Minutes: Park Board: January 2007

City of Evansville, Wisconsin
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
January 15, 2007

Draft Minutes

1. Call to Order at 6:05 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens & members Farnsworth, Krueger and Sendelbach present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Members Carlsen, Jacobson, Merritt absent.

2. Minutes of December 18th, 2006 meeting were unanimously approved on a voice vote, following a Farnsworth motion & Sendelbach second.

3. The agenda for this meeting unanimously approved without alteration on a voice vote.

4. Citizen Appearances.
None

5. SOLE Committee Report.
Gib Wiedenhoeft of SOLE reported that the group is working on a budget for the dredging project. The preliminary rough estimates indicate that removal of the lake bed down to a depth of 8-10 feet will cost on the order of $650-750K, assuming the dirt doesn’t have to be moved very far from the dredging site.
He also reported that the next SOLE meeting would take place on Wednesday, January 24th, 6 PM at the Library. He invited PRB members to attend.

6. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan".

a. Review of current draft of plan, and further editing changes proposed by PRB members: A final draft of the plan was reviewed by all members and staff present. Several typographical and omission errors were noted by members. Staff “filled in the blanks” on the newly added appendices relating to operation of the parks and pool. The city planner has provided six modified maps for the plan, incorporating changes requested by the PRB, including correct street and park names.

b. Rename document “2007 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan”. This was approved by the members present.

c. Motion by Krueger, second by Sendelbach, to approve the plan with changes made in items a. and b. above, and submit it as a final draft to Plan Commission and City Council for adoption. Motion passed unanimously.

7. Chair’s report on any actions of Public Works Committee, Finance & Labor Relations Committee, and Common Council on items of interest to PRB:

Juergens, as a member of the Public Works Committee, brought the issue of multiple bike path maps to PWC at its January 3rd meeting. Differences were worked out, and the City Engineer will develop a single new map as soon as possible. This map will be incorporated into the 2007 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Juergens, as a member of Finance & Labor Relations Committee, brought the issue of financing the Lake Leota restoration to FLRC. After discussion, it was decided there that working on this issue should be postponed until summer 2007.

8. Reports/Updates on Pending Park Projects & Maintenance: Park Maintenance Supervisor Ray Anderson

a. Lake Leota Park: vandalism has occurred at the warming house.
b. Franklin Park: pole-removal & relocation is complete, with W&L, phone and cable utilities all in place.
c. Countryside Park: Restroom construction is on hold because of weather.
d. West Side Park: none
e. other projects, if any: none

9. Aquatic Report: Pool Director Rick Hamacher

a. Report on solar-panel project for 2007: The city engineer is in contact with the supplier of the solar panels in order to design the necessary panel supports adequate for the weight of the panels.
b. other: The AWARE agency has been contacted concerning PRB’s action last month to offer some free passes and lessons to low-income Evansville residents. AWARE is pleased to be asked to coordinate this effort.

10. Old Business

a. report of architect’s design for shelter/gateway for Franklin Park in 2007: Juergens presented two concept drawings from Destree Designs. One concept is based on the architecture of the Eager Free Public Library, while the other is a more conventional gazebo. Following discussion, PRB members preferred the “library” concept. Krueger requested that a cost estimate be obtained from the architect before any action be taken by PRB. The chair will request such an estimate.

11. New Business

a. Review of Community Service Work so far: Three youths began CSW on January 9th, with the bulk of the work related to the move of city offices from City Hall to the Dean Community Center. In addition, they raked leaves and trash from the grounds of both buildings. It is unlikely that they will complete their 20 hours of CSW during the move. The remaining hours may be assigned to the move back to City Hall when the 2nd floor renovation is complete.

b. Report from the Chair on McKenna School meeting re: improving the situation at the skate park for 2007. This meeting was held on Jan 9th, with about 70 students in attendence. Erik Endres, Juergens, & Bill Alt all spoke about the park situation. Brandon Frank and Bob Flaherty of the school staff spoke about developing a student group to revive the Skate Club. These two will take on the task of calling a second meeting of students soon organize such a group. Juergens will invite representatives from the group to the February PRB meeting to describe what progress has been made.

12. Motion to Adjourn (Sendelbach, Farnsworth) approved at 6:48 pm.

Minutes drafted by Fred Juergens on Jan 23, 2007. Minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent meeting of the PRB.