Park & Rec Minutes 9/2/09

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
AT SHARP PARK
OCONTO, WI

1. Meeting called to order by Chairman Young at 5:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Vicki Grunow, Russ Young, Paul Welch and John Wittkopf
Also Present: Kale Proksch, Mayor Nerenhausen and Jim Shampo
Absent: Brian Rice
3. Moved by Wittkopf second by Grunow to move-up agenda Item 8b for discussion prior to other items.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
4. Moved by Grunow second by Welch to approve the meeting minutes from
July 15, 2009.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
5. Public Input: None
6. Correspondence: None
8. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING:
b. Security Cameras;
Brad Ryczek, representative from Ryczek Communications was present to go over proposal and details for surveillance system; 3 cameras will be installed on the Sporting Complex storage building…will overlook all of pool area; DVR and monitor will be housed in storage area…record on hard drive and stores 1 -2 weeks of video depending on how much activity…continually recycles; The cost of the proposed system is $2,998.00 which includes installation; Welch questioned if there were cheaper options; Ryczek explained there are but the quality won’t be there…high resolution needed especially for catching images at night; Wittkopf questioned if money was budgeted; Proksch stated it was;
Moved by Young second by Welch to approve purchase of surveillance system from Ryczek Communications at the cost of $2,998.00;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
7. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING:
a. Society of Creative Anachronism – Medieval Re-enactors;
Tracy Diaz and Elizabeth Laux were present and explained that the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a group that that holds events in which they recreate battles and other tournaments such as archery in live-action role playing; Diaz stated they were interested in having an event next spring at Holtwood… a weekend long event… would bring a lot of business to the local economy; Discussion on what the group would require…camping areas, fields for battle recreations, area for archery; Welch questioned liability issues if someone was injured; Laux stated the group is insured up to $1 million…Marshalls are in charge to make sure events are conducted safely; Discussion on date to hold event…can’t conflict with Little League Tournament or Copper Fest weekend; Diaz questioned if they could have port-a-potties brought in; Young stated there would be some there for Little League and can bring in more if necessary; Diaz questioned what the charges would be for the group to use the overflow camping areas…they will be given a special rate of $154.00 per night and also pay cost of renting fields;
Moved by Welch second by Grunow to approve request to utilize areas of Holtwood for SCA event pending approval of dates;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
. b. Capital Improvements Projects 2010 - 2014;
Proksch submitted his recommendations stating he wanted to try to get the parks, pool and campground on a 5 year plan; Welch questioned $1,500.00 for tree planting at Holtwood Campground each year; Proksch explained there are a lot of old trees and if we get hit with the Emerald Ash Borer it’ll be a big loss; Proksch requested the board members to let him know if they have anything they would like added;
c. Park Benches on Main Street;
Letter was sent to Park Committee from Kevin Huggett of American Family Insurance located at 1020 Main Street; Huggett’s letter stated he wants the park benches removed that are in front of his office; Huggett stated he has contacted the Police Dept. on several occasions because of teens and young adults hanging out on benches bothering his clients and other citizens; Welch questioned the number of times the Police Dept. has been contacted…if this should be considered a Park and Rec issue… he will not vote to take out benches…get rid of the problem, not the benches; Wittkopf stated this is an enforcement issue; Mayor recommended referring to Police and Fire commission…issue is not placement of benches, but loitering;
Moved by Young second by Wittkopf to refer to Police and Fire Commission for further action.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
8. DISCUSSION RECOMENDATON/UPDATE ON AAGESON POOL;
a. Manager’s Report;
Ashley Baye was unable to attend; Proksch reported there were 670 swimmers in July and 575 in August…terrible summer for pool as far as weather, otherwise no major issues…great group of workers this year;
b. Security Cameras;
Already discussed.
c. Pool Hours – 2010
Proksch stated he thought the free swim and the adult swim would have caught on but only 3 adult swimmers (seasonal campers), so would like to discontinue both and open pool each day at 11:00; Young stated we could compromise for adult swimmers and have swim lanes set aside for them; Shampo stated he heard complaints from campers that pool opens to late on weekends…should open at 10:00 or 11:00 rather than noon; Young suggested 11:00 so we are consistent with opening at that time each day; Shampo reported he had 8 campers cancel because the pool is not open this Labor Day holiday weekend; Proksch reported he doesn’t have the help because most of his workers returned to college; Young suggested hiring a few high school kids next year with the understanding they would have to work Labor Day weekend;
9. DISCUSSION RECOMENDATON/UPDATE ON HOLTWOOD CAMPGROUND;
a. Manager’s Report;
Shampo submitted reports for both July and August…totals through August, $109,913.61which Shampo stated is ahead of last year; YTD on mini-golf is $1,139.00; Shampo stated he took a survey through campground and adults stated they would use if it was updated; Young stated at end of year we’ll look at budget for the mini-golf;
b. Tipping Fees – Garbage Pick-up charges;
Proksch stated this was brought to his attention by Administrator…fees will almost double for next year, increasing to almost $5,000.00 for campground garbage pick-up; Wittkopf stated we could require campers to buy blue garbage bags; Shampo stated it would be hard to enforce…people would still us dumpster; Mayor suggested locking dumpster; Young stated this is a large increase, need to do whatever is necessary to recoup money; Wittkopf stated another option could be to raise fees; Proksch stated seasonal rates were just raised last year; Discussion on how much to raise fees for daily, weekly and monthly campsites;
Grunow was excused at 6:10 p.m.
Moved by Wittkopf second by Young to raise rates by $2.00 for use of each campsite, excluding seasonal;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes
c. Camping Fees – Daily, Weekly, Monthly;
See 9b.
10. DIRECTOR’S REPORT;
a. Parks Update
Proksch commented on some of the big items that need to be addressed:
Cement landing at City Docks….Bathhouse, road repair, beach at City Park…replace trees at Copper Culture…sprinkler system at Freedom Park…Holtwood needs road repairs…update ice rink at Sharp Park;
b. Recreation Program Update
Proksch stated kickball and horseshoes didn’t take…hard to get adult leagues going; Young questioned why there was nothing for seniors; Proksch stated he’s talked with ladies from Senior Center regarding some of their programs; Young suggested computer classes…Mayor agreed that would be a good idea;
c. Special Events Update
Funfest is scheduled for September 19th…possible volleyball tournament if enough entries are received;
d. Park Inspection Report
Remove railroad ties from City Docks and City Park…Proksch would like something to replace the railroad ties at City Park to keep cars from parking on lawn;
11. Review expense/revenue reports.
Moved by Wittkopf second by Welch to accept reports as presented and place on file.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
Addendum Item;
1. DISCUSSION RECOMENDATON/UPDATE ON 2010 BUDGET;
Proksch stated he would like telephone landline removed from Sharp Park…not necessary and is a cost of $1,000.00 per year…also phone at Copper Culture Museum…$345.00…should be charged to Historical Society if they want a phone there;
12. Next Meeting: 09/30/09 at Oconto City Hall.
13. Moved by Wittkopf second by Young to adjourn meeting at 6:25 p.m. M/C

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer