Park & Rec Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMER 2, 2009
OCONTO CITY HALL

1. Meeting called to order by Chairman Young at 5:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Vicki Grunow, Russ Young, Paul Welch and Brian Rice
Excused: John Wittkopf
Also Present: Kale Proksch, Mayor Nerenhausen and Jean Seckel
3. Moved by Rice second by Welch to approve agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
4. Moved by Young second by Grunow to approve the meeting minutes from
October 21, 2009.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
5. Public Input: None
6. Correspondence: None
7 DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING:
a. WinterFest;
Proksch distributed handouts to the board members…stated this is a first draft of some of the possible events for 1st Annual WinterFest to be held on 01/23/10; Proksch stated this will be held in conjunction with the Farnsworth Library Family Funfest; Proksch requested board members to consider donating their time for the event; Board members commented that they thought this was a great idea;
b. Plowing of Park Roads;
Jean Seckel questioned if City Park could be plowed so ice fishermen can have access to the bay to get their shanties out; Young stated it’s a budget issue…just no money for plowing the parks; Seckel questioned if it could be considered if some of the fishermen were to donate money towards the cost; Welch stated the purpose of the park is not to have access to the bay for ice fishing; Proksch stated that he emailed the representative form the DNR for Copper Culture Park and they do not have funding available to contribute to the costs of plowing the park; Young stated it should just be plowed to the roundabout if no funding is available;
Moved by Rice second by Grunow not to plow City Park road or Copper Culture Park this winter.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
c. Youth members on Park & Recreation Board;
Proksch stated he got the idea from the DePere website…would like to try to get younger people involved within the department and within the City…have a hard time getting youth programs up and running and thinks this would help to get the word out and encourage the youth to share their ideas; Young stated they would be a non-voting representatives. Grunow stated it’s a good idea to encourage them to be involved;
d. Naming of the Multi-Modal Trail;
Proksch stated that it could be possible that State funds may be available if the multi-modal trial were somehow connected to the Oconto State Trail… name the south portion of the trail “Copper Culture Trail” due to it’s present location within and by Copper Culture State Park…would help promote the City and the Park…“Copper Culture Trail” could connect the Oconto State Trail to future trails within the City;
Moved by Welch second by Rice to recommend to Committee of the Whole to rename multi-modal trail “Copper Culture Trial:”
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
e. Fishing piers on M Donald Street, First Street & Business 41;
Proksch stated he sees many people fishing off the road and bridges…would like to make areas more inviting with easier access by putting in 12’ x 12’ fishing piers; Young stated they would most likely have to be handicap accessible…pier wouldn’t be costly but the ramps would be; Proksch stated if it could be kept at road level, a ramp wouldn’t be necessary; Young suggested pursuing what costs would be involved;
8. DISCUSSION RECOMENDATON/UPDATE ON HOLTWOOD CAMPGROUND;
a. Mini-golf Course;
Board members reviewed different layouts for courses…similar version to present course cost between $9,000 - $10,000.00; Young stated there’s not enough income generated to justify spending more than that;
Moved by Rice second by Grunow to authorize Proksch to pursue proposals for a mini-golf course with cost not to exceed $10,000.00;
b. Building Shed/Office
Proksch stated he spoke with the City Assessor and where the trailer is located now it is in a flood plane…no permanent structure can be erected there; Young suggested putting in a bathroom, replacing floor and fixing up outside of present trailer; Grunow questioned how much it would cost for the plumbing; Young thought the connections for plumbing may already be there; Proksch will check into that and have info next meeting;
c. Capital Improvements;
$22,000.00 has been budget for Capital Improvements…$10,000.00 will go towards mini-golf and some of the remainder would be used for updating the office; Young stated he would also like to have more picnic tables purchased if the money is available;
d. Campground Brochure;
Proksch submitted suggestions of changes he would like to have…new directions, rates, change in border color and new picture on front;
e. Campground Manger Position
Proksch questioned if we should open up the position and interview applicants…it was agreed that it would be a good idea to accept applications and have the board members interview candidates;
9. 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. 4 ayes
Jean Seckel stated that the blacktop road at City Park needs to be repaired, possibly even grinding up blacktop and change to gravel road again; Rice agreed that something needs to be done with the road;
10. Next Meeting: 01/06/09 at Oconto City Hall.
11. Moved by Welch second by Grunow to adjourn meeting at 5:52 p.m. M/C

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer