PARK & RECREATION	COMMUNITY CENTER
2000 MUNICIPAL DR.	1000 VALLEY RD.
NEENAH, WI 54956	MENASHA No Mail Please
Telephone (920) 720-7108 Fax (920) 720-7113	Telephone (920) 731-1524 Fax (920) 731-1642

PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 9, 2004

Park Commissioners Present: Richard Gawinski, Roy Kuehn, John Zaborsky, and Judy Holtz,

Excused: Recreation Supervisor Becky Thone and Commissioners Clarence Peterson, Glen Allen, and Herb Horn

Also Present:

Director Michael T. Kading Bookkeeper Mary Heiting

Town Chairman Arden Tews Barb Hanson

Darin Marsden

Commissioner Candidate: Mike Lynch

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The Commission meeting was held at the Community Center and was called to order by President Richard Gawinski, at 7:10 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll call taken.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND EXPENDITURES

MOTION: Commissioner Judy Holtz, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to approve the minutes of May 12, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners reviewed the expenditure list from May 26 in the amount of $8,074.56. Confirmation about the Bloy Construction invoice and the placement of the concrete patio at Palisades Park was verified. MOTION: Commissioner Judy Holtz, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to approve the expenditures as listed. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners reviewed the expenditure prepared for today’s meeting in the amount of $2,186.99. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Judy Holtz to approve the expenditures as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM and / or CORRESPONDENCE

Darin Marsden from Bonnie Drive talked to the Park Commissioners. Previously, Mr. Marsden had requested the removal of the cottonwood trees from Fritsch Park next to his house. He stated that the roots from the trees are destroying the culvert on Bonnie Drive. He stated that the seeds are constantly in his yard from spring into summer. They prevent him from any maintenance projects on his house and require continuous maintenance on gutters / siding / air conditioning and windows.

Commissioner John Zaborsky inquired if the trees were damaged in any way, or if limbs would come down in a storm. He also asked if the trees showed decease that could affect their health and fall on someone. The condition of the trees could not be verified. Discussion ensued about hiring an arborist to examine the trees for health conditions and bring a report back to the Commission. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Judy Holtz to contract an arborist to examine the health of the 4 cottonwood trees near the Marsden residence on Bonnie Drive, and supply a report to the Park Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

Staff will verify the culvert problems with the Street Department and possible sewer problems with the Utility Department.

CORRESPONDENCE

None

REPORTS

Foreman Pavlak submitted the park report and was reviewed. Director Kading also reviewed the joint effort with City staff to install a poured-in–place fall zone area. The staff participated for a joint training, hands-on installation experience of installing the new surface. Staff feels that, in the future, this installation may be handled in house.

Recreation Supervisor Thone has submitted her report. Director Kading noted that several of the programs were full. Through discussion, some of the class sizes have been increased to accommodate the number of registrants from the waiting list interested in signing up.

Director Kading’s report was presented. Discussion included some items not on the report. A neighborhood meeting from N. Lake Street was held. This meeting involved the neighborhood adjacent to the proposed acquisition of the Dube property on N. Lake Street. The neighborhood wanted to hear about the present and future plans for this property. A request to keep the zoning single family instead of the proposed public use was made. At this time no solution could be reached as this property is currently under the acquisition of the NRDA recovery grant process.

Director Kading met with the NE Wisconsin Realtors Association and Valley Home Builders Association recently with Administrator Archambo. The Associations discussed proposed changes to the ordinance and requested verbiage to clarify how the fees can be distributed.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Budget Committee Mission/Vision Goal Setting Sessions

Director Kading explained that currently, a mission statement does not exist for the department. A mission / vision / goal setting would help alleviate questions and aid decisions for budgeting and purchases in the future.

Director Kading met with a gentleman from “SCORE” to discuss and facilitate the development of a mission/vision statement form the Commission and the Department. It was the Director’s feeling that this Statement could be developed by the Commission without outside assistance. Previous discussion with Commissioner Allen confirmed that our ability to provide this Statement in house would be appropriate.

MOTION: by Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Judy Holtz to start the Park Commissioner meeting on June 23 at 6:00 p.m. to finish the business portion of the meeting; then schedule the park staff to join the Commission at 7:00 to compile ideas to generate our mission statement. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Present Athletic Group Comparisons

Staff prepared a summary spreadsheet explaining which sport organizations have been paying which fees for using the parks. The chart included a list of contributions for the operational needs in their areas. The Commissioners reviewed the summary and requested further break-down of expenditures such as electricity and water/sewer charges for each Association and report back to the Commission. The current summary notes the Town’s Park Department has been paying for the scoreboard and concession stand electricity for Palisades Athletics. It was noted that Menasha Area Soccer does not have these entities; but Suburban Athletics has built their own concession stand and pay for their own electricity.

An example of the City of Neenah sport association agreement was reviewed. Discussion ensued about which requirements the Town of Menasha should include for a draft presentation of our sport association agreement. Comparisons are requested from other municipalities and a draft form should be compiled for a future meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Car Show Request

Kemps Kars of America has made a request to have a car show at one of the parks in the Town of Menasha. The Park Commission studied this special park use request, and had difficulty resolving some major concerns. Discussion ensued about alternate park locations. No appropriate park solution could be found for this request. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Roy Kuehn to decline the request of Kustom Kemps due to space restraints. Motion carried unanimously.

Music / Tent Requests:

The letters for amplified music requests were reviewed for the Fleming and Coopman families. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Judy Holtz to approve the requests as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Commissioner Roy Kuehn, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to adjourn the Park Commission meeting of June 9, 2004. Approved unanimously at 8:30 pm.

Sincerely,

John A. Zaborsky,

Secretary Park Commission