Park Commission Minutes September 22, 2004

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 SEPTEMBER 22, 2004

Park Commissioners Present: Richard Gawinski, Herb Horn, Michael Lynch, John Zaborsky.

Excused: Commissioners Roy Kuehn, Glen Allen, and Judy Holtz

Also Present:

Director Michael T. Kading Bookkeeper Mary Heiting

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The Commission meeting was held at the Community Center and was called to order by President Richard Gawinski at 6:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll call taken.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND EXPENDITURES

MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to approve the minutes of August 25, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners reviewed the expenditure list dated September 8, 2004 in the amount of $7,312.07. This expenditure list was postponed because there was no quorum for September 8, 2004. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to approve the expenditures as listed. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners reviewed the second expenditure list dated September 22, 2004 in the amount of $10,819.39. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to approve the expenditures as listed. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM and / or CORRESPONDENCE

Present at this meeting was Mrs. Ross who represented the neighborhood watch group for the O’Hauser Park area. Her request stemmed from a recent Menasha High School cross-country meet. She pointed out that the busses for various school districts had very little room to park. They currently parked on Lee Street and covered the vision of traffic viewing the stop sign at this intersection. Her request was to have police patrol this area during these events and possibly working with the schools to provide adequate parking for the busses.

Mrs. Ross second request concerned visitors to O’Hauser Park Disc Golf area, particularly after dusk hours. Mrs. Ross and the neighborhood park watch feel that after dusk, minor offenses are conducted on park property and if the hours of operation were diminished, police could monitor the area and ticket the violators. The hours of operation will be agendized for the October 13, 2004 meeting.

Mrs. Ross then questioned about the vending machines located around O’Hauser Park and wondered if they were operating all 12 months of the year. Staff will review this request and report back to Mrs. Ross.

REPORTS

A. Commissioners – Issues can only be presented, no action may be taken.

B. Park Foreman Pavlak

C. Recreation Supervisor Thone

D. Director Kading

The reports were copies of the September 8 meeting. Commissioners reviewed the reports and there were no questions.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Park Conditions

Discussion ensued about some of the rentals throughout the year involving Town staff clean up of the facilities. Should staff raise the current $50.00 deposit, or raise the damage assessment fee to include hourly benefits when calculating. It was the consensus of the Commission to include hourly benefits when calculating the damage assessment.

B. Mission / Vision Statement

A mission vision statement has been drafted by Director Kading. It was recommended that a few of the park commissioners were not in attendance of this meeting, and a request to postpone this draft until all the Commissioners were available for comments.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Suburban Athletics

Staff has been in contact with Roy Buchholz, Vice President of the Suburban Athletics organization. The recent agendized discussion about the Athletic Association Agreements created some concerns that needed explaining. It was noted that the Town wants to set standards to follow with all sports associations equally. After discussion, Mr. Buchholz no longer had concerns about the agreements.

B. Optimist Paddle Center Request – Terry Gant

Mr. Gant made a request to the Park Commission to assist the Neenah-Menasha Optimist Club to assist is payment for the gazebo placed in the Fritse Park for park use and canoe rental usage. This gazebo has been used throughout the summer for canoe lessons through the recreation department and stored equipment for this use.

The Commissioners reviewed this request and foresaw no problems with leaving the gazebo where it presently is located for the winter months. Commissioner Zaborsky has an opinion that the Fritse Park Master Plan is currently being adopted and the planning stages remain open for the time being. Suggestions for the design and construction have not been completed so the placement of this gazebo may be in limbo.

At this time the Commission cannot commit to the placement or support of the gazebo until such time that the construction phase of the master plan is completed.

A request to review the rental agreement for the next meeting’s agenda. This rental agreement covers the Rydell Environmental Education Center property for discussion at the next meeting.

C. Fall / Winter Project List

The request for the fall and winter project list was reviewed by the Park Commission. The Commission requested a monthly update to the fall / winter list.

D. Music Requests – None

E. Menasha Area Soccer – Extra Tournament – September 25, 2004

Bookkeeper Mary Heiting received a last minute request from Kurt Schodorf, President of the Menasha Area Soccer Association, to have a soccer tournament at Wittmann Park on Saturday, September 25. Since this tournament was not of the January list of tournaments, a special request needed to be verified through the Park Commission. MOTION: Commissioner Herb Horn, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to approve the request to have the Menasha Area Soccer Tournament on Saturday at Wittmann Park. Motion carried unanimously.

F. Flying Fortress – Dave VanDeLoo – Frisbee Vending

Mr. VanDeLoo has made a special request to the Park Commissioners to waive the park rules and allow him to sell / trade Frisbee golf discs at the Frisbee Golf tournament scheduled for Sunday, September 26, 2004 at O’Hauser Park. Mr. VanDeLoo has a mobile truck that opens in the back and members may trade in or purchase different Frisbee golf discs. MOTION: Commissioner Herb Horn, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to allow Mr. VanDeLoo to vend his Frisbee golf discs on Sunday, September 26 pending all licensing applications are filed with the Clerk’s office. Motion carried unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE

None

Motions by Commissioners

MOTION: At 7:35 p.m. Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to convene into closed session pursuant 19.85(1) c of the Wisconsin State Statutes; considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility to require a closed session. Specifically to evaluate park and recreation personnel. Motion carried unanimously.

At 8:51 MOTION Commissioner Herb Horn, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to reconvene into open session to act on any business discussed in closed pursuant to 19.85(2) of the State Statutes, the Commission may reconvene into open session to act on any business discussed in closed session. A request to have a special executive session Park Commission meeting to address park and recreation personnel evaluations should be schedule for October 6 at 6:30 p.m.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Commissioner Judy Holtz, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to adjourn the Park Commission meeting of September 22, 2004 at 8:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Sincerely,

Judy R. Holtz

Secretary Park Commission