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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-9-18 Minutes ADVISORY PARK BOARD JULY 9, 2018 Present: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Scott Greuel, Steve Herman, Devon Hudak, Todd Kaufmann, Lester Millette Excused: Bill Miller, Megan Schuessler Other: John Kneer, Rettler Corporation Staff: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director; Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager; 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. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Maurer introduced the newest board members, Lester Millette and Devon Hudak, who were appointed to fill the vacant seats left by Carrie Rule and Terry Wohler. Mr. Millette states that he is a prior Leadership Oshkosh graduate and served as an adjunct member on the board when he was going through that program. He works at the YMCA, works with the Parks Department in his line of work on different items and looks forward to have input on the Board. Ms. Hudak states that she herself also just graduated from Leadership Oshkosh. She works for ARC Contracting and recently moved to Oshkosh. She looks forward to being a part of the community and being on this Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Herman for approval of the May 14, 2018 minutes. Seconded by Dirth. Motion carried 7-0. CITIZEN STATEMENTS & PARK BUSINESS 1) REVIEW AND RECOMMEND RUSCH PARK MASTER PLAN APPROVAL Mr. Maurer explained that a draft Master Plan had been included in everyone’s packet. After the meeting in May, Rettler Corporation took all input that had been received and created this document. Staff is looking for a recommendation to move forward with the Master Plan as drafted. It would then go to Plan Commission for approval and ultimately to the Common Council for adoption. He explained that a Master Plan is necessary to apply for grant funding for park improvements. The recently adopted Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) also called for a Master Plan to be created for this park. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE TWO JULY 9, 2018 Mr. Kneer introduced himself as the design consultant with Rettler Corporation who is working with the City to create a Master Plan for Rusch Park. He further explained that this document helps to determine park use and allow for future funding. He gave an overview of the Master Plan document for the Board Members reviewing the history, use and analysis of the park. The preferred concept plan for the park was created after input that was received from the three public input meetings, the Park Board meeting that allowed public input, input from Park Board Members as well as discussions with City Staff and the online survey that was conducted. Key components of the concept plan include trail improvements, vegetative buffering along the park property and additional trails to be added with bridges and boardwalks where necessary. Cost estimates as stated would include these additions. Mr. Herman raised the question about flooding concerns in the low lying areas. Mr. Kneer explained that there have been accommodations made to account for the possibility of flooding. Boardwalks and bridges would be built up higher to avoid these problems. Good data had been received during the wetland delineation testing to be able to take that information into account. Mr. Kaufmann inquired about DNR needing to be involved with the placing of the boardwalks in the flood plain areas. Mr. Kneer explained that disturbance up to 10,000 square feet is allowed before a DNR permit is necessary. Mr. Maurer stated that due to a printing error the final rendering of the concept plan was not included in the printout that was provided. He also mentioned that the information regarding the lights and boardwalks are just examples at this time, not the final decision because these options may be obsolete by the time funding is available and the items can be installed. Mr. Herman voiced approval of the plan as the Common Council representative on the Board and thought that a lot of options were given for the public to have input in this plan. Mr. Kneer stated that he feels the plan looks to future growth in the City and that information was taken into account for the plan. Motion by Dirth to recommend Rusch Park Master Plan for approval. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 7-0. 2) SPANBAUER FIELD RENOVATION UPDATE Mr. Maurer updated the Board that they are also working with Rettler Corporation to renovate Spanbauer Field as part of the 2018 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This used to be a premier field for adults to play at, however, with the improvement to equipment over the years available usage for the field has changed. Adult equipment combined with the size of this ballfield does not make it an appropriate option for adult leagues. This combined with the fact that there has been a decline in adult leagues it was decided that this field will only be used for youth programs in the future. Bids for the project will go out hopefully in August and work will be started on the improvements in the fall so that the field can be completed late fall/early spring for the 2019 season. Mr. Kneer once again spoke on behalf of Rettler Corporation stating that they began working on the project with a good overall idea about what was needed at the site. The CORP recommended this field to be improved and improvements will be done to accommodate youth league play at this location. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE THREE JULY 9, 2018 Improvements include replacement of fencing, removal of the warning track and rebuilding the infield. A new backstop will be placed about 10 feet in from where it currently is creating a plaza space in front of the building to accommodate for better foot traffic, better utilization of the concessions area and allow for easier access for maintenance vehicles. There will be new batting cages and foul poles installed as well. The outfield will receive irrigation upgrades as well as storm water improvements to keep the fields in good playable condition. The fence in right field will still be elevated. There will be 3 base pads installed for different length options to accommodate the various age groups as well. Mr. Dirth inquired whether anything is planned to be done with the area outside of center field. Mr. Maurer advised that it will be grass at this time and they can look at trees being placed there in the future. The park lights that are currently at that site will remain for use. PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Maurer updated that one of the CIP items for 2018 is the repair of the Fox River Riverwalk behind the Leach Amphitheater. Partial funding was received through a grant from the DNR. Bids will take place later this summer and the replacement will take place in the fall after the Waterfest Concert Series is completed. Tuesday night concerts return this week sponsored by Verve, a Credit Union. The concerts will take place every Tuesday for six weeks and will feature various bands as well as food trucks and family entertainment every week before the concert. The budget process is beginning already. Staff also continues to work on performance evaluations which will be completed in August. Information has been received that the South Park lagoon project is roughly 3 weeks behind schedule. They will be asphalting the paths this week and there will be another 2-3 weeks for restoration. The parking lot is 80% complete and the lagoon work will be finishing up soon. The fencing will remain up to protect the turf until it is established. ASSISTANT PARK DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Dallman updates that it has been a good summer weather wise. Maintenance crews continue to be busy with mowing, maintaining athletic fields and getting ready for special events in the city. The Menominee Park Zoo recently received an upgrade courtesy of an Eagle Scout project. Jacob Cutts of Troop 641 planted five different tree pods to improve the landscape in the elk exhibit. The new section of the Fox River Riverwalk is opening up in the Morgan District and benches will be getting placed along that portion of the Riverwalk soon. Park signs are being replaced at various sites in the city and marquee restoration will be taking place soon as well. There have been many memorial bench dedications that have come in and park staff will work to get those placed soon. Glatz Park trail construction will be completed soon and the Teichmiller Park field updates will begin end of July/early ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES PAGE FOUR JULY 9, 2018 August once the youth programs are finished using it. The zoo maintenance building work is moving along. At Menominee Park shelters 4 and 5 recently had the roofs replaced and the tennis court project is coming along as well and is on schedule. At Fugleberg Boat Launch the restroom renovation is coming along as scheduled. Staff continues to work with Community Foundation and Zoological Society on funding for the eagle exhibit at the Menominee Park Zoo. The cost of steel has recently increased exponentially. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Sturm informed the Board that 15 trees have been moved and replanted to the west portion of the former Lakeshore Golf Course property. The plaques have been moved as well. There may be some additional trees that need to be moved as he continues to work with engineering regarding the storm water basin. The new road may necessitate some additional tree movement as well. The benches at the site will remain in storage until plans are finalized for the parks space. Staff has planted over 150 trees this spring, flower beds have been installed and staff remains busy maintaining landscapes throughout the city. The office manager at Riverside Cemetery is giving tours again. This is the second year for this program which has been very successful. The Landmarks Commission recently came out for a tour and there are more people that want to attend the tour than there are spots available. He likes that the tours give information about what is available at the cemetery. The department recently received a US Forest Service Grant for $10,000. He will work with the Planning Division to determine where to plant them. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Kaufmann for adjournment; seconded by Herman. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 P.M Respectfully submitted, Stacy L. James Stacy L. James, Recording Secretary