MINUTES
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Present: Alderperson Ann Lampe, Dan Jahn, Sandra Herte (arrived at 6:10 PM), Janet Fluegel, Jennifer Wimmer and Marianne Dickmann.
Absent: Paul Sigler and Greg Lampe
In Attendance: Richard Hay, 344 E. Groveland Dr., Oak Creek, WI and Fred Siepert, 405 E. Valbeth Drive, Oak Creek, WI
The Oak Creek Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission meeting was held at the Oak Creek City Hall, Solarium Conference Room, 8640 S. Howell Avenue, Oak Creek, WI, on Thursday, September 11, 2003, and was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairperson Janet Fluegel.
The minutes from the June 19, 2003, meeting was approved on a motion made by Ann Lampe and seconded by Jennifer Wimmer. All aye; motion carried.
The financial statements and claims for the months of June and July were approved on a motion made by Ann Lampe and seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye; motion carried.
Richard Hay and Fred Siepert prepared “A Proposed Plan for Additional Amenities at Miller Park” information packet which was mailed to commissioners. Chairperson Janet Fluegel turned the floor over to Richard Hay and Fred Siepert to explain the informational packet. Richard Hay explained that they would like to proceed with additional amenities at Miller Park through a citizen’s committee for initiation, funding, and installation. The facility improvements wuld include park benches, a volleyball court and playstructure for 2 to 5 year olds. Richard Hay also stated that he does have some verbal commitments from two local clubs and a church for funding. The plan is to do the improvements in stages; such as collect money for all the benches, then have the benches installed. Richard stated that he does plan to recognize the groups that donate money. An example would be to put a plaque on a bench recognizing the group that donated the money for that bench. The proposed playland would be geared for the 2-5 year old age bracket. The plan does not require funding from the City. It was
agreed that the director would be kept abreast of the progress by the committee and be involved in the selection and installation of the playland equipment and other amenities.
Ann Lampe made a motion to approve the Miller Park facilities design and authorize the Miller Park Neighborhood Committee to raise funds. Seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye; motion carried.
The Commission reviewed the request from Hey & Associates, Inc. to create a wetland in Abendschein Community Park for the purpose of off-site wetland mitigation for a proposed retail facility in the City of Oak Creek.
The Commission is hesitant about allowing wetlands to be created on developable park lands and would like additional information regarding estimates on cost avoidance options for channel tributary enhancements to the Oak Creek and stream bank enhancement in the park.
Other concerns expressed by the Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry and discussed by the Commission included:
The Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission held this agenda item, but is willing to meet with Hey & Associates, Inc. representatives at the next commission meeting on October 9th, if they would like to discuss their request.
The “Department Status Report as of August 1, 2003” was included in the commission packets. There was no discussion on the objectives report.
The Director reviewed the proposed CIP/CEP budget, general fund budget, proposed recreation fees & charges, and the tentative list of spending cuts proposed by the Director with the Commission.
The Commission was in agreement with possibly delaying or reducing funds allocated to major projects such as park development rather than reducing staff or cutting programs. The proposed budgets will be forwarded to the City Administrator. While discussing the proposed fees & charges, the Director handed out copies of the 2003 Softball Survey in which the vast majority of those responding preferred having one player registration fee for both the residents and non-residents. The adjustment will be implemented for the 2004 Adult Softball Season.
Marianne Dickmann made a motion to approve the proposed Recreation Fees & Charges. Seconded by Sandra Herte. All aye, motion carried.
No report.
The Director briefly updated the Commission on the 2003 projects.
The following items were distributed to the Commission:
The Director informed the Commission that due to the overwhelming increase in requests for private tree consultations and because of insufficient resources and personnel (certified Arborists) to address these requests, the Department proposed to terminate the consultations. The City Attorney recommended developing a written policy. Marianne Dickmann made a motion to approve the Private Tree Policy. Seconded by Sandra Herte. All aye, motion carried.
At 8:28 p.m., Jennifer Wimmer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Sandra Herte. All aye, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marianne Dickmann
Secretary
MD/dl