Committee of the Whole

Committee-Of-The-Whole Meeting Minutes - January 16, 2018 Mayor Nold called the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to order at 6:58 PM. Members Present: Aldermen Schmidt, Zwart, Strey, Kowieski, Miller, Rosek, Shaw and Ellis Staff Present: Mayor Nold, Kitsembel, Buerger, Frye, Gallo, Duffy, Pickart, Sullivan, Kelliher and Coenen Others Present: Atty. Riffle 2. Consider/recommend Hidden Ridge Park Agreement Kitsembel introduced Brian Higgins, President of the Hidden Ridge Homeowner’s Assoc. (HOA.) She reported that Hidden Ridge Subdivision was created in the 1970’s and within the subdivision are several acres of property that are owned by the City, but have been used as a park and maintained by the HOA. The HOA approached the City regarding maintenance of the park to address sink holes/structural issues because it is not definitive who is responsible for making structural repairs beyond normal wear and tear to the open space. Because the City owns the parcel and it is not officially designated as a City park, there are concerns with liability of the current relationship of City ownership and HOA maintenance. Staff discussed two options with the HOA: 1) City retains ownership, takes over all maintenance responsibilities and designates it as a public park; or 2) City deeds ownership to the HOA and the HOA continues with all maintenance responsibilities, although the City would assist in restoring the sink holes. The HOA presented these options to the property owners who voted by majority to turn over all maintenance responsibilities to the City. The agreement outlines that the City will maintain this parcel the same as all other City parks and will not assess the property owners the cost of maintenance. Also, the HOA has a strong desire to maintain the tower structure within the park and language has been included to require the City to notify the HOA 60 days in advance of a meeting in which the City may consider removing or altering the tower. This will allow the HOA to present justification for the preservation of the tower. The Committee inquired when an inspection was last done of the tower, what the additional cost would be to maintain, if this park would have the same conditions as all other City parks, i.e. dogs, rentals, etc., and the size of the park. Frye stated the last inspection was done 20 years ago and the City would put this park on our bridge schedule for inspection every other year. Kitsembel stated dogs would not be allowed in the park (same as our other parks,) and signage would be installed. Kelliher stated the park would be inspected this spring and repair needs would be taken care then. He also stated the park is 5 acres in size, it would take approx. 3 hours to mow, approx. 20 hours for snow removal, and approx. $600-$700 for signage. Motion by Shaw to recommend approval of the Hidden Ridge Park Agreement; second by Ellis. The Committee expressed concern with the 60 day notice the City must provide for tower issues that may need immediate action. Motion by Rosek to amend the motion to correct Paragraph 5 removing the extra word “the” and Paragraph 9 removing the word “every”; second by Shaw. Amended motion carried 8-0. The Committee had further discussion on emergency situations that we may not be able to provide 60 day notice. Motion by Rosek to add language stating “excepting emergency safety situations as determined by the City Public Safety Director”; second by Shaw. Second amendment carried 8-0. Main motion carried 8- 0. The Committee also requested that staff provide full cost information as part of the presentation when bringing items such as this forward. S:\Committees - Commissions\Committee-of-the-Whole\Minutes\2018\C-O-T-W Min 1-16-18.doc 3. Presentation/Discussion of Ideas Gathered from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Conference Attended by Ald. Kowieski Kowieski gave a Power Point presentation on some of the information he gathered at the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Conference he attended in the fall. Of particular interest were what other communities are doing to create a vibrant and friendly downtown such as traveling sculpture/art pieces; power stations; sponsorship program for benches and other amenities; electronic signage; some dog friendly parks; sidewalk poetry stamped into slabs (students were asked to create the poetry); sidewalk trail identification; building murals; vinyl wrap on utility boxes; manhole covers stamped with art; making a vandalized area into a new lighted space where citizens could paint their names on building bricks; town square events; and median sculptures. Kowieski stated he talked to the developer for Fowler Lake Village about imprinting poetry or art on their sidewalks. The Committee appreciated this information. Motion by Strey to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting; second by Schmidt. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM. Minutes taken by Diane Coenen, City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Committee-of-the-Whole\Minutes\2018\C-O-T-W Min 1-16-18.doc