Park & Recreation Commission

CITY OF VERONA MINUTES PARK, RECREATION & FORESTRY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 1. The meeting was called to order by chairperson Mike Bare at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mike Bare, Heather Reekie, Charlotte Jerney, Mark Giesfeldt. Excused: Paul Schmidt. Also present: Dave Walker, Parks Director; Casey Dudley, Recreation Director; Dave Dresser, Verona Police Dept.; Bryan Kleinmaier, City Attorney; Dan Day, Veridian Homes; Brian Munson, Veridian Homes; Chris Ellers, Veridian Homes. 3. Moved by Jerney, seconded by Giesfeldt, to approve the minutes of June 19, 2019 meeting of the Park, Recreation, and Forestry Commission. Motion carried 4-0. 4. The Commission considered a special event request by Tammy Cymbalak to host a series of lunches at Harriet Park on Wednesdays from September 26 through October 30. The applicant represented a group of parents that collectively referred to the event as ‘Jesus Lunch’. The purpose of the event was to provide free lunch to willing students from the high school while discussing scripture and other religious issues. The Commission raised a few concerns with the nature of the event but Dave Walker informed them that religious groups rent out park shelters quite regularly and Bryan Kleinmaier advised that approval of the application did not present any legal issues. 5. Moved by Bare, seconded by Giesfeldt, to approve a special event application for Harriet Park as presented. Motion carried 4-0. 6. Veridian Homes representatives were at the meeting to present The Woods at Cathedral Point. This proposed development included 257 residential units along the east side of Range Trail. The Ice Age Trail also runs along the eastern boundary of the development. Proposed parkland for the development included over 7 acres of buffer lands and access areas for the Ice Age Trail along with a 1.2 acre park and a 1 acre conservancy area populated with large native oak trees. The proposed land dedication totaled 9.6 acres which was slightly more than the 9.4 acres required by ordinance. The Commission liked the focus on the Ice Age Trail and the overall layout of the plan but did raise concerns about access to the oak conservancy area. Veridian assured the Commission that the two access points, along with grading for a natural path, would provide good circulation through the area. No formal action was taken at the meeting but the Commission was favorable toward the plan. 7. Moved by Jerney, seconded by Giesfeldt, to reconsider agenda item #4 regarding a special event request for Harriet Park. Motion carried 4-0.  9/18/19 Park, Rec, and Forestry Commission minutes – Page 2 8. Lieutenant Dresser requested that the Commission specifically define the area reserved by the ‘Jesus Lunch’ applicant so that if conflicts arose the police could enforce a clear separation between the two groups. It was suggested that the area include the shelter itself in addition to a 50’ buffer around the shelter. This seemed like a reasonable distance to the Commission. 9. Moved by Bare, seconded by Reekie, to amend approval of agenda item #4 to include the shelter and a 50’ exclusive use zone around the shelter. Motion carried 4-0. 10. The Commission reviewed the operating budget requests for the Park, Recreation, and Forestry Departments. Commissioners had no issues with the requests which had already been submitted to administration. 11. Moved by Bare, seconded by Giesfeldt, to approve department operating budget requests as presented. Motion carried 4-0. 12. The Commission considered amending the fees for park shelter rental. The current rental rates had remained unchanged since 2007 and were $40 per 50 people for residents and $60 per 50 people for non-residents. Casey Dudley presented rate information from other area communities showing that Verona was comparatively lower than most. Commissioners agreed that an increase was warranted but still wanted to make it affordable. 13. Moved by Reekie, seconded by Giesfeldt, to amend park shelter rental rates effective January 1, 2020. New rates will be $50 per 50 people for residents and $100 per 50 people for non- residents. Motion carried 4-0 14. Moved by Reekie, seconded by Jerney, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Time: 8:35 p.m. Mike Bare Chairperson