MINUTES
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Present: Alderperson Ann Lampe, Dan Jahn, Janet Fluegel, Marianne Dickmann, Pete Wagner, & Patricia Glatch
Absent: Paul Sigler & Greg Lampe
The November 16, 2006, Oak Creek Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Chairperson Janet Fluegel.
Patricia Glatch moved to approve the minutes from the October 12, 2006, meeting; seconded by Pete Wagner. All aye; motion carried.
Marianne Dickmann moved to approve the financial statement/claims for the months of September and October 2006; seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried.
2007 Proposed Budget Update
No further updates and/or changes since the last meeting and the budget was approved.
Abendschein Community Park-Revise Prioritization of Park Facilities
During the 2007 budget process, the Common Council allocated an additional $200,000 rather than the requested $400,000 estimated needed for Phase 1 development in 2007. The Commission reviewed park facilities previously prioritized for Phase 1 development. Pete Wagner moved that the Commission eliminate the installation of the play structure for Phase I development and then continue with development of Phase I. Seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried.
The Director and Commission discussed pavilion fixtures, equipment, etc, such as heating (year around use) use for ice skating warming shelter, preparation and serving counters, water heater, furnace, pressure tanks, refrigerator/freezer, lighting/electricity, asphalt pathway around the perimeter of the building, security cameras, park lighting, an extra bay for the pavilion, air conditioning the building, and sprinkler/fire protection.
The Commission also discussed items for future phase development such as an ice rink location, baseball field relocation, additional parking areas, purchase of the woods, a pathway/bike trail from Forest Hill Avenue and the possibility of having to relocate some of the disc golf holes within the park or relocate the entire disc golf course to another location in the City.
Additional items to consider in the future would be relocating the skate park to Abendschein Park if the school district builds a new high school at the current EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL location, and the option of constructing two lighted softball diamonds in place of the proposed soccer fields.
Emerald Ash Borer Invasion
Informational DVD’s are available for use from the Department and a website was provided.
Donations & Fundraising Requests Policy
The Commission discussed the need for a donations and fundraising policy. Alderperson Lampe expressed a concern that city funds should not be used for this purpose. After some discussion, Alderperson Lampe moved that if the request is not in direct correlation with a recreation program {i.e. advertising which could potentially bring participants into our program(s)} and until the department has a promotional/marketing plan in place, that donations and/or fundraising requests should be denied. Seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried.
WPRA Ticket Program-Summary of Summer Ticket Sales
Tickets sales have gradually been declining. Some businesses are offering better deals than we can get through Wisconsin Parks & Recreation Association.
Skate Park Open During Winter
The Director and the Commission discussed the option of leaving the skate park lights on and the park open during the winter. Dan Jahn moved that the skate park lights are turned off at the first snowfall and the skate park will close at dusk until spring. Seconded by Patricia Glatch. All aye; motion carried. The Director will post a sign stating such at the skate park entrance.
Disc Golf Course Closed for Winter
Resident Robert Kuester addressed the Commission on his concerns regarding park facilities. His concerns included people driving on and creating ruts in the grass areas, garbage being strewn around the park, trash cans needing to be emptied more often, alcohol bottles in trash cans, people smoking marijuana around the disc golf course, and the wear and tear of golf course turf. He suggested that maybe the police could patrol the area and be more noticeable. Mr. Kuester also suggested that he would like to see the disc golf course closed from the end of September until beginning of May and give the area some time to revitalize because everyone is walking in the same place, following the course.
The Director said that he is pleased with the popularity of the disc golf course and overall, he is pleased with its first year of operation. Mr. Kuester is the only person, thus far, to express such concerns, that park staff has not expressed such concerns, but that most if not all of Mr. Kuester’s concerns will be looked into, monitored and addressed. The course is a new development that will receive maintenance and improvements each year. The Director disagreed with the concept of shutting the course down because it was developed for people to use, hopefully year around weather permitting.
After much discussion, Marianne Dickmann moved that the disc golf course would remain open this winter, and the grass areas monitored for wear and damage. If the grass areas deteriorate, the Director will consider closing the course until spring, trash cans will be emptied on a regular basis, and the police contacted to step up patrol of the area. Seconded by Patricia Glatch; all aye. Motion carried.
Port-a-Lets in Neighborhood Parks
The Director informed the Commission that he occasionally receives requests to provide port-a-lets in neighborhood parks. The Commission discussed the neighborhood concept that the park facilities are for neighborhood residents that have restroom and water facilities at home. Providing restroom and water facilities in neighborhood parks are a lower priority than other park facilities at this time. The Director informed the Commission that restroom and water facilities in neighborhood parks seem to be vandalized more frequently than other park facilities. Marianne Dickmann moved that port-o-lets not be installed in neighborhood parks. Seconded by Dan Jahn. All aye; motion carried.
December Meeting-Call of the Chair
Marianne Dickmann moved that the December meeting will be a call of the chair. Seconded by Pete Wagner. All aye; motion carried.
Recreation Programs-Final Fall Recreation Report
Informational report included in the commission packets. No discussion.
Communications
Adjournment
At 7:39 pm, Dan Jahn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ann Lampe. All aye; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marianne Dickmann
Secretary
MD/dl