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HomeMy WebLinkAbout27. 18-201 APRIL 10, 2018 18-201 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 6-1P LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: DESIGNATE REMAINDER OF LAKESHORE SITE AS A COMMUNITY PARK INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT ADVISORY PARKS BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approved WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh has agreed to sell a portion of the Lakeshore site to Oshkosh Corporation for the construction of their global headquarters; and WHEREAS, in connection with the headquarters facility and other development in the area there will be a need to dedicate additional right-of-way and potentially exchange land for right-of-way purposes with adjoining land owners; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to determine the use of the remainder of the site; and WHEREAS, the Advisory Park Board has reviewed the various options, sought public input through meetings and surveys and recommended that the remaining acreage be developed into a community park. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that staff is hereby authorized and directed to bring forth the necessary ordinance changes to designate the remainder of the Lakeshore site as a community park and to develop a master plan for the site as a community park. 11 r City 0 ;!iw Oshkosh TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Ray Maurer, Parks Director DATE: April 5, 2018 RE: Designate Remainder of Lakeshore Site as a Community Park BACKGROUND With the recent agreement to sell a portion of Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course to Oshkosh Corporation for construction of their global headquarters and the necessary right of way to provide roads and access to the site, a decision needs to be made on the use of the remaining acreage. Throughout this process, the public has provided input regarding the potential uses for the remaining acreage culminating to a necessary decision between a community park or a shortened, 9 -hole golf course. Parks staff needs to know if any of the remaining holes need to continue to be maintained or if the site can be maintained as parkland. The maintenance needs are very specialized for golf property versus park space. ANALYSIS Parks staff met with local golf course enthusiasts regarding the potential for a shortened, 9 - hole course on the remaining acreage. It was determined that there may be nine holes located outside of the Oshkosh Corporation site that could possibly be reconstructed/reconfigured to accommodate a shortened, 9 -hole course. However, the irrigation system would require extensive work and a new clubhouse would be necessary. In January and February of this year, the city utilized a POLCO citizen engagement survey asking what the public preferred to see developed on the remaining acres, a community park or a shortened, 9 -hole golf course. Of the 1,027 respondents, 72% indicated a community park and 28% indicated a shortened, 9 -hole golf course. A copy of the survey results is attached. At their February 12, 2018 meeting, the Advisory Park Board discussed the use of the remaining acres. The Board voted 5-2 to recommend to the Common Council that the remaining acreage be developed into a community park. A copy of the draft meeting minutes is attached. City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oslikosh.wi.us FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact of developing a community park is unknown at this time as it depends on the types of amenities that would be constructed. If the Common Council approves the use as a community park, staff would begin working with the public and Advisory Park Board on developing a park master plan for the site. It is anticipated that it would take approximately nine months to develop and approve a park master plan. The plan would include estimated costs for development of the site. If a community park is decided upon, staff would prepare a revision to Chapter 19 in the future to incorporate the site into the listing of community parks. This would occur after the roadways into the Oshkosh Corporation site are finalized. Respectfully Submitted, Ray Maurer Parks Director Approved: Mark A. Rohloff City Manager City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us RESULTS OVERVIEW All respondents (1027) - - -G5p a --ornmumty park wittf N Develop a community park with a a variety ref park and reu—Padop 72%(744) use's Deve.lup a 28%(283) style'W course, wrich is a 25.3% 5 hortened, lawe, par course Registered Voters in Oshkosh, WI (539) 73%(394) 27% ( 145 ) Live in Oshkosh, Wl (937) - Self-reported 28.3% 74%(689) Unknown (3) 26% ( 248 ) Subscribers to Oshkosh, W1 (946) 333% 74%(697) 26%(249) Registered Voters (539) 73% 394 27% 145 Abstained (0) GENDER BREAKDOWN F: (285) N Develop a community park with a 74.7% variety of park and recreation uses 0 Develop a 9 -hale -executive styfe"sol` 25.3% course, iviich Es a shortened, lower par M (251) Course 71.7% 28.3% Unknown (3) 333% 66.7% AGE BREAKDOWN 539 Res aereo vo-lers 30-39(118) .10-49(93) 50-59(93) 60-69(8()) unknown (78) 18-29(35) 70-79(34) 80-89(8) 83.1% 16.9% 82.8% 17.2% 58.1% 41.9% 5&8% 41.3% 75.6% 24.4% 97.1% 2.9% 55.9% 44.1% 75% 25% M Develop a co�, unity park with a variety of park and recreation uses MDevelop a 9 -hole "executive st-jW goll course: Which M a shortened_ tower par course �&O"shkosh ADVISORY PARK BOARD FEBRUARY 12, 2018 Present: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Bill Gogolewski, Todd Kaufmann, Bill Miller, Megan Schuessler, Terry Wohler Excused: Steve Herman, Carrie Rule Other: David Shadick, Leadership Oshkosh Adjunct Board Member Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; 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 Wohler for approval of the January 8, 2018 minutes. Seconded by Gogolewski. Motion carried 6-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) DISCUSS AND RECOMMEND USE OF REMAINING ACREAGE AT LAKESHORE SITE (COMMUNITY PARK OR SHORTENTED, "EXECUTIVE STYLE" 9 HOLE COURSE Mr. Maurer gave some background regarding the POLCO survey for those presents. This company is being utilized by the City to garner input from citizens on various topics. The first survey included a question about what the public would like to see happen with the remaining acreage at the Lakeshore site. His department needs a response to this question so that they can plan accordingly regarding maintenance of the property. The recommendation of the Board tonight will then be taken to Common Council to make the final decision. The first POLCO survey was available for about three weeks and responses from the community were higher than the company had initially anticipated. They felt that the variety of respondents was a good representation of the community as a whole. There had been concerns voiced by some regarding the survey stating that it would result in a majority of respondents being younger, but there was a wide range of ages of respondents. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO FEBRUARY 12, 2018 When reviewing the results of this survey it was rather consistent in age ranges as well as residents and registered voters that a majority of respondents were requesting that the site be utilized as a community park over a shortened golf course. At this time the discussion was opened to public input. Bob Burns, Bob Burns Golf Center, Appleton Mr. Burns is the owner of Bob Burns Golf Center in Appleton. He states that he has received many calls from people that fear there is no chance of this property being utilized for a golf course. He states only about 20-25% of the population plays golf but a course is still needed because it provides a place for people to be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the course. Keagan Langkau ,1036 W 5t,, Ave, Oshkosh Mr. Langkau stated that he had been vocally in support of Oshkosh Corporation staying in Oshkosh. His family has a history of being very involved in golf and they also design courses. He feels that there is a good opportunity to utilize this property to create a facility that would include a practice range as well as a 9 hole course and driving range facility on less than 35 of the remaining acreage. His family company would purchase the property, run the golf course and there would still be half of the space available for a community park. He feels that this could appease all demographics. Mr. Gogolewski asked if they have any plans drawn up for this plan at this point. Mr. Langkau responded that they do not have anything yet but could put together a rough draft in a few weeks if necessary. He claims that he has spoken with various City Council members, Mayor Cummings, Go EDC members and representatives from Oshkosh Corporation and they were all supportive of this possible venture. Rob Hartley 1711 Punhoqua St, Oshkosh Mr. Hartley states that while he had some difficulty in answering the survey, he agrees with the results that roughly one-third of the community would want a golf course. He feels that given this information utilizing one-third of the remaining property for a course would be please everyone. David Borsuk,1970 Cliffview, Oshkosh Mr. Borsuk states that he is on the Plan Commission for the City of Oshkosh. He is in favor of turning the property into green space and feels that the Board should vote to do what best meets the needs of the community. He was taken aback by the survey and how the majority of the respondents are requesting green space. He states there are other golfing facilities in the area for the contingent of respondents that golf and he is not in favor of breaking up the property to more private owners. His opinion is to keep the remaining acreage for a community park. Tim Booras,1802 Mitchell St, Oshkosh Mr. Booras states that he has lived in Oshkosh the majority of his life and first played golf at Lakeshore 50 years ago. He agrees that Oshkosh Corporation doesn't owe the city anything and they paid a fair price for the property, but feels it could be a nice gesture for the company to build a club house on the property for a new course. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE FEBRUARY 12, 2018 Dan Buttke, 472 Sunnybrook Dr, Oshkosh Mr. Buttke spoke stating that he thought it was interesting to see that possibly one in four people in the community golf. He isn't sure what the magic number would be but 25% seems to be indicative of the population. He himself golfed at this location and he would be happy to use a shortened course. However, there was an article in the recent Oshkosh Herald stating that regardless of how many people in the community golf, it would be unrealistic to assume that the same amount of people that used Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course would use a shortened course. He himself would probably not use the course for himself but did see the opportunity for children to start out using that kind of course. This was the end of the public input and discussion returned to the Board. Ms. Schuessler questioned whether the City wanted to be in the business of running another golf course and wondered whether golfers couldn't just go up the road to another course. Mr. Miller voiced that from his perspective the city shouldn't be in the business of competing with other businesses in the area with tax payer money. Mr. Gogolewski pointed out that technically any park in the City loses money to which Mr. Miller agreed but stated that in doing so they aren't in competition with any private businesses in the area. Mr. Wohler commented that money is spent towards ball diamonds, tennis courts, etc. without the expectation of receiving any money back and he doesn't see how a golf course would be different from that. Mr. Miller inquired of Mr. Maurer if a vote for a community park would curtail Mr. Langkau from looking into his proposal further. Mr. Maurer replied that it would not, but there are a lot of questions that would need to be answered regarding the wetlands, storm water retention and the location of the roads in that area. Unfortunately this proposal is coming so late and he reminded the Board that Council had previously indicated they were opposed to more commercial property at that location. Mr. Kaufman inquired about the cost to maintain the remaining, salvageable holes at the site as well as how it would affect the Parks Department budget. Mr. Maurer responded that there would not be irrigation or utilities at the site due to the construction making it difficult to maintain the holes. Staffing, chemicals and repair alone for the site would be approximately $140,000 - $160,000 per year to maintain as is. They also no longer have a qualified golf course grounds superintendent on staff and would need to hire one plus additional staff. Also, there is no revenue coming into the golf course budget. Mr. Dirth states that Mr. Langkau indicates he would want to own and operate the facility which creates one more private enterprise of golf in the community thereby negating it as a municipal course. He was opposed to the initial land sale to Oshkosh Corporation but saw the silver lining in that the sale resulted in 70 acres of park land. He feels that selling the property to create another golf feature would be a step in the wrong direction. He feels it should be a community park providing various recreational activities to the public. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR FEBRUARY 12, 2018 Mr. Wohler inquired whether golf course or park land are the only options for this site. Mr. Maurer states that he isn't ruling out any recreational uses for the site, but his department needs to know what direction the City will be taking with the land so that they can plan maintenance accordingly. Mr. Miller commented that Oshkosh Corporation has already donated money to be used toward the trail system and he thinks that if this is park space the company will likely want it to be a "world class" park much like its facility and while he doesn't know for sure, his gut feeling is that they would be willing to donate more money to make the park space world class as well. Motion by Dirth to recommend a community park at Lakeshore site. Seconded by Miller. Motion carried 5-2. 2) DISCUSS RAINBOW PARK BALL FIELD RENOVATION PROJECT Mr. Maurer states that the Rainbow Park Master Plan calls for renovation of the ball field. Donations have been received to renovate in the future. He had been contacted by others in the community as well as Sydney Supple and Heidi Supple regarding the renovation. Sydney is involved in the Oshkosh North High School girl's fastpitch and has some funds to be utilized for the project but a major fundraiser is needed. Currently there is approximately $25,000 from a private donor and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to go toward this project. Sydney Supple states that she has played fastpitch her whole life and has committed to play for a college team already. Last year she was the first girl from Oshkosh to be named Wisconsin Softball Player of the Year and she doesn't want to be the last. She feels that to have that happen Oshkosh needs a first class softball facility and as such she is donating the $1,000 grant money she received toward this project as well as beginning a fundraising effort to raise money for the improvements. She feels that having an additional field for high schools to utilize would be beneficial as well as having lights at the facility. The lights could be utilized for hosting tournaments at the park as well as double headers for the school. She states that many times practice has had to be postponed because of the lack of lighting at the parks. Ms. Supple states that there is a growing love for softball in this community and as the City continues to produce quality softball players it would be great to have a facility for those players to come "home" to teach others in the city and inspire young girls to pursue these opportunities. Ms. Supple states that along with her grant money she has received they have already raised an additional $47,000 toward this project. She asked the Board to review the fundraiser campaign she has put together, Sydney Supples Strikeouts for Ballpark. She wants to use this to raise additional funds for the project and feels a fundraiser like this is a good option to speak with businesses to match donations and add even more money to the fund. She is passionate about this project because she wants to leave a mark on the community and inspire youth to follow the same path. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FIVE FEBRUARY 12, 2018 Mr. Gogolewski questioned whether the neighbors in the area had been contacted regarding lights at the ballfield. He also brought up concerns about parking. Mr. Maurer states that the lights were a late addition to the project but it would be discussed with the neighbors in the future. He suggested that the fundraiser continue because it would be $75,000 just for the field renovation and an additional $150,000 for the lights. There would also be an endowment fund started for maintenance of the site putting the total goal for the project at $250,000 to be raised. He states that they can continue to raise the money for the project and the infrastructure can be created for the lights. The new lighting that would be utilized is more downward facing than at the older ballfields and cuts down the overflow lighting. With regards to parking, there is currently street parking available similar to by Mary Jewell Park. He feels it is appropriate to keep that in mind as a future need for the site and as the master plan is implemented. Sydney's mother Heidi also spoke stating that the ballpark is already there so they aren't looking to add anything new other than the possibility for lighting. She states that as a parent trying to get adequate ballfield space for the youth to play at is difficult. There is a need for the ball diamond to be renovated and the have another location for softball and youth baseball in the city is needed. Oshkosh has some of the worst diamonds in the area. The school district doesn't have the money to renovate their fields and since this is already in the park master plan and there is money to be donated to the project it makes sense to complete it. Mr. Hartley spoke again to the Board about this topic stating that he has lived across the street from this park for many years. He would like to see the space utilized more. He spoke in favor of field lights. He also has concerns regarding parking and agrees there would be a future need for it. Mr. Dirth states that he likes this idea and was impressed with the presentation. He agrees that this could be a first class ballfield with these renovations and feels that it makes sense to put the money into it as long as it is used accordingly. The consensus of the Board was in support of the project and the fundraising will begin. Updates will be provided to the Board. 3) REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE SPANBAUER MEMORIAL FIELD LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AND FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES Mr. Dallman advised that this draft lease is similar to those used in the past for Spanbauer, Red Arrow and Reetz Concessions. He states it is basically the same document that has been approved by the Board in the past. Motion by Gogolewski to recommend approval of the Field Lease Agreement between the City of Oshkosh and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Seconded by Wohler. Motion carried 7-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE SIX FEBRUARY 12, 2018 4) UPDATE ON MENOMINEE PARK TENNIS COURST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT Mr. Maurer informed the Board that due to the increasing popularity of Pickleball in the area this project was altered slightly to accommodate those needs in that they eliminated one tennis court to add four pickleball courts. This will result in three tennis courts and four pickleball courts at Menominee Park. He has worked with the different tennis organizations as well as the pickleball groups and they agree with moving forward with this plan. The groups are also working on creating an endowment fund for future maintenance. Mr. Maurer has met with a consultant on this project and bids will be going out next month. The project will likely be completed over the summer and the groups were notified of this disruption however they state that it won't affect them much since many groups have not been using the courts due to their conditions. There is currently $300,000 budgeted for this project. 5) ACCEPT DONATION FROM OSHKOSH CORPORATION FOR RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY TRAIL AT LAKESHORE SITE Mr. Maurer informed the Board that about two weeks back at the unveiling of the new global headquarters for Oshkosh Corporation, Wilson Jones presented the city with a $600,000 donation to show their gratitude to the city and to support recreation. This donation is to be used for completion of the river trail in that area. The plan is to utilize the current Lakeshore parking lot for a portion of the trail which will help bring down the costs. The city will continue to apply for grants to continue the trail through Rainbow Park to Oshkosh Avenue to complete the loop and connection with the WIOUWASH Trail. Motion by Miller to accept donation from Oshkosh Corporation for Riverfront Community Trail at Lakeshore Site. Seconded by Schuessler. Motion carried 7-0. PARK DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Maurer advised that most of what he has been focusing his time on this past month was already discussed within the agenda items. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Dallman advised that staff has been working on updates at the Seniors Center North building. They have been working in the Fox Fitness Center and weight room. They divided the former Campbell Creek room into two rooms; one for weights and one for multi-purpose. These improvements have increased program participation. Staff also completed an office for Jenny McCollian, the Revenue Facilities Manager, at the Senior Center North building. Mr. Dallman is working on getting out information for seasonal employment recruitment as well as moving ahead with Capital Improvement Projects. The lack of snow has meant that staff is able to focus more on maintenance items at the parks shop as well as completing work at the Zoo Maintenance Building. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE SEVEN FEBRUARY 12, 2018 OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Schuessler asked for an update regarding the events that were recently held at the Riverside Park Ice Rink. Mr. Maurer stated the grand opening event in January was very well attended as was the event held over the past weekend. Dr. Eric was available at both events with free skates. The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation provided funding for music at the site and security cameras were installed on the back of the Convention Center as well. Both of these are good additions to the site not only for the ice rink but throughout the summer as well. There will be a meeting in the near future to determine even more ways to improve the rink and surrounding area. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Dirth for adjournment; seconded by Miller. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary