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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-9-18 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD APRIL 9, 2018 Present: Tony Dirth, Steve Herman, Todd Kaufmann, Carrie Rule, Megan Schuessler Excused: Amy Davis, Bill Miller Absent: Terry Wohler Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager/Forester; Stacy James, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Acting Chair Herman 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 February 12, 2018 minutes. Seconded by Kaufmann. Motion carried 5-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) ACCEPT PARKLAND DEDICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3420 W9 AVENUE (PICKART ESTATE SUBDIVISION) TH Mr. Maurer advised that there is a slight change to the map since it was provided to the Board and handed out a new map. City staff continues to work with the developer to fine tune the specifics. This went before Plan Commission on Tuesday and there was much discussion regarding the amount of parkland. Recent studies have shown that this part of the city is in need of additional parkland. The initial plan called for a 61 unit development which would mean that the proposed 1.38 acres would be shy of the 1.54 acres required by ordinance. The city has since asked for an additional lot to be added to parkland meaning it would then be a 60 unit development requiring 1.51 acres but would result in 1.66 acres of dedicated parkland. Ordinance does allow the city to request above and beyond the required park space for an acceptable purchase price and based on plan commission comments the city will be going in that direction. This item is on the City Council agenda for approval tomorrow night based on the Board’s decision tonight. If it is decided to move forward in this direction then the city will discuss a reasonable purchase price with the developer for approximately 0.15 acres of land. A comparably sized park to what will be received would be West Algoma or Stoegbauer Park both of which are 1.8 acres. Mr. Herman asked about playground equipment and what kind of deadline could be anticipated. Mr. Maurer answered that City Staff is beginning the process of working on CIP projects and staff can start inserting money into the program as placeholders for improvements. Mr. Dirth inquired about the existing ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO APRIL 9, 2018 structures on the property and it was stated that they will be demolished by the developer. City ordinance lays out what condition the land needs to be in when turned over by the developer. This area will also be surveyed and marked clearly to delineate the property lines. Motion by Dirth to accept parkland dedication for development of property located at 3420 W9th Avenue. Seconded by Schuessler. Motion carried 5-0. 2) PRESENTATION OF 5 YEAR TREE PRUNING SCHEDULE Mr. Sturm advised the Board that his department has been maintaining a GIS inventory map of the park and street trees for the past 8 years and it is updated yearly. He felt that it would be a good idea to develop zones for management. At this time his department manages approximately 10,000 street trees. This map breaks the city into zones of equal amounts of trees (approximately 2,000) so as to set out a plan for tree pruning and maintenance. This is the first year of implementing the schedule and due to the weather cooperating this spring they have been able to complete work on about 1,900 trees and wrapped up that work about three weeks ago. While pruning employees look for trees in need of attention and/or removal in the future. If there is a tree brought to staff attention that causes public safety concerns or needs immediate attention, it will be addressed regardless of the pruning schedule. He notes there is a map at the office and on the city website. Mr. Herman inquired about the Arbor Day event that is coming up later this month. Mr. Sturm informed everyone that the Arbor Day event is scheduled for April 26 at 9:00 a.m. This year it will be held at the Menominee Nation Arena, which is a new site for the event. He has worked with the University as well as the utility companies and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for award presentations for Tree City, Tree Campus and Tree Line Awards to recognize work well done. This year with the arrival of the Wisconsin Herd a new tree planting program has taken place sponsored by American Transmission Company wherein every three pointer that is made the company donates money. There was $2,500 raised last year. Next year there will be plantings at the arena site and they anticipate that members of the Milwaukee Bucks may come up and help plant as well. 3) UPDATE ON 2018 CIP PROJECTS Mr. Maurer reminded the Board that City Council awarded the parks department approximately $1.3 Million for 2018. The department is working on these projects as well as other projects from the general budget but he felt it would be a good time to have the Board receive an update on what is happening at this time. Mr. Dallman updated the Board with regards to where the department is at with the various CIP projects. These include Menominee Park tennis courts where there will be three tennis courts and four pickleball courts once the restructuring and repaving is complete. The next project discussed by Mr. Dallman was the South Park equipment upgrades. All of the old playground equipment has been removed and the area has been excavated. The new playground area will be slightly condensed. However due to its proximity with the inclusive playground and being slightly relocated to be closer to Shelter 2 it will flow well. This project will be completed this summer along with the parking lot next to Shelter 1 and the lagoon work. The new playground will have poured in place ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE APRIL 9, 2018 rubber surfacing which is a larger expense up front but ends up being more cost effective in the long run versus wood mulch. Mr. Dallman then reviewed all of the work being completed at the Fugleberg Boat Launch site. Updates will include the same ADA features as previous restroom renovations and will be easier to maintain. Restrooms should be completed by August 31 and in the meantime there will be a port-a-let for boaters to use. The parking lot will also receive lighting upgrades and renovations to the launch once the restroom project is complete. Next Mr. Dallman gave background information about work being completed at Spanbauer Field. In the past there have been concerns with homerun balls in the park and the lack of fencing for such things. The decision has been made to make it a youth only field which means it will be slightly smaller than it is currently. There has been a decline of adult use at the ball fields making this a good alternative. Any adult games will be moved to the Reetz Complex. Work will begin in late August and he is anticipating that the project will be complete to make the fields playable late next spring/early summer. Lastly, Mr. Dallman updated regarding the concrete work that will be completed behind the Leach Amphitheater along the Fox River Riverwalk. There is a separation of the concrete from the sea wall causing a trip hazard. The project will take place late summer/early fall so as not to interrupt any events at the amphitheater. Mr. Maurer stated that he feels it is important to bring the CIP project lists to the Board for review/approval. City Council appreciates this also. He wanted to voice the department’s gratitude to City Council for putting money toward parks improvements. The next round of CIP planning begins this month. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer updated that the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) was approved by Council two weeks ago. His compliments to the Board for their work on this project. There is a copy of the final CORP uploaded onto the Parks Department website for the public to view. The South Park lagoon project work started back up last week. The parking lot next to Shelter 1 is being redone and is anticipated to be completed by May 15. Overall completion of the upgrades to the park is anticipated to be completed by July 1. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman gave brief updates regarding various projects his crews are working on. Funding has been received from Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative to begin the project on the Teichmiller Field updates. He will be working with the contractor over the next couple weeks on this project. Restoration work is being completed at the Sea, Sand and Sailorland playground in Menominee Park. Landscape Operations staff planted a donated Burr Oak on that site last fall as well. There is additional work being completed to move ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR APRIL 9, 2018 the eagle project along at Menominee Park Zoo. At Stevens Park the shelter concrete maintenance work is moving along as well as work with the community garden and park signage. The Zoo Husbandry Building upgrades continue to move along as well. Shelter reservations will begin this upcoming weekend. Depending on the weather, athletic fields will also be prepped and ready for play soon. He is in the process of working on the field schedules. May 5 is the scheduled opening for the Menominee Park Zoo and Children’s Amusements Center for the season. Seasonal positions for revenue facilities have been posted on the City’s website and he encourages everyone to spread the news about these openings. Applications have been slow to come in and there is a great need for more seasonal employees at all facilities. Hands On Oshkosh cleanup will take place on April 21 at various parks throughout the city including Red Arrow Park, Rainbow Park, Menominee Park and both boat launches along Main Street. UW Stevens Point students have developed an interpretive media program that may be utilized at the Menominee Park Zoo. Jenny McCollian will give her annual revenue facilities report next month since she is out of the office this week. A brief update was given by Mr. Dallman reported that she had a great year and the recent Breakfast with the Bunny and Egg-citing Day at the Zoo event was well attended. He pointed out that Jenny puts in a lot of work to make these events successful year after year. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm reported that compliments of the mild spring we have been having thus far staff has been working on spring clean-up at round-a-bouts, islands and shrubs. They are also working on adding mulch to various areas to help control weeds. Staff is also prepping equipment at the cemetery for the summer season. Spring tree planting will start rolling along soon once the ground dries out a little bit. He has received about 100 requests for tree plantings this spring and fall. He also continues to apply for grants for the funding needed to add additional trees. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Maurer updated the group regarding the Rusch Park Master Plan. There have been two public input meetings. Discussions were had regarding trail lighting and outdoor exercise equipment. There is currently a POLCO survey question that will be out until next week to garner public input as well. There will be one more public input meeting and then the plan will come back to the Board for approval. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Dirth for adjournment; seconded by Rule. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary