MINUTES

CITY OF OAK CREEK PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY COMMISSION

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Present:  Patricia Glatch, Janet Fluegel, Ann Lampe (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Alderperson Tom Michalski, Marianne Dickmann, Dan Jahn & Peter Wagner
Absent: Paul Sigler

The Thursday, February 14, 2008, Oak Creek Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. by Chairperson Janet Fluegel.

Patricia Glatch made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 10, 2008, meeting.  Seconded by Pete Wagner.  All aye; motion carried.

The financial statements and claims for December 2007 & January 2008 were approved on a motion made by Marianne Dickmann and seconded by Pete Wagner.  All aye; motion carried.

5-Year Park & Open Space Plan Update (Draft) - Review

Commissioner and City Planner Pete Wagner reviewed a draft of the 5-Year Park & Open Space Plan Update with the Commission. The Commission was impressed with the proposed plan. They congratulated Pete and staff on a job well done. The Commission will review the goals and objectives section of the plan for possible additions or changes to be discussed at the March meeting. Staff will continue to refine the plan and have a final draft for review at the March meeting.

Abendschein Community Park Plan Update - Review

1. Park facilities restrictions and alternatives: The Director informed the Commission that the current school district plan for athletic/park facilities at the East Middle School site does not include a skate park. As agreed at the January meeting, the Director consulted Engineering to determine the feasibility of developing the proposed Abendschein Park facilities. He discussed various park facilities restrictions and alternatives with the Commission. The primary restriction to the proposed Phase 1A development was that softball field fencing is not allowed to be installed within the flood way boundaries identified on the plan.  The proposed picnic shelter east of the existing baseball field would be in a flood way and cannot be constructed at that location. The final concern was that the proposed skate park and basketball court facilities were relatively close to the retention pond in the proposed Phase 1B development. The retention pond may be shifted more north away from those facilities. Various facilities alternatives for parts of the proposed plan were discussed.
2. Park facilities for Phase 1 Development: Due to the fencing restriction in Phase 1A, the Commission instructed the Director to consult with Engineering to determine if Phase 1A development could feasibly include the parking lot, retention pond, skate park, play structure and two soccer/football fields. The Director will bring the revised Phase 1A proposal to the next meeting.

Park Facilities Permit/Rental Policies – Review

This item was held and will be reviewed at the March meeting.

Oak Creek – Franklin School District Recreation Program Fees – Review

The Commission discussed a request from the School District allowing City of Franklin residents in the Oak Creek/Franklin School District to be treated as residents when registering for Oak Creek Parks, Recreation & Forestry programs that are conducted at Oak Creek Franklin School District facilities if the School District would not charge the City facilities rental fees when programs are conducted at the School District facilities. The Commission would prefer the change in policy to only pertain to youths and not adults and would be willing to discuss further if indeed the facilities rental fees would be discontinued. The Director informed the Commission that further discussions regarding this item will be taking place and will be brought back to the Commission for review.

ADJOURNMENT

At 9:07 pm, Pete Wagner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Tom Michalski.  All aye; Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Dickmann
Secretary