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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan 9 2017 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD JANUARY 9, 2017 Present: Tony Dirth, Bill Gogolewski, Steve Herman, Jim Michelson, Carrie Rule, Megan Schuessler, Terry Wohler Excused: Amy Davis, Bill Miller Other: Brad Brown, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant 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 CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Chairman Wohler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Gogolewski for approval of the November 14, 2016 minutes, as distributed. Seconded by Herman. Motion carried 6-0. MR. DIRTH ARRIVED AT THIS TIME (6:02 PM); THEREBY MAKING A 7-MEMBER BOARD CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS/RECOMMEND REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 26 TREES AND VEGETATION OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE Mr. Sturm gave a brief background of the proposal and stated that he had been working with the City Attorney’s and Public Works’ staff on the language and content, noting that the proposed would be similar to language as in surrounding communities Ordinances. The current Code did not take into consideration the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) issues and/or other similar diseases and pests that could jeopardize the health of trees owned by the public and the city. The current Code also does not provide a means for staff to adequately manage other community forestry issues that may influence the safety of the general public. Mr. Michelson stated the proposed submittal contained lots of positive changes and noted that staff did a great job on the current document. He questioned the clear vision triangle provision. Mr. Sturm stated that when the city does any terrace plantings, trees are not planted within 30’ of the corners and there is also some language in the Planning Code related to hedges and fences on private property and that they need to be maintained at a height to allow the public to see on-coming traffic. Staff has practiced setback of tree plantings from corners, but now it would be officially clarified within the Ordinance. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO JANUARY 9, 2017 Mr. Michelson inquired if the private premises was clarified in the document. Mr. Sturm stated that if any planting encroaches on public sidewalks, Forestry staff enforces it and if Forestry staff is not available, the City Inspector’s office would take care of it. While it was determined the verbiage was covered under Section 26-6(4), Mr. Maurer stated that staff will confirm same to make sure it is covered. Motion by Gogolewski to recommend approval of revisions to Chapter 26 Trees and Vegetation of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code. Seconded by Michelson. Motion carried 7-0. 2) UPDATE ON EAGLE EXHIBIT FOR MENOMINEE PARK ZOO Mr. Dallman gave a brief history of the proposed eagle exhibit referring to the December 2014 Menominee Park Zoo Master Plan by FEH Associates, Inc. He noted that it is proposed to place the eagle exhibit between the wolf and elk area. He explained that $75,000 is included in the City’s Zoo budget with another $75,000 to be raised through fund raising efforts on behalf of the Oshkosh Zoological Society and others. Staff is currently working on the permit applications and training for zoo staff to fulfill the permit requirements. Mr. Dallman then did a slideshow presentation of what the eagle exhibit would look like after construction noting that it would be a steel structure with footings and fabric/wire mesh around the exhibit and an observation deck built into the exhibit. There would be barriers around the exhibit since it is a protected bird. He stated that while the Oshkosh Zoological Society is being proactive in trying to raise funds, the city is looking forward for more donations for this exhibit so that it can be constructed fairly soon. Mr. Gogolewski inquired as to the size of the exhibit. Mr. Dallman stated that they are proposing to make it a full flight exhibit which is about 40 ft. long, 10 ft. wide, and 20 ft. in height to allow the eagles to be perched higher than spectators and other exhibits as they tend to prefer higher elevations. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer stated the City’s operating budget and CIP budget were adopted in November. Included in the Park’s 2017 CIP budget are the following projects: Teichmiller Park restroom updates; Mary Jewel restroom project in conjunction with the pump house work wherein Parks staff is working with the City’s Engineering staff to get the design work completed; replacement of lights at Abe Rochlin Park – since there is contaminated soil at this location, there are restrictions as to soil borings and surface mounts which staff needs to consider; Fugleberg Park play equipment, surfacing, accessible route and perimeter walk; South Park lagoon work wherein staff is near the process to bid this out within the next month and hopefully start work mid-July (after most special events are done) – in conjunction and the City-wide parking study, the parking lot by the large shelter will be repaved and reconfigured; the Riverside Taking Root Cemetery road repairs will continue; and the project will continue to be funded with monies coming from the Healthy Neighborhood incentives. The operating budget included approval of one additional Trades Tech being added. Funding for the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan was included in the budget. Mr. Maurer ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE JANUARY 9, 2017 stated he will be meeting with representatives from the Rettler Corporation next week to discuss the scope of this project (CORP). Mr. Maurer announced the upcoming retirement of Ms. Marks on January 25. th Ms. Marks has worked with the City since September of 1991, starting out in the Department of Community Development for 5 years and the Parks Department for over 20 years. An open house is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24 at City Hall (Room 406) from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for anyone wishing th to say goodbye to Ms. Marks and share some light snacks. An individual has been offered the vacant position left by Ms. Marks and that offer is contingent upon the usual employment procedures of the City. Mr. Gogolewski inquired as to the timetable for construction of the Mary Jewel restroom project and if the surrounding neighbors would be notified. Mr. Maurer stated that meetings with the City’s Engineering Department need to be held before a timetable could be set – he hopes to be able to have a proposed date set in time for announcement at the next Board meeting. He noted that the adjacent property owners would be notified as to the proposed construction. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman stated that to date the park crew have had minimal snow removal duties and have been concentrating on interior building projects as well as assisting with the removal of the 100 ft. tree at Celebration of Lights . In December, both he and Ms. Marks assisted with the Urban Wildlife survey in that they flew in a helicopter over the various trouble areas and took a count of the deer, turkeys and other wildlife in those areas. These numbers will assist in the filing of grant applications for abatement purposes. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm stated that he has been working on updating the street tree inventory and noted that there is a different GIS mapping system for the City and he has been transferring information into that new system as well. To date, he has added over 9,000 trees into the City’s tree inventory. Crews have been working on tree pruning and trimming and had finished the parks trees before the substantial snow came. Snow removal operations have been going smoothly as well as equipment and vehicle repairs. With respect to landscape design work, he has been working with the Planning Division on a DNR Urban Forestry grant and received a $25,000 grant for work concentrating on tree planting projects and money for emerald ash borer treatments as well as training for individual property owners on proper tree techniques (care). If families complete the training, they are eligible for a free tree on their property. REVENUE FACILITY MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. McCollian stated she has been working on the 2017 calendar of events for the Pollock Community Water Park, the Leach Amphitheater, Children’s Amusement Center and movie nights. She also just starting booking the bands for the Tuesday Night Live Streaming Concerts at the Leach. Starting the first part in February, she will be working on filling the positions for seasonal managers and employees for all of the revenue facilities for the season. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR JANUARY 9, 2017 LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Dobish state the golf course did well this past year noting that a lot of preseason passes have been sold for 2017. He reported that rounds are up from 2015 and that there is approximately a $10,000 increase over 2015 for season passes. Foot golf will be promoted more aggressively starting later this month. Mr. Gogolewski inquired as to the rounds of golf. Mr. Dobish stated they were at 24,066 which is 2,000 down from 2015 because of the length of the season in 2015. Mr. Gogolewski inquired as to what the golfers can expect to see for 2017 by way of changes. Mr. Dobish stated the sand traps at #17 and #18 have been reshaped and reseeded and are growing so they are not flat by any means and noted that mowing that area will not be an issue. He also stated that drainage work needs to be done all over the golf course. Mr. Herman inquired as to the possibility of the bicycle/pedestrian trail from I-41 to Rainbow Park. Mr. Maurer stated staff has been working with the Planning Department staff and will be reapplying for a grant. He stated the first grant applied for had been unsuccessful. Property acquisitions or easements would need to be done as well as other technical changes, such as fencing. It is hoped to reapply for a grant in 2018. Mr. Maurer stated he will discuss the matter further with the Planning Department staff and will have an update for the Board at their next regularly scheduled meeting. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Gogolewski for adjournment; seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 P.M Respectfully submitted, Trish Marks Trish Marks, Recording Secretary