MINUTES
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Present: Alderperson Ann Lampe, Dan Jahn, Greg Lampe, Marianne Dickmann, and Jennifer Wimmer. Sandra Herte arrived at 6:07 p.m.
Guests: Sue Brown, Secretary, and Keith Saylor, President, of the Bleacher Bunch.
Absent: Paul Sigler and Janet Fluegel.
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, January 8, 2004. Marianne Dickmann made a motion that Ann Lampe be elected chairperson for today’s commission meeting. Seconded by Dan Jahn. All aye, motion carried. Acting Chairperson Ann Lampe called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
The minutes from the January 8, 2004, meeting was approved on a motion made by Greg Lampe and seconded by Jennifer Wimmer. All aye; motion carried.
The financial statements and claims for the months of December 2003 and January 2004 were approved on a motion made by Marianne Dickmann and seconded by Greg Lampe. All aye; motion carried.
BLEACHER BUNCH-DONATION OF ABENDSCHEIN BASEBALL DIAMOND IMPROVEMENTS-REVIEW & TAKE ACTION
Sue Brown, Secretary for the Bleacher Bunch, distributed a handout to the Commission on their organization. President, Keith Saylor, explained that they are a non-profit organization made up of family and friends of the Oak Creek High School Baseball program whose purpose is to support the team by providing essential equipment and supplies.
Keith Saylor said that the Bleacher Bunch would like to donate a batting cage for Abendschein Park baseball diamond which would minimize their loss of baseballs and minimize the risk of injuries to players. He stated that they would also like to solicit businesses to advertise on banners and put the banners on the ball diamond fence during games.
Other items on the wish list of the Bleacher Bunch for improvements for Abendschein Park include electricity, scoreboard, storage area, field improvements, concession facilities and restrooms.
The Director explained and showed the Master
Plan for Abendschein Park to everyone present at the meeting. The Director also
explained that any improvements to Abendschein Park through the Bleacher Bunch would have to be preapproved
by the Commission. Marianne Dickmann suggested
that the Bleacher Bunch put together a proposal with costs and time lines
for the Commission.
Marianne Dickmann made a motion that the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission and Department work with the Bleacher Bunch to coordinate the purchase and installation of donated items and that the items must be brought to the Commission for preapproval. Greg Lampe seconded. All aye, motion carried.
Keith Saylor asked the Commission if they can move forward in soliciting advertisements for vinyl banners for the fence for the ball diamond. Ann Lampe made a motion that pending the approval of the WIAA rules, City Attorney and Oak Creek High School Athletic Director that the Bleacher Bunch can move forward in soliciting funds for the banners with the understanding that the banners are put up and taken down at each home game. Seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye, motion carried.
The Director reminded the Bleacher Bunch that anything donated becomes the property of the City.
2004 URBAN FORESTRY ITEMS-INFORMATIONAL
A gypsy moth spraying program informational handout was included in the Commission packet. The Department plans on planting 500 new street trees, replacing 300 street trees and removing 65 trees in 2004.
While referring to the “Importance of Strategically Placed Street Trees” handout, the Director informed the Commission that while reviewing the Engineering Design manual, the CIP committee recommended making several changes to the “Rural B” design cross section. One of the recommended changes was that since the ditch sections have been removed, it was desirable and consistent with other residential development to require street trees. After some discussion which included the possibility of moving street trees out of the right of way and mandate trees on private property, the Council referred the street tree issue back to the CIP Committee.
After some discussion, the Director said he will notify the Commission when this issue goes to Council.
REQUEST FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOMENT AUTHORITY TO UPGRADE HOWELL AVENUE FLOWER BEDS-REVIEW & TAKE ACTION
The Director recommended that the Commission review the proposal again from the Community Development Authority. This item will be held over until a decision has been made on the street grading ordinance and the street tree requirement.
PROPOSED SKATE PARK-RELOCATION OF PROPOSED SKATE PARK TO EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE-REVIEW & TAKE ACTION
The Director informed the Commission that at the February 9, 2004, Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District Board of Education meeting, the school board gave their approval to allow the City of Oak Creek to use the East Middle School facility for a skateboard/in-line skating park.
City facilities on School District property liability questions/concerns were reviewed and answered at the school board meeting.
The proposed site at the East Middle School has a newly renovated 17,400 square foot fenced, asphalt surface needed for a skate park. To develop a similar facility at the originally determined Abendschein Community Park site would cost approximately $110,000.
After a brief discussion, Dan Jahn made a motion, seconded by Jennifer Wimmer, to relocate the proposed skate park to the East Middle School site. All aye, motion carried.
The Director stated that he will be meeting with Ad Hoc Skate Park Committee Chairpersons Jeff Hubert and John Finco on Thursday, February 19 to discuss how they would like to proceed with developing a proposal to bring to the Commission and then forward it to the Common Council.
RECREATION TRAILS SNOW REMOVAL POLICY UPDATE-INFORMATIONAL
The Commission discussed the Recreation Trails Snow Removal Policy. The Director informed the Commission regarding the number of complaints received by the Department, what the complaints were about, and a couple adjustments to the policy regarding Haas & Otjen Parks.
PARK DEVELOPMENT-UPDATE 2003/2004 CIP/CEP PROJECTS-INFORMATIONAL
The Director updated the Commission on:
● The South Hills Park fill, excavation, top soil and seeding project. The City will attempt to acquire free fill from other sources this year rather than contracting out for the completion of the project in 2004.
● The Camelot Neighborhood Park Development is on hold.
● The Miller Park Pavilion floor surfacing project. The Director is looking into the cost for a rubberized flooring surface in the pavilion.
RECREATION REPORT-WINTER/SPRING PROGRAMS
The Commission reviewed the recreation program report handed out by the Director. The Director drew the Commission’s attention to the paragraph about the preschool program. There has been a significant increase in complaints regarding incorrect birthdays and/or non-residents using a friend or family member’s Oak Creek address to avoid waiting until non-resident sign up and paying non-resident fees.
The Department will be requiring proof of a child’s date of birth for preschool program registration. This information will be required once and then will be noted in our computer system for future reference.
COMMUNICATIONS
None at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:30 p.m. Marianne Dickmann made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Greg Lampe. All aye, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marianne Dickmann
Secretary
MD/dl