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 DECEMBER 8, 2004

Park Commissioners Present: Richard Gawinski, Michael Lynch, Judy Holtz, John Zaborsky and Glen Allen.

Excused: Commissioners Roy Kuehn, Herb Horn

Also Present:

Director Michael T. Kading Bookkeeper Mary Heiting

Park Foreman Ron Pavlak Clarence Peterson

Diana Kanter, Comm. Dev. George Dearborn, Comm. Dev.

Curt Solberg, Martenson & Eisele Therese Freund

Barb Hansen

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The Commission meeting was held at the Community Center and was called to order by President Richard Gawinski at 7:00 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 November 10, 2004 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners reviewed the expenditure list in the amount of $4,993.71. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Mike Lynch to approve the expenditures as listed. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM and / or CORRESPONDENCE

None

REPORTS

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

B. Park Foreman Pavlak

C. Recreation Supervisor Thone

D. Director Kading

Commissioners reviewed the reports and no questions were noted. Director Kading discussed the interview with Mr. Miller who will start this spring.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Park Conditions –.

Commissioner Holtz reviewed the projects of all the parks and noted that Butte des Morts Park should have all of the dead trees removed.

B. Westshore Preserves

Director Kading, upon the request of Mr. Terry Gant, asked that taxes be paid on future park land or the Dube Property which was part of the settlement in a grant request. Mr. Gant through the (NRDA) Natural Resources Damage Assessment applied for grant money to purchase park land. Mr. Gant in turn was waiting for the conservation easements to be drafted and reviewed by all parties involved. This process has now been completed and the time involved (1-year) of waiting for the title to transfer for these properties. The taxes for 2003 are $2,935. The Park Commission made a recommendation to approve the request to make Mr. Gant whole for the 2004 property taxes on the Dube property. The Park Commission authorizes to pay the taxes from the park and open space funds. Director Kading will discuss with the Town Administrator the issue of waving the Town’s portion of the tax payment. MOTION: Commissioner Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Glen to pay for the property taxes on the Dube property not to exceed $3100. Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Palisades Athletic Field Agreement

The Palisades Athletic Board met with Park Commissioners John Zaborsky, Herb Horn, and Director Kading. The athletic agreement was reviewed with the Palisades board membership. It was noted that the maintenance on the concession stand may need to be changed because the Association does not own this building. The balance of the items will be shared with their organization and signed in the near future.

B. Budget Transfers

Director Kading discussed the need to transfer 2004 money into the 2005 budget. Valley Sealcoat was awarded the Palisades tennis court resurfacing quote and was unable to complete the job due to weather. MOTION: Commissioner Glen Allen, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to approve the budget transfer as specified. Motion carried unanimously.

C. U.W. – Oshkosh Environment Club – Rydell Proposal

Therese Freund the Rydell Environmental Center Caretaker is working with students from U.W. Oshkosh. The environmental studies class has formed a club, selected projects, and wants to gain work experience within the community and complete environmental restoration projects.

Ms. Freund’s report includes details of the project suggested for the Rydell Environmental Center. As funds have been designated for the 2005 budget year, approval was given. MOTION: Commissioner Glen Allen, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to approve the projects and features described in the report submitted to the Park Commission December 2004. Motion carried unanimously.

D. Competitive Quotes – 11 foot mower

Competitive quotes have been received from Reisterer and Schnell, Reinders and Horst which were opened and reviewed on December 7, 2004. Commissioner John Zaborsky had questions about different diesel engines and maintenance. A request was made to postpone until the January meeting until these questions could be answered.

E. Park Legacy Program – Phase I

The next step in the redevelopment of Fritse Park is to hire professional services to design and help with funding needs. Director Kading recommends hiring Mayo Corporation to complete Phase I in the amount of $14,995 because of their previous knowledge of the project. MOTION: Commissioner John Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Judy Holtz to hire Mayo Corporation for Phase I development of Fritse Park Plan. Motion carried unanimously.

F. Anunson/Winter Subdivision Concept – Parkland Dedication

This new 92 acre subdivision is proposed near the corners of Irish Road and E. Shady Lane. According to Town ordinances, the Park and Open Space Plan has 4.36 acres due or money in lieu of land. Community Development staff members; Director George Dearborn, and Assistant Diana Kanter, explained the process and the preliminary discussion about the property. Much discussion arose. Specific questions to be answered should be addressed to Director Kading. A vote to recommend to the Planning Commission will need to be done during the January 12, 2005 meeting.

G. Community Park Sign

In continuing to update the park system with consistent signage throughout the parks, the Park Commission viewed the samples submitted for Wittmann and Fritsch Parks. MOTION: Commissioner Mike Lynch, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to approve the bottom examples submitted which includes the address on the signs. Motion carried unanimously.

Commission President Richard Gawinski delivered the announcement that Commissioner Le Roy Kuehn is retiring effective immediately. Mr. Kuehn is retiring due to illness and we hope he is well in the future. We appreciate all the years he has served the Town of Menasha, through the Park & Recreation Department and many years on the Planning Commission. Thank you very much Le Roy Kuehn.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Commissioner Herb Horn, seconded by Commissioner John Zaborsky to adjourn the Park Commission meeting of December 8, 2004 at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Sincerely,

Judy R. Holtz

Secretary Park Commission