Parks and Recreation Board

Village of East Troy Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 Call meeting to Order – Annie called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Pledge of Allegiance Present – Director- Vickie Muszynski Board Members- Annie Belka Van Buren, Steve Rostkowski, Gary Budzien, and Andy Seiden, Debbie Arendt, Village Board Trustee- John Alexander Excused - Public Works Director Jason Equitz, Nick Cieslik Public Comments- Adam Lamarr, W2596 County Rd ES- Members of the park and rec board. Thank you for your time and attention. I’m here today to bring to your attention concerns regarding bathrooms in our parks. As a small background regarding my situation- I’m a father of five in East Troy. I have two kids who play on knights’ program and have also participated in Park and rec ball. I have had the privilege to be a coach during some of those years. I also spoke out two years ago regarding incorrect handicap signage on the Square. Which has since been corrected. Our family also has the blessing and curse to travel to and experience various other parks and fields given nature of the knights’ program and unfortunately, one of our biggest downfalls and embarrassments here in East Troy is our lack of bathroom facilities and access to ones. I realize I may be preaching to the choir, but I want to address what should be real concerns to those who can try and make a difference. My wife, Amber- who is a business owner on the square- had reached out in February 2023 to Vickie and Jason Equitz. Please note- I have a single copy of those emails if someone would like them. Vickie was kind and took the lead. We had noticed consistently the bathrooms for the pavilion in Mitchell being locked during various events over the years. We were told that public works were responsible by the city. From public works we were told that the organization that rents the facility is responsible for opening the bathrooms. We were also Told there was an extra key available, but I’m not a person of authority to make these things happen- and again this year bathrooms are still locked during events. Better yet- if there is a park at Mitchell, why would they not be open during regular hours? It’s disheartening to have families from other cities come here and must use a porta potty. Also, the fact is the ADA compliant port a poty is not at Mitchell. They are at the skate park and at Playmore Park. So, if my son who is in a wheelchair needed to go to the bathroom, and of course, the pavilion is locked, I have to drive him all the way up to the skate park in order to go to the bathroom. I believe you see how even if this is acceptable for ADA compliance, which I do not know either way, in practice it is obviously not helpful for those who need it. And if it becomes the people renting the spaces responsibility to be ADA compliant with their event, I believe we are creating an atmosphere that is liable to sue and puts the responsibility on the incorrect party. This becomes even more complicated when you have more than one organization at Mitchell at the same time. It’s disappointing to see our beautiful town and all the expansion that is happening not having bathrooms readily available in our parks. Even the grandstand doesn’t have a bathroom available. I feel a bit embarrassed to talk to other families who come to watch games and to tell them to literally take a hike to go to the bathroom. I’m simply asking the park and rec board, to seriously review what is ADA compliant- and more so determine who will be responsible for that? What needs to be done to align better with public works & the Village Board for the pavilion to be taken care of preferably by them instead of the organizations renting it. Also determine what needs to be required to potentially have non-porta potty bathroom’s available locations that do need it. Maybe the ADA compliance concerns will force the village, public works, and the park and rec to create the plumbing and facilities needed. Alternatively- Maybe we set up an electronic system that allows the bathrooms to open up during park hours as a potential suggestion for automation. I love our small and growing town and only want us to succeed in an inviting environment and aesthetics needed to wow tourism and future East Troy residents. I want to Thank you to the board members for listening to my concerns as well as taking the time to dedicate yourself to this. Tyler Prochnow, 2767 Lakeview Dr Tyler spoke regarding the flowers at the walking trails. He would like to see a small neighborhood park with a play structure in this area. He said that he has small children and there are many other families in the Lake Bluff Subdivision that would like to see a play structure. He is not opposed to the flowers being planted as he thought there was more than enough room to accommodate both. Consent Agenda (One motion and second will approve all the following items) 1. Approval of minutes from April 8, 2024, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting 2. Approval of Revenue/Expenditure Report from April 30, 2024 3. Approval of Directors Report Motion by Gary Budzien, seconded by John Alexander to approve consent agenda. Motion carried. Miscellaneous Business 1. Lake Bluff Green Space, prairie planting- Karen Wagner Hotz presented a maintenance plan and a plan of action with a map of the area she would like to plant. She presented the benefits of the plantings and the time of plants she would include they are: False Indigo, Prairie Dock, Native Cactus, Veravaine, Echinacea, Phlox, Cone Flowers, Lupine. The plan was also sent to John Donovan at Bielinski. Karen also passed out letters to the residents of Lake Bluff, asking them to attend the meeting or call the recreation department with questions or concerns. Tim & Linda LeTendre, 2873 Oakmont Dr. attended with Karen in support of the project. Vickie informed the board that she received 5 phone calls from residents of Lake Bluff all in support of the plantings. MOTION - by Andy to approve the flowers at Lake Bluff Subdivision, walking trail and recommend to the Village Board that they approve this project. SECOND by- Debbie Arendt, ALL APPROVED. 2. Capital Improvements- After discussion, the board would like the Audio on the square to be improved/replaced. $50,000 to be put into the capital budget for 2025, $70,000 for Mill Pond Park, in 2028 and $100,000 for bathrooms at Playmore Park in 2029. 3. Audio System on the square- John informed the board of the issues on the square with the sound system. John suggested we get an analysis of the project and do some research/study to get a requirements design. Vickie will reach out to Automation Arts for ideas/design/cost. Agenda Items to Discuss at Next Meeting- Adjourn – Motion by Annie Belka-VanBuren, seconded by Steve Rostkowski to adjourn the meeting at 7:35pm. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Vickie Muszynski Director of Parks & Recreation Future Meeting Dates: June 10, 2024, July 8, 2024, August 12, 2024