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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD NOVEMBER 13, 2017 Present: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Bill Gogolewski, Steve Herman, Todd Kaufmann, Bill Miller, Carrie Rule, Megan Schuessler Excused: Terry Wohler Other: David Shadick, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member; Kurt Schoeni, Assistant Police Chief, Oshkosh Police Department; Lynnsey Erickson, Coalition Coordinator, re:TH!INK, 240 Algoma Blvd, Apt 21, Oshkosh; Grace Halstead, 1615 Bismark Ave, Oshkosh; Rachel Lee, 340 Graceland Dr, Oshkosh; Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Chair Friends of Menominee Park Shoreland, 719 W 6 Ave, Oshkosh, Wisconsin th Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Parks Operations Manager; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/Forester; Stacy James, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Vice Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. A quorum was determined to be present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Schuessler for approval of the October 9, 2017 minutes. Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 8-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) CONSIDER REQUEST FOR TOBACCO-FREE PARKS ORDINANCE FROM WINNEBAGO COUNTY RE:TH!NK YOUTH COALITION Mr. Maurer introduced that there were multiple members of the re:TH!INK Youth Coalition here tonight to give a presentation on tobacco-free parks. A number of communities throughout Wisconsin have recently adopted ordinances regarding this and Board members were provided with those examples in their packets. He also introduced Kurt Schoeni, Assistant Chief of Police from the Oshkosh Police Department who was available to answer questions and voice any concerns regarding the project. Mr. Miller questioned the need for an ordinance to be passed and both Mr. Herman and Mr. Maurer explained that an ordinance would need to be in place for enforcement. Ms. Erickson, Ms. Halstead and Ms. Lee gave their presentation regarding the request to adopt an ordinance regarding tobacco-free parks. They explained that their group has spoken with this Board as well as the City Council in the past to bring attention to this issue. Their group has discovered that this is an ongoing problem in the City due to a fact that the majority of park patrons do not smoke but those that ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO NOVEMBER 13, 2017 do are in the parks daily and leave behind litter and secondhand smoke which can be a danger and problematic to others. Their group conducted a survey and found that a majority of responders were in favor of tobacco-free parks much like the Parks Department survey that had been conducted this year. Of these responders, even the tobacco users voted in favor of tobacco-free parks. The group then spoke of the benefits of having tobacco-free parks as well as the fact that proper education would dispel many of the common myths that people have about adopting an ordinance. Ms. Erickson discussed the costs associated with the ordinance such as signage and education. Education of the public is key with a project like this and she states that as the coordinator she would make herself available for educational opportunities. Mr. Herman commented that it would be more effective if Winnebago County Parks adopted a similar ordinance at the same time to reduce confusion and assisting with enforcement concerns. Assistant Chief Schoeni explained that enforcement of this ordinance, should it be passed, would be a low priority for the police department. He compared it to the ordinance prohibiting smoking in bars a few years ago and spoke of the difficulties it caused the department with following up on calls and having it take away from other, more severe needs throughout the department. He feels this is a noble cause, but stresses the problems with enforcement for his department. He agrees that education would be key. He is aware that there are already problems with smoking at Little Oshkosh Playground where smoking is prohibited. His department is working on call management strategies to help keep up with demand. Assistant Chief Schoeni later added that education would be important, but not just local individuals. The group would need to reach out to outside events and people that are visiting the City. He has seen this issue at the University where people come in thinking that the same rules from their hometown apply, when in fact they are different here in Oshkosh. There is a high expectation from the public of the work that should be accomplished by the police department already and he has concerns regarding the ability to enforce this ordinance. Mr. Maurer stated that items for the Board to consider would be the number of special events held in town such as fishing tournaments and Sawdust Days as well as athletic facility usage. All of these events would be affected by an ordinance and it will need to be taken into consideration regarding educating the event coordinators and attendees about the ordinance. He also added that the costs of signage would be higher than the example given and would need to be reviewed with regards to budget. Mr. Maurer asked for specific examples regarding education for the public. Ms. Erickson stated that they would educate through local media, letters to the editor, the health department and at community events. They would also work with locals affected to reach out to as many people as possible. It is also a question of who is responsible for enforcement at the events, the organizers or the local police? Mr. Herman and Mr. Gogolewski suggested starting small with the ordinance and then expanding on it. Mrs. Rule agrees that the ordinance is a “no brainer” on the surface but stresses that consideration would need to be made for the police department’s added work load. Mr. Dirth states that there is a trend throughout Wisconsin to adopt a similar ordinance and while enforcement would be difficult he feels it is important to stay ahead of the game on adopting it, setting a tone in the community and showing the value of a healthy community. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE NOVEMBER 13, 2017 Mr. Maurer stated that he was looking to the Board for direction on how to move forward. He will work with the City Attorney to draft an ordinance with language to ban smoking in all parks in the City that will come back to the Board for approval. 2) CONSIDER 3-YEAR EXTENSION OF MENOMINEE PARK SHORELAND RESTORATION PROJECT AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT Mr. Sturm states that while reviewing records it was noticed that the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration Project was up for extension. He worked with the group to draft a 2018 maintenance schedule which will need to be approved by the Board. Ms. Bogden Muetzel stated that she feels that the plan they have set will work well with the work that has already been completed at the site. She states that she has appreciated the compromises that her group has reached with the Board in the past and that information was taken into account with the proposed maintenance schedule. The group is working on addressing the aggressive species of plants that are growing taller than the agreed height by cutting, weeding and using chemicals when necessary. The group is not requesting an expansion of the project at this time, just to be able to continue with the work at Millers Bay. Mr. Herman suggested that the group look into a control burn of the site in the fall rather than cutting down. This is something she could now do so long as she worked with the fire department to have it completed. Ms. Bogden Muetzel was not aware of that option and will look into it since it would be preferable to have a control burn over cutting. Mr. Sturm stated that he has received fewer complaints regarding the project than he has in the past since it was discussed with the group earlier this year. Mr. Herman and Mr. Miller mirrored that statement. Motion by Rule to approve a 3-year extension of the Friends of Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration project and maintenance agreement. Seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 8-0. 3) DISCUSS WINTER ACTIVITY OPTIONS IN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH Mr. Maurer explained that this item was on the agenda as it was brought up at the last meeting. He reviewed the listing of outdoor winter activities that has been put together for the Board to review. He states that staff puts in quite a bit of time to help out with the special events that take place in the winter months to prepare the parks. He is currently working with the Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to place an ice skating rink at Riverside Park. OACF has a donor that would like to see a rink near downtown. His concern is that man-made rinks can be risk in the winter due to weather conditions as well as maintenance but there would be assistance from other groups to help address these concerns. Staff has discussed ways to spread the word about the available outdoor activities for the public to be able to take part in. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR NOVEMBER 13, 2017 Mr. Dirth inquired whether any of the listed activities are supported or maintained by the Parks Department. Mr. Maurer replied that they will address problems as they arise, but they do not groom any of the trails. Mr. Herman added that the County does groom their trails for cross country and snowmobiling if citizens prefer that. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Gogolewski asked for an update regarding the Mary Jewell Pump House project. Mr. Maurer stated that the bid was awarded at the City Council meeting three weeks ago and surveyors were out to firm up the location of the building. Plan Commission had voiced some concerns regarding the exterior of the building and alterations are being reviewed. The bid was approved by Council based on the Park Board recommendation and the department is working with contractors regarding the changes that are being requested. They will need to go back to Council regarding budget changes that may be needed based on the changes that are being requested. Construction on the project will begin soon. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer commented that he is in the middle of budget season in his department. Staff met with Council in October. There is a budget workshop on Wednesday and the budget adoption is scheduled for November 28. Overall he doesn’t see there being any problems with their budget being approved. Comments had been made to him recently about Capital Improvement Projects not being funded so he reviewed all of the projects that have been approved in the coming years and how community support is helping to get these projects completed as well. Mr. Herman added that this time Council is looking to approve $1.8 Million toward park projects. Mr. Maurer added that Council is in support of the priority list that the Board recommends. This past week was the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association annual conference in Wisconsin Dells and was attended by multiple staff members. He feels that there was good information shared and the conference regarding marketing and special event fees. With regards to Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course, Mr. Maurer updated that Council has approved the disposition of the property and the decision is now in the hands of Oshkosh Corporation who will be meeting on November 22 to make a decision. An archeological survey is being conducted at sites on the golf course this week looking for artifacts. The golf course anticipates that this will be the last week they are open for the year. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman updated that it has been a busy month for his department with a lot of work to complete and a lot of staff off work. They continue to work on maintenance projects at the parks. Winterization of the shelters is complete and buoys have been removed from the Fox River as well as the mooring plugs at Miller’s Bay. Playground installation is complete at Fugleberg and Sea, Sand and Sailorland and work continues at the Teichmiller Park restroom project. Staff is preparing for the snow but trying to wrap up other projects before that happens. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE NOVEMBER 13, 2017 LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm updated that his department is also busy with project wrap-up. This past week they worked on buckthorn removal at Rusch/Sawyer Creek Park which was long overdue. There is still a lot of hand work that will be needed to complete the project. Tree planting is taking place along Bay Shore Drive and his department is assisting with the downtown holiday decorations. Stump removal is moving along as well as leaf clean-up at the cemetery. Mr. Sturm reminded the Board that the painting and plaster work was completed at Riverside Chapel and he encouraged everyone to stop by to see the improvements. His department is also hoping winter holds off until they can complete some more projects. Mr. Sturm wanted to thank Metzig Conservation Fund for their donation of a mature swamp oak at the Sea, Sand, and Sailorland playground site. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Miller for adjournment; seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary