MINUTES
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Present: Dan Jahn, Paul Sigler (left at 7:15 pm), Patricia Glatch, Janet Fluegel & Marianne Dickmann. Ann Lampe (arrived at 7:12 p.m.)
Absent: Greg Lampe & Jennifer Wimmer
The September 8, 2005, Oak Creek Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission meeting was called to order at 6:14 p.m. by Chairperson Janet Fluegel
The minutes from the June 9, 2005, meeting was approved on a motion made by Paul Sigler and seconded by Dan Jahn. All aye; motion carried.
The financial statements and claims for June & July 2005 were approved on a motion made by Marianne Dickmann and seconded by Paul Sigler. All aye; motion carried.
Community Built Playground in Abendschein Community Park-Informational
William Savage, Heidi Hoover and Linda Bury from the Foresters participate in fundraising efforts and organization for community efforts. They want to build a playground for Oak Creek for no costs through fundraising efforts. The first order of business in the process is to get the City to approve a location such as Abendschein Park and the Oak Creek Parkway off of Howell Avenue. The Director explained the plan for Abendschein Park and did state that the first phase of development would include a large playstructure. It would be up to the Council to determine if development could begin on Abendschein Park. If not, we could consider putting the playstructure in different location. The first order of business would be to get an approval from the City and a site location before they begin requesting donations and help. They need a minimum amount of $4,000 to $5,000 just to bring the team from Leathers & Associates to do the design phase and coordination. They actually ask the children what they would like to see in their park. They incorporate the children’s ideas and plans into their plans. Leathers & Associates will do all of the preconstruction coordination and design the playground. All the materials that are needed come through Leathers & Associates. Now they use almost exclusively recycled rubber and plastic products that withstand play and weather. The playstructures are handicap accessible. It is also preferable to have restroom facilities nearby
The Director will set up a tour of the community built playstructure in Franksville before the next Commission meeting. This item will be on the October commission meeting agenda for further discussion.
City owned Mobile Stage versus Band Shell
There was a recent demonstration in the Oak Creek High School parking lot of the mobile stage. Previously, there was interest in putting in a band shell in Oak Creek. Various City officials and Celebration Committee members were at the demonstration. The Celebrations Committee is very supportive of the portable stage. The Mayor was in favor of the mobile stage and has asked the Director to place it in the Parks, Recreation & Forestry CIP budget proposal for 2006. Paul Sigler made a motion to approve and support the purchase of a mobile stage, seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye; motion carried.
Objectives Progress Report
The Director briefed the Commission on the Department’s Goals and Objectives Progress Report.
Use of Border Collie’s to remove Canada Geese from Henry Miller Park
A group with Border Collies would come in 3-4 times a day, at different times of the day to chase the ducks and geese away. They would come in for the months of March, April and May for 12 weeks and then again mid-August, September and October for 10 weeks for a total of 22 weeks. The cost is $250 per week which would be $5,500 if we want to try this service for 1 year. The group is also willing to do a demo which the Commission was in favor of. Marianne Dickmann made a motion to budget for the Border Collie service for 1 year; seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried.
2006 Proposed Budget, Proposed CIP/CEP, General Fund Budget, Fees & Charges
The Director reviewed the proposed 2006 Parks, Recreation & Forestry budget, proposed CIP/CEP, General Fund Budget and fees and charges with the Commission. The proposed fees and charges was approved on a motion made by Patricia Glatch; seconded by Paul Sigler. All aye; motion carried.
The Commission discussed the Miller Park Pond CIP item. Three pond options were discussed. In order to sustain an appropriate water level for Miller Park pond it costs $3,000 to $5,000 for water per year. The first option would be to dredge and put a clay liner in the pond as well as shoreline stabilization. The second option for Miller Park Pond would be to fill it in similar to Haas Park and Chapel Hills Park ice rink areas where there is just a one- to-two foot basin with a drain. The basin would then be plugged and filled with water for ice skating in the winter. Marianne Dickmann made a motion to continue to fill the pond with water as needed (Option #3). . Seconded by Ann Lampe. All aye; motion carried. The second choice of the Commission would be to dredge, reline and do shoreline stabilization on the pond. The Commission was not in favor of filling in the pond.
Marianne Dickmann then made a motion to approve the 2006 budget requests of the Department with the addition of $5,500 added for the Border Collie service in 2006; seconded by Ann Lampe. All aye; motion carried.
Recreation Report - No Report
Park Development-Update 2005 CIP/CEP Projects-Informational
South Hills Park / Chapel Hills Park – Asphalt work is completed, volleyball court is finished at South Hills. Playstructures are being installed on September 13-17. Fencing has not arrived yet for the tennis court at South Hills and the backstops and basketball courts. Park development is expected to be completed the last week of September or first week of October.
Disc Golf Course – Anchors are in for the baskets and signs. The poison ivy is getting under control. Signs are being worked on. Over the course of the winter, maintenance will be filling in the ruts and clearing additional brush. This area will be checked in the spring. If the Council does not approve Phase I of development for Abendschein Park, the golf course should open in April. If the Council approves development of Phase 1, the disc golf holes may have to be relocated.
Skate Park – Equipment should arrive in mid-September and installation will begin. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the park.
Bike Trail Segments - Information was in the Department Objectives Progress Report.
Storage building – The storage building will be on the CIP committee meeting agenda on September 13 for approval.
Communications
a. Fall Acorn & Recreation Guide
b. Milwaukee by Bike brochure
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:00 pm, Patricia Glatch made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marianne Dickmann
Secretary
MD/dl