Park & Rec Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010
OCONTO CITY PARK

1. Meeting called to order by Chairperson Young at 5:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Paul Welch, Russ Young and Vicki Grunow
Also Present: Jessica Belongia, Jim Shampo and Danielle Sherman
Excused: John Wittkopf and Brian Rice
3. Moved by Welch second by Grunow to approve agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes
4. Moved by Young second by Welch to approve the meeting minutes from
July 8, 2010.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes
5. No Correspondence or Public Input;
6. Discussion/action/recommendation on Parks & Recreation;
a. Copper Culture Trail Rules/Enforcement;
Proksch submitted a finalized copy of the what the Copper Culture Trial would be open and closed to on the North and South ends of the trail; Both trails will be open to bikes, walkers/hikers, dogs on leashes and will be handicap accessible…the North trail will be open to snowmobiles also;
b. City Bike/Walking Trail Plan;
Proksch submitted a copy of a memo that he will forward on to the Board of Public
Works explaining the request to add signage to proposed bike trails. The memo states the breakdown of the plan into 3 phases; Proksch is recommending consideration of Phase 1 which consists of adding bicycle lanes to the west side of the road on Van Hecke, Cook and Smith/Brazeau Avenues; South side of Mill and Logtown Roads; North side of McDonald Street and East side of Sandhill Drive; Proksch stated by developing this plan we can increase safety for pedestrian and bikers;
Moved by Young second by Welch to recommend to the Board of Public Works Dept to approve proposed Phase 1 with marked bicycle lanes on appropriate streets;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes
c. Review City Park 5 –Year Development Plan;
Proksch stated there have been request to have road redone…budget for next year; Proksch stated he would like to explore having 2-lane roads on each side of park with parking lot on end of each road…remove road from in front of beach area; Board members stated they liked the idea and advised Proksch to draw up plans for review at next meeting;
d. Purchase of Parks Truck;
Proksch stated there was 17,000.00 budgeted in the Capital Equipment account and Holtwood road came in under $10,000.00; Proksch would like to purchase a used truck to replace the red van with remaining monies; Board gave approval for Proksch to seek proposals;
7. AAGESON POOL
a. Pool Update/Manager’s Report;
Jessica Belongia reported the pool was closed 2 days because of problems with the filter and 4 days due to weather related conditions…total revenue for the month was $3,699.00; Belongia stated 122 people participated in Walking Taco Day…Beach Party Day will be held on August 10th; Belongia stated they have been handing out surveys and have been receiving a lot of good feedback;
8. Discussion/action/recommendation on Holtwood Campground:
a. Internet;
Young stated he talked to Scott Boucher who is the owner of an internet business/equipment…he would provide the opportunity for campers to have a wireless connection by purchasing minutes; Welch questioned if there would be any liability for us; Young stated no because all we would be doing is providing the opportunity for service; Proksch submitted quotes from CenturyLink and Nsight…not bad prices; Young stated perhaps something could be set-up with Scott Boucher that the campground office receives free minutes each month for allowing service;
b. Manager’s Reports;
Shampo reported Y-T-D deposit $97,424.70…approximately $3,000 ahead of last year;
Proksch stated he received a quote for the office roof and siding work from United Constructions and they came in below others…will go with them;
9. Director’s Report;
a. Parks Update from Board Members;
Freedom Park:
Grunow stated there seem to be less of a problem with kids congregating in the park;
Copper Culture:
Young reported Rod Barta informed him that an anonymous donation was received for a security system; Young said we should consider creating a part-time position for out there…maybe just Saturday afternoons for museum tours;
Sharp Park:
Welch reported that he had spoke to some of the elementary teachers and students…they don’t like going to Sharp Park because of the graffiti and the clientele that hangout there during the school year; Young reported that he talked to Jeremy Wusterbarth about marking dead trees for removal; Young stated Corey James would cut them down…just provide him with a chipper;
City Docks:
Proksch stated they had put rocks in at docks…will see about having Trailbusters removing their trailer from out there; Young questioned the condition of the pavilion; Proksch stated he like to talk to the Lions Club about staining…put up some netting to prevent swallows from building nests; Young stated that at County Park II they put up chicken wire to keep the birds from nesting in the rafters;
Holtwood Park:
Welch questioned if there was a problem with geese; Shampo stated they are really bad again this year; Grunow stated she has witnessed some of the campers feeding them…can see them from across the street at the Reporter’s office where she is employed…will inform Shampo when they notice the campers feeding the geese; Discussion on DNR program a few years ago that dealt with the geese problem;
b. Recreation Programs Update - Fall/Winter Guides;
Proksch stated the guides are done and ready for pick-up tomorrow; Proksch reported the Park and Rec dept. is teaming up with Youth Center to hold some events there and will coordinate with the Historical Society for a fall hike at Copper Culture Park; Proksch stated some new events will include ladder golf and broom ball for youths and bean bag and broom ball leagues for adults;
c. Special Events Update - End of Summer Family Fun Fest;
Proksch stated he’s considering 9/11/10 for Family Fun Fest…takes a lot of work to put on…would need extra help…will contact school to see if groups would consider helping out; Sherman suggested contacting Ben Bourassa to see if Link Crew would volunteer to help out; Young stated members of the National Honor Society are required to volunteer hours of service…if we can’t get volunteers may have to consider paying part-time helpers;
d. Park Inspection Update;
Nothing new to report
10. Review expense/revenue reports.
Moved by Grunow second by Welch to accept reports as presented and place on file.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes
11. Next Meeting: Wednesday 09/06//10 at 5:00 p.m. at Oconto City Docks
12. Moved by Welch second by Young to adjourn meeting at 5:48 p.m. M/C

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer