MINUTES
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Present: Alderperson Ann Lampe, Dan Jahn, Patricia Glatch, Janet Fluegel, Greg Lampe, Marianne Dickmann, Peter Wagner
Absent: Paul Sigler
The January 26, 2006, Oak Creek Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairperson Janet Fluegel
The minutes from the October 13, 2005, meeting was approved on a motion made by Greg Lampe and seconded by Dan Jahn. 6 aye; 1 abstain (Ann Lampe), motion carried.
The financial statements and claims for October, November & December 2005 were approved on a motion made by Marianne Dickmann and seconded by Greg Lampe. All aye; motion carried.
Donation of dugout overhangs & foul poles for Abendschein Park Baseball Diamond
The Oak Creek Bleacher Bunch would like to install wooden dugout overhangs at Abendschein Park. Marianne Dickmann made a motion to accept the proposal of the Oak Creek Bleacher Bunch to purchase and install the dugout overhangs with the Director’s approval of the final design and overseeing installation. Seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried.
The Director requested approval from the Commission to use donation account funds to pay for foul poles at an estimated cost of +/- $1,000. Motion made by Patricia Glatch and seconded by Ann Lampe to approve the purchase of foul poles with donation account monies. All aye; motion carried.
Commissioner Resignation/Appointment
The Director introduced Peter Wagner as the new Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission member replacing Jennifer Wimmer who recently resigned from the commission.
Abendschein Community Park-Prioritize Park Facilities for Phase I Development
Since the Common Council approved limited Phase I development of Abendschein Community Park during the 2006 budget process, the Director asked the commission to review the master plan for any changes. Example: Excavating and grading, installation of bridges and pathways, etc. could be part of Phase 1 of the development and park facilities could be added as funds become available in the future. The Commission would need to determine if they want to install water/sewer right away, develop one or two specific areas instead of grading the entire park site, etc. The Director suggested that the Commissioners review the plan and bring their ideas back to the next Commission meeting in March. The Director handed out and reviewed some estimates for various development aspects of the park including grading, water laterals, sanitary sewer, pathways, relocation of facilities, etc. The Director also confirmed with the Commission that they do not want the development of the Clement Avenue Collector Street to run through Abendschein Park.
The Commission asked the Director to itemize development ideas into groups/packages for the next meeting.
Since Abendschein Community Park development is listed in the 5 Year Park & Open Space Plan, the Director took this opportunity to inform the Commission that he and the City Planner have begun the process of updating the plan and that is why the plan update outline was in their packets for them to review.
Deerfield Elementary School Site-Park Facilities Development
The Director and Commission discussed the wording in the Memorandum of Understanding – Outdoor Facilities and the Land Exchange Agreement between the City and the School District regarding park facilities at the Deerfield Elementary School. After much discussion, Ann Lampe moved to consider sharing costs with the school district for park facilities development in the sum not to exceed Impact Fees collected for the proposed Oakview Neighborhood Park. Seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye; motion carried. The Director will bring design and cost estimates for the park facilities to the Commission for review and approval when available.
WPRA Ticket Program
The Director reviewed the summary of the 2005 WPRA ticket sales.
Review 2006 Department Fees & Charges
The Common Council (during the budget process) asked the Commission to review fees & charges in an attempt to bring in more revenue. Over the last four years the Commission has reviewed and increased the fees & charges annually. The Department tries to recoup direct costs (some maintenance, instructor costs, part time salary costs, facility rental fees, supplies & materials) for the recreation programs in the fees & charges. Indirect costs are not covered which include administrative, capital outlay, etc. The intent in establishing the fees & charges is to try to break even with revenues vs. expenditures in most programs. Also taken into consideration is a comparison as to what other communities are charging and the customer’s ability to pay. The Director distributed the guidelines for establishing fees and charges which he asked the commission to review for the next meeting.
At the March meeting, there will be minimal additional fees and charges proposed. The programs where increases will be proposed is youth football and soccer for fall; swim programs and the playground program for summer.
February Meeting: Call of the Chair
Marianne Dickmann made a motion to have the February commission meeting a call of the chair; seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried
Softball League Policies-Consider allowing non-residents to play in more than one league
Residents are allowed to play in more than one league. Non-residents have been limited to one league except for the co-rec leagues. In order to round out our leagues and keep them filled, along with the difficulty in monitoring resident vs non-resident status, the Department would like to allow non-residents to play in more than one league. Motion by Ann Lampe; seconded by Marianne Dickmann. All aye; motion carried. It was suggested by Ann Lampe that the Department discontinue individual player fees and charge an all inclusive team fee. The Director stated that he would consider her suggestion and review it with the Commission at the March meeting.
Major League Diamondball (kickball) teams requests use of Abendschein Park baseball diamond
Major League Diamond ball has inquired about using the baseball diamond at Abendschein Park one day a week; either Saturday or Sunday. Currently three high school baseball teams plus Little League baseball use the Abendschein baseball diamond. The Community Public Facilities Use and Rental Policy states that recreation facilities, fields, etc. are acquired and developed to promote the general health and welfare of the community and they must serve the communities needs and/or interests first, last and always. Over the years, if an outside group/organization requested the use of our facilities, the Department has denied them. Is the Commission interested in changing the policy and allow outside groups rent community facilities? We need to decide if we want to change our philosophy and begin to rent to outside groups. The Director explained to the group that only port-o-jons are available; there is no water, public address systems or electricity. The group understands that the City will be doing some development in the park and that maybe they can help with some of the costs. The commission requested that the Director contact them to see if they are still interested in renting Abendschein Park and they will review the request at the March meeting.
Purchase Bleachers for two East Middle School ball diamonds with donation account funds
Estimated costs is +/- $2,500 for bleachers aluminum for the two East Middle School ball diamonds. The current wooden bleachers need major repairs. The new bleachers will meet new safety guidelines. Greg Lampe moved to approve the purchase of two new bleachers for the East Middle School ball diamonds; seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried.
Final Fall & Preliminary Winter Recreation Program Reports
Informational only.
Communications
No handouts were distributed.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8 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