Parks and Recreation Board

Village of East Troy Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Nov 13, 2023 Call meeting to Order – Gary Budzien called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Pledge of Allegiance Public Comments: Jan Rostkowski, Secretary, East Troy Lake Association, 2959 North Shore Drive At an October Village Board meeting, a grant for the third multi-use trail from Mill Pond Park to Townline Road was discussed. This path is something that East Troy’s agricultural students attempted to extend years ago until they could not cross the many springs that now prevent the village from mowing such a path. We had hoped this would be a boardwalk along East Troy Lake, but a walking/biking path along Honey Creek would match the top recreational priority of village residents. Before starting this project that you are brainstorming tonight, it is important that property ownership be established. The DNR does not determine ownership when grants are submitted. The dam removal project began in January 2022; it wasn’t until April 2022 before the village communicated that the ownership of the flowage bed was NOT tied to ownership of the dam property itself. The village stated in its letter to riparian owners that “if a property owner owns a parcel that runs to the centerline of the stream, he or she still does”. But . . . the village has not recognized the legal principles of reliction, riparian rights, and navigable waterway access. The village’s attorney was unable to produce a title for Mill Pond Park (RXUP 00199) containing a legal description written “to the centerline” of the stream. How then can the Village create a trail on property they do not own? Riparian rights need to be recognized on both sides of Honey Creek for the village to pursue a trail on the south side. Also, the Town of East Troy property owners along Honey Creek (PET3000005 and PET3000002) may have issue with a trail going through their property leading to Townline Road. Property rights need to be addressed prior to this next project—a project I hope can legally be completed. Present – Director Vickie Muszynski, Board Members Debbie Arendt, Steve Rostkowski, Gary Budzien, and Andy Seiden, Nick Cieslik, and Trustee John Alexander. Excused - Public Works Director Jason Equitz, Chairperson Andrea Belka Van Buren Consent Agenda (One motion and second will approve all the following items) 1. Approval of minutes from Oct. 9, 2023, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting 2. Approval of Revenue/Expenditure Report from Oct 31, 2023 3. Approval of Directors Report Motion by Trustee Alexander, seconded by Board Member Arendt to approve consent agenda. Motion carried. Miscellaneous Business 1. Skate Park/Pump Park a. Ben & Bennett Keating gave a presentation for a Pump Park. Bennett presented the benefits of a pump track; they are inclusive to anything on wheels. He talked about how the skate park has been a great place for him and how he likes the mentoring of younger kids, showing that the pump park is a great place for younger kids to start without the intimidation of the big ramps. The board was receptive to the idea, they would like to revisit this in January. John suggested they come back to us with some more ideas. This project would take engineering and planning and wouldn’t happen until 2025. 2. Update on Projects: a. Vickie updated the board on the projects taking place. The poured in place surfaces at Mitchell Park & Playmore Park along with the swing set have been installed, just waiting on the swing seats to be installed. The nets are ordered and will be installed as soon as they come in. The stairs and railings at the Grandstand will be completed in Spring. 3. Brainstorming for multi-use trail. Steve had a topographical map of the impoundment area. He gave a description of the area, the wetlands and water table. He and the FFA had previously made some trails through that area. Some of the areas are so wet he said they would have to have a boardwalk. The area to the west is in the Town of East Troy, not the Village so that would be something that would have to be discussed to possibly extend the trail in that direction. Discussion of the renaming of the area was suggested. This will be on the agenda for January. Agenda Items to Discuss at Next Meeting a. Brainstorm for Multi-use trail, Mill Pond Area b. Naming of the “impoundment area.” c. Pump Park Adjourn – Motion by Board Member Seiden, seconded by Trustee Alexander to adjourn the meeting at 7:01pm. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Vickie Muszynski Director of Parks & Recreation Future Meeting Dates- January 8, 2024 - February 12, 2024 – March 11, 2024