PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 11, 2003

Members Present: Commissioners: Clarence Peterson, Richard Gawinski, Roy Kuehn, Herb Horn, John Zaborsky, and Judy Holtz.

Excused: Commissioner Glen Allen

Also Present: Ronald Pavlak Park Foreman, Recreation Supervisor Becky Thone, Mary Heiting Bookkeeper, Park Laborers, Katie Schweitzer, Derrick Hanson, Bryan Peil, Dan Riske, Kellen Pagel, Jim Archambo, Town Administrator, George Dearborn Community Development and Supervisor Barb Hanson.

The meeting was held at the Community Center and called to order by Richard Gawinski, President, at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll call taken.

Approval of Minutes and Expenditures

MOTION: Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Zaborsky reviewed the May 28, 2003 minutes and made a motion to approve. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners reviewed the June 11, 2003 expenditures in the amount of $1,741.67. MOTION: Commissioner Kuehn, seconded by Commissioner Zaborsky to approve the bills as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM and / or CORRESPONDENCE

RON PAVLAK’S REPORT

Park Foreman Pavlak introduced the park laborers staff. The Commission reviewed how important they are and how they represent the Town to the public fulfilling their daily chores. The park laborers introduced themselves and explained where they are going to school and how long they have been working for the Town Park Dept. Foreman Pavlak explained that this year a (3) man crew is being used to expedite chores needed to complete the park projects.

Suburban Athletics wanted to come this evening but asked for a postponement. They are submitting a design for an enclosed batting cage to be installed at O’Hauser Park. This item will be tabled until the next Commission meeting.

Foreman Pavlak stated that there was an unexpected expense involving the Community Center repair. It was the suggestion from the Commission to watch how many expenditures we have for this area and to estimate if needed, during the proposed 2004 budget process.

We have been receiving a lot of volunteer hours from Matt Schmitt. Mr. Schmitt is involved with the Frisbee Golf association in the Fox Valley. He has requested and completed some maintenance projects like spreading wood chips, painting the baskets, and territorial upgrades to the field. Mr. Schmitt is anticipating a golf tournament involving O’Hauser Park this September. A letter of appreciation to thank Mr. Schmitt and his crew of volunteers for all of their efforts will be expedited.

Foreman Pavlak explained that the playground equipment has been installed at Palisades Park. Other area parks have also received upgrades with the transfer pads.

The park staff received a call from a resident who stated that the slide at Fritse Park was unsafe. After inspection by Foreman Pavlak and laborer Mike Campbell, it was noted that there were no indentations or broken parts on the structure. It was estimated that the weight of the child must have been a factor because the child had reported to be air born off the side. The Commission then resolved that the slide was safe and would not be removed.

The park department had been contacted to move trees off of private property and transplanted to Fritsch Park. It was noted that in contacting Winnebago County that the “tree spade” was non-operational. Foreman Pavlak will contact the County to see if it will be operational in the near future.

Suburban Athletic baseball association has requested estimates to install bathrooms between the baseball fields and Frisbee golf. Estimates were proposed from Foreman Pavlak. The Commission expressed placing the proposed estimates in the 2004 budget process and the needs of the 5-year park plan.

BECKY THONE’S REPORT

Becky Thone, Recreation Supervisor reported on the Park Leaders orientation. She was very pleased with the efficiency of the leaders and anticipated activities planned for the summer recreation programs starting Monday, June 16^th. Included in the park leader orientation were fire and safety training, and behavior management. The new software Rectrac has helped staff enter 525 registrants just for the summer programs.

The Music in the Parks for (4) Thursdays in the summer will be starting at Fritsch Park on June 18^th. We have coordinated 4 different venues at each of the park locations. The notices have been mailed to different organizations and business community calendars. Examples proposed were the Encore and Visitors section of the local newspapers.

GEORGE DEARBORN’S REPORT

George Dearborn, Director of Community Development explained the receipt of the Appraisal Consultants estimates for the Selmer Moseng property. The estimates were close to the appraised value set by the Assessor for the Town of Menasha. The estimate had been forwarded to the Department of Transportation to complete the steps needed to apply for the grant.

Director Dearborn stated the Town has entered a joint agreement with the City of Menasha to construct the trail across Little Lake Butte des Morts. They are currently soliciting for qualified engineers and will be chosen and bid out by the end of 2003 or early 2004.

MARY HEITING’S REPORT

Mary Heiting, Bookkeeper reviewed the recommendation from Myra Piergrossi, Finance Director to supply the Park Commissioners with a different looking report than previously included in the packet. The program currently used by the Finance Department generates the same features that Bookkeeper Heiting has been creating each time there is a meeting. The Finance Department would “run” the checks and generate a report to include the year-to-date expenditure totals. The commissioners reviewed the different examples submitted as “Exhibit B” and “Exhibit C” and concurred that the Finance Department generated report was accurate and easily read. The version with the salaries printed on yellow paper seemed the easiest to read and requested for future use.

Bookkeeper Heiting also had several requests to amplified music in the parks. MOTION: Commissioner Zaborsky, seconded by Commissioner Horn to approve the requests for these specific dates and functions.

OLD BUSINESS

Palisades Athletics are working on a design plan for the proposed batting cage at Palisades Park. The design plans are not yet complete. President Evans supplied the schedules of the leagues and the need to use the 3^rd diamond for these games. He is requesting to remove the infield grass at the third baseball diamond. Commissioner Horn has been working with Palisades Athletics on a solution.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Mr. Danielsen – 1831 Cold Spring Rd. – Street Light for Schildt Park

Mr. Danielsen has a flood light installed at the corner of the entrance of Schildt Park. It is currently facing his private property. He is requesting that the light be turned on the pole to help light the entrance to Schildt Park. The expenses for electricity would then be transferred to the Town’s responsibility. Commissioner Zaborsky and Foreman Pavlak stated that they will review the light’s position and examine if it was needed.

CORRESPONDENCE

A. Mr. Ron Klundt, 1941 Mary Lane – Chapter 17 “sound amplification” review.

Mr. Klundt stopped in the Park office to clarify why bands were allowed to play music in the parks. He thought the rule was not to allow music. A copy of the rules were given to Mr. Klundt with an explanation that each request to have amplified music must be allowed on a case by case basis through permission from the Park Commission.

Mr. Klundt would like to request that no music be allowed at O’Hauser North. He states that because of the close proximity of the neighboring residences, this park should not have music allowed.

The Commission discussed this matter and would like to contact Mr. Klundt and discuss the concerns specifically for this park.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT BY COMMISSIONERS

Motion Commissioner Kuehn, seconded Commissioner Peterson to adjourn the June 11, 2003 meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Sincerely,

John A. Zaborsky,

Secretary Park Commission