Parks and Public Works Committee

CITY OF PRESCOTT PARKS & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MONDAY, JUNE 17th 5:00 PM MUNICIPAL BUILDING 800 BORNER ST PRESCOTT, WI 54021 1) Call to Order 2) Roll Call 3) Approve Minutes for May 20th, 2024 4) Public Works Items a) City Code Chapter 526 – Trees and Shrubs b) Compost Site Project Update c) Street Projects Review and Updates 5) Parks Items a) Great Rivers Park Planning and Survey 6) Other Business 7) Adjourn NOTICE ACCESS TO THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING FOR THE DISABLED IS AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE. ALL THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SHOULD CALL CITY HALL OFFICES (715- 262-5544) IF ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A QUORUM OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OR OTHER CITY COMMITTEES MAY BE PRESENT AT THIS MEETING. THIS IS INCIDENTAL AND NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL OR ANY OTHER COMMITTEES.  Parks and Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes May 20th, 2024 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Parks, and Public Property Committee was held, May 20th, 2024, Municipal Building, 800 Borner Street, Prescott, Wisconsin 54021. The meeting was called to order at 5:03 PM. Committee Present: Linsey Sorenson, John Peterson, Dar Hintz Committee Absent: None. Staff Present: City Administrator Matt Wolf, Planner Carter Hayes, Public Works Director Mike Kinneman Others Present: Members of the public. 1. Approve Minutes for March 25th, 2024. Hintz motioned to approve the minutes for March 25th. Sorenson seconded; motion passed (3-0). 2. Parks Items A) Public Square Park Court Reconstruction and Court Reservations City Administrator Matt Wolf presented information about the court reservations, and City Planner Carter Hayes provided details on the anticipated court reconstruction. Committee Member Hintz clarified whether residents are being charged to use the courts and was informed that the charge is for membership in the group. Committee members asked questions to representatives of the Pickleball Group present at the meeting. Committee Member Peterson suggested that making all the courts first come, first served would be sensible. Committee Member Hintz added her support for allowing the group to reserve courts on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm and Saturdays from 8-10 am. Hintz and Sorenson favored Option C for the reconstruction, while Peterson wanted to hear objections to Option C, with the main concern being the crowded play lines on the court. Attendees preferred Option B, citing the lower usage hours of the tennis courts. Committee Member Sorenson expressed reluctance to make a significant switch to pickleball that would last until 2050. After considering the drawbacks of other options, she then preferred Option B. The committee collectively favored Option B moving forward. Peterson suggested that the Committee should review court reservations. Hintz reiterated her opposition to reservations but supported the specific time slots on Wednesday and Saturday. The Committee agreed on reserving a few sessions for organized play and other times for community open play. Committee member Hintz motioned to forward Option B to council for review and to designate times for the pickleball group to use the courts per signage from Wednesdays 1 6-8 pm and 8-10 am Saturdays, an open community session will also be established. Sorenson seconded; motion passed (3-0). 3. Public Works Items A) Kinnikinnic and Cherry Street Curb and Gutter Proposal City Administrator Wolf presented information regarding the Kinnnickinnic and Cherry street curb and gutter proposal. The committee favored staff presenting the proposal directly to council for consideration once it is received. B) Canton Street Off-Street Parking City Planner Carter Hayes presented information regarding the off-street parking. Committee member Peterson stated if the zoning code requires paved off-street parking that it should be mandated so. Committee Member Hintz motioned that St. Croix Terrace Mobile Homes must construct off-street parking that complies with the zoning code. Sorenson seconded; motion passed (3-0). C) Downtown Lights and Alley City Administrator Matt Wolf presented information regarding downtown lights and alley. Committee member Peterson stated the streetlights are not particularly attractive and Hintz added the safety aspect. City Administrator Wolf stated the lighting would just be on Broad Street and the alley between Orange and Kinnikinnic Street would be paved. The committee favors both proposals. Committee Member Hintz motioned to move forward with getting proposals for the replacement of lighting downtown and paving Orange-Kinnikinnic Street Alley. Sorenson seconded; motion passed (3-0). D) Freedom Park Foundation Update City Planner Carter Hayes provided the update on the structural issue at Freedom Park. There is no immediate risk of structural failure of the building. Staff will monitor the crack in the flooring to determine if any preventative measures are necessary. 4. Other Business Hintz motioned to adjourn. Sorenson seconded; motion passed (3-0) at 6:05 pm The next Parks Committee meeting will be June 17th, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted, 2 Carter Hayes City Planner 3 To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Matt Wolf, City Administrator Date: June 13, 2024 Subject: Trees and Shrubs Ordinance Chapter 526 Background The City of Prescott has a Trees and Shrubs Ordinance under Chapter 526. The chapter was created to provide oversight mainly on public property but also deals with tree spacing and dead trees on private property. The ordinance references Chapter 30-9 and the creation of a Tree Board for the oversight of trees within the City. Looking at historical records there is only one reference of the City Tree Board meeting on July 31, 2014. At that meeting they specifically discussed inventorying all the ash trees within the City. Some trees were inventoried within the City but it appears to be only north of Walnut Street. No other meetings of the board could be found to see if further work was done. Discussion Staff would like to discuss updating this Chapter of the code by removing the Tree Board and either a) making this a staff level decision using parameters updated within the Chapter or b) making the decision body set within the code an existing committee or commission. Recommendation Discuss amending Chapter 526 and reviewing potential changes at the next Parks and Public Works Committee meeting. Attachments 1. Chapter 526 Ordinance The following Code does not display images or complicated formatting. Codes should be viewed online. This tool is only meant for editing. Chapter 526 Trees and Shrubs [HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Prescott as Title 6, Ch. 4, of the former City Code. Amendments noted where applicable.] GENERAL REFERENCES Tree Board — See § 30-9. Health and sanitation — See Ch. 329. Nuisances — See Ch. 410. Parks, beaches and boating — See Ch. 421. Property maintenance — See Ch. 443. Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 506. Subdivision of land — See Ch. 510. § 526-1 Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: PARK TREES Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, and all areas owned by the City, or to which the public has free access as a park. STREET TREES Trees, shrubs, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues, or ways within the City. § 526-2 City Tree Board. A. Creation. There is hereby created and established a City Tree Board for the City of Prescott which shall consist of five members, citizens and residents of this City, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council. B. Term of office. The term of the five persons to be appointed by the Mayor shall be three years except that the term of two of the members appointed to the first Board shall be only one year and the term of two members of the first Board shall be for two years. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term. C. Compensation. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation. D. Duties and responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the Tree Board to study, investigate and develop and/or update annually and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public  areas. Such plan will be presented annually to the Common Council and upon its acceptance and approval shall constitute the Official Comprehensive City Tree Plan for the City of Prescott, Wisconsin. The Board, when requested by the Council, shall consider, investigate, make finding, report and recommend upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work. E. Operation. The Tree Board shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and regulations, subject to approval of the Common Council, and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. § 526-3 Street tree species to be planted. No species shall be planted other than those listed in the Prescott Master Park Plan. § 526-4 Spacing. No trees may be planted closer together than the following: small trees, 30 feet; medium trees, 40 feet; and large trees, 50 feet, except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect. § 526-5 Distance from curb and sidewalk. No trees may be planted closer to any curb or sidewalk than the following: small trees, two feet; medium trees, three feet; and large trees, four feet. § 526-6 Distance from street corners and fire hydrants. No street tree shall be planted closer than 35 feet to any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curblines. No street tree shall be planted closer than 10 feet to any hydrant. § 526-7 Utilities. No trees on public City streets or boulevards, other than those species referred to as small trees in the Prescott Master Park Plan, may be planted under or within 10 lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or within 10 lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility. § 526-8 Public tree care. A. The City shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds. B. The City Tree Board may remove or cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which, by reason of its nature, is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements, or is affected with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest. This section does not prohibit the planting of street trees by adjacent property owners, providing that the selection and location of said trees are in accordance with §§ 526-3 through 526-7. § 526-9 Tree topping. It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or City department to top any street tree, park tree, or other tree on public property. "Topping" is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this chapter at the determination of the City Tree Board. § 526-10 Pruning; corner clearance. Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the City shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk. Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The City shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a streetlight or interferes with the visibility of any traffic control device or sign. § 526-11 Dead or diseased tree removal on private property. The City shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the City, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the City. The City Tree Board will notify, in writing, the owners of such trees. Removal shall be done by said owners at their own expense within 60 days after the date of service of notice. In the event owners fail to comply with such provisions, the City shall have the authority to remove such trees and charge the cost of removal on the owner's property tax notice. § 526-12 Removal of stumps. All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground. § 526-13 License required. It shall be unlawful for any person or firm to engage in the business or occupation of pruning, treating, or removing street or park trees within the City without first applying for and procuring a license. The license fee shall be as prescribed in the City's fee schedule; provided, however, that no license shall be required of any public service company or City employee doing such work in the pursuit of their public service endeavors. Before any license shall be issued, each applicant shall first file evidence of possession of liability insurance in the minimum amounts of $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 property damage indemnifying the City of any person injured or damaged resulting from the pursuit of such endeavors as herein described. § 526-14 Review by Council. The Common Council shall have the right to review the conduct, acts and decisions of the City Tree Board. Any person may appeal from any ruling or order the City Tree Board to Common Council who may hear the matter and make final decision. To: Parks & Public Works Committee From: Carter Hayes, Planner Date: June 12th, 2024 Subject: Compost Site Project Update Background City staff have been managing an upgrade to the compost site with a self-service gate system. Goals for the system include a wider range of operating hours, improved management and access, and heightened security. Discussion Since the last update, the compost site equipment has been installed and the site is currently awaiting utilities to be fully operational (electric & internet) as well as installation of security cameras. Compost permits have been obtainable by residents since the beginning of March and interim compost hours have been Saturdays 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. At the time of writing this memo, a total of 215 resident permits and 68 non-resident permits have been obtained. Total permit revenue is currently $2,380 which is $480 more than the entire 2023 season. To the right is an image of the compost site as of June 10th, 2024. Additionally, signage was ordered to be installed at the compost site, which the attached image shows the installation. Recommendation Share any questions or concerns regarding the compost site project to staff. Attachments 1. Compost Site Signs To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Matt Wolf, City Administrator Date: June 13, 2024 Subject: Streets Project Update Discussion 1. Cherry Street – Curb and gutter replacement is currently being done. Public Works staff will be working on replacing sidewalk and storm sewer repairs. Mill and overlay is scheduled to take place between August 15 – October 1. 2. Kinnickinnic Street – Curb and gutter replacement is currently being done. Public Works staff will be working on replacing sidewalk and storm sewer repairs. Mill and overlay is scheduled to take place between August 15 – October 1. 3. Monroe Street – Staff began making storm sewer repairs the week of June 10. Mill and overlay is scheduled to take place between August 15 – October 1. 4. Elm/Washington Street – Total Excavating is the project contractor and will be mobilizing the week of June 17. Sewer lining is expected to be taking place throughout the total length of the project. Crews will be doing work in segments. All work on Kinnickinnic Street is expected to be completed by July 17th as part of the first phase of the project. Attachment 1. Elm and Washington Street Schedule Map  Legend Prescott Elm & Washington Street Schedule Write a description for your map. LEGEND JUNE 17TH - July 17th JULY 17TH - AUGUST 26TH AUGUST 26TH - OCTOBER 15TH ➤ N Image © 2024 Airbus 1000 ft To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Carter Hayes, Planner Date: June 12th, 2024 Subject: Future Great Rivers Park Development Survey Background The Great Rivers Subdivision is planned to feature a new park to serve its residents and surrounding community. Currently, funding is not in place for any development of the park, but staff are beginning to develop a park plan when funding becomes available. To ensure the park meets the needs and desires of the community, staff have developed a comprehensive survey to gather input from potential users. This survey aims to collect valuable insights on preferred amenities, features, and overall vision for the park. The survey can be viewed at this link: https://arcg.is/ja49b The survey is attached but also can be viewed by scanning the QR code with a smartphone camera: Discussion In developing the survey, questions arose regarding the scope and target audience for the survey. These decisions will significantly impact the data collected and the subsequent planning process. Key considerations include: Survey Distribution: 1. Community-Wide Survey: Conducting the survey across the entire community, including residents of both Great Rivers and Pine Ridge Hillside subdivisions, as well as other nearby neighborhoods. This approach would ensure diverse input and a broad representation of community needs. Staff would send specific mailers to residents of both Pine Ridge Hillside and Great Rivers as well as posting on social media accounts and available at City Hall for other community members to provide input. 2. Targeted Survey: Focusing the survey specifically on residents of the Great Rivers and Pine Ridge Hillside subdivisions. This would provide a more focused understanding of the needs and preferences of the immediate community around the proposed park. Staff would only send mailers to residents of Pine Ridge Hillside and Great Rivers. Recommendation Offer feedback to staff regarding the survey content and distribution. Attachment Proposed Great River Park Survey Rank by number (1-4).