Minutes

City of Evansville Park and Recreation Board Regular Meeting City Hall, 31 S Madison St., Evansville, WI 53536 Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 6:00 pm MINUTES 1. Call to Order. Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call. 3. Motion to Approve Agenda. Espinosa made a motion, seconded by Fuson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. 4. Motion to waive the reading of the minutes from the January 17, 2023 meeting and approve them as printed. Espinosa made a motion, seconded by Fuson to waive the reading of the minutes from the January 17, 2023 meeting and approve them as printed. Motion carried 6-0. 5. Civility Reminder. 6. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. A. Mark Schnepper/Joe Kaether with Underground Music Schnepper and Kaether would like to be added to the agenda for next month to be allowed to have a couple shows at Lake Leota Park. One show on June 17th at the Upper Shelter and one the Island on August 5th. 7. New Business. A. Discussion and Motion to Recommend to Common Council Ordinance 2023-03 Amending Chapter 14 Animals 1. Arlene Larson spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. 2. Jason Tishler spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. 3. Regina Mac Naughton spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. 4. Darian Dalsen spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. 5. Eloise Eager spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. 6. Evan Mac Naughton spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Members Present/Absent Others Present Alderperson Gene Lewis P Jason Sergeant, City Administrator Ray Anderson, Park Custodian Sue Merrit A Angie Olsen, Aquatic Center/Youth Center Director Lyman Fuson P Joe Kaether, Underground Music Chad Sigl P Mark Schnepper, Underground Music Matt Poock P Arlene Larson, Community Member Jim Espinosa P Jason Tishler, Community Member Gene Prudhon P Regina & Evan Mac Naughton, Community Members Darian Dalsen, Community Member Eloise Eager, Community Member Renee Exum, Town of Union Community Member Dean Ballmer, Community Member Code-Animals. No action was taken. 7. Renee Exum spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. 8. Dean Ballmer spoke in opposition to the proposed changes to the Municipal Code- Animals. No action was taken. There was follow up discussion between Board Members and Community Members in looking at opening up the hours for off leash availability. Part of the discussion involved the reasoning behind the Municipal Code changes, which involved calls to the Police Department, dog bites, and dogs getting hit by vehicles. Additional concerns were brought up in regards to dog waste that has been left in the Dog Park and that it may happen at Lake Leota as more people use the park. Additional conversation between Board Members and Community Members about the lack of other Communities having any options for dogs to be off leash at all. There was additional talk about the number of items in the code and how to enforce the items in the code, such as noise or the hours of the dogs being off leash. The discussion continued toward the ability in Colorado to have the dog be certified to be off leash by the police. Lewis mentioned that logistics would have to be discussed with Chief Reese. There would be some difficulties to do so when dog owners have not been responsible in getting their dogs licensed with the City. There was mentioned that there would be a possibility of looking at how the new Municipal Code is working in about a year, especially with the new Splash Pad opening in 2024. Sergeant continued with commenting that the Municipal Code for animals has been visited frequently. Motion to recommend to Common Council Ordinance 2023-03 Amending Chapter 14 Animals with the amendment to change the hours of off-leash at Lake Leota Park to 7:00-10:00am on Saturday Mornings as part of the Municipal Code-Animals. Fuson made the motion, seconded by Prudhon. Motion carried 5-1. B. Discussion and Possible Action to Change Aquatic Center Fees: Sergeant mentioned that the potential increase on fees would be due to the maintenance cost increase, and added that the prior increase was about 8-10 years prior. The plan would be to bring a resolution to the next meeting to put fee increase in place. Discussion occurred to cancel morning lap swim due to the lack of participation. There was additional discussion on different discounts that could be offered, as well as when to impose a cost increase. Some discussion occurred with benefits for Veterans’ at Veteran’s Park. 8. Park’s Report: Anderson reported that the DNR was in to do some shocking of the Dam to look for fish that in turn, were taken to the Madison and Milwaukee Fishing Expos’. The Park has been opened and has been getting some heavy traffic. The Boy Scouts ended up cancelling their fishing event due to the weather being too warm. Moving forward, some repairs will be done to the boy’s bathroom. In addition, the roads in the Park are in bad shape. Discussion occurred about a program for dogs to chase off the geese. 9. Aquatic Center Report 10. Old Business A. Aquatic Center, Splashpad, and Park Improvement Updates Sergeant reported an update on the fundraising that continues to occur for the new pool. Currently, we are at $750,000 (including the matching) with a goal of $1.7 million. The Park floor has been poured with a plan for the full construction crew to be on site by next month to start work on all of the buildings. Most of the colors for the park have been chosen. Furniture will be the next discussion to occur. 11. Upcoming Meetings A. Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6:00pm 12. Motion to Adjourn Fuson made a motion to adjorn at 7:11pm, seconded by Espinosa. Motion carried 6-0. Respectfully Submitted, Elle Natrop