion that gangs and drugs are coming in during the Sawdust Days event and is fearful that with the presence of gangs and drugs, a shooting might occur. He stated that he knows of people from the City who will not attend the 5-day event because they are also fearful of the type of people the event draws. He stated he has spoken with some OPD officers who stated they we 5-day event to go away. He stated the City draws more gangs within th-day event than any other time of the year. Ms. Schmidt stated she has heard that the 5-day event is getting too big, but she noted that they have not added any more features or amusement rides for years. She said there is no evidence of the presence of drugs, gangs, or alcohol issues affiliated with the Sawdust Days event. The even volunteers who are trying to make it a free family event. Mr. Maurer stated he had spoken with the OPD Chief who indicated that the i in the midway area of the event. Until more information is obta should not be discussed. He gave a brief financial breakdown of the expenses incurred for the event noting that Sawdust Days was recently invoiced for $3,500 for park services (17 hours of staff time hauling equipment, cleaning and restocking the restrooms; following the cleanup, return of equipment (staff costs and supplies). With respe ordinary with the exception that the first 2 days after the even staff cleaned up. Ms. Schmidt stated it was difficult to keep up with the trash/garbage as some of would take care of it, did not show up. In future years, rather company to help with the trash/garbage. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE AUGUST 8, 2016 Mr. Maurer stated there was also cooking oil barrels and pallets in the park two weeks after the event. due to oil that was poured down the drain from the vendors at the ev shelter to the new restrooms also had cooking oil that was put d that line needed to be cleaned out. Additional costs were invoiced to the Sawdust Days organization for sewer line clean up, fire inspection, OPD costs, barricades and He stated that he was not aware of any damage to the park itself. Ms. Schmidt inquired as to which drains were compromised so that she can determine which vendors were pouring the oil into them. She apologized for not removing she tried calling the company to pick them up in a timely fashiove. Mr. Herman inquired as to the attendance at the 5-day event. Ms. Schmidt stated because it is a free event, there is no way t would guess between 40,000 and 50,000, with the 4 of July being the busiest day/night. th Mr. Michelson stated he appreciates the job that Ms. Schmidt doe across from the park and has noticed that the carnival vendors a time. Ms. Schmidt stated that it was difficult this year with the way the 4 of July fell on a Monday. th Mr. Maurer stated that one incident that occurred was that exotic animals (white tigers) that were n included in the special event application had to be removed fromises the opening day. The City was required to enforce the rules. Ms. Schmidt stated that incident was unfortunate as that vendor and she assumed the vendor was similar to any other vendor that e event over the years. Although this year, Ms. Schmidt was not informed that th-2-½ weeks prior to the event (after the application had been filed). Mr. Maurer stated that the City Council had requested staff to give a post report at their August/September meeting. When said report is completed, staff will provide the 1)Update on Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration Project Mr. Sturm gave a brief overview of the report that was previously distributed to the Board members (said report on file and made a part of these minutes). He noted that on June 18 and 26, cup plants were removed and/or cut down. In October the Committee will be partnlocal non-profit groups to clear out 600-900 square feet of plants in order to create a vision corridor. Plants removed will be used to beautify land in a partnership with the Oshkosh Housing AuthoritForestry crews have already removed a tree and filled in ood chips that will have low growth plants on either side. Ms. Michelle Bogden Muetzel from the Shoreland Restoration Committee to schedule 1-2 more digs each year to remove taller and/or aggressive plan sp ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR AUGUST 8, 2016 rosenweed and monarda from parts of the site. They would start move westward. She stated that she has heard some positive comments about the project and is looking Mr. Michelson stated it is extremely hard to get people to do al high maintenance job. He stated he would like to see more measurables included in the Committe report. He feels the plantings are still too high and need to be cut down. In the draft plan, it incl measurables and he would like those measurables included in future outlines/plans. He stated that until those tall plants are removed, it is a maintenance nightmare. Mr. Maurer stated that the draft plan was compiled by Justin Mit with Michelle Bogden Muetzel, who is being very cooperative. Mr. Sturm stated that the group does report to him frequently asto the number of volunteers and work that is being done. They get a variety of groups involved, some Mr. Herman suggested that the Board members be included in the e Ms. Muetzel so that they are kept abreast of what is transpiring. Mr. Michelson stated he was in the area last Saturday and Sunday there, but there are still plantings that are 3½-5 ft. in height. Chairman Wohler stated it is hard to get volunteers, but this group appears to be trying hard to maintain the area. Wild seeds were thrown into the mix from day one whicype of seeds and it will take a while to weed them out. Ms. Muetzel appears to be working on it and hforts. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Gogolewski that Wohler serve as Chairman. Unanimous b Chairman. Motion by Gogolewski that Miller serve as Vice Chair. Unanimous Vice Chair. S REPORT Mr. Maurer stated that the September Board meeting will include discussion on fee revisions non-resident fees being applied to the Pollock Community Water Park Course fees being adjusted as well as fees or charges for ball diamond usage (per hour rental fee). preps nine (9) fields a day and the Parks Department is not reim Mr. Wohler inquired as to tennis court usage and Mr. Maurer stated that would be included as it would be a facility rental fee. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE AUGUST 8, 2016 Mr. Maurer reported there are two (2) more Tuesday night StreamiAugust. The Senior Center (William Steiger Park) boat launch project is nearing completion and it is hoped to be open in the next few weeks. The park path to the launch area on the Technical School side is and the work is commencing on the Carl Steiger side and should bdamage to the Boat Works restroom facilities (rip rap stones were smash contractor will be assessing the damage this week. It has becom deter the vandalism. While the September Advisory Park Board meeting will be held in Room 404 of Ci Hall, it will not be televised due to improvements being done in Mr. Sturm stated that the new gateways welcome signs were installed just before the EAA Conv 3§±¯´­N1µµº with the grand opening be held last Tuesday. There are four (4) Fund through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Crews have ndscaping projects at the Public Safety Building, City Hall and Roe Park a Park Otter Exhibit, the Boat Works property and round abouts as issued a media release noting that Emerald Ash Borer has been positively identified by DNR Forest H Specialist Bill McKnee on private property at the Planeview Truc- 41 which mapping indicates is within the city limits. This is the first confirmation of EAB in the City albeit on the most southern sliver of land in our community. Winnebago County is already under quarantine by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and thi proximity to previous finds in the Town of Nekimi and Black Wolf. Forestry crews have been activ treating Ash on public property for the past four years if the t with active removal of any trees deemed to be in poor condition ues with infrastructure and they continue these efforts at this time. There being no other business, ADJOURNMENT Motion by Gogolewski for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks, Recording Secretary