Park & Rec Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR THE
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010
OCONTO CITY HALL

1. Meeting called to order by Chairman Young at 5:17 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Russ Young, Paul Welch and John Wittkopf
Also Present: Kale Proksch, Mayor Nerenhausen, Jean Seckel, Rod Barta and Tim Baldwin
Excused: Brian Rice and Vicki Grunow
3. Moved by Wittkopf second by Welch to approve agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes 2 excused
4. Moved by Welch second by Young to approve the meeting minutes from
February 3, 2010.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes 2 excused
5. Correspondence: Letter from Bob Mommaerts of the Oconto Golf Club questioning if the city would be interested in purchasing the Golf Club, which is presently for sale; Wittkopf and Young stated this would be a great opportunity for the city; Will put on next agenda for possible action;
Rod Barta was present as a representative of the Historical Society; Barta distributed a very informative history of the Copper Culture State Park and Werrebroeck Museum; Barta explained that a campaign is being launched to bring attention to the museum and to try getting some help out there; Barta stated it has been 30 years since the museum was built and virtually nothing has been done since then; Historical Society will be approaching civic groups to help support the effort; Barta stated the most immediate need is tour guides for the summer…would Park and Rec Department be able to help out? Discussion on possibly providing seasonal help to fill in as tour guides from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays;
Proksch introduced Tim Baldwin form the Oconto Rugby Club; Baldwin was concerned about safety with new field; Baldwin stated over course of season last year, rocks and glass started surfacing, had to keep digging out; Baldwin stated they previously played in the outfield by the softball diamonds and would welcome playing there again; Wittkopf stated it’s disheartening to hear that after all the time and energy put into the new field…who brought the fill in? Young stated Foster had brought in the fill; Discussion on other possible areas or fields the rugby team could use; Proksch stated he will do an inspection to assess the field; Wittkopf suggested approaching Foster and see if anything can be done;
6. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON PARKS & RECREATION
a. Park Impact Fees;
Proksch stated that Oconto Falls and Peshtigo do not impose park impact fees; Mayor cited part of the ordinance which stated in lieu of a fee a percent of acreage could be dedicated back to the city…this could be modified;
b. Memorial Program Draft;
Proksch stated this is similar to the Forestry Departments Memorial Tree…could do memorial benches for the Harbor and the parks and picnic tables at the campground; Young questioned where the money goes; Proksch stated there is a memorial donation account; Young stated Copper Culture should be added as a site for memorials…could help generate money for that park; Mayor suggested having plaques at City Hall to show who dedications have been made too; Decision to be made on style, type and cost;
c. Summer Activity Guide;
Proksch submitted draft of activity guide, some additions include log rolling, archery, sailing; Proksch stated Bread by the Bay will do the concessions for the “Movie in the Parks;”
d. Special Event Permit Draft;
Proksch stated the Mayor, Administrator and City Attorney helped to put the draft together;
Moved by Welch second by Wittkopf to recommend to Council to approve Special Event Permit Application.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 3 ayes 2 excused
e. Summer Employee Positions;
Proksch reported that 4 lifeguards, 2 park employees and 2 employees from the campground will be returning;
7. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON AAGESON POOL
A. VGB Act Quote;
Proksch submitted quote in the amount of $2,800 from Pool Works to install the two grates; Proksch reported the pool needs a lot of work…one of the showers is broke, cost is $6,200 to replace all eight showers…big expense to operate pool…doesn’t bring kids in as is, need to add slide; Seckel stated maybe consider closing pool for a year and see how people react; Young talked about converting area into a splash park; Proksch showed an ad he had showing a pool that was converted into a splash water park, but needed to get more details on the process and the cost; Welch stated we should hold off on putting anymore money into pool;
b. Pool Slide
Tabled.
c. Pool Fencing
Proksch showed a diagram of where fencing would be removed and stated the area would be used for additional seating;
8. DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ON HOLTWOOD CAMPGROUND:
a. Golf Course Update;
Proksch stated he hadn’t heard back…will contact again next week;
b. Building Shed/Office Update;
Proksch explained that it would cost $2,800.00 for sewer and water hook-up if the building is moved, $7,400.00 if office is left where it is; Welch questioned if we would need a concrete pad if moved; Discussion if moved if would have to be made accessible per ADA…would lose two sites if moved; Proksch had samples for exterior…holding off on decision until it’s known if building will be moved or not;
c. Fire Wood Policy Draft
Proksch submitted policies covering holidays, reservation and wood…wood policy was from Wisconsin DNR website;
d. Campground Manager Position and Interview Dates;
Proksch stated he has received phone calls going both ways…either wanting Shampo to stay on as manager or letting him go; Board members reviewed applications; Welch questioned if we had to put Shampo through application process; Wittkopf suggested letting Proksch do the interviewing, take his recommendation…trust his judgment; Wittkopf commented on the super job Proksch is doing…complimented the activity guide he put together stating we never had anything like that before;
8. DIRECTOR’S REPORT;
a. Parks Update;
Proksch reported in April the parks will begin opening…3 groups have expressed interest in “adopt a park” program;
b. Recreation Programs Update;
Proksch stated the watercolor class started on Monday with 3 participants, creative writing had 4 or 5 and the computer class filled up to capacity;
c. Park Inspection Update;
Spring clean-up at City Park will be held on April 17th with Oconto’s Promise helping out; Copper Culture’s clean-up will be 5/21/10;
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. 3 ayes 2 excused
12. Next Meeting: 04/07/10 at 5:00 p.m.
13. Moved by Rice second by Young to adjourn meeting at 6:35 p.m. M/C

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer