Park & Rec Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
OCONTO CITY HALL

1. Meeting called to order by Chairman Young at 5:15 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Russ Young, Paul Welch and John Wittkopf
Also Present: Kale Proksch and Mayor Nerenhausen
Excused: Vicki Grunow
3. Moved by Welch second by Young 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
December 2, 2009.
Wittkopf was not in attendance at Dec. 2nd meeting and questioned about the decision not to plow City Park for ice fisherman to have access; Young stated the reason the decision was made was because of budget constraints; Wittkopf questioned how often it would have to be done…wouldn’t be that costly; Young stated with the way the budget is, can’t do everything…something has to give;
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes
Brian Rice arrived.
5. No Public Input or Correspondence.
6. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING:
a. Multi-Modal Trail:
Plowing/Blacktopping: Proksch questioned if we should worry about plowing south end of trail; The parks dept. does not have the equipment to plow…would have to rely on public works dept. to do; Proksch stated the trail is crushed gravel…have future meeting with Board of Public Works to discuss blacktopping; Welch questioned if park dept. would have to acquire equipment to be able to plow; Proksch stated this is something that may have to be considered in the future…public works has a trackless but Park dept. can’t use;
Moved by Welch second by Rice not to plow the trial or bridge at this time.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
Underpass Lights: Proksch reported that there are 8 lights on at all times during the day… too many…met with Howie Schaden to see if it could be cut down to 4;
ATV Trails: Gene and Terri Berth were present representing Oconto ATV Club; Berth distributed maps to show the existing trail system…connects from Gillett all the way to Superior right now; Berth stated they will be meeting with Bob Skalitzky, County Forest Administrator to develop trail system from Oconto to Gillett…has to be done before April 15th to get funding…City has to be in favor before DOT will allow; Berth explained what area they are requesting access to and how the club will be able to maintain trail;
Moved by Wittkopf second by Young to recommend to Council to approve ATV trail running from Van Hecke Avenue through North underpass to existing railroad ROW extending to City Limits.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes


b. Adopt a Park/Trail;
Proksch submitted information about program that would encourage community members/groups to participate in cleaning up parks/trials; Discussion on charging groups if they want a sign for recognition of the park/trail they have adopted; Proksch also distributed copy of letter he will be sending to local businesses requesting to become a sponsor; Proksch stated he will only send one letter annually rather than sending a letter asking for donations for each separate event that comes up;
c. Youth Board Members
Proksch submitted a sample copy of an application for teen advisory position; Young stated this would be worth trying out; Rice stated a lot of our programs revolve around youth…it would be good to get there input;
Moved by Welch second by young to pursue seeking two teen advisory board members.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
d. Help Develop overall Department Goals for 2010;
Proksch submitted some examples of what may want to be accomplished in the coming year…asked for input; Rice commented on the parks department newly acquired responsibilities and how will we maintain and finance these; Young stated he would like to look into using the park impact fee funds for updating equipment; Proksch stated we have acquired the city docks, which will have to be updated;
e. Define Core priorities for the Department along with Mission Statement;
Proksch submitted some example of mission statements and goals; Young and Welch commented they liked the second example of mission statements which read, “The mission of the Park & Recreation Department is to create a healthy, vibrant community of all through people, parks, programs and preservation. The Department accomplishes this by offering a wide variety of lifelong programs and services to all ages, providing safe, aesthetic park facilities and open spaces, offering an established urban forestry program, and being involved in the community.”;
7. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON HOLTWOOD CAMPGROUND:
a. Mini-golf Course Update;
Proksch narrowed down to two choices; Decision to go with course costing $9,050.00 which included shipping and included some accessories;
. b. Building Shed/Office Update;
Proksch reported that water and sewer were not trenched in…would have to be trenched in; Wittkopf questioned on moving trailer; Discussion on the loss of the four sites if trailer were moved…wouldn’t have much of an impact; Welch questioned the cost of running the water and sewer to the present location of the trailer; Mayor stated we should check on cost as he didn’t think it would be that great as the city crew could do the job;
Mayor was excused at 6:03 p.m.
c. Electrical Meters for Seasonal Sites;
Proksch questioned if a test run should be done by installing a meter on just the manager’s site or to go ahead and install on all seasonal sites; Wittkopf stated it would be a good idea just to do the managers site to see if it pays to install meters on all of them.
d. Advertisement for Campground;
Proksch said due to the bypass we may need to consider more advertising; Young suggested on waiting to see what the impact would be this year;
e. Rates for Fall Event Sept. 24th -26th, 2010;
Society of Creative Anachronism will be holding their event that weekend…majority of estimated 80 campers will use overflow area but some may want to use Tent Area or Section E; Proksch questioned if we can consider giving a discount;
Moved by Welch second by Rice to give a $2.00 discount per night for sites in Tent Area and Section E.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
8. DIRECTOR’S REPORT;
a. Parks Update;
Proksch stated they have been having a difficult time getting the ice rink to freeze at Sharp Park…sides are freezing but not middle...will continue to try…may have to purchase a tarp for next year; Proksch said he would like to do a park tour in May to determine what issues need to be addressed at each park;
b. Recreation Programs Update;
Proksch reported he is in the process of setting up spring recreation classes;
c. Special Events Update;
Proksch reported Winterfest won’t be taking place this year; Questioned if we want to continue with Family Funfest…may have to pick a different date because of other conflicting events; Young stated he thought we should continue with Funfest;
11. Review expense/revenue reports.
Moved by Wittkopf second by Rice to accept reports as presented and place on file.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
12. Next Meeting: 02/03/09 at 5:15 p.m.
13. Moved by Wittkopf second by Rice to adjourn meeting at 6:25 p.m. M/C

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer