Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 27, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, 31 S. Madison St., Evansville, WI
1. Call the meeting to order @ 6:00 PM.
2. Roll Call: Ald. Hammann (Chair) & Ald. Juergens. Staff: Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Director, Bruce Woods & Dave Sauer, City Engineers. Absent: Ald. Sornson. Quorum attained.
3. Minutes of February meeting unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
4. Citizen appearances
Roger Berg provided an old Ace hardware building renovation update. Beginning façade replacement this fall. Requested larger sewer & water services.
5. Lake Leota Restoration
SOLE working with Rock, Dane & Green counties on forming an Allen Creek watershed committee.
Following schedule for Public Hearings regarding refilling Lake Leota:
• April 17 Park Board Meeting
• April 24 Public Works
This meets the 60-day time frame asked by SOLE during the 2/27 Public Works meeting. If required, the subject will be placed on the May 9th Council agenda. This will allow us plenty of time to fill the lake before June, and the start of the dry season. The public hearing at Park Board will focus on the recreational value of the lake, and it’s impact on Leota Park if the lake is dry all summer. Discussion at Public Works will focus on the logistics of potential dredging of the lake this summer.
6. Main Street Reconstruction Public Hearing
• Discussion on Downtown side street parking, municipal lot parking and off-site parking.
We picked up where we left off last month by discussing off-site parking, municipal lot parking & side street parking available both during and after Main Street Reconstruction.
City Engineer Bruce Woods handed out the current inventory of downtown parking locations:
Location Number of Stalls
Main Street 111
Madison Street 33
Maple Street 22
North Municipal Lot (off Montgomery Ct.) 38
Municipal Lot off Maple Street 55
Municipal Lot behind Grange Mall 14 (32 private lots)
• 273 Total Available Downtown Parking Stalls
Public Works direction Dave Wartenweiler surveyed city’s municipal lots and found North Municipal Lot (off Montgomery Ct.) at 65% capacity and Municipal Lot off Maple Street at 50% capacity during peak business activity.
Business leaders in attendance unanimously agree that current number of parking stalls is insufficient to support current business activities.
City Engineer Bruce Woods compared Evansville’s downtown parking to Mt. Horeb larger downtown (363 parking stalls).
Main Street parking will be unavailable during construction (111 parking stalls).
10 stall will be occupied for Old Ace Hardware renovation.
Estimate 150 – 170 parking stalls required during peak business activity.
Contractors will require parking for vehicles, equipment & staging materials.
The downtown will have approximately 150 available parking stalls during Main St. construction.
We need to locate 50 – 75 additional parking spots.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:15 p.m.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) asked how many parking permits taken out for city’s municipal lots (12 total parking permits).
Steve Haugen (421 W. Main St.) suggested we increase parking enforcement during Main Street construction.
Began brainstorming session on additional parking locations.
Sandy Decker (143 W. Main St.) suggests using the old union Co-op location for contractor staging area & equipment parking.
Roller rink parking lot has 20 stalls.
Fire district parking lot has 10 stalls.
Dean community center & adjacent church has approximately 30 available parking stalls that could be used for downtown employee parking.
Request the State employee commuter parking to move out of North Municipal Lot (off Montgomery Ct.) during Main Street reconstruction.
Nancy Hamby (1 N. Madison) suggested a park-n-ride off Hwy. 14, north of town.
Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) suggests we relocate State employee commuter parking to area near Green forest restaurant.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) suggest we pave the alley behind the Grange building and “spruce up” the municipal parking lots.
Steve Haugen (421 W. Main St.) requested business managers to ask employees to park off site and walk to work during Main St. reconstruction.
Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) suggests we place the bike racks up during Main St. reconstruction.
Closed Public Hearing @ 7:18 p.m.
• Request city administrator to contact the State employee commuters and ask them to relocate away from North Municipal Lot (off Montgomery Ct.) during Main Street reconstruction unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
• Request city administrator to investigate parking availability for the following locations: 1) old union Co-op location for contractor staging area & equipment parking; 2) Roller rink parking lot, 3) Fire district parking lot, 4) Dean community center & adjacent church parking lot unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Main St. Street & Sidewalk design.
Last meeting we discussed examining Evansville's Bowl property lines and examine if the front entrance is actually located on city property.
• Request Foth & Van Dyke to survey Evansville's Bowl front entrance and compare it to the property line unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
Bruce Woods discussed the two street design options. There is a trade-off between sidewalk width & parking stalls.
Option 1 - Increase street width & parking, but reduced sidewalk width.
Option 2 – Same as Option #1 west of Maple & old Option #2 to the east, increasing street & sidewalk widths, but eliminating angle parking.
Both options cost about the same.
Bruce Woods also showed new 3D drawings of the sidewalks and color drawings of the options.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:27 p.m.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) like the more parking friendly option #1. Believes parking is a priority. Strongly opposed turning Maple St. into a one way, citing truck traffic, access to veterinary clinic, and delivery trucks to the Nite Owl. Greg is willing to give up parking to keep Maple St. a two-way Street. Greg also suggests it’s time to replace the trees on Main St.
Roger Roth (1 W. Main St.) asked that we keep the driveway apron open in front of this business. Answer: All existing driveway aprons are included in both options.
Alderperson Hammann read a letter from Dr. Douglas Batty, Chiropractor (17 W. Main St.) requesting enforcing a 2-hour parking limit on the municipal parking lots, maintaining the handicap parking spaces in front of his business, and a mid block pedestrian crosswalk on west Main Street.
Bruce Woods made a note of his business location to include handicap parking in his design.
A discussion on the location of a mid block pedestrian crosswalk on west Main Street. Most of the public in attendance thought it was a good idea.
Jim McGoey (224 W. Church) believes mid block pedestrian crosswalks are unsafe and should not be included in the design.
Steve Haugen (421 W. Main St.) suggested right hand turning lanes off Madison onto Main St.
The discussion switched to Main St. design east of Maple Street. Option #1 contains 8 more parking spaces then more pedestrian friendly Option #2. Discussed place bump outs in areas where the sidewalk narrows. Six feet is a good safe sidewalk width.
Closed Public Hearing @ 7:50 p.m.
• Request Foth & Van Dyke to survey the property line on both sides of Main Street east of Maple Street to the Allen Creek Bridge unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
We have discussed Main St. Street & Sidewalk design for several months, answering questions that have come up in recent meetings and including input as required. It’s time for the engineers to start designing Main Street. Keep in mind that this will be a preliminary design. Later in the fall when everything has come together, a final Main Street design will emerge for pubic comment.
• Main Street & Sidewalk design #1 unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
• Discussion and possible motion to approve the following one-way streets: Maple Street going south, Railroad Street going north & Mill Street going west.
Bruce Woods illustrated the bumpout on the southwest corner of Maple & Main is required for ADA access for these businesses on the intersection.
Discussed the benefits of the proposed one-way street and there affect on downtown businesses. The city engineer proposed one way Maple Street going south streets to maximize parking on Maple Street. There is no safety reason for Maple Street being assigned as a one way street. Lose 4 – 6 parking spaces by keeping Maple Street two ways.
City engineer, Dave Sauer illustrated the lack of turning vision triangle from Railroad Street onto Main Street. Combined with the narrow width of the street the proposal to change Railroad Street going north & Mill Street going west into a one-way street is for traffic safety.
Open Public Hearing @ 7:55 p.m.
Jim McGoey (224 W. Church) opposes changing Maple Street into a one-way.
Joyce Brown (18 S. Maple) expressed concern about potentially turning Maple St. into a one-way street at the previous meeting.
Steve Haugen (421 W. Main St.) discussed the blind spot turning left from Railroad onto Mill St.
Closed Public Hearing @ 8:00 p.m.
• Recommend to public safety changing Railroad Street to a one way going north & Mill Street to a one-way going west after Main Street reconstruction unanimously approved on a Juergens-Hammann motion.
• Discussion and possible motion to approve and changing Montgomery Ct. one-way street designation during Main St. construction in 2007.
A couple of months ago Bob Dickert (131 N. 6th St.) asked if Montgomery Ct. one-way status change during construction for access to municipal parking lot? We explore that idea in more detail.
Open Public Hearing @ 8:04 p.m.
Montgomery Ct. would be a two-way street during Main St. construction in 2007 & Madison Street repaving in 2008, then revert back to one way.
Several public comments about remembering Montgomery Ct. two-way street status just a few years ago.
City engineer, Dave Sauer had no traffic safety issues with as long as Montgomery Ct. two-way street status is only temporary.
Closed Public Hearing @ 8:08 p.m.
• Recommend to public safety changing Montgomery Ct. to a temporary two-way street during Main St. construction in 2007 & Madison Street repaving in 2008 unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
Next month we plan to explore the following topic pertaining to Downtown Streetscaping:
• Concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection
• Removal of light fixtures to match east Main St.
• Review of off-site parking & municipal lot parking options
• Main St. & Sidewalk design
7. Update of Paving Bricks in Main Street Reconstruction in 2007
John Decker in providing project background explained this project would use paving bricks on Main St. between 1st Street & the bridge over Allen creek. They have done some investigating and found that Federal grants are available design, planning & streetscaping downtown business districts. City of Delavan recently completed their downtown district using a $800,000 Federal grant. The federal grant is an 80/20 matching, where 20% would come from the city.
Open Public Hearing @ 8:15 p.m.
Jim McGoey (224 W. Church) asked about street light specifications. He requested we replace 15 light fixtures on Main St. to match the light fixtures placed along Union St. for an estimated cost of $60,000.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) asked what would happen to the existing donated lights on Main St.
Discussion of number of paving brick options:
• Width of street
• Use of bricks on sidewalks. Paver bricks in sidewalk is not historical accurate.
• Use of bricks on crosswalks
• Which streets are paved with brick is a function of the grant amount awarded. Focus is on using paving bricks between Railroad street & 1st street.
Bruce Woods requested John Decker, Jeff Farnsworth, & Chris Eager set up a meeting with DOT to review grant application before the 4/14 deadline.
Discussed enhancements and several grant application details. Progress report on the DOT grant application. The focus of the grant application is as a landscaping enhancement.
Discussed using concrete intersections to save on amount of bricks.
Confident we’ll meet the 4/14 grant application deadline.
Closed Public Hearing @ 8:53 p.m.
8. 2006 Public Works Smart Growth Plan Action Plan
• Transportation #5.2 – Discussion on adopting a Class B Highway Ordinance
Designating a street a "Class B highways" imposes lower weight limitations on vehicles that use the street. This works well in a townships, where there are few roads to designate. Evansville has a heavy traffic routes by ordinance, so heavy traffic is prohibited on all streets not marked as heavy traffic routes.
Smart Growth Action Item: Transportation #5.2 Class B Highway ordinance not required.
9. Communications from City Engineer
• Discussed cost estimates and introduced TID #6 business park infrastructure.
• Engineering Madison St. water main project. Drawings available for approval next month.
• Engineering storm water project on Badger Drive. Drawings available for approval next month.
10. Communications of Public Works Director
• Pacer report
Public Works director presented Evansville’s Pacer report findings. Pacer is a tool used to measure road quality indicator for making decisions regarding road maintenance and improvements costs.
Only 4.6% of the roads are in poor condition.
Quality of Evansville’s roads has significantly improved since we began aggressively focusing on road maintenance.
Examined the Pacer Report road maintenance cost projections. If we continue to spend at our current budget level of $25,000/yr, we can not maintain our current road quality rating. Increasing our spending to $40,000/yr maintains Evansville’s Street.
Current Public Works projects include:
• Snow plowing
• Repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop
• Pot Hole Replacing
• Sign Replacing
• Bathrooms in parks
• Solar panel display for upcoming energy Fair.
11. New Business
• Discussion of the costs and benefits of extending the city's connecting highway limit on USH 14 to a point east of the intersection of J. Lindemann Dr. and USH 14.
The road maintenance cost of extending the city's connecting highway limit on USH 14 is an issue.
Discussed maintaining the stop lights on the Hwy. 14 & county road M intersection. Require creating a budget item of $2,500 for street light maintenance costs.
The benefit of extending the city's connecting highway limit on USH 14 is controlling our destiny.
Recommend annexing USH 14 along with land to the south and extending the city's connecting highway limit on USH 14 to the new city limits.
12. Upon the proper motion and approval vote, the Public Works Committee will convene in closed session pursuant to Sec. 19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats. deliberation or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reason requires a closed session, and will not reconvene in open session. During the closed session, the Public Works Committee will discuss possible acquisition of real property along S. Madison St. 2008
• Closed session unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
13. Meeting adjourned @ 10:06 p.m. on a Hammann-Juergens motion
Next Meeting: Monday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Bill Hammann Chair, Public Works Committee
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Minutes: Public Works: February 2006
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
1. Call the meeting to order @ 6:00 PM.
2. Roll Call: Ald. Hammann (Chair), Ald. Juergens & Ald. Sornson. Staff: Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Director, Bruce Woods & Dave Sauer, City Engineer. Quorum attained.
3. Minutes of January meeting unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
4. Citizen appearances – NA
5. Lake Leota Restoration
SOLE has completed Allen Creek Watershed Study. SOLE updated their road map to Lake Leota Restoration. SOLE asked for 60 days before the decision is made on refilling the Lake Leota.
SOLE will be forming an Allen Creek watershed committee. They will hold an Allen Creek watershed open house in the spring.
SOLE requested placing a Lake Leota learning center kiosk in Leota Park.
Gil Wiedenhoeft is now chairman of SOLE.
6. Main Street Reconstruction Public Hearing
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Traffic Island in the intersection of Main St. & Madison St.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:19 p.m.
• Dave Sauer of Foth & Van Dyke reported that Wisconsin DOT rejected Evansville’s proposal for a traffic island due to insufficient left-hand turn radius.
• DOT recommends Evansville create a truck traffic route away from downtown and enforce it.
• Madison St. – Water St. – Exchange St. – Union St. is Evansville’s truck traffic route.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) glad DOT rejected the traffic island.
Closed Public Hearing @ 6:21 p.m.
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Main St. Street & Sidewalk design.
• Bruce Woods discussed the two street design options. There is a trade-off between sidewalk width & parking stalls.
1. Increase street width & parking, but reduced sidewalk width.
2. Street & sidewalk widths are the same, but only a slight increase in parking.
Both options cost about the same.
Option #1
Driving lane width – The road width will be a consistent 57 feet. The troublesome driving lane width between Madison & Maple Streets would increase from 18½ ft. to 20 ft.
Parking – This design adds about 28 additional angle-parking stalls. Maximum parking option.
Sidewalk – width would be 8’ to 10’ except in front of the bowling alley (4.5’) and roller rink (7’). A standard sidewalk is 5’ wide. Narrow sidewalk areas force removal of streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Option #2
Driving lane width – The road width would narrow and change in width (between 50.5’ – 54.75’), with a slight jog in the road.
Parking – This design adds about 8 additional angle-parking stalls.
Sidewalk – would accommodate extra trees and no change in streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:27 p.m.
All intersections in both designs will have curb cuts for handicap accessibility.
Dean Arnold (124 N 3rd St.) asked how many more handicap parking stalls are available in the new Main street designs. Answer - there will be a few more handicap parking stalls.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) like the more parking friendly option #1.
Joyce Brown (18 S. Maple) is concerned about potentially turning Maple St. into a one-way street.
Steve Haugen (421 W. Main St.) discussed ADA access issues for Main St. businesses. Answer – both designs lend themselves to ADA accessibility.
Ald. Hammann asked what is the definition of a zero curb line. Answer – The entire street is handicap accessible, but requires a 12” ballad or curb stop at each parking stall.
John Decker (143 W. Main St.) prefers option #1, but concerned about sidewalk width in eastern end of Main St.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) asked if the sidewalk can be designed vertically to reduce steps. Answer – All effort will be made to reduce the step at Main St. business entrances. Next month the engineers will bring an example sidewalk cross-section illustration this type of sidewalk design.
Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) is concerned about narrowing the sidewalk when we want to encourage a walkable downtown.
Discussion regarding the sidewalk width in front of Evansville bowl list at 4’ (currently 7’ 9”). It’s possible to remove a couple of parking stalls and creating a small bumpout in that area to expand the sidewalk width.
Greg Ardisson called for a poll of the public. About 90% favored option #1.
Nancy Hamby (1 N. Madison) asked about the parking capacity on side streets and municipal lots.
Ald. Juergens suggested combining the two options: Option #1 west of Maple & Option #2 to the east.
John Decker pointed out that the bowling alley requires a low of parking.
Sandy Decker suggests we look at the property line and examine if the front entrance is actually located on city property.
Joyce Brown quested whether it’s prudent to make a decision on the street design without an understanding of the off-site parking, municipal lot parking & side street parking.
Ald. Hammann agreed with Joyce Brown, off-site parking, municipal lot parking, side street parking, and one way streets will be the focus of the next meeting’s discussion. Also requested the engineers change Option 2 by combining the two options: Option #1 west of Maple & Option #2 to the east.
Closed Public Hearing @ 7:18 p.m.
• Discussion on heavy traffic route on Main St.
Main St. currently is identified as a heavy traffic route, including the part where we are talking about putting paving bricks. If we go forward with the paving bricks, Public Works director David Wartenweiler thinks Main St. from Madison St. to Union St. should not be a heavy traffic route to reduce the pounding the bricks take.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:19 p.m.
Bob Dickert (26 W. Main St.) asked about delivery truck access. Answer – The ordinance will include a reference for allowing delivery trucks versus not allowing through traffic.
Greg Ardisson suggests we use concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection to reduce wear due to heavy truck braking. Answer – concrete intersection will solve truck-braking damage.
Steve Haugen (420 W. Main St.) asked what is the definition of heavy traffic route. Heavy trucks are defined by city ordinance, but basically it allows semi-truck traffic.
Greg Ardisson – What about truck traffic heading to Hwy. C? Answer – must allow truck access to Hwy. C.
Betsy Ahner asked if there is a lot of truck traffic on Main St.? Yes
Roger Roth (1 W. Main St.) asked what would be the alternative truck route? Answer: Madison St. to Water St. to Exchange St. to Union St. is Evansville’s truck traffic route.
Closed Public Hearing @ 7:27 p.m.
Ald. Hammann suggests we encourage truck to use the designated truck route and possibly use concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection.
7. Update of Paving Bricks in Main Street Reconstruction in 2007
John Decker in providing project background explained this project would use paving bricks on Main St. between 1st Street & the bridge over Allen creek. They have done some investigating and found that Federal grants are available design, planning & streetscaping downtown business districts. City of Delavan recently completed their downtown district using a $800,000 Federal grant. The federal grant is an 80/20 matching, where 20% would come from the city.
The cost of reclaiming bricks, paving asphalt, installing the bricks is estimated at $13.07/sqft. Main St. from the bridge to 1st Street is 72,500 sqft for a total cost of $947,575. This would be an additional cost to the Main Street reconstruction project. If Evansville were to receive this grant, the city would be responsible for $189,500 for installing paver bricks on Main Street. ECP is currently raising money through a paver brick fund.
John Decker discussed progress on the DOT grant application. The city can not apply for a Historic Preservation grant because Main St. has asphalt pavement over the bricks. The focus of the grant application is as a landscaping enhancement.
Nancy Hamby asked if the bricks could be used as an accent rather then paving the whole street. Discussion on using paving bricks for crosswalks and intersections.
Discussed using concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection and bricks everywhere else.
Marty Johnson (3 W. Main) suggested we use paver bricks under parking stalls and asphalt as the driving lane.
Joyce Brown asked how long would it take to lay the paving bricks? Jeff Farnsworth explained paver brick installation time.
Discussions on snow plowing a street with paving bricks. Public Works director Dave Wartenweiler explained Delavan’s road maintenance practices.
Roger Roth asked kind of road base does Delavan use under their paving bricks? The city engineer explained why a concrete base is critical.
Roger Roth how much truck traffic does Delavan experience. Delavan diverts truck traffic away from downtown.
8. 2006 Public Works Smart Growth Plan Action Plan
• Transportation #1.1 - PASER rating for road quality will be reported in December.
• Transportation #1.2 – Review Transportation Network Map every 5 years – Review in 2006
Request changing Smart Growth Plan to review transportation network map every 2 years
Evansville’s Transportation Network Map will be combined with Union’s Transportation Network Map after Union Township Smart Growth Plan is completed. Target Date: June
• Transportation #3 – Sidewalk Plan – partially completed in 2005.
Pick up where we left off starting in April.
• Transportation #5.1 – Design road network according to traffic patterns – continuous
Incorporate road network plans as part of reviewing transportation network map in June
• Transportation #5.2 – Adopt a Class B Highway Ordinance – 2006 Project
Request clarification from city administrator on what is required for this action item?
• Transportation #6.1 – Reduced speed on USH 14 between Elmer Road & city limits
Requested the city engineer to write a letter to DOT requesting reducing speed on USH 14 between Elmer Road & city limits in March.
• Transportation #9.1 – Downtown parking – part of Main St. reconstruction in 2007
• Transportation #9.2 – Replace downtown sidewalks & curbing – Main St. reconstruction in 2007
Began both these projects last month, with an expected completion date of fall 2006.
• Utilities & Community Facilities #4.1 – Develop a regional storm water management plan with Union township – 2006 Project
Include as part of the Evansville-Union Boundary & Extraterritorial agreements
• Agricultural, Natural & Resources #1 – Require analysis for soils with engineering limitations –Requested the city engineer to include this as part of review checklists?
• Agricultural, Natural & Resources #4.1 - Complete wellhead protection program – 2006 Project
Wellhead Protection ordinance enacted in January.
• Economic Development #3.1 – Downtown streetscape plan - part of Main St. reconstruction in 2007
• Economic Development #3.2 – Support the historic design/character by investing in needed lighting, signage, pedestrian amenities, plantings and other improvements identified in the streetscape plan part of Main St. reconstruction in 2007
Began both these projects last month, with an expected completion date of fall 2006.
• Economic Development #3.3 - Complete an evaluation of parking availability and consider opportunities to establish parking on vacant lots, as well as shared parking areas along Union Street - part of Main St. reconstruction in 2006
Expand our downtown parking focus to include municipal lots and adjacent side streets. Begin this action item in March.
• Land Use #3.1 – Expand identification, directional, and historic street signage
Pick up where we left off starting in May.
9. Communications from City Engineer
• Discussion and Recommendation to amend Stop Sign Locations at 5th St. & Badger Dr. and 5th St. & Main St.
The city engineer reviewed the traffic for the 5th Ave. area. The engineer recommends adding stop signs installed at 5th Ave. and Badger & Main St. intersections. This will divert traffic to 6th St. (new West Side collector road expected completion in 2006.)
Discussed installing stop signs before school starts next fall.
Discussed putting a traffic island in the Badger-Higgins intersection as a passive traffic-calming device.
• Recommend amending Stop Sign Locations at 5th St. & Badger Dr. and 5th St. & Main St. to Public Safety for review unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
10. Communications of Public Works Director
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Veterans Memorial Pool’s Solar Panels Construction Design
Public Works director met with two contractors to review proposals.
1. Aquarian – 672 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building and changing areas - $15,000.
2. Light Energy (Burke O’Neil) - 1,012 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building and changing areas - $14,478.
3. Light Energy (Burke O’Neil) - 462 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building - $7,222.
All projects will be completed before mid May.
City Engineer expressed structural concerns with solar panel supports on the changing areas on both designs. Suggests scaling back project to place panels on the roof, energy savings payback will be greater using this design.
• Light Energy’s 462 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building at Veterans memorial pool bid of $7,222 unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
• New Community Center Renovation Update
The city recently purchased the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop. Public Works department is renovating the ceramic shop, so the youth program and AWARE Agency can move this spring. If this occurs, employees working on the second floor of City Hall will move into the Dean Center Building during the demolition and construction of the second floor of City Hall.
Current Public Works projects include:
• Snow plowing
• Repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop
• Pot Hole Replacing
• Sign Replacing
• Assembling Park Bleachers
• Sidewalk snow removal policy:
• Each citizen has 24 hours to remove snow on sidewalk. City charges $25/hr to remove sidewalk snow.
• Any citizen can report an unacceptable snow covered sidewalk at city hall.
11. New Business
• Preliminary land divisions
Reviewed using Smart Growth land division checklists.
• Application #2006-4 John Morning two-lot division on Brown School Road
• Sanitary Sewer – Connection onto Brown School road. No capacity issues. Check on any deferred assessment.
• Storm Sewer – water drainage looks good. Discussed possibility of drainage way located within Hwy. 14 right-a-way.
• Water Main - Connection onto Brown School road.
• Street & Sidewalks – No sidewalk. Entrances require curbs.
• Transportation – Local Road
• Housing – Zoned Commercial
• Environmental – city engineer to check on sizing of storm water pond.
• Recommend Application #2006-4 John Morning two-lot division on Brown School Road to Planning Commission unanimously approved on a Hammann- Juergens motion.
• Application #2006-7 Tom Gibbs two-lot division off of Water Street
• Sanitary Sewer – Connection on Water St. No capacity issues.
• Storm Water – Very wet soil. Require grading to drain storm water to the south.
• Water Main - Connection onto Brown School road.
• Street & Sidewalks – No sidewalk.
• Transportation – Truck Route
• Housing – Zone Industrial
• Environmental – Very wet soil. Possibly located within the Wellhead protection area. Must demonstrate soil-bearing capability before construction.
• Recommend Application #2006-7 Tom Gibbs two-lot division off of Water Street to Planning Commission on the condition that both parcels are grading to drain storm water to the south unanimously approved on a Hammann- Juergens motion.
• Discussion on Amending Onyx contract to include a residential “Spring Cleaning”
A few residents have asked if it would be possible to add onto the city's Onyx contract that one week each spring people would be allowed to put out as much trash as they want to be hauled away by Onyx without having to use $1 tags. Onyx would need to charge the city an extra fee for this service, and the city would need to pass that along to residents through the fee on the property tax bills.
Not in favor of non-participants in the spring-clean to pay the extra cost for the spring-cleaning.
12. Meeting adjourned @ 9:25 p.m. on a Hammann-Sornson motion
Next Meeting: Monday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Bill Hammann Chair, Public Works Committee
Monday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
1. Call the meeting to order @ 6:00 PM.
2. Roll Call: Ald. Hammann (Chair), Ald. Juergens & Ald. Sornson. Staff: Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Director, Bruce Woods & Dave Sauer, City Engineer. Quorum attained.
3. Minutes of January meeting unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
4. Citizen appearances – NA
5. Lake Leota Restoration
SOLE has completed Allen Creek Watershed Study. SOLE updated their road map to Lake Leota Restoration. SOLE asked for 60 days before the decision is made on refilling the Lake Leota.
SOLE will be forming an Allen Creek watershed committee. They will hold an Allen Creek watershed open house in the spring.
SOLE requested placing a Lake Leota learning center kiosk in Leota Park.
Gil Wiedenhoeft is now chairman of SOLE.
6. Main Street Reconstruction Public Hearing
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Traffic Island in the intersection of Main St. & Madison St.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:19 p.m.
• Dave Sauer of Foth & Van Dyke reported that Wisconsin DOT rejected Evansville’s proposal for a traffic island due to insufficient left-hand turn radius.
• DOT recommends Evansville create a truck traffic route away from downtown and enforce it.
• Madison St. – Water St. – Exchange St. – Union St. is Evansville’s truck traffic route.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) glad DOT rejected the traffic island.
Closed Public Hearing @ 6:21 p.m.
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Main St. Street & Sidewalk design.
• Bruce Woods discussed the two street design options. There is a trade-off between sidewalk width & parking stalls.
1. Increase street width & parking, but reduced sidewalk width.
2. Street & sidewalk widths are the same, but only a slight increase in parking.
Both options cost about the same.
Option #1
Driving lane width – The road width will be a consistent 57 feet. The troublesome driving lane width between Madison & Maple Streets would increase from 18½ ft. to 20 ft.
Parking – This design adds about 28 additional angle-parking stalls. Maximum parking option.
Sidewalk – width would be 8’ to 10’ except in front of the bowling alley (4.5’) and roller rink (7’). A standard sidewalk is 5’ wide. Narrow sidewalk areas force removal of streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Option #2
Driving lane width – The road width would narrow and change in width (between 50.5’ – 54.75’), with a slight jog in the road.
Parking – This design adds about 8 additional angle-parking stalls.
Sidewalk – would accommodate extra trees and no change in streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:27 p.m.
All intersections in both designs will have curb cuts for handicap accessibility.
Dean Arnold (124 N 3rd St.) asked how many more handicap parking stalls are available in the new Main street designs. Answer - there will be a few more handicap parking stalls.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) like the more parking friendly option #1.
Joyce Brown (18 S. Maple) is concerned about potentially turning Maple St. into a one-way street.
Steve Haugen (421 W. Main St.) discussed ADA access issues for Main St. businesses. Answer – both designs lend themselves to ADA accessibility.
Ald. Hammann asked what is the definition of a zero curb line. Answer – The entire street is handicap accessible, but requires a 12” ballad or curb stop at each parking stall.
John Decker (143 W. Main St.) prefers option #1, but concerned about sidewalk width in eastern end of Main St.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) asked if the sidewalk can be designed vertically to reduce steps. Answer – All effort will be made to reduce the step at Main St. business entrances. Next month the engineers will bring an example sidewalk cross-section illustration this type of sidewalk design.
Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) is concerned about narrowing the sidewalk when we want to encourage a walkable downtown.
Discussion regarding the sidewalk width in front of Evansville bowl list at 4’ (currently 7’ 9”). It’s possible to remove a couple of parking stalls and creating a small bumpout in that area to expand the sidewalk width.
Greg Ardisson called for a poll of the public. About 90% favored option #1.
Nancy Hamby (1 N. Madison) asked about the parking capacity on side streets and municipal lots.
Ald. Juergens suggested combining the two options: Option #1 west of Maple & Option #2 to the east.
John Decker pointed out that the bowling alley requires a low of parking.
Sandy Decker suggests we look at the property line and examine if the front entrance is actually located on city property.
Joyce Brown quested whether it’s prudent to make a decision on the street design without an understanding of the off-site parking, municipal lot parking & side street parking.
Ald. Hammann agreed with Joyce Brown, off-site parking, municipal lot parking, side street parking, and one way streets will be the focus of the next meeting’s discussion. Also requested the engineers change Option 2 by combining the two options: Option #1 west of Maple & Option #2 to the east.
Closed Public Hearing @ 7:18 p.m.
• Discussion on heavy traffic route on Main St.
Main St. currently is identified as a heavy traffic route, including the part where we are talking about putting paving bricks. If we go forward with the paving bricks, Public Works director David Wartenweiler thinks Main St. from Madison St. to Union St. should not be a heavy traffic route to reduce the pounding the bricks take.
Open Public Hearing @ 6:19 p.m.
Bob Dickert (26 W. Main St.) asked about delivery truck access. Answer – The ordinance will include a reference for allowing delivery trucks versus not allowing through traffic.
Greg Ardisson suggests we use concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection to reduce wear due to heavy truck braking. Answer – concrete intersection will solve truck-braking damage.
Steve Haugen (420 W. Main St.) asked what is the definition of heavy traffic route. Heavy trucks are defined by city ordinance, but basically it allows semi-truck traffic.
Greg Ardisson – What about truck traffic heading to Hwy. C? Answer – must allow truck access to Hwy. C.
Betsy Ahner asked if there is a lot of truck traffic on Main St.? Yes
Roger Roth (1 W. Main St.) asked what would be the alternative truck route? Answer: Madison St. to Water St. to Exchange St. to Union St. is Evansville’s truck traffic route.
Closed Public Hearing @ 7:27 p.m.
Ald. Hammann suggests we encourage truck to use the designated truck route and possibly use concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection.
7. Update of Paving Bricks in Main Street Reconstruction in 2007
John Decker in providing project background explained this project would use paving bricks on Main St. between 1st Street & the bridge over Allen creek. They have done some investigating and found that Federal grants are available design, planning & streetscaping downtown business districts. City of Delavan recently completed their downtown district using a $800,000 Federal grant. The federal grant is an 80/20 matching, where 20% would come from the city.
The cost of reclaiming bricks, paving asphalt, installing the bricks is estimated at $13.07/sqft. Main St. from the bridge to 1st Street is 72,500 sqft for a total cost of $947,575. This would be an additional cost to the Main Street reconstruction project. If Evansville were to receive this grant, the city would be responsible for $189,500 for installing paver bricks on Main Street. ECP is currently raising money through a paver brick fund.
John Decker discussed progress on the DOT grant application. The city can not apply for a Historic Preservation grant because Main St. has asphalt pavement over the bricks. The focus of the grant application is as a landscaping enhancement.
Nancy Hamby asked if the bricks could be used as an accent rather then paving the whole street. Discussion on using paving bricks for crosswalks and intersections.
Discussed using concrete pavement for Madison-Main St. intersection and bricks everywhere else.
Marty Johnson (3 W. Main) suggested we use paver bricks under parking stalls and asphalt as the driving lane.
Joyce Brown asked how long would it take to lay the paving bricks? Jeff Farnsworth explained paver brick installation time.
Discussions on snow plowing a street with paving bricks. Public Works director Dave Wartenweiler explained Delavan’s road maintenance practices.
Roger Roth asked kind of road base does Delavan use under their paving bricks? The city engineer explained why a concrete base is critical.
Roger Roth how much truck traffic does Delavan experience. Delavan diverts truck traffic away from downtown.
8. 2006 Public Works Smart Growth Plan Action Plan
• Transportation #1.1 - PASER rating for road quality will be reported in December.
• Transportation #1.2 – Review Transportation Network Map every 5 years – Review in 2006
Request changing Smart Growth Plan to review transportation network map every 2 years
Evansville’s Transportation Network Map will be combined with Union’s Transportation Network Map after Union Township Smart Growth Plan is completed. Target Date: June
• Transportation #3 – Sidewalk Plan – partially completed in 2005.
Pick up where we left off starting in April.
• Transportation #5.1 – Design road network according to traffic patterns – continuous
Incorporate road network plans as part of reviewing transportation network map in June
• Transportation #5.2 – Adopt a Class B Highway Ordinance – 2006 Project
Request clarification from city administrator on what is required for this action item?
• Transportation #6.1 – Reduced speed on USH 14 between Elmer Road & city limits
Requested the city engineer to write a letter to DOT requesting reducing speed on USH 14 between Elmer Road & city limits in March.
• Transportation #9.1 – Downtown parking – part of Main St. reconstruction in 2007
• Transportation #9.2 – Replace downtown sidewalks & curbing – Main St. reconstruction in 2007
Began both these projects last month, with an expected completion date of fall 2006.
• Utilities & Community Facilities #4.1 – Develop a regional storm water management plan with Union township – 2006 Project
Include as part of the Evansville-Union Boundary & Extraterritorial agreements
• Agricultural, Natural & Resources #1 – Require analysis for soils with engineering limitations –Requested the city engineer to include this as part of review checklists?
• Agricultural, Natural & Resources #4.1 - Complete wellhead protection program – 2006 Project
Wellhead Protection ordinance enacted in January.
• Economic Development #3.1 – Downtown streetscape plan - part of Main St. reconstruction in 2007
• Economic Development #3.2 – Support the historic design/character by investing in needed lighting, signage, pedestrian amenities, plantings and other improvements identified in the streetscape plan part of Main St. reconstruction in 2007
Began both these projects last month, with an expected completion date of fall 2006.
• Economic Development #3.3 - Complete an evaluation of parking availability and consider opportunities to establish parking on vacant lots, as well as shared parking areas along Union Street - part of Main St. reconstruction in 2006
Expand our downtown parking focus to include municipal lots and adjacent side streets. Begin this action item in March.
• Land Use #3.1 – Expand identification, directional, and historic street signage
Pick up where we left off starting in May.
9. Communications from City Engineer
• Discussion and Recommendation to amend Stop Sign Locations at 5th St. & Badger Dr. and 5th St. & Main St.
The city engineer reviewed the traffic for the 5th Ave. area. The engineer recommends adding stop signs installed at 5th Ave. and Badger & Main St. intersections. This will divert traffic to 6th St. (new West Side collector road expected completion in 2006.)
Discussed installing stop signs before school starts next fall.
Discussed putting a traffic island in the Badger-Higgins intersection as a passive traffic-calming device.
• Recommend amending Stop Sign Locations at 5th St. & Badger Dr. and 5th St. & Main St. to Public Safety for review unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
10. Communications of Public Works Director
• Discussion and possible motion to approve Veterans Memorial Pool’s Solar Panels Construction Design
Public Works director met with two contractors to review proposals.
1. Aquarian – 672 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building and changing areas - $15,000.
2. Light Energy (Burke O’Neil) - 1,012 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building and changing areas - $14,478.
3. Light Energy (Burke O’Neil) - 462 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building - $7,222.
All projects will be completed before mid May.
City Engineer expressed structural concerns with solar panel supports on the changing areas on both designs. Suggests scaling back project to place panels on the roof, energy savings payback will be greater using this design.
• Light Energy’s 462 sqft of solar panel on the roof of main building at Veterans memorial pool bid of $7,222 unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
• New Community Center Renovation Update
The city recently purchased the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop. Public Works department is renovating the ceramic shop, so the youth program and AWARE Agency can move this spring. If this occurs, employees working on the second floor of City Hall will move into the Dean Center Building during the demolition and construction of the second floor of City Hall.
Current Public Works projects include:
• Snow plowing
• Repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop
• Pot Hole Replacing
• Sign Replacing
• Assembling Park Bleachers
• Sidewalk snow removal policy:
• Each citizen has 24 hours to remove snow on sidewalk. City charges $25/hr to remove sidewalk snow.
• Any citizen can report an unacceptable snow covered sidewalk at city hall.
11. New Business
• Preliminary land divisions
Reviewed using Smart Growth land division checklists.
• Application #2006-4 John Morning two-lot division on Brown School Road
• Sanitary Sewer – Connection onto Brown School road. No capacity issues. Check on any deferred assessment.
• Storm Sewer – water drainage looks good. Discussed possibility of drainage way located within Hwy. 14 right-a-way.
• Water Main - Connection onto Brown School road.
• Street & Sidewalks – No sidewalk. Entrances require curbs.
• Transportation – Local Road
• Housing – Zoned Commercial
• Environmental – city engineer to check on sizing of storm water pond.
• Recommend Application #2006-4 John Morning two-lot division on Brown School Road to Planning Commission unanimously approved on a Hammann- Juergens motion.
• Application #2006-7 Tom Gibbs two-lot division off of Water Street
• Sanitary Sewer – Connection on Water St. No capacity issues.
• Storm Water – Very wet soil. Require grading to drain storm water to the south.
• Water Main - Connection onto Brown School road.
• Street & Sidewalks – No sidewalk.
• Transportation – Truck Route
• Housing – Zone Industrial
• Environmental – Very wet soil. Possibly located within the Wellhead protection area. Must demonstrate soil-bearing capability before construction.
• Recommend Application #2006-7 Tom Gibbs two-lot division off of Water Street to Planning Commission on the condition that both parcels are grading to drain storm water to the south unanimously approved on a Hammann- Juergens motion.
• Discussion on Amending Onyx contract to include a residential “Spring Cleaning”
A few residents have asked if it would be possible to add onto the city's Onyx contract that one week each spring people would be allowed to put out as much trash as they want to be hauled away by Onyx without having to use $1 tags. Onyx would need to charge the city an extra fee for this service, and the city would need to pass that along to residents through the fee on the property tax bills.
Not in favor of non-participants in the spring-clean to pay the extra cost for the spring-cleaning.
12. Meeting adjourned @ 9:25 p.m. on a Hammann-Sornson motion
Next Meeting: Monday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Bill Hammann Chair, Public Works Committee
Minutes; Public Works: January 2006
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
1. Call the meeting to order @ 6:01 PM.
2. Roll Call: Ald. Hammann (Chair), Ald. Juergens & Ald. Sornson. Staff: Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Director, Bruce Woods & Dave Sauer, City Engineer. Quorum attained.
3. Minutes of December meeting unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
4. Citizen appearances – NA
5. Lake Leota Restoration
• Lake Leota Watershed Study Report by Strand Engineering
A watershed is the land area or drainage basins from which water flows into a stream or lake. The watershed plan guides us in protecting and managing environmental resources, particularly Lake Leota, acheiving improvements in water quality, lake restoration and providing flood protection. Jon Linhart, Professional Engineer for Strand Associates, focused on Allen Creek Watershed upstream of Lake Leota.
• Lake Leota is severely impaired as a results of sedimentation and other environmental problems.
• City of Evansville & SOLE are working together to preserve the lake for current & future generations.
• Watershed study goal is to identify & address upstream solutions to protect dredging investments.
• Strand estimated 500 tons/yr or 0.12”/yr of sediment into Lake Leota from streambank erosion. Identified severe locations and cost to restore streambank.
• Strand identified sources & modeled of nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants. Estimated polutant loadings (28,000 tons/yr or 1.1”/yr of sediment) into Lake Leota and recommended best management practices (BMP’s) to inprove conditions in watershed.
• The report indentifies total phosphorus (TP) loading in Lake Leota at 0.18 mg/l. Illinois water quality standard is 0.05 mg/l. The largest TP point source is Brooklyn’s WWTP.
• Strand report included Implementation Plan & available grants. Implementation of this plan over the course of several years is a key component in restoring Lake Leota.
Open Public Hearing at 6:04 pm
Tom Sweeeny – Rock County Soil Conservationist commented on stream bank restoration. He also questioned Strand’s aggressive implemetation timeline, commenting looking at improving the watershed as a long term project.
Chris Eager – 120 grove St. – asked if outside bends of Allen creek are the most severve areas for erosion.
Ron Jugens – Asked what’s the “biggest bang for the buck” for reducing sediment into Lake Leota. Since 95% of the erosion is from agriculture runoff. Buffers in the sediment control is the most cost effective method to reduce sediment in Lake Leota.
Victor Johnson – 349 S. 1st St – Asked Strand to cite examples of similar projects.
Dave Roang – 232 N 3rd St – Asked a question regarding soil erosion run-off modeling.
Closed Public Hearing at 6:47 pm
There will be a hearing updating the public on the progress made in restoring Lake Leota this spring.
6. Main Street Reconstruction Public Hearing
• Downtown Streetscape plan, including sidewalk improvements (e.g. pavers), lighting improvements, signage and canopies, street furniture (i.e. waste receptacles and benches), and landscaping.
Main Street Reconstruction Projects
• Replacing the utilities under Madison Street & Main St. as part of the Hwy. 59/213 in 2006.
• Reconstruct Main St. from Allen Creek to First Street in 2007.
• Resurface the pavement on Madison St. from Allen Creek to the south city limits in 2008.
July 2004, we had a Public Hearing Main Street reconstruction. Today we are picking up were we left off and moving forward and we begin to shape the plans for the future of Main St. Bruce Woods and Dave Sauer of Foth & Van Dyke showed their Draft Engineering Drawings for Main Street. This discussed paving bricks, traffic circle sidewalks, bumpouts, lighting, amenities, etc. for Main Street from Allen Creek to 1st St.
Open Public Hearing at 6:59 pm
• Bruce Woods introduced new Main St. designs. Proposed a 6” high traffic island at the intersection of Madison & Main St. for passive traffic control to slow down speeds. The traffic island is like a small round-a-bout.
Main Features:
• Traffic Island at the intersection of Madison & Main St.
• Bump out at intersection of Main St. & Maple St.
• Two street options, both increase parking.
• Zero curb line
• Removal of light fixtures to match east Main St.
• Paving bricks
• Stamp & colored crosswalks
• Narrowing of bridge over Allen creek
• One way streets – Maple St., Mill & Railroad St.
George Howell (11 E. Main), Tony Wyse (112 W. Grove) & Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) – asked how trucks are going to negotiate traffic island. Mr. Woods illustrated the curb to traffic circle distances are sufficient to allow a Semi-truck to pass.
Tony Wyse asked about WDOT reaction to F&VD traffic island in the middle of HWY 213/59. WDOT has not commented on the traffic island proposal.
Sandy Decker (143 W. Main St.) – Asked what methods are used to make a Traffic Island aesthetically pleasing. Discussion regarding potential items that can be placed in the center of the Traffic Island.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) – Asked paving bricks and a Traffic Island work together to reduce speeds.
Tony Wyse if the Traffic Island negatively effects snow removal.
Ald. Sornson objected to the traffic circle because it’s too complicated for elderly women drivers.
Steve Haugen (420 W. Main St.) – Discussed several issues with Traffic Island.
Public Works director Dave Wartenweiler Chris Eager commented that a Traffic Island would reduce downtown truck traffic congestion protecting investment in paving bricks.
Tony Wyse asked if signs could direct truck traffic away from Main St. The answer was yes.
Sandy Decker – Asked about truck traffic limitations on state highways.
Greg Ardisson – Disappointed that the city is directing truck traffic away of downtown.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) – Asked if a fountain can be placed inside the traffic circle.
• Bruce Woods next focused on the bump out on the Main St. & Maple St. intersection. The bump out is required for ADA access for business on the corner.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) – Can we improve ADA access all along Main St.? The city engineers explained ways to improve ADA access off Main St.
Jeff Farnsworth – Asked when final sidewalk grades will be known. Need to complete Main St. reconstruction design by fall.
Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) – Suggested split sidewalks to improve building access.
Greg Ardisson – Very concerned about delivery truck access on Maple St.
• Bruce Woods discussed the two street design options. There is a trade-off between sidewalk width & parking stalls.
1. Increase street width & parking, but reduced sidewalk width.
2. Street & sidewalk widths are the same, but only a slight increase in parking.
Both options cost about the same.
Option #1
Driving lane width – The road width will be a consistent 57 feet. The troublesome driving lane width between Madison & Maple Streets would increase from 18½ ft. to 20 ft.
Parking – This design adds about 28 additional angle-parking stalls. Maximum parking.
Sidewalk – width would be 8’ to 10’ except in front of the bowling alley (4.5’) and roller rink (7’). A standard sidewalk is 5’ wide. Narrow sidewalk areas force removal of streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Louis Farnsworth (14 East Main St. – Likes seeing increase parking.
Tony Wyse - Discussed replacing light fixtures to match asked east Main St.
Can electrical outlets be installed on light poles & near trees?
Need to address right turning lane off Madison St. onto Main St.
Option #2
Driving lane width – The road width would narrow and change in width, with a slight jog in the road.
Parking – This design adds about 8 additional angle-parking stalls.
Sidewalk – would accommodate extra trees and no change in streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Group discussion switched to use of paver bricks on Main St.
Jeff Farnsworth – questioned the use of asphalt under paver bricks. City engineer explained his reason for requiring asphalt base, citing examples and maintenance issues.
Jeff Farnsworth – Questioned current Main St. plowing practice. Should the city snow blow sidewalks before plowing the Main St.?
Betsy Ahner – Asked why the bridge over Allen Creek was narrowed. To reduce traffic speed, but separates an east & west downtown.
Bob Dickert (131 N. 6th St.) – Can we change Montgomery Ct. one-way status during construction for access to municipal parking lot? Excellent idea!
Closed Public Hearing at 8:15 pm
There will be a public hearing on Downtown Streetscape plan every public works meeting until the design is complete.
Chairman Hammann call a 5 minute recess
7. Update of Paving Bricks in Main Street Reconstruction in 2007
Cost to lay Paver Bricks on a 57’ wide Main St.
• Main St. & Madison St. intersection - $42,000
• Madison St. – Maple St. - $266,000.
• Madison St. – Bridge - $610,000.
• 1st St. – Bridge - $930,000.
This is an incremental cost increase over the $230,000 cost to pave Main St. from 1st St. to Bridge with 4” asphalt & 10” stone.
Discussion on the requirement an asphalt base under paver bricks.
The DOT grant application is due on 4/14. Grant awarded in August or September.
Discussed on DOT grant availability and effect on construction schedule.
Discussed starting at 1st St. and working east to minimize disruption to business district.
Jeff Farnsworth presented information on paver brick installation time: 1 man can lay 100 sqft/day. One 8-man crew will complete Main St. in 89 working days. Three 8 man crews will take 30 days.
Applied for $25,000 Tallman grant.
8. Communications from City Engineer
West Side Traffic Study
The city engineer reviewed the traffic for the 5th Ave. area. The engineer recommends adding stop signs installed at 5th Ave. and Badger & Main St. intersections. This will divert traffic to 6th St. (new West Side collector road expected completion in 2006.)
Main St. Bridge
The city received a $210,000 grant from Rock County to replace this bridge over Allen creek.
9. Communications of Public Works Director
• Veterans Memorial Pool: Solar Panels Construction Design Review
Jan 31 is the dead line for a construction design. No detail construction plans available at this meeting. Public Works director met couple of contractors.
• New Community Center Renovation Update
The city recently purchased the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop. Public Works Department plans to renovate the ceramic shop this winter, so the youth program and AWARE Agency can move this spring. If this occurs, employees working on the second floor of City Hall will move into the Dean Center Building during the demolition and reconstruction of the second floor of City Hall.
Public Works began repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop. The YMCA is developing a floor plan. Project due to be completed this spring.
Current Public Works projects include:
• Snow plowing
• Repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop
• Pot Hole Replacing
• Tree Trimming
• Sign Replacing
• Sidewalk snow removal policy:
• Each citizen has 24 hours to remove snow on sidewalk. City charges $25/hr to remove sidewalk snow.
• Any citizen can report an unacceptable snow covered sidewalk at city hall.
• The city’s sidewalk snow blower & sweeper can not be repaired and needs to be replaced.
• Recommend to finance $15,000 for a replacement sidewalk snow blower & sweeper unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
10. New Business
Ald. Aikman requested a left turn lane from Hwy. 14 onto County Road M. The DOT considered a turning lane into the “Pig” but decided against it.
Directed city engineer to make a request to WDOT for a left turn lane from Hwy. 14 onto County Road M.
11. Meeting adjourned @ 9:26 p.m. on a Hammann-Sornson motion
Next Meeting: Monday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Bill Hammann Chair, Public Works Committee
Monday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
1. Call the meeting to order @ 6:01 PM.
2. Roll Call: Ald. Hammann (Chair), Ald. Juergens & Ald. Sornson. Staff: Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Director, Bruce Woods & Dave Sauer, City Engineer. Quorum attained.
3. Minutes of December meeting unanimously approved on a Hammann-Sornson motion.
4. Citizen appearances – NA
5. Lake Leota Restoration
• Lake Leota Watershed Study Report by Strand Engineering
A watershed is the land area or drainage basins from which water flows into a stream or lake. The watershed plan guides us in protecting and managing environmental resources, particularly Lake Leota, acheiving improvements in water quality, lake restoration and providing flood protection. Jon Linhart, Professional Engineer for Strand Associates, focused on Allen Creek Watershed upstream of Lake Leota.
• Lake Leota is severely impaired as a results of sedimentation and other environmental problems.
• City of Evansville & SOLE are working together to preserve the lake for current & future generations.
• Watershed study goal is to identify & address upstream solutions to protect dredging investments.
• Strand estimated 500 tons/yr or 0.12”/yr of sediment into Lake Leota from streambank erosion. Identified severe locations and cost to restore streambank.
• Strand identified sources & modeled of nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants. Estimated polutant loadings (28,000 tons/yr or 1.1”/yr of sediment) into Lake Leota and recommended best management practices (BMP’s) to inprove conditions in watershed.
• The report indentifies total phosphorus (TP) loading in Lake Leota at 0.18 mg/l. Illinois water quality standard is 0.05 mg/l. The largest TP point source is Brooklyn’s WWTP.
• Strand report included Implementation Plan & available grants. Implementation of this plan over the course of several years is a key component in restoring Lake Leota.
Open Public Hearing at 6:04 pm
Tom Sweeeny – Rock County Soil Conservationist commented on stream bank restoration. He also questioned Strand’s aggressive implemetation timeline, commenting looking at improving the watershed as a long term project.
Chris Eager – 120 grove St. – asked if outside bends of Allen creek are the most severve areas for erosion.
Ron Jugens – Asked what’s the “biggest bang for the buck” for reducing sediment into Lake Leota. Since 95% of the erosion is from agriculture runoff. Buffers in the sediment control is the most cost effective method to reduce sediment in Lake Leota.
Victor Johnson – 349 S. 1st St – Asked Strand to cite examples of similar projects.
Dave Roang – 232 N 3rd St – Asked a question regarding soil erosion run-off modeling.
Closed Public Hearing at 6:47 pm
There will be a hearing updating the public on the progress made in restoring Lake Leota this spring.
6. Main Street Reconstruction Public Hearing
• Downtown Streetscape plan, including sidewalk improvements (e.g. pavers), lighting improvements, signage and canopies, street furniture (i.e. waste receptacles and benches), and landscaping.
Main Street Reconstruction Projects
• Replacing the utilities under Madison Street & Main St. as part of the Hwy. 59/213 in 2006.
• Reconstruct Main St. from Allen Creek to First Street in 2007.
• Resurface the pavement on Madison St. from Allen Creek to the south city limits in 2008.
July 2004, we had a Public Hearing Main Street reconstruction. Today we are picking up were we left off and moving forward and we begin to shape the plans for the future of Main St. Bruce Woods and Dave Sauer of Foth & Van Dyke showed their Draft Engineering Drawings for Main Street. This discussed paving bricks, traffic circle sidewalks, bumpouts, lighting, amenities, etc. for Main Street from Allen Creek to 1st St.
Open Public Hearing at 6:59 pm
• Bruce Woods introduced new Main St. designs. Proposed a 6” high traffic island at the intersection of Madison & Main St. for passive traffic control to slow down speeds. The traffic island is like a small round-a-bout.
Main Features:
• Traffic Island at the intersection of Madison & Main St.
• Bump out at intersection of Main St. & Maple St.
• Two street options, both increase parking.
• Zero curb line
• Removal of light fixtures to match east Main St.
• Paving bricks
• Stamp & colored crosswalks
• Narrowing of bridge over Allen creek
• One way streets – Maple St., Mill & Railroad St.
George Howell (11 E. Main), Tony Wyse (112 W. Grove) & Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) – asked how trucks are going to negotiate traffic island. Mr. Woods illustrated the curb to traffic circle distances are sufficient to allow a Semi-truck to pass.
Tony Wyse asked about WDOT reaction to F&VD traffic island in the middle of HWY 213/59. WDOT has not commented on the traffic island proposal.
Sandy Decker (143 W. Main St.) – Asked what methods are used to make a Traffic Island aesthetically pleasing. Discussion regarding potential items that can be placed in the center of the Traffic Island.
Greg Ardisson (217 N. 6th St.) – Asked paving bricks and a Traffic Island work together to reduce speeds.
Tony Wyse if the Traffic Island negatively effects snow removal.
Ald. Sornson objected to the traffic circle because it’s too complicated for elderly women drivers.
Steve Haugen (420 W. Main St.) – Discussed several issues with Traffic Island.
Public Works director Dave Wartenweiler Chris Eager commented that a Traffic Island would reduce downtown truck traffic congestion protecting investment in paving bricks.
Tony Wyse asked if signs could direct truck traffic away from Main St. The answer was yes.
Sandy Decker – Asked about truck traffic limitations on state highways.
Greg Ardisson – Disappointed that the city is directing truck traffic away of downtown.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) – Asked if a fountain can be placed inside the traffic circle.
• Bruce Woods next focused on the bump out on the Main St. & Maple St. intersection. The bump out is required for ADA access for business on the corner.
Jeff Farnsworth (125 Garfield) – Can we improve ADA access all along Main St.? The city engineers explained ways to improve ADA access off Main St.
Jeff Farnsworth – Asked when final sidewalk grades will be known. Need to complete Main St. reconstruction design by fall.
Betsy Ahner (20 S. 1st St.) – Suggested split sidewalks to improve building access.
Greg Ardisson – Very concerned about delivery truck access on Maple St.
• Bruce Woods discussed the two street design options. There is a trade-off between sidewalk width & parking stalls.
1. Increase street width & parking, but reduced sidewalk width.
2. Street & sidewalk widths are the same, but only a slight increase in parking.
Both options cost about the same.
Option #1
Driving lane width – The road width will be a consistent 57 feet. The troublesome driving lane width between Madison & Maple Streets would increase from 18½ ft. to 20 ft.
Parking – This design adds about 28 additional angle-parking stalls. Maximum parking.
Sidewalk – width would be 8’ to 10’ except in front of the bowling alley (4.5’) and roller rink (7’). A standard sidewalk is 5’ wide. Narrow sidewalk areas force removal of streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Louis Farnsworth (14 East Main St. – Likes seeing increase parking.
Tony Wyse - Discussed replacing light fixtures to match asked east Main St.
Can electrical outlets be installed on light poles & near trees?
Need to address right turning lane off Madison St. onto Main St.
Option #2
Driving lane width – The road width would narrow and change in width, with a slight jog in the road.
Parking – This design adds about 8 additional angle-parking stalls.
Sidewalk – would accommodate extra trees and no change in streetlights.
Crosswalks – red stamped & colored concrete crosswalk to be located at Main & Madison St., Maple St. and First Street. On Maple & 1st St. this would be limited to one side of the street. The stamped and color concrete signifies the downtown area and adds additional safety for pedestrians. The crosswalk style would change if we install paver bricks.
Group discussion switched to use of paver bricks on Main St.
Jeff Farnsworth – questioned the use of asphalt under paver bricks. City engineer explained his reason for requiring asphalt base, citing examples and maintenance issues.
Jeff Farnsworth – Questioned current Main St. plowing practice. Should the city snow blow sidewalks before plowing the Main St.?
Betsy Ahner – Asked why the bridge over Allen Creek was narrowed. To reduce traffic speed, but separates an east & west downtown.
Bob Dickert (131 N. 6th St.) – Can we change Montgomery Ct. one-way status during construction for access to municipal parking lot? Excellent idea!
Closed Public Hearing at 8:15 pm
There will be a public hearing on Downtown Streetscape plan every public works meeting until the design is complete.
Chairman Hammann call a 5 minute recess
7. Update of Paving Bricks in Main Street Reconstruction in 2007
Cost to lay Paver Bricks on a 57’ wide Main St.
• Main St. & Madison St. intersection - $42,000
• Madison St. – Maple St. - $266,000.
• Madison St. – Bridge - $610,000.
• 1st St. – Bridge - $930,000.
This is an incremental cost increase over the $230,000 cost to pave Main St. from 1st St. to Bridge with 4” asphalt & 10” stone.
Discussion on the requirement an asphalt base under paver bricks.
The DOT grant application is due on 4/14. Grant awarded in August or September.
Discussed on DOT grant availability and effect on construction schedule.
Discussed starting at 1st St. and working east to minimize disruption to business district.
Jeff Farnsworth presented information on paver brick installation time: 1 man can lay 100 sqft/day. One 8-man crew will complete Main St. in 89 working days. Three 8 man crews will take 30 days.
Applied for $25,000 Tallman grant.
8. Communications from City Engineer
West Side Traffic Study
The city engineer reviewed the traffic for the 5th Ave. area. The engineer recommends adding stop signs installed at 5th Ave. and Badger & Main St. intersections. This will divert traffic to 6th St. (new West Side collector road expected completion in 2006.)
Main St. Bridge
The city received a $210,000 grant from Rock County to replace this bridge over Allen creek.
9. Communications of Public Works Director
• Veterans Memorial Pool: Solar Panels Construction Design Review
Jan 31 is the dead line for a construction design. No detail construction plans available at this meeting. Public Works director met couple of contractors.
• New Community Center Renovation Update
The city recently purchased the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop. Public Works Department plans to renovate the ceramic shop this winter, so the youth program and AWARE Agency can move this spring. If this occurs, employees working on the second floor of City Hall will move into the Dean Center Building during the demolition and reconstruction of the second floor of City Hall.
Public Works began repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop. The YMCA is developing a floor plan. Project due to be completed this spring.
Current Public Works projects include:
• Snow plowing
• Repairing the former Farnsworth Ceramic Shop
• Pot Hole Replacing
• Tree Trimming
• Sign Replacing
• Sidewalk snow removal policy:
• Each citizen has 24 hours to remove snow on sidewalk. City charges $25/hr to remove sidewalk snow.
• Any citizen can report an unacceptable snow covered sidewalk at city hall.
• The city’s sidewalk snow blower & sweeper can not be repaired and needs to be replaced.
• Recommend to finance $15,000 for a replacement sidewalk snow blower & sweeper unanimously approved on a Hammann-Juergens motion.
10. New Business
Ald. Aikman requested a left turn lane from Hwy. 14 onto County Road M. The DOT considered a turning lane into the “Pig” but decided against it.
Directed city engineer to make a request to WDOT for a left turn lane from Hwy. 14 onto County Road M.
11. Meeting adjourned @ 9:26 p.m. on a Hammann-Sornson motion
Next Meeting: Monday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Bill Hammann Chair, Public Works Committee
Friday, December 1, 2006
Minutes: Park Board: December 2006
City of Evansville, Wisconsin
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
December 18, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:05 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens & Members Carlsen, Jacobson, Krueger, Merritt and Sendelbach present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Member Farnsworth absent.
2 Minutes of November 28, 2006 meeting were amended in item #9, changing the words "Pool operation" and "Pool Operations" to "Pool Store Operations". The amended minutes were unanimously approved on a voice vote.
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 erosion-control fabric and rock rip-rap above the V-notch in the dam has been re-arranged after discussion with the City Engineer. It appears that this modification has resulted in a significant reduction of the depth of the pooled water upstream.
Wiedenhoeft reported that after August 2007, an extension of the DNR permits, obtained to do the initial work on lake restoration, would be required. He also commented that getting further permits to complete the anticipated restoration would take about a year, based on experience from similar projects in Cazenovia and Westfield. He urged that the city move forward quickly to a decision about funding the project. He noted that the permit process could be expedited for payment of an additional fee on the order of $2-3,000. He urged PRB to move forward on completing the project in 2009, as the recently adopted Capital Expenditure plan provides for.
Wiedenhoeft reported that the SOLE website is not yet ready to go online He also reported that the next SOLE meeting would take place on Wednesday December 20th 6pm at the Library.
6. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan".
a. PRB again went through the latest draft of the plan page by page, incorporating the changes for typographic errors, etc., that were spotted by the individual members. Chair Juergens will make the appropriate modifications. Staff was asked to verify statements in the plan about the accomplishments of previous plans, including accessibility improvements.
Juergens discussed the three maps of bike trails, one from the Smart Growth Plan, one from Public Works relative to the "Bricks" project, and the one provided last month by Tim Schwecke for this Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan. It was generally agreed that the city should have one bike-trail map, incorporating the best features of the three. Krueger moved, Carlsen seconded to authorize Juergens to discuss this with the Public Works Committee and develop such a map, which could be approved by PRB and PWC and amended by City Council into the Smart Growth Plan.
b. Juergens presented a worksheet showing a potential schedule for the park projects proposed at last month's meeting for the five year plan. This incorporated information on the funds available, based on the "Fees in Lieu of Parkland Dedication" balance and expected future payments, and the annual budget allotments expected to provided by Council. . It included the 2007 Capital Budget 5-year plan figures as adopted by City Council. It also incorporated cost estimates for various aspects of the West Side Park, as calculated two years ago by the City Engineer and adjusted for inflation into the future.
It appears that funds will be available to meet the Council's plan for 2008, includes $125K for a shelter/restroom and $75K for a playground for a total of $200K. However, the PRB is tentatively planning for paving the access road/parking lot and putting in the playground in 2008, and leaving shelter/restroom until a later year. This will cost about $200K in total as well. However it is clear that this expenditure will consume essentially all the funds available, and without additional funds provided by Council, no further work can take place on West Side Park.
Juergens noted that the tentative schedule includes work in Leonard/Lake Leota Park: dredging the lake, restoring creek wall stonework, etc, but no capital projects for any other parks through 2011. It is clear that if the lake is to be restored, and/or other park projects completed, Council will have to provide further funds.
c. Discussion ensued about how to proceed to finalize the 5-year plan. It was agreed that the PRB would provide a plan for what it believes should be done in this time frame, primarily to complete West Side Park and restore Lake Leota Park. It will of course be up to the City Council to approve the plan and provide funding as necessary.
d. No motion was made to approve a final project schedule.
e. It will be the objective of the PRB to approve a final project schedule and approve a final draft of the plan at the January 2007 meeting.
7. Chair's report on actions of other city committees and Council. The new City Administrator, Dan Weitecha, is expected to begin his duties on January 2nd. No committee or Council actions relative to PRB were taken since the last PRB meeting.
8. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: Re-roofing the Boy Scout house is being postponed until Spring, because winter weather makes work difficult.
b. Franklin Park: Water & Light Department completed the removal of poles and installation of services on the new pole.
c. Countryside Park: One more course of concrete block remains to be installed. Once it's done (and this may occur before Christmas, depending on weather) addition of roof trusses and other construction can begin. The latter work is not as weather-dependent. A contractor will be hired to do plumbing work after the building is complete. d. Westside Park; Nothing new.
e. No other projects pending at other parks.
9. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a.The Director led a discussion of reduced pool fees for low-income city residents. Since new Federal guidelines will not be available until February/March 2007, he presented the 2006 income figures that the schools use to determine who gets free milk/lunch etc. He also presented a new fee-structure that low income residents would pay, at one-half and one-quarter of the regular cost of such fees. H reported that 8-10 passes are usually sold at the reduced rate each year, while about 90 full-rate passes are sold.
Jacobsen moved, Carlsen seconded, to change the fees low-income residents would pay from one-half to one-quarter of the regular fee. This would reduce the cost of a low-income family pass, for example, from $70 to $35, which wouldn't hurt the income side of the budget too much. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Jacobsen moved, Krueger seconded, that, on a one-year trial basis, 10 free family passes and 10 swimming-lesson sessions be offered to low-income residents, with the AWARE agency facilitating the offering of such passes and lessons. Details of how this would be accomplished will be worked out with the AWARE director, whom several board members felt would enthusiastically support this. Hamacher stated that this was a good idea and could open the pool to a previously un-served section of the public. Jacobsen noted that some free passes are available at the new Madison pool, though Hamacher mentioned that they were funded by a private donor. The results of this one year trial will be reported back to PRB at the conclusion of the 2007 season. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
b. Hamacher reported that engineers need to evaluate the structure of the pool-house to determine how best to support the additional solar panels planned to be installed in 2007. He requested that the chair call Dave Sauer to expedite this evaluation, so that design for construction can begin.
10. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
All items in his report were covered in item 8, project updates.
10. Old business:
a. Juergens reported on the initial meeting with architect Melissa Destree to discuss a Franklin Park shelter/gateway design. Destree subsequently sent a proposal to provide some concept drawings on a time/materials basis, not to exceed $500. Further, if PRB accepts and approves a concept, construction documents could be provided for $600-1,000. The 2007 Capital Budget for this project is $10,000 for all expenditures. Discussion followed on this proposal. Since Franklin Park is very visible, it would be good to have a professional design that captures the essence of Evansville and attracts people into its downtown area. Destree is working on the "Old Ace Building" design, and is also in discussion with those involved with the Baker Building, so she knows something about the character of the city. It was pointed out that if this facility were to be vandalized, it would have to be repaired quickly, since it is so visible. Other suggestions were to have the design done by volunteers, perhaps at the high school, and buying a pre-designed gazebo for a shelter. It was noted that the initial landscaping design done by Kendall Wethal included a sketch for a possible fence, were one to be incorporated into the design. Juergens said that he had suggested to Destree that any fence design should be similar to the new fence on the Nelson-Young property diagonally across the street. It was also noted that accepting the proposal for a concept does not obligate us to ask Destree for construction documents, that perhaps such documents could be worked up by volunteers building on the concept. However time is of the essence here, to complete the project within the next construction season. We have seen that relying on volunteer help can result in slow progress.
Krueger moved, Carlsen seconded, to accept the Proposal from Destree to provide "preliminary architectural designs" for this project at the proposed cost of no more than $500. The motion passed 4-2.
11. New Business:
a. Several PRB members have volunteered to supervise Community Service work to which the youth convicted of vandalizing the pool have been sentenced. Judge Alisankus has sentenced a third youth to 20 hours of community service. Other projects that these youth could do include assisting with the move of the City Hall staff to the old Dean Community Center, while interior renovation of the second floor occurs. PRB members are still willing to supervise such service, but we will wait until January to begin completing this community service work.
b. The chair reported that an ad-hoc committee [consisting of the principal and a teacher at McKenna Jr. High, the director of the Evansville Youth Center, one adult sponsor of the Skate Club, and the chair] met on December 8th to discuss how to ensure that the skate park will be an appropriately used public facility. The Police Department representative did not attend. Bob Flaherty, the McKenna principal, offered to hold a meeting of interested students on school time in early January to begin the process of re-forming a self-policing group to care for the park. Flaherty and Brandon Frank, of the McKenna staff, are both enthusiastic about using the current situation as real-life civics lesson in how people have to take responsibility for facilities provided for them. Traci Schroeder, director of the Youth Center stated that she had a small amount of grant money available to support a leadership group forming from middle school youth. Frank said he would also try to contact some older youth at the high school who might be interested in participating. Bill Alt said he would continue to be involved with a group, should it form. It was suggested that Erik Endres be contacted to talk to such a group, since he was so active in the original skate club. Since this meeting, Flaherty has tentatively scheduled the school meeting for January 9th. Endres, Juergens, and Alt, as well as McKenna staff will participate.
Jacobsen asked if PRB would continually be involved with such a group. Juergens said it was his hope that a newly formed skate club would operate as an independent entity, such as the soccer club does. PRB would disengage itself, except for the normal oversight that it has on the city's parks. Several PRB members expressed interest in attending the January 9th meeting.
c. Juergens presented data on pool expenditures and revenues for the last 5 years, noting that in the past the expectation was that revenues would cover about 50% of expenses. Because of weather and other factors, year-by-year data shows fluctuations from the 50% ratio. Juergens had calculated a three-year rolling average for the ratio had dropped from about 54% in 2003 to 49% in 2006, even though because we had a very good year in 2006 (54%) previous years had been low. The 2007 budget figures will also result in a ratio of 49%, even though we raised the 2007 pool fees. Juergens requested a motion to express the PRB's intent to manage future revenues and expenses so that the three-year rolling average ratio stays between 49% and 51%. Jacobson moved, Merritt seconded, such a motion, and it passed unanimously.
d. Juergens requested a motion to ask the City's Finance Director to develop a plan to finance the restoration of Lake Leota in 2009 at an estimated cost of $2 million. Such a plan should include an estimate of the property-tax increase/year per $100,000 of assessed valuation and how long such a specific-purpose increase would have to be in place.
Jacobson moved, and Krueger seconded such a motion. Discussion ensued with the following points being made. It is apparent that if the lake is to be restored, it must be done relatively soon. The city needs to make a decision, and PRB is taking the initiative to ensure that it's made in a timely manner. It is possible that such a financing plan could be presented to the voters in a referendum, and that in itself takes time to accomplish. Financing should be in place before we go through a lengthy permitting process with DNR. The city has taken several initial steps in the restoration process, but must move forward actively to get the work done in 2009.
The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The chair will pass along the request to the Finance Director.
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM. The next meeting of PRB wlll be at the regular time and date: January 15, 2006 at 6 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on December 21, 2006 and sent by email to all board members, staff and the city clerk for further distribution. These minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent PRB meeting.
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
December 18, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:05 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens & Members Carlsen, Jacobson, Krueger, Merritt and Sendelbach present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Member Farnsworth absent.
2 Minutes of November 28, 2006 meeting were amended in item #9, changing the words "Pool operation" and "Pool Operations" to "Pool Store Operations". The amended minutes were unanimously approved on a voice vote.
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 erosion-control fabric and rock rip-rap above the V-notch in the dam has been re-arranged after discussion with the City Engineer. It appears that this modification has resulted in a significant reduction of the depth of the pooled water upstream.
Wiedenhoeft reported that after August 2007, an extension of the DNR permits, obtained to do the initial work on lake restoration, would be required. He also commented that getting further permits to complete the anticipated restoration would take about a year, based on experience from similar projects in Cazenovia and Westfield. He urged that the city move forward quickly to a decision about funding the project. He noted that the permit process could be expedited for payment of an additional fee on the order of $2-3,000. He urged PRB to move forward on completing the project in 2009, as the recently adopted Capital Expenditure plan provides for.
Wiedenhoeft reported that the SOLE website is not yet ready to go online He also reported that the next SOLE meeting would take place on Wednesday December 20th 6pm at the Library.
6. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan".
a. PRB again went through the latest draft of the plan page by page, incorporating the changes for typographic errors, etc., that were spotted by the individual members. Chair Juergens will make the appropriate modifications. Staff was asked to verify statements in the plan about the accomplishments of previous plans, including accessibility improvements.
Juergens discussed the three maps of bike trails, one from the Smart Growth Plan, one from Public Works relative to the "Bricks" project, and the one provided last month by Tim Schwecke for this Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan. It was generally agreed that the city should have one bike-trail map, incorporating the best features of the three. Krueger moved, Carlsen seconded to authorize Juergens to discuss this with the Public Works Committee and develop such a map, which could be approved by PRB and PWC and amended by City Council into the Smart Growth Plan.
b. Juergens presented a worksheet showing a potential schedule for the park projects proposed at last month's meeting for the five year plan. This incorporated information on the funds available, based on the "Fees in Lieu of Parkland Dedication" balance and expected future payments, and the annual budget allotments expected to provided by Council. . It included the 2007 Capital Budget 5-year plan figures as adopted by City Council. It also incorporated cost estimates for various aspects of the West Side Park, as calculated two years ago by the City Engineer and adjusted for inflation into the future.
It appears that funds will be available to meet the Council's plan for 2008, includes $125K for a shelter/restroom and $75K for a playground for a total of $200K. However, the PRB is tentatively planning for paving the access road/parking lot and putting in the playground in 2008, and leaving shelter/restroom until a later year. This will cost about $200K in total as well. However it is clear that this expenditure will consume essentially all the funds available, and without additional funds provided by Council, no further work can take place on West Side Park.
Juergens noted that the tentative schedule includes work in Leonard/Lake Leota Park: dredging the lake, restoring creek wall stonework, etc, but no capital projects for any other parks through 2011. It is clear that if the lake is to be restored, and/or other park projects completed, Council will have to provide further funds.
c. Discussion ensued about how to proceed to finalize the 5-year plan. It was agreed that the PRB would provide a plan for what it believes should be done in this time frame, primarily to complete West Side Park and restore Lake Leota Park. It will of course be up to the City Council to approve the plan and provide funding as necessary.
d. No motion was made to approve a final project schedule.
e. It will be the objective of the PRB to approve a final project schedule and approve a final draft of the plan at the January 2007 meeting.
7. Chair's report on actions of other city committees and Council. The new City Administrator, Dan Weitecha, is expected to begin his duties on January 2nd. No committee or Council actions relative to PRB were taken since the last PRB meeting.
8. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: Re-roofing the Boy Scout house is being postponed until Spring, because winter weather makes work difficult.
b. Franklin Park: Water & Light Department completed the removal of poles and installation of services on the new pole.
c. Countryside Park: One more course of concrete block remains to be installed. Once it's done (and this may occur before Christmas, depending on weather) addition of roof trusses and other construction can begin. The latter work is not as weather-dependent. A contractor will be hired to do plumbing work after the building is complete. d. Westside Park; Nothing new.
e. No other projects pending at other parks.
9. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a.The Director led a discussion of reduced pool fees for low-income city residents. Since new Federal guidelines will not be available until February/March 2007, he presented the 2006 income figures that the schools use to determine who gets free milk/lunch etc. He also presented a new fee-structure that low income residents would pay, at one-half and one-quarter of the regular cost of such fees. H reported that 8-10 passes are usually sold at the reduced rate each year, while about 90 full-rate passes are sold.
Jacobsen moved, Carlsen seconded, to change the fees low-income residents would pay from one-half to one-quarter of the regular fee. This would reduce the cost of a low-income family pass, for example, from $70 to $35, which wouldn't hurt the income side of the budget too much. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Jacobsen moved, Krueger seconded, that, on a one-year trial basis, 10 free family passes and 10 swimming-lesson sessions be offered to low-income residents, with the AWARE agency facilitating the offering of such passes and lessons. Details of how this would be accomplished will be worked out with the AWARE director, whom several board members felt would enthusiastically support this. Hamacher stated that this was a good idea and could open the pool to a previously un-served section of the public. Jacobsen noted that some free passes are available at the new Madison pool, though Hamacher mentioned that they were funded by a private donor. The results of this one year trial will be reported back to PRB at the conclusion of the 2007 season. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
b. Hamacher reported that engineers need to evaluate the structure of the pool-house to determine how best to support the additional solar panels planned to be installed in 2007. He requested that the chair call Dave Sauer to expedite this evaluation, so that design for construction can begin.
10. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
All items in his report were covered in item 8, project updates.
10. Old business:
a. Juergens reported on the initial meeting with architect Melissa Destree to discuss a Franklin Park shelter/gateway design. Destree subsequently sent a proposal to provide some concept drawings on a time/materials basis, not to exceed $500. Further, if PRB accepts and approves a concept, construction documents could be provided for $600-1,000. The 2007 Capital Budget for this project is $10,000 for all expenditures. Discussion followed on this proposal. Since Franklin Park is very visible, it would be good to have a professional design that captures the essence of Evansville and attracts people into its downtown area. Destree is working on the "Old Ace Building" design, and is also in discussion with those involved with the Baker Building, so she knows something about the character of the city. It was pointed out that if this facility were to be vandalized, it would have to be repaired quickly, since it is so visible. Other suggestions were to have the design done by volunteers, perhaps at the high school, and buying a pre-designed gazebo for a shelter. It was noted that the initial landscaping design done by Kendall Wethal included a sketch for a possible fence, were one to be incorporated into the design. Juergens said that he had suggested to Destree that any fence design should be similar to the new fence on the Nelson-Young property diagonally across the street. It was also noted that accepting the proposal for a concept does not obligate us to ask Destree for construction documents, that perhaps such documents could be worked up by volunteers building on the concept. However time is of the essence here, to complete the project within the next construction season. We have seen that relying on volunteer help can result in slow progress.
Krueger moved, Carlsen seconded, to accept the Proposal from Destree to provide "preliminary architectural designs" for this project at the proposed cost of no more than $500. The motion passed 4-2.
11. New Business:
a. Several PRB members have volunteered to supervise Community Service work to which the youth convicted of vandalizing the pool have been sentenced. Judge Alisankus has sentenced a third youth to 20 hours of community service. Other projects that these youth could do include assisting with the move of the City Hall staff to the old Dean Community Center, while interior renovation of the second floor occurs. PRB members are still willing to supervise such service, but we will wait until January to begin completing this community service work.
b. The chair reported that an ad-hoc committee [consisting of the principal and a teacher at McKenna Jr. High, the director of the Evansville Youth Center, one adult sponsor of the Skate Club, and the chair] met on December 8th to discuss how to ensure that the skate park will be an appropriately used public facility. The Police Department representative did not attend. Bob Flaherty, the McKenna principal, offered to hold a meeting of interested students on school time in early January to begin the process of re-forming a self-policing group to care for the park. Flaherty and Brandon Frank, of the McKenna staff, are both enthusiastic about using the current situation as real-life civics lesson in how people have to take responsibility for facilities provided for them. Traci Schroeder, director of the Youth Center stated that she had a small amount of grant money available to support a leadership group forming from middle school youth. Frank said he would also try to contact some older youth at the high school who might be interested in participating. Bill Alt said he would continue to be involved with a group, should it form. It was suggested that Erik Endres be contacted to talk to such a group, since he was so active in the original skate club. Since this meeting, Flaherty has tentatively scheduled the school meeting for January 9th. Endres, Juergens, and Alt, as well as McKenna staff will participate.
Jacobsen asked if PRB would continually be involved with such a group. Juergens said it was his hope that a newly formed skate club would operate as an independent entity, such as the soccer club does. PRB would disengage itself, except for the normal oversight that it has on the city's parks. Several PRB members expressed interest in attending the January 9th meeting.
c. Juergens presented data on pool expenditures and revenues for the last 5 years, noting that in the past the expectation was that revenues would cover about 50% of expenses. Because of weather and other factors, year-by-year data shows fluctuations from the 50% ratio. Juergens had calculated a three-year rolling average for the ratio had dropped from about 54% in 2003 to 49% in 2006, even though because we had a very good year in 2006 (54%) previous years had been low. The 2007 budget figures will also result in a ratio of 49%, even though we raised the 2007 pool fees. Juergens requested a motion to express the PRB's intent to manage future revenues and expenses so that the three-year rolling average ratio stays between 49% and 51%. Jacobson moved, Merritt seconded, such a motion, and it passed unanimously.
d. Juergens requested a motion to ask the City's Finance Director to develop a plan to finance the restoration of Lake Leota in 2009 at an estimated cost of $2 million. Such a plan should include an estimate of the property-tax increase/year per $100,000 of assessed valuation and how long such a specific-purpose increase would have to be in place.
Jacobson moved, and Krueger seconded such a motion. Discussion ensued with the following points being made. It is apparent that if the lake is to be restored, it must be done relatively soon. The city needs to make a decision, and PRB is taking the initiative to ensure that it's made in a timely manner. It is possible that such a financing plan could be presented to the voters in a referendum, and that in itself takes time to accomplish. Financing should be in place before we go through a lengthy permitting process with DNR. The city has taken several initial steps in the restoration process, but must move forward actively to get the work done in 2009.
The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The chair will pass along the request to the Finance Director.
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM. The next meeting of PRB wlll be at the regular time and date: January 15, 2006 at 6 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on December 21, 2006 and sent by email to all board members, staff and the city clerk for further distribution. These minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent PRB meeting.
Minutes; Park Board: November 2006
City of Evansville, Wisconsin
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
November 28, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:05 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens, and Members Farnsworth, Krueger, Merritt and Sendelbachand present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Members Carlsen and Jacobson absent. Member Carlsen arrived about 6:10 pm.
2 Minutes of October 16, 2006 meeting unanimously approved without alteration on a voice vote.
3. The agenda for this meeting unanimously approved without alteration on a voice vote.
4. Citizen Appearances.
a. Ben Kraus of 19 W. Church St. presented a proposal for a "Great Evansville Duathalon", a combination race involving both a run and a bicycle race. He is the organizer, and his proposed date is Saturday, June 2, 2007. He provided a map showing the proposed route; the race would begin and end in Lake Leota Park; the 3.1 mile run would be through the streets of Evansville, while the 19 mile bike race would go to Magnolia Bluff Park and return. He hopes for two hundred participants. He requested support from the Park & Recreation Board, as well as access to the Park Store, the upper ball diamond area, and electrical service to connect the timing devices. Access would be necessary from about 1 PM on June 1st through 1 PM on June 2nd. The proposed route will pass through the intersection of 1st and W. Main St, which may be a problem, given the planned reconstruction of West Main St. This will be looked at. Staff saw no problems with access within the park. Kraus has previously discussed his proposal with the Public Safety Committee. Kraus was urged to make park reservations through normal channels to preclude another party from trying to reserve the facilities at the same time. Farnsworth moved, Sendelbach seconded a motion to encourage Kraus to proceed with his plans with the good graces and encouragement of the PRB. Motion passed unanimously.
b. Kitty Verkuilin of 14357 Golf Air Drive, representing the Evansville Soccer Club, requested information on the status of West Side Park development. She was advised that the area for the soccer fields has been graded and seeded. The two fields are on slightly different levels, to achieve the necessary flatness of each, while accommodating the overall contours of the park. The chair requested a report from the soccer club on its activities for the year 2006, how many players and adults were involved, how many games were played at what City Park facilities, etc.
5. SOLE Committee Report.
Gib Wiedenhoeft of SOLE reported that the V-notch designed by the City Engineer has been cut in the retaining wall above the Lake Leota sluice gate, and erosion-control fabric and rock rip-rap has been installed upstream of the retaining wall. He is concerned that this fabric and rock may work against the purpose of the V-notch, which is to allow drainage of subsurface moisture in the current lake bed. He urged that PRB take a role in evaluating how well the purpose is being accomplished.
Discussion ensued about the eventual restoration of Lake Leota's depth. The city's accepted five-year capital budget plan for 2007 proposes $2.5 million to be spent in 2009 for this restoration. This figure apparently came from a calculation within the Public Works Committee more than a year ago. Since then, SOLE has discussed the restoration with a contractor familiar with similar projects. A rough estimate through this contractor is that approximately 250,000 cu. yards of material must be removed, at a cost of approximately $2/ cu. yard. The removed material must be taken somewhere, and and additional transportation costs will likely be incurred depending on how far the material must be moved. Further, after dredging to depth, repairs of any damage to the lake-edge and park roads due to the heavy equipment used will add additional costs. Nonetheless, it appears that the total cost will be well within the capital budget plan.
Wiedenhoeft reported that SOLE is developing a website and asked that it be linked to the City's website. It will be done as soon as the URL of the SOLE site is available. He also reported that the next SOLE meeting would take place on Wednesday December 6th at the Library.
6. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan".
PRB went through the latest draft of the plan page by page, with an eye to correcting errors, making changes and possible additions. Maps have been added to the draft-plan, and these were distributed. Chair Juergens will make the appropriate modifications. Each present member of the PRB agreed to read one chapter of the plan closely for typographic errors, misspellings, etc., and report back at the December meeting. Staff was asked to verify statements in the plan about the accomplishments of previous plans, including accessibility improvements.
Juergens distributed a compilation of 6 board members' individual evaluations of possible projects for the plan and noted that one member had still not completed the evaluation. Of the 40 possible projects, the top 15 all involved Lake Leota Park and West Side Park. After lengthy discussion, it became clear that an actual year-by-year plan for the next five years could not be constructed at this meeting, due to lack of information on costs of some of the projects, details of the city's current 5-year capital budget plan, and the current balance and expected future income in the "Fees in Lieu of Parkland Dedication" account. The chair will provide as much of this information as possible at the December PRB meeting. He asked each member of the PRB to slot each of the 15 projects into a possible year when the project would be done. Further discussion will occur at the December meeting, and hopefully a plan can be developed at that time. No motions were proposed on this topic at this meeting.
7. Chair's report on actions of other city committees and Council. Council is in final negotiations with its preferred candidate for City Administrator, and it is expected that agreement will be reached so that he will begin his duties on January 2, 2007. The dam V-notch was discussed at the Public Works meeting last night. The engineer believes the V-notch is working properly and it will take time (months) for the lake to completely drain. The pooling water seen upstream from the V-notch is from a saturated lake bed.
8. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: No further progress on re-roofing the Boy Scout house.
b. Franklin Park: More sand was added to playground equipment area. An initial contact was made to an architect who's working on the old Ace Hardware building and the Baker Building near Lake Leota Park, with an eye to developing a concept for a "Gateway" facility in Franklin. The chair continues to make periodic requests of Water & Light Department to complete the removal of poles and installation of services on the new pole.
c. Countryside Park: Concrete Block work is still unfinished. Once it's done (and this may depend on weather) addition of roof trusses and other construction can begin. Playground equipment installation is complete.
d. Westside Park; Nothing new.
e. No other projects pending at other parks.
9. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a. The subcommittee on 2007 Pool operation met on October 26 as scheduled. The subcommittee recommends that the grill operation in the park store be suspended for the coming year, though the full restaurant license will be retained. Closing the grill will mean that hamburgers and French fries cannot be provided, but it will still be possible to provide hot dogs and nachos as hot food. All other customary cold foods will continue to be provided. Closing the grill will also mean that less-experienced people can operate the remaining store functions. The grill suspension will be tried on a one-year basis and evaluated by staff before making a decision for how to operate in the more distant future.
The subcommittee also evaluated the proposed 2007 Pool Operations Manual and recommended that PRB accept it with some minor modifications.
Farnsworth moved, Merritt seconded that the recommendations of the subcommittee be approved by the full PRB. The motion passed unanimously.
b. There was discussion of newspaper reports that vandalism done at the pool in early October had been done by youth on bikes, not skateboards. The director reported that he had seen fleeing kids carrying skateboards out of the pool area, not bikes, though he did see bikes outside the pool fence.
10. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
All items in his report were covered in item 8, project updates.
10. Old business: On advice of the City Attorney that no trapping be allowed in Lake Leota Park, the chair contacted Bruce Polheber, who had made the request last month, and told him that his request was denied. Mr. Polheber accepted the denial without objection.
11. New Business:
a. Several PRB members have volunteered to supervise Community Service work to which the youth convicted of vandalizing the pool have been sentenced. Park Supervisor Anderson recommended that pulling weeds and brush out of Allen Creek would be a suitable activity. The chair will contact Judge Alisankus to work out further details.
b. The chair reported that an ad-hoc committee [consisting of the principal and a teacher at McKenna Jr. High, the director of the Dean Youth Center, a representative from the Police Department, one adult sponsor of the Skate Club, and the chair] will meet on December 8th to discuss how to ensure that the skate park will be an appropriately used public facility. This group will identify and invite interested youth to participate in future meetings.
c. The city attorney provided, at the chair's request, a listing of current statutes and ordinances that can be employed to enforce skate park rules in the future. This was distributed to all members and staff. There is no legal authority to enforce some of the rules. After a brief discussion, the general sense was that trying to cover those rules by writing a new ordinance was premature and possibly counterproductive. If the current ordinances against disorderly conduct, destruction of property and littering are not strictly enforced, why make new laws? It was informally decided to pass this information on to the ad-hoc committee mentioned above for their consideration and a possible recommendation to PRB.
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. The next meeting of PRB wlll be at the regular time and date: December 18, 2006 at 6 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on December 8, 2006 and sent by email to all board members, staff and the city clerk for further distribution. These minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent PRB meeting.
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
November 28, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:05 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens, and Members Farnsworth, Krueger, Merritt and Sendelbachand present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Members Carlsen and Jacobson absent. Member Carlsen arrived about 6:10 pm.
2 Minutes of October 16, 2006 meeting unanimously approved without alteration on a voice vote.
3. The agenda for this meeting unanimously approved without alteration on a voice vote.
4. Citizen Appearances.
a. Ben Kraus of 19 W. Church St. presented a proposal for a "Great Evansville Duathalon", a combination race involving both a run and a bicycle race. He is the organizer, and his proposed date is Saturday, June 2, 2007. He provided a map showing the proposed route; the race would begin and end in Lake Leota Park; the 3.1 mile run would be through the streets of Evansville, while the 19 mile bike race would go to Magnolia Bluff Park and return. He hopes for two hundred participants. He requested support from the Park & Recreation Board, as well as access to the Park Store, the upper ball diamond area, and electrical service to connect the timing devices. Access would be necessary from about 1 PM on June 1st through 1 PM on June 2nd. The proposed route will pass through the intersection of 1st and W. Main St, which may be a problem, given the planned reconstruction of West Main St. This will be looked at. Staff saw no problems with access within the park. Kraus has previously discussed his proposal with the Public Safety Committee. Kraus was urged to make park reservations through normal channels to preclude another party from trying to reserve the facilities at the same time. Farnsworth moved, Sendelbach seconded a motion to encourage Kraus to proceed with his plans with the good graces and encouragement of the PRB. Motion passed unanimously.
b. Kitty Verkuilin of 14357 Golf Air Drive, representing the Evansville Soccer Club, requested information on the status of West Side Park development. She was advised that the area for the soccer fields has been graded and seeded. The two fields are on slightly different levels, to achieve the necessary flatness of each, while accommodating the overall contours of the park. The chair requested a report from the soccer club on its activities for the year 2006, how many players and adults were involved, how many games were played at what City Park facilities, etc.
5. SOLE Committee Report.
Gib Wiedenhoeft of SOLE reported that the V-notch designed by the City Engineer has been cut in the retaining wall above the Lake Leota sluice gate, and erosion-control fabric and rock rip-rap has been installed upstream of the retaining wall. He is concerned that this fabric and rock may work against the purpose of the V-notch, which is to allow drainage of subsurface moisture in the current lake bed. He urged that PRB take a role in evaluating how well the purpose is being accomplished.
Discussion ensued about the eventual restoration of Lake Leota's depth. The city's accepted five-year capital budget plan for 2007 proposes $2.5 million to be spent in 2009 for this restoration. This figure apparently came from a calculation within the Public Works Committee more than a year ago. Since then, SOLE has discussed the restoration with a contractor familiar with similar projects. A rough estimate through this contractor is that approximately 250,000 cu. yards of material must be removed, at a cost of approximately $2/ cu. yard. The removed material must be taken somewhere, and and additional transportation costs will likely be incurred depending on how far the material must be moved. Further, after dredging to depth, repairs of any damage to the lake-edge and park roads due to the heavy equipment used will add additional costs. Nonetheless, it appears that the total cost will be well within the capital budget plan.
Wiedenhoeft reported that SOLE is developing a website and asked that it be linked to the City's website. It will be done as soon as the URL of the SOLE site is available. He also reported that the next SOLE meeting would take place on Wednesday December 6th at the Library.
6. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan".
PRB went through the latest draft of the plan page by page, with an eye to correcting errors, making changes and possible additions. Maps have been added to the draft-plan, and these were distributed. Chair Juergens will make the appropriate modifications. Each present member of the PRB agreed to read one chapter of the plan closely for typographic errors, misspellings, etc., and report back at the December meeting. Staff was asked to verify statements in the plan about the accomplishments of previous plans, including accessibility improvements.
Juergens distributed a compilation of 6 board members' individual evaluations of possible projects for the plan and noted that one member had still not completed the evaluation. Of the 40 possible projects, the top 15 all involved Lake Leota Park and West Side Park. After lengthy discussion, it became clear that an actual year-by-year plan for the next five years could not be constructed at this meeting, due to lack of information on costs of some of the projects, details of the city's current 5-year capital budget plan, and the current balance and expected future income in the "Fees in Lieu of Parkland Dedication" account. The chair will provide as much of this information as possible at the December PRB meeting. He asked each member of the PRB to slot each of the 15 projects into a possible year when the project would be done. Further discussion will occur at the December meeting, and hopefully a plan can be developed at that time. No motions were proposed on this topic at this meeting.
7. Chair's report on actions of other city committees and Council. Council is in final negotiations with its preferred candidate for City Administrator, and it is expected that agreement will be reached so that he will begin his duties on January 2, 2007. The dam V-notch was discussed at the Public Works meeting last night. The engineer believes the V-notch is working properly and it will take time (months) for the lake to completely drain. The pooling water seen upstream from the V-notch is from a saturated lake bed.
8. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: No further progress on re-roofing the Boy Scout house.
b. Franklin Park: More sand was added to playground equipment area. An initial contact was made to an architect who's working on the old Ace Hardware building and the Baker Building near Lake Leota Park, with an eye to developing a concept for a "Gateway" facility in Franklin. The chair continues to make periodic requests of Water & Light Department to complete the removal of poles and installation of services on the new pole.
c. Countryside Park: Concrete Block work is still unfinished. Once it's done (and this may depend on weather) addition of roof trusses and other construction can begin. Playground equipment installation is complete.
d. Westside Park; Nothing new.
e. No other projects pending at other parks.
9. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a. The subcommittee on 2007 Pool operation met on October 26 as scheduled. The subcommittee recommends that the grill operation in the park store be suspended for the coming year, though the full restaurant license will be retained. Closing the grill will mean that hamburgers and French fries cannot be provided, but it will still be possible to provide hot dogs and nachos as hot food. All other customary cold foods will continue to be provided. Closing the grill will also mean that less-experienced people can operate the remaining store functions. The grill suspension will be tried on a one-year basis and evaluated by staff before making a decision for how to operate in the more distant future.
The subcommittee also evaluated the proposed 2007 Pool Operations Manual and recommended that PRB accept it with some minor modifications.
Farnsworth moved, Merritt seconded that the recommendations of the subcommittee be approved by the full PRB. The motion passed unanimously.
b. There was discussion of newspaper reports that vandalism done at the pool in early October had been done by youth on bikes, not skateboards. The director reported that he had seen fleeing kids carrying skateboards out of the pool area, not bikes, though he did see bikes outside the pool fence.
10. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
All items in his report were covered in item 8, project updates.
10. Old business: On advice of the City Attorney that no trapping be allowed in Lake Leota Park, the chair contacted Bruce Polheber, who had made the request last month, and told him that his request was denied. Mr. Polheber accepted the denial without objection.
11. New Business:
a. Several PRB members have volunteered to supervise Community Service work to which the youth convicted of vandalizing the pool have been sentenced. Park Supervisor Anderson recommended that pulling weeds and brush out of Allen Creek would be a suitable activity. The chair will contact Judge Alisankus to work out further details.
b. The chair reported that an ad-hoc committee [consisting of the principal and a teacher at McKenna Jr. High, the director of the Dean Youth Center, a representative from the Police Department, one adult sponsor of the Skate Club, and the chair] will meet on December 8th to discuss how to ensure that the skate park will be an appropriately used public facility. This group will identify and invite interested youth to participate in future meetings.
c. The city attorney provided, at the chair's request, a listing of current statutes and ordinances that can be employed to enforce skate park rules in the future. This was distributed to all members and staff. There is no legal authority to enforce some of the rules. After a brief discussion, the general sense was that trying to cover those rules by writing a new ordinance was premature and possibly counterproductive. If the current ordinances against disorderly conduct, destruction of property and littering are not strictly enforced, why make new laws? It was informally decided to pass this information on to the ad-hoc committee mentioned above for their consideration and a possible recommendation to PRB.
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. The next meeting of PRB wlll be at the regular time and date: December 18, 2006 at 6 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on December 8, 2006 and sent by email to all board members, staff and the city clerk for further distribution. These minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent PRB meeting.
Minutes; Park Board: October 2006
City of Evansville, Wisconsin
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
October 16, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:00 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens, and Members Jacobson, Krueger, and Merritt present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Member Farnsworth excused. Member Sendelbach absent. Farnsworth arrived at about 7 pm.
2 Minutes of September 18, 2006 meeting approved on a voice vote.
3. The agenda for this meeting was approved, after recognizing that citizen appearances might be moved to later in the agenda, on a voice vote.
5. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan". Juergens distributed a compilation of 5 board members' individual evaluations of possible projects for the plan and noted that two members had not completed their evaluations. He suggested that further work on this plan be postponed until the two missing evaluations were completed. Further work on this topic will be postponed until the November PRB meeting. Juergens will mail out the current draft of the plan to all board members.
6. Chair's report on actions of other city committees and Council. Council has approved the V-notching at the existing Lake Leota cam to de-water the sediment. The 2007 budget is heading to final approval. Juergens distributed several documents. One showed the current estimates of spending on the 2006 capital budget, with indications that some of the unspent money may be carried forward to 2007, as is current practice for capital budgets. A second was a summary of the proposed 2007 operating budget for Parks and Recreation, showing that staff salaries comprise about 75% of the net cost; total expenses are about $257K, total revenue is about $68K, net cost is about $189K, of which about $145K is salaries & benefits. The third document was a time-line exlanation for how funds for a dog-park were incorporated into the proposed 2007 5-year capital plan for 2008 through actions of the Public Works Committee and Council..
7. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: Little progress on re-roofing the Boy Scout house. The skatepark resurfacing is complete, but the equipment has not been moved back into place, pending a decision by the PRB.
b. Franklin Park: Equipment is installed, and perhaps one more load of sand will be added to the area. New utility pole has been placed. Still waiting on SBC and cable company to move their services before old poles can be removed.
c. Countryside Park: slab is poured, and high school students are beginning work on the shelter/bathroom. It's a slow process because the students do not have a lot of time each day to work. Playground equipment installation is complete.
d. Westside Park; grass is growing on the newly seeded 4-acre site for the future soccer fields..
8. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a. The pool director and board discussed forming a subcommittee of the board to decide on 2007 operation of the Park Store. Moved and seconded (Carlsen, Krueger) to do so. Passed unanimously on a voice vote. The chair asked for volunteers, and appointed Jacobsen, Merrit, himself and Hamacher to the subcommittee. This subcommittee will meet on 7 pm on Thurs. Oct. 26th at City Hall.
b. There was a discussion of how the subcommittee should proceed, whether to consider closing the park store for 2007 on a temporary basis and only selling snacks out of the pool office. It was decided that the park store will remain the sales venue for 2007, based on a Krueger/Carlsen motion.
c.. The director re-presented a proposal for fee increases for pool usage in 2007. This had been on the agenda for the September meeting as discussion only; even though it was passed then, it was not a legal passing, since no notice of a possible motion was on that agenda. It was moved and seconded (Merritt, Krueger) to approve the fee increases. The motion passed unanimously, and will be incorporated in the 2007 budget.
d. The director reported on vandalism and damage to the newly painted pool surface which occurred on October 3rd. The fence gate had been forced open, requiring a lot of force, and that the cost to repair the damage to the pool surface and concrete, if repaired by an outside contractor, would be expensive. He was going to try to make the repairs himself, to save the city money.
4. Citizen Appearances:
a. Bill Alt representing the Skate Club and four youth were now present. A free-wheeling discussion of problems in Lake Leota Park, suspected to be largely caused by skateboarders and bikers, was held among the citizens, members of the board and staff, and other citizens. The chair reported that Police Chief McElroy said that three arrests have been made in the aftermath of the vandalism at the pool, and more were expected. Those already arrested are expected to be dealt with in Juvenile court proceedings in early November. Hamacher said that he saw some 15-20 boarders in the pool on the day of the damage. Alt said that if there were that many people in the pool, he thought that the police department should be able to identify many more than three suspects and arrest them. He urged that those found guilty be made to pay restitution, a fine, and perform community service work. He also said that it didn't appear there was any way under current law to enforce the posted skate park rules. The youth in attendence pointed out that there are different groups of boarders and bikers, that not all boarders should be blamed for the damage caused by other groups. Jacobson and others pointed out that, if those in attendence knew anything about the identities of anyone responsible for any damage or vandalism, they must take the responsibility of reporting what they knew to the authorities. Juergens said it seemed that the Skate Club was moribund, and that people interested in having the park re-opened should re-organize the group. Anderson reported that there had been malicious damage to signs at the skate park, graffiti and trash problems. He said he was very disappointed in the actions of some people who used the park. It was noted that rules prohibit bikers using the skate park equipment, and that maybe those people are jealous and express their unhappiness by vandalism. (This prohibition is due to insurance concerns.) Alt urged more frequent patrols of the park by the police. Juergens suggested that the skate-park equipment not be replaced into the asphalt surface (it is sitting on grass nearby) until next Spring. It would only be replaced if it appears that substantial progress has been made in re-organizing a group of responsible youth who can demonstrate that they will care for the park. One of the kids present asked what would happen if no group formed, and it was suggested that the equipment could be sold to another municipality. Several board members stressed that the situation at the skate park was viewed as very serious and, if significant improvements could not be demonstrated, closing the facility was a strong possibility. Juergens said he would contact the police chief, the city attorney, school officials and staff at the Dean Community Center in an effort to bring together adults who could suggest ways of getting a handle on the situation. It was decided by consensus that the skate park will remain closed until further notice.
b. Bruce Polheber, a resident of Albany, appeared to request that he be allowed to trap muskrats in the part of Lake Leota north of the rail-road track crossing, for about a week starting November 4th. After some discussion, mostly centered around safety issues, it was moved and seconded (Krueger/Jacobson) that Polheber be allowed to proceed under two conditions: i; the Evansville City Attorney determines that this activity is legal in a City park, and ii; that Polheber report back to the PRB within two months on the results of his trapping. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
9. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
a. Grass-mowing is just about done for the season, and he is working on leaf pick-up
b. The supervisor reported other vandalism in Leota park; a ticket booth was tipped over, B-B holes were found in the new lake information kiosk, and dents in the metal pool building.
c. Other items in his report were covered above in project updates.
10. Old business: The November 2006 meeting of the Park and Recreation Board is rescheduled to Tuesday November 28th at 6PM,
11. New Business: None.
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 7:40 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on October 22th, 2006 and sent to all board members and the city clerk for further distribution.
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
October 16, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:00 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens, and Members Jacobson, Krueger, and Merritt present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Member Farnsworth excused. Member Sendelbach absent. Farnsworth arrived at about 7 pm.
2 Minutes of September 18, 2006 meeting approved on a voice vote.
3. The agenda for this meeting was approved, after recognizing that citizen appearances might be moved to later in the agenda, on a voice vote.
5. Development of a "2006 Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan". Juergens distributed a compilation of 5 board members' individual evaluations of possible projects for the plan and noted that two members had not completed their evaluations. He suggested that further work on this plan be postponed until the two missing evaluations were completed. Further work on this topic will be postponed until the November PRB meeting. Juergens will mail out the current draft of the plan to all board members.
6. Chair's report on actions of other city committees and Council. Council has approved the V-notching at the existing Lake Leota cam to de-water the sediment. The 2007 budget is heading to final approval. Juergens distributed several documents. One showed the current estimates of spending on the 2006 capital budget, with indications that some of the unspent money may be carried forward to 2007, as is current practice for capital budgets. A second was a summary of the proposed 2007 operating budget for Parks and Recreation, showing that staff salaries comprise about 75% of the net cost; total expenses are about $257K, total revenue is about $68K, net cost is about $189K, of which about $145K is salaries & benefits. The third document was a time-line exlanation for how funds for a dog-park were incorporated into the proposed 2007 5-year capital plan for 2008 through actions of the Public Works Committee and Council..
7. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: Little progress on re-roofing the Boy Scout house. The skatepark resurfacing is complete, but the equipment has not been moved back into place, pending a decision by the PRB.
b. Franklin Park: Equipment is installed, and perhaps one more load of sand will be added to the area. New utility pole has been placed. Still waiting on SBC and cable company to move their services before old poles can be removed.
c. Countryside Park: slab is poured, and high school students are beginning work on the shelter/bathroom. It's a slow process because the students do not have a lot of time each day to work. Playground equipment installation is complete.
d. Westside Park; grass is growing on the newly seeded 4-acre site for the future soccer fields..
8. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a. The pool director and board discussed forming a subcommittee of the board to decide on 2007 operation of the Park Store. Moved and seconded (Carlsen, Krueger) to do so. Passed unanimously on a voice vote. The chair asked for volunteers, and appointed Jacobsen, Merrit, himself and Hamacher to the subcommittee. This subcommittee will meet on 7 pm on Thurs. Oct. 26th at City Hall.
b. There was a discussion of how the subcommittee should proceed, whether to consider closing the park store for 2007 on a temporary basis and only selling snacks out of the pool office. It was decided that the park store will remain the sales venue for 2007, based on a Krueger/Carlsen motion.
c.. The director re-presented a proposal for fee increases for pool usage in 2007. This had been on the agenda for the September meeting as discussion only; even though it was passed then, it was not a legal passing, since no notice of a possible motion was on that agenda. It was moved and seconded (Merritt, Krueger) to approve the fee increases. The motion passed unanimously, and will be incorporated in the 2007 budget.
d. The director reported on vandalism and damage to the newly painted pool surface which occurred on October 3rd. The fence gate had been forced open, requiring a lot of force, and that the cost to repair the damage to the pool surface and concrete, if repaired by an outside contractor, would be expensive. He was going to try to make the repairs himself, to save the city money.
4. Citizen Appearances:
a. Bill Alt representing the Skate Club and four youth were now present. A free-wheeling discussion of problems in Lake Leota Park, suspected to be largely caused by skateboarders and bikers, was held among the citizens, members of the board and staff, and other citizens. The chair reported that Police Chief McElroy said that three arrests have been made in the aftermath of the vandalism at the pool, and more were expected. Those already arrested are expected to be dealt with in Juvenile court proceedings in early November. Hamacher said that he saw some 15-20 boarders in the pool on the day of the damage. Alt said that if there were that many people in the pool, he thought that the police department should be able to identify many more than three suspects and arrest them. He urged that those found guilty be made to pay restitution, a fine, and perform community service work. He also said that it didn't appear there was any way under current law to enforce the posted skate park rules. The youth in attendence pointed out that there are different groups of boarders and bikers, that not all boarders should be blamed for the damage caused by other groups. Jacobson and others pointed out that, if those in attendence knew anything about the identities of anyone responsible for any damage or vandalism, they must take the responsibility of reporting what they knew to the authorities. Juergens said it seemed that the Skate Club was moribund, and that people interested in having the park re-opened should re-organize the group. Anderson reported that there had been malicious damage to signs at the skate park, graffiti and trash problems. He said he was very disappointed in the actions of some people who used the park. It was noted that rules prohibit bikers using the skate park equipment, and that maybe those people are jealous and express their unhappiness by vandalism. (This prohibition is due to insurance concerns.) Alt urged more frequent patrols of the park by the police. Juergens suggested that the skate-park equipment not be replaced into the asphalt surface (it is sitting on grass nearby) until next Spring. It would only be replaced if it appears that substantial progress has been made in re-organizing a group of responsible youth who can demonstrate that they will care for the park. One of the kids present asked what would happen if no group formed, and it was suggested that the equipment could be sold to another municipality. Several board members stressed that the situation at the skate park was viewed as very serious and, if significant improvements could not be demonstrated, closing the facility was a strong possibility. Juergens said he would contact the police chief, the city attorney, school officials and staff at the Dean Community Center in an effort to bring together adults who could suggest ways of getting a handle on the situation. It was decided by consensus that the skate park will remain closed until further notice.
b. Bruce Polheber, a resident of Albany, appeared to request that he be allowed to trap muskrats in the part of Lake Leota north of the rail-road track crossing, for about a week starting November 4th. After some discussion, mostly centered around safety issues, it was moved and seconded (Krueger/Jacobson) that Polheber be allowed to proceed under two conditions: i; the Evansville City Attorney determines that this activity is legal in a City park, and ii; that Polheber report back to the PRB within two months on the results of his trapping. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
9. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
a. Grass-mowing is just about done for the season, and he is working on leaf pick-up
b. The supervisor reported other vandalism in Leota park; a ticket booth was tipped over, B-B holes were found in the new lake information kiosk, and dents in the metal pool building.
c. Other items in his report were covered above in project updates.
10. Old business: The November 2006 meeting of the Park and Recreation Board is rescheduled to Tuesday November 28th at 6PM,
11. New Business: None.
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 7:40 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on October 22th, 2006 and sent to all board members and the city clerk for further distribution.
Miinutes: Park Board: September 2006
City of Evansville, Wisconsin
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
September 18, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:0 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens, and Members Farnsworth, Jacobson, Krueger, Merritt and Sendelbach present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Member Carlsen excused.
2 Minutes of August 22, 2006 meeting approved on a voice vote.
3. The agenda for this meeting was approved without changes, on a voice vote.
4. Citizen appearances other than agenda items:
a. Jon Frey, of Evansville Home Talent Baseball, presented a report of the league's activities in Evansville, which for the first time included playing evening games under the lights at Lake Leota Park. Overall, playing in the park is an improvement compared to playing their games at the high school baseball field, which could only occur during daylight hours. Frey listed a number of short-term improvements to the Leota field, most of which can be done at little cost. Over the long term, the team would like an outfield fence installed; Evansville is one of only a few teams that plays on a field without such a fence. Other desirable improvements might include larger dugouts and and improved field lighting. Frey concluded that HTL would like to continue to play at the park on Thursday nights, and over the long term, play all their Sunday games there as well.
b. Randy Rinehart of S.O.L.E. reported that the project for V-notching the coffer-dam to further de-water Lake Leota is working its way through the approval process in the Public Works Committee and Finance & Labor Relations Committee. A final council decision is hoped for in October.
5. Board members reported on individual parks, which they had visited, for possible projects to include in the developing 5-year plan.
aA. Krueger for Brzezinski Park:
1. Picnic tables refurbished
2. More modern swing set with expanded safe area
3. Problem with ground-wasps in sand occurs every year. This should be addressed.
B. Krueger for Seminary Park:
1. Leave it alone, perhaps install some benches on the edges.
2. Make it a physical fitness park, with a climbing rock, rope ladder, balance beam, etc.; an organized course.
3. Develop a Community Vegetable Garden, maintained by volunteers, with results donated to Care Closet for the elderly.
4. Install a shade garden near the Church St. entrance.
5. Install a permanent grill, picnic benches, and trash receptacles
C. Juergens for Countryside Park:
1. Shrubs along south fence line, to make it harder for children and animals to crawl under fence; alternatively, lower
fence base to just at ground level.
2. Benches for ball diamond.
3. Increased bleacher seating, near soccer area.
D. Merritt for Franklin Park:
1. Additional landscaping on perimeter.
2. A small shelter and a "gateway" are already in proposed 2007 budget.
E. Farnsworth and Sendelbach for Leota/Leonard Park
1. Notch dam to dewater lake (likely in amendment to 2006 budget)
2. Restore lake to reasonable depth
3. Reduce upstream silt infiltration
4. Restore creek walls
5. Restore stone work in benches, bell tower, shelter, as needed.
6. Develop and institute a tree-replacement program and maintenance program for existing trees.
7. Build shelter in area of old shuffle-board court.
8. Install directional signage at both entrances
9. Outfield fence at upper diamond.
10. More solar panels for pool (in proposed 2007 budget)
11. Develop another park exit for safety
12. Screening/landscaping to block view from park to back of businesses such as car dealer and car-wash.
13. Develop off-road bike/walking path around lake
14. Add drinking fountains at appropriate locations.
15. Night-time safety illumination for walkers.
16. More dog-waste receptacles and recycling containers
17. Emergency 911 call-button of some kind
18. Speed controls for cars in park (speed bumps? signs?)
19. Move the entire lower ball diamond away from existing outfield fence to create more outfield space.
20. More skate park equipment
F. Jacobson for Westside Park
1. Pave current access road
2. Install Parking lot.
3. Install playground equipment
4. Build maintenance building for equipment storage
5. Create access and parking off Porter Road.
6. Install basketball courts
7. Install shelter and restrooms
8. Install baseball field with 300' fence
9. Add amenities to soccer field currently under construction
10. Landscaping
11. Signage
(Note: all the above is taken off the October 2005 plan approved by PRB and interested area residents.)
G. Carlsen for Wind Prairie Park (communicated through Chair)
1. Permanent benches along walking path through park
b. Other projects proposed by PRB members and staff: Find appropriate location and plan for creating Dog Park.
c. Possible criteria for evaluating the projects listed above were discussed and a final list developed:
1. Is the project necessary for safety reasons or to comply with ADA requirements?
2. How many people will the project benefit? (more is better)
3. How expensive is the project?
4. How much will the project add to continuing maintenance and staffing costs?
5. Will the project enhance the beauty of the city?
6. How urgent is the project? Will it cost a lot more if deferred until some later time?
d. These criteria and the complete list of possible projects will be distributed to each board member. Their evaluations will be
returned to the chair by October 13, and the results compiled by the chair in time for the October 16th regular meeting. The
plan is to select from this list the most viable projects to put into the new five year plan, given constraints of resources.
e. The board reviewed the 2nd draft of the proposed 5-year plan, to determine what else needs to be done to prepare a third
draft incorporating the project list mentioned above, other data, and source materials.
f. The board compared the 2nd draft of the proposed plan with the currently proposed City Capital Budget 5-year Plan. There was discussion about some park items which appeared in that plan without a vote from the PRB. The chair said he would report back on how that happened at the October meeting.
6. The Chair reported that Public Works Committee was expected to approve the cost of notching the coffer dam to further de-water Lake Leota. Further, the Skate Club has turned over the $5000 to the city to complete its agreement.
7. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: Re-shingling the Boy Scout house is underway; old shingles are being removed.
b. Franklin Park: Equipment will be installed by week's end. New utility pole will be placed soon. Still waiting on SBC and cable company to move their services before old poles can be removed.
c. Countryside Park: slab is poured, and high school students are beginning work on the shelter/bathroom. Playground equipment installation will be finished soon.
d. Westside Park; seeding is almost complete; has been delayed by rain.
8. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a. The pool director and board discussed a letter to the board from the 2006 park store manager. The director is not yet willing to implement some of the store manager's suggestions for changes. He reports that her figures for store expenses are incomplete, because not all bills have been paid.
b. The director presented a proposal for fee increases for pool usage in 2007. Sendelbach moved and Farnsworth seconded to
approve the fee increases. The motion passed unanimously, and will be incorporated in the 2007 budget.
c. There was a discussion of reduced fees for low-income families; the fee structure already incorporates this on an informal
basis. There will be a further discussion of this at the November board meeting.
d. The director will work with the city engineer to design the additional solar water-heating panels to be installed in 2007.
e. The director will institute a new photo-id season pass requirement for 2007, to eliminate problems experienced in the past
with people "lending" id cards to unauthorized people.
f. The director will purchase an inexpensive new computer with either funds remaining in the 2006 budget or from the 2007
budget to maintain accurate information and process the new photo-id passes.
g. Final touch-up painting and moving the propane tank will be done yet this year.
9. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
a. The supervisor reported he was disappointed in how those using the skate park are treating the facilities, including damage to signs and picnic tables, plus trash not placed in easily available containers. Considerable discussion ensued about how to handle the situation. It is felt that the skate club is not active enough in ensuring compliance with the rules. The chair will discuss this
with the parent heading the Skate Club. It is clear that things need to change if the skate park is to remain a viable feature of the
park system.
b. Two bids for resurfacing the skate-park were received by the supervisor. Both are under budget. Krueger moved and
Merritt seconded to accept the lower bid and get the work done as soon as possible. The motion passed on a 4-2 roll-call vote, with Farnsworth and Jacobson in the negative.
10. Old business: none.
11. New Business: The November 2006 meeting of the Park and Recreation Board is rescheduled to Tuesday November 28th at 6PM
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 8:31 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on October 8th, 2006 and sent to all board members and the city clerk for further distribution.
Park and Recreation Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Chambers
September 18, 2006
Draft Minutes
1. Call to Order at 6:0 PM and Roll Call: Chair Juergens, and Members Farnsworth, Jacobson, Krueger, Merritt and Sendelbach present. Staff members Anderson and Hamacher present. Member Carlsen excused.
2 Minutes of August 22, 2006 meeting approved on a voice vote.
3. The agenda for this meeting was approved without changes, on a voice vote.
4. Citizen appearances other than agenda items:
a. Jon Frey, of Evansville Home Talent Baseball, presented a report of the league's activities in Evansville, which for the first time included playing evening games under the lights at Lake Leota Park. Overall, playing in the park is an improvement compared to playing their games at the high school baseball field, which could only occur during daylight hours. Frey listed a number of short-term improvements to the Leota field, most of which can be done at little cost. Over the long term, the team would like an outfield fence installed; Evansville is one of only a few teams that plays on a field without such a fence. Other desirable improvements might include larger dugouts and and improved field lighting. Frey concluded that HTL would like to continue to play at the park on Thursday nights, and over the long term, play all their Sunday games there as well.
b. Randy Rinehart of S.O.L.E. reported that the project for V-notching the coffer-dam to further de-water Lake Leota is working its way through the approval process in the Public Works Committee and Finance & Labor Relations Committee. A final council decision is hoped for in October.
5. Board members reported on individual parks, which they had visited, for possible projects to include in the developing 5-year plan.
aA. Krueger for Brzezinski Park:
1. Picnic tables refurbished
2. More modern swing set with expanded safe area
3. Problem with ground-wasps in sand occurs every year. This should be addressed.
B. Krueger for Seminary Park:
1. Leave it alone, perhaps install some benches on the edges.
2. Make it a physical fitness park, with a climbing rock, rope ladder, balance beam, etc.; an organized course.
3. Develop a Community Vegetable Garden, maintained by volunteers, with results donated to Care Closet for the elderly.
4. Install a shade garden near the Church St. entrance.
5. Install a permanent grill, picnic benches, and trash receptacles
C. Juergens for Countryside Park:
1. Shrubs along south fence line, to make it harder for children and animals to crawl under fence; alternatively, lower
fence base to just at ground level.
2. Benches for ball diamond.
3. Increased bleacher seating, near soccer area.
D. Merritt for Franklin Park:
1. Additional landscaping on perimeter.
2. A small shelter and a "gateway" are already in proposed 2007 budget.
E. Farnsworth and Sendelbach for Leota/Leonard Park
1. Notch dam to dewater lake (likely in amendment to 2006 budget)
2. Restore lake to reasonable depth
3. Reduce upstream silt infiltration
4. Restore creek walls
5. Restore stone work in benches, bell tower, shelter, as needed.
6. Develop and institute a tree-replacement program and maintenance program for existing trees.
7. Build shelter in area of old shuffle-board court.
8. Install directional signage at both entrances
9. Outfield fence at upper diamond.
10. More solar panels for pool (in proposed 2007 budget)
11. Develop another park exit for safety
12. Screening/landscaping to block view from park to back of businesses such as car dealer and car-wash.
13. Develop off-road bike/walking path around lake
14. Add drinking fountains at appropriate locations.
15. Night-time safety illumination for walkers.
16. More dog-waste receptacles and recycling containers
17. Emergency 911 call-button of some kind
18. Speed controls for cars in park (speed bumps? signs?)
19. Move the entire lower ball diamond away from existing outfield fence to create more outfield space.
20. More skate park equipment
F. Jacobson for Westside Park
1. Pave current access road
2. Install Parking lot.
3. Install playground equipment
4. Build maintenance building for equipment storage
5. Create access and parking off Porter Road.
6. Install basketball courts
7. Install shelter and restrooms
8. Install baseball field with 300' fence
9. Add amenities to soccer field currently under construction
10. Landscaping
11. Signage
(Note: all the above is taken off the October 2005 plan approved by PRB and interested area residents.)
G. Carlsen for Wind Prairie Park (communicated through Chair)
1. Permanent benches along walking path through park
b. Other projects proposed by PRB members and staff: Find appropriate location and plan for creating Dog Park.
c. Possible criteria for evaluating the projects listed above were discussed and a final list developed:
1. Is the project necessary for safety reasons or to comply with ADA requirements?
2. How many people will the project benefit? (more is better)
3. How expensive is the project?
4. How much will the project add to continuing maintenance and staffing costs?
5. Will the project enhance the beauty of the city?
6. How urgent is the project? Will it cost a lot more if deferred until some later time?
d. These criteria and the complete list of possible projects will be distributed to each board member. Their evaluations will be
returned to the chair by October 13, and the results compiled by the chair in time for the October 16th regular meeting. The
plan is to select from this list the most viable projects to put into the new five year plan, given constraints of resources.
e. The board reviewed the 2nd draft of the proposed 5-year plan, to determine what else needs to be done to prepare a third
draft incorporating the project list mentioned above, other data, and source materials.
f. The board compared the 2nd draft of the proposed plan with the currently proposed City Capital Budget 5-year Plan. There was discussion about some park items which appeared in that plan without a vote from the PRB. The chair said he would report back on how that happened at the October meeting.
6. The Chair reported that Public Works Committee was expected to approve the cost of notching the coffer dam to further de-water Lake Leota. Further, the Skate Club has turned over the $5000 to the city to complete its agreement.
7. Updates on pending park projects:
a. Leota Park: Re-shingling the Boy Scout house is underway; old shingles are being removed.
b. Franklin Park: Equipment will be installed by week's end. New utility pole will be placed soon. Still waiting on SBC and cable company to move their services before old poles can be removed.
c. Countryside Park: slab is poured, and high school students are beginning work on the shelter/bathroom. Playground equipment installation will be finished soon.
d. Westside Park; seeding is almost complete; has been delayed by rain.
8. Aquatic Report: Rick Hamacher; pool director.
a. The pool director and board discussed a letter to the board from the 2006 park store manager. The director is not yet willing to implement some of the store manager's suggestions for changes. He reports that her figures for store expenses are incomplete, because not all bills have been paid.
b. The director presented a proposal for fee increases for pool usage in 2007. Sendelbach moved and Farnsworth seconded to
approve the fee increases. The motion passed unanimously, and will be incorporated in the 2007 budget.
c. There was a discussion of reduced fees for low-income families; the fee structure already incorporates this on an informal
basis. There will be a further discussion of this at the November board meeting.
d. The director will work with the city engineer to design the additional solar water-heating panels to be installed in 2007.
e. The director will institute a new photo-id season pass requirement for 2007, to eliminate problems experienced in the past
with people "lending" id cards to unauthorized people.
f. The director will purchase an inexpensive new computer with either funds remaining in the 2006 budget or from the 2007
budget to maintain accurate information and process the new photo-id passes.
g. Final touch-up painting and moving the propane tank will be done yet this year.
9. Park Maintenance and Improvements report: Ray Anderson; maintenance supervisor.
a. The supervisor reported he was disappointed in how those using the skate park are treating the facilities, including damage to signs and picnic tables, plus trash not placed in easily available containers. Considerable discussion ensued about how to handle the situation. It is felt that the skate club is not active enough in ensuring compliance with the rules. The chair will discuss this
with the parent heading the Skate Club. It is clear that things need to change if the skate park is to remain a viable feature of the
park system.
b. Two bids for resurfacing the skate-park were received by the supervisor. Both are under budget. Krueger moved and
Merritt seconded to accept the lower bid and get the work done as soon as possible. The motion passed on a 4-2 roll-call vote, with Farnsworth and Jacobson in the negative.
10. Old business: none.
11. New Business: The November 2006 meeting of the Park and Recreation Board is rescheduled to Tuesday November 28th at 6PM
12. There was a motion to adjourn at 8:31 PM.
Minutes drafted by Chair Juergens on October 8th, 2006 and sent to all board members and the city clerk for further distribution.
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