Parks & Public Works Committee

CITY OF PRESCOTT PARKS & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 5:00 PM MUNICIPAL BUILDING 800 BORNER ST PRESCOTT, WI 54021 1) Call to Order 2) Roll Call 3) Approve Minutes for July 20, 2026 4) Planning for Riverfront Dock and Boating Infrastructure Design Grant 5) Review of Concept Plan for Park Next to Well #4 6) Discussion on 526-11 – Dead or Diseased Tree Removal on Private Property 7) Proposed Woodshed at Magee Park for Use at Fire Pit 8) Other Business a) Discuss Armstrong Family Memorial Bench 9) 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 July 20th, 2026 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Parks and Public Works Committee was held July 20th, 2026, Municipal Building, 800 Borner Street, Prescott, Wisconsin, 54021. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM. Committee Present: Dar Hintz, Lindsey Sorenson Committee Absent: Ben Bettis Staff Present: City Administrator Matt Wolf, City Planner Luke Wiese Others Present: Megan Langer of Langer Family Properties, Jared Schmitz of Coulee River Trails 1. Approve Minutes for June 15th, 2026 Hintz motioned to approve the minutes for June 15th. Sorenson seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (2-0). 2. Discussion on Alley Improvements behind Broad Street between Cherry Street and Orange Street. City Administrator Wolf provided an update on potential alley and stormwater improvements behind Broad Street between Cherry Street and Orange Street. At the previous Parks and Public Works Committee meeting, connecting to the existing storm inlet near Circle K was discussed as a possible option. However, the inlet is privately owned by Circle K, the City does not appear to have an easement for the system, and its capacity is unknown. Cedar Corporation recommended designing a coordinated public stormwater and alley improvement project. The proposed improvements would include an area inlet near 216 Broad Street, a potential inlet near 220 Broad Street, extension of the storm sewer within the alley, and installation of a mountable curb along the west side of the alley. Megan Langer of Langer Family Properties stated that she would like to move forward quickly and hopes to have a site plan ready for the redevelopment of 216 Broad Street by September. The public improvements would need to be coordinated with the redevelopment project. Cedar Corporation provided an estimated cost of $8,700 for surveying, design, and construction staking. Hintz motioned to forward the Cedar Corporation proposal for the design of alley improvements behind Broad Street between Cherry Street and Orange Street to Council for approval. Sorenson seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (2- 0). 3. Magee Park Updates City Administrator Wolf presented information regarding the proposed Magee Park rules sign and the future trail connection between Walnut Circle and Magee Park. The proposed park rules include hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., cleaning up after use, prohibiting alcohol and glass, limiting fires to designated grills or fire rings, limiting smoking to parking areas, requiring pets to remain on leads, and prohibiting unauthorized motorized vehicles on trails. Commissioner Hintz asked how temporary restrictions, such as a burn ban during drought conditions, would be handled. Wolf stated that the City would address those situations as needed, including temporarily closing or marking off the fire ring during a burn ban. City Administrator Wolf also discussed the intermittent stream crossing along the proposed Walnut Circle trail connection. The City must determine whether to construct a permanent at-grade crossing or leave the crossing unimproved and reserve available funding for a potential pedestrian bridge in the future. The Committee favored constructing an at-grade crossing rather than planning for a pedestrian bridge. This would also allow the City to reserve future funding toward eventually paving the trail connection between Walnut Circle and Magee Park. Other Business City Administrator Wolf presented a request from the Armstrong family to relocate their memorial bench within Mercord Mill Park. The Committee directed staff to ask whether the family would prefer to have the bench relocated near the non-motorized boat launch once those improvements are completed. If not, the bench would be moved to the family’s preferred location. Commissioner Hintz motioned to adjourn. Sorenson seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (2-0). The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 PM. The next Parks & Public Works Committee will be August 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Luke Wiese, Planner To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Matt Wolf, City Administrator Date: September 16, 2026 Subject: Riverfront Improvements Dock Planning The City has received a Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) for the Phase 2 riverfront improvements in the amount of $53,395. BIG funding is specifically intended for transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer, generally for stays of 15 days or less. The dock design must be completed in accordance with the grant requirements, with a grant deadline of September 30, 2027. The first step will be to enter into an agreement with Cedar Corporation to complete the design work. Before Cedar can prepare a contract and determine the proposed design fee, the City will need to provide some basic direction regarding the desired scope of the project. As part of the BIG grant application, the City prepared the attached conceptual dock layout, which includes a total of 25 slips. Staff would like to discuss the following items with the Committee to help establish the scope of the design: • What vessel sizes should the dock be designed to accommodate? • Should all slips have electrical service? If so, what amperage should be provided? • Should Wi-Fi service be provided at the docks? • Should potable water service be provided at the docks? If so, where should access points be located? • What type and level of lighting should be provided on the docks? • Should security cameras be installed? If so, where should they be located? • How should the slips be numbered and identified with signage? • Should life rings, ladders, emergency access, fire extinguishers, or other safety equipment be incorporated into the dock design? Recommendation Review the conceptual dock plan and provide direction on the questions above so Cedar Corporation can develop a scope of work and prepare a contract for the dock design. Attachment 1. Riverfront Dock Concept Plan To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Luke Wiese, Planner Date: September 16, 2026 Subject: Well 4 Park Concept Plan Background Prescott Skate Park is located near Well 4. The existing Prescott Skate Park contains older equipment that was previously anticipated for removal. With the development of the Bluffs immediately nearby, this area is seeing additional residential growth and now has an opportunity for reinvestment in the park space. The location is also near several existing amenities, including the high school and baseball fields across Dexter Street. Because of the surrounding residential density, staff has been looking at whether the skate park site could be redeveloped into a broader neighborhood park that serves a wider range of users. The Bluffs development also included a $75,000 park dedication fee that can be used toward future park improvements, which provides a potential funding source as the City considers improvements in this area. Discussion The attached concept plan is intended to provide a general direction for redevelopment of the existing skate park site. The concept would replace the current skate park and use the existing footprint for a broader neighborhood park that includes active recreation, general play, and gathering space. The main feature shown on the concept plan is a central climbing/bouldering structure. The structure shown below is only an example and is not intended to represent a final product or vendor selection. The goal would be to provide a feature that can accommodate a range of skill levels and give users an activity they can continue to improve at over time, similar to what the skate park currently provides. Below is an example of this climbing feature: The concept also includes additional play equipment for other children. The plan also shows a picnic pavilion, relocation of suitable equipment from Shane Park Circle, and the walking trail designed by AEC Engineering. Newly planted trees and potential bench locations are not shown on the concept plan. Staff is looking for Committee direction on the following items: • Supporting play equipment: Whether the additional play equipment should continue the climbing/nature theme or focus more on providing different types of play for younger children and users who are not interested in climbing. • Internal walking trail: AEC Engineering has already designed the primary walking trail shown on the concept plan. Staff is looking for direction on whether an additional internal loop or walking connection should be explored, or whether the currently designed trail is sufficient. • Safety surfacing: The climbing and playground equipment will require safety surfacing. One option is poured-in-place rubber, which provides a smooth and accessible surface and generally has a more finished appearance. This option is also more expensive than alternatives such as engineered wood fiber or wood chips. Staff is looking for general direction on whether the City should prioritize the rubber surface or look toward a lower- cost option. • Park name: The site is currently known as the Prescott Skate Park, which would no longer accurately describe the site if the concept moves forward. Possible options could include retaining the Shane Park name in some form, naming the park in connection with The Bluffs development, or continuing to consider other naming options. The concept plan is intended to establish the general direction for the park. Specific equipment, surfacing, landscaping, and final layout would continue to be refined as the project moves forward. Recommendation Review and provide feedback on the Well 4 Park concept plan and recommend forwarding the plan to Council for approval. Attachments 1. Well 4 Park Concept Map To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Matt Wolf, City Administrator Date: September 16, 2026 Subject: 526-11 Dead or Diseased Tree Removal on Private Property Background Over the past two years, the City has devoted considerable time and resources to removing dead and diseased trees located within City rights-of-way and public parks. Although a limited number of trees remain to be addressed, the majority of these trees on public property have been removed. However, staff have noted that a number of dead or diseased trees remain on private property throughout the City. Discussion City Code § 526-11 addresses dead or diseased trees located on private property. Historically, the City has generally taken a complaint-based approach to code enforcement on private property. Under this approach, staff typically investigates and addresses potential violations after receiving a complaint from a neighboring property owner or other resident, rather than proactively identifying violations throughout the community. There are limited exceptions where the City has taken a more proactive enforcement approach, such as the enforcement of restrictions related to vehicles parked in front yards outside of established driveways. Public Works has raised concerns regarding dead or diseased trees located on private property. If these trees are not removed, they may eventually fall onto neighboring properties, structures, streets, sidewalks, or other portions of the public right-of-way, potentially creating a risk to public safety and property. Staff would like to discuss whether the City should take a proactive approach to identifying and requiring the removal of dead or diseased trees on private property pursuant to City Code § 526-11. Such an approach could include staff identifying clearly dead or hazardous trees, providing notice to the property owner, and allowing a 60 day voluntary compliance period before the City removes the tree per City Code. Recommendation Discuss the City's current complaint-based enforcement approach and provide direction as to whether staff should start a proactive enforcement process for dead or diseased trees on private property under City Code § 526-11. If the Committee supports a proactive approach, staff recommend that enforcement initially focus on trees that present an identifiable risk to neighboring property or the public right-of-way, with property owners first provided notice and a reasonable opportunity to remove the tree voluntarily. Attachments 1. City Code 526-11 – Dead or Diseased Tree Removal on Private Property City of Prescott, WI Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/PR2989 on 2026-09-16 § 526-11. Dead or diseased tree removal on private property. [Amended 7 -22-2024 by Ord. No. 06-24] 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 staff 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. To: Parks and Public Works Committee From: Matt Wolf, City Administrator Date: September 16, 2026 Subject: Firewood Shed at Magee Park Discussion Coulee River Trails (CRT) is requesting approval to place a small firewood shed at Magee Park for use by park visitors. The shed would be constructed through the Prescott High School woods/technical education program and would measure approximately 8 feet wide by 6 feet deep. The proposed shed would contain divided sections identifying the quantity of firewood included with each purchase. Firewood would be available on an honor-system basis, with payments deposited into a secured lockbox located at the shed. Funds collected would go to the High School technical education program. The High School program would be responsible for stocking the firewood and maintaining the shed, with CRT providing oversight and coordinating with the program as necessary. CRT would also install a placard on the shed outlining the proper use, purchasing instructions, and applicable rules. The proposed firewood shed would provide a convenient source of firewood for Magee Park users while also creating an opportunity for the High School technical education program to participate in an ongoing community project. Recommendation Consider approval of Coulee River Trails' request to install and operate an approximately 8' x 6' firewood shed at Magee Park, subject to coordination with City staff regarding the final location and placement of the shed. Figure 1 Example of woodshed without dividers.