04-25-2023-minutes-approved

Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, April 25, 2023 APPROVED Page 1 of 4 PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 25, 2023 7:00 pm, Town Hall, Town of Troy Members Present: Jill Berke, Mark Swanson, Jim Freund, Chris Gruber, Alicia Schneider, Shanna Rowekamp Members Absent: Katie Huttemier (excused) Others Present: Joe Wusterbarth, Gary Sumner 1. Call to Order Chair Berke called the meeting of the Town of Troy Park Board to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Public Comment Request by Chair for any comments. New Town Board liaison Chris Gruber introduced himself to the Park Board. 3. Approval of Minutes, including review & discussion The March 28th, 2023 Park Board meeting minutes were reviewed. Member Freund moved to approve the March 28th, 2023 Park Board minutes; second by member Swanson. Motion unanimously carried. 4. Discuss and consider, recommendation to Town Board for Park Board vacancy, position #3 and position #4 Joe Wusterbarth introduced himself and explained his interest in serving on the Park Board. He discussed his goals for the parks and would like to partner more with organizations like the Carpenter Nature Center; appreciates the unique beauty of the Town of Troy. Gary Sumner introduced himself and explained his interest in serving on the Park Board. He’s a Master Naturalist and does Snapshot and WAV with the DNR. He’s interested in serving on the Park Board to preserve greenspace. Chair Berke reviewed Hillary Hatch’s questionnaire as she was not able to attend. She is a frequent user of Town and other local parks, and would like to provide more opportunities for the community. The Park Board voted by secret ballot. Vote tally: Joe Wusterbarth-6 votes; Hillary Hatch -2 votes, and Gary Sumner-4 votes. The Park Board recommends Joe Wusterbarth for Position #4 and Gary Sumner for Position #3 to the Town Board. 5. Recognition of outgoing Park Board members-Jim Freund, Katie Huttemier, Pete Reese Chair Berke talked recently with Pete and he apologized for leaving midterm due to other commitments, and expressed interest in helping with projects. Katie was Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, April 25, 2023 APPROVED Page 2 of 4 unable to attend her last meeting due to illness, and also indicated interest in volunteering when available. Chair Berke presented an acknowledgement of service for Pete and Katie, on behalf of the Park Board. Member Freund was also presented a Certificate of Acknowledgment for 30 years of service, followed by applause and appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the parks. 6. Park Ranger Summary and Report, including discussion & review of monthly summary report The Park Ranger report was reviewed. Supr. Gruber reported the Rangers will be starting summer hours in May. Pemble’s will not be opening May 1st due to high water. Chair Berke talked to Rick from road crew about all the downed trees at Pemble’s and Glover Park. He will work with Ranger Minnich to clear. Supr. Gruber will correct the Glover Park hours on Google which says the park opens at 6:00 a.m. Discussed providing first aid training opportunity for Rangers, as brought up by Ranger Gunderson, to be on a future agenda. Supr. Enerson asked for more detail on citations and warnings in the Ranger report, Supr. Gruber will bring it up with the Rangers. Discussed meeting schedule with Rangers. Member Swanson moved to approve the March 2023 Park Ranger report; second by member Schneider. Motion unanimously carried. Ranger Enforcement Action Summary: March 2023 Pemble’s Access Cove Boat Ramp Glover Park Animal Other Totals Citations Issued: 0 0 0 0 0 Warnings Issued: 0 0 1 1 2 7. Budget Review of Park Revenue/Expenditures; Expenditures & Funds, year-to-date 2021; Approval of Invoices The 2023 park revenue and expenditures from March 29-April 25, 2023, as prepared by the Town Clerk, were reviewed. Member Freund moved to accept the income and expenditures as tabulated by the Town Clerk for March 29-April 25, 2023; second by member Schneider. Motion unanimously carried. Income year-to-date: $6,292.18; expenses: $11,238.24. Impact fees available: $47,389.87; county park fund balance: $62,618.39. 8. Park & Recreation Reports Cove Boat Ramp: a. Discuss and consider, current high water level and delayed use of launch Chair Berke reported that Ranger Gunderson asked if we should put up a sign saying the ramp is closed due to high water. Chair contacted city of Hudson Parks, who uses a high water level of 683.0 as a mark to close their boat ramp. Town does not have a policy regarding water level for the boat launch. Noted that it’s common sense that boats should not be launched when water level is this high. Member Rowekamp suggested posting information on Town’s website. Member Swanson noted it might Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, April 25, 2023 APPROVED Page 3 of 4 be dangerous below 683’ due to debris in the area. Board will observe during Park Tour; to be on future agenda for further discussion. b. Discuss and consider, recommendation for ordinance policy change for closing boat ramp at designated water level Will consider possible ordinance policy change at future Park Site Tour. c. Discuss and consider, installation of dock and gangway Dock and gangway are anchored in a temporary location in the water, installed by Windmill Marina, and monitored through the Admiral Service. Glover Park: a. Discuss and consider, activity level Chair Berke reported consistent use when she’s been out there. Bathrooms are open. b. Discuss and consider, pickleball court status Member Rowekamp hasn’t seen people using it much but it’s been cold. Court is all ready to go for use. c. Update report, status of water testing at community building and hand pump Chair Berke reported that Ed Thurman tested the water in kitchen and at hand pump. Rangers ran water for a couple hours in both locations prior to the test. The water bottle filler is operational now. Chair Berke will update when report comes back from public health. d. Discuss and consider, ball organization reservation status and other ball field updates-Alicia Schneider Member Schneider reported that River Falls is hosting one tournament this year and Hudson is not hosting any tournaments at Glover Park. Both associations had big shifts in their boards, not sure if they found new fields to use, or if frustrated that they can’t store concession items in the community kitchen due to current policy. Member Schneider reviewed the Town’s agreement with the teams and past discussions on teams wanting to store concession items in the kitchen. Can look at space situation during Park Tour. Member Schneider will follow up with Clerk’s office on status of deposits. She looked at South Field today and noted that grass is slow to germinate. River Falls team has confirmed they will help put fencing back up. Will discuss turf status and when to re-install fencing at upcoming site visit. Also look at infield material on South Field, to determine when to do herbicide treatment. e. Discuss and consider, sub-committee update report, Forest Management Project-Jill Berke and Mark Swanson Request for Bids letter for Forest stewardship Plan was reviewed. Chair Berke and member Swanson worked with Andy Ciurro from the DNR on process and narrowed the list to area providers. Land Exam and Practices Report and map go out with the letter. Due date for bids planned for May 31, or later, depending on mail date. Discussion about forester and logger roles since some companies do both. Chair Berke Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, April 25, 2023 APPROVED Page 4 of 4 and member Swanson will call the companies on the list to ask if they have their own foresters and gain better clarification on process. f. Discuss and consider, sub-committee update report, Bike Repair Station Project and appoint replacement to subcommittee-Jill Berke Chair Berke reviewed the project for the new Park Board members. Will look at location options at Glover Park during the Park Site Tour. Member Swanson suggested assembling bike station first to determine the appropriate size for the shelter. Member Huttemier to be replaced by member Rowekamp on the bike subcommittee. Pemble’s Access: a. Discuss and consider, preparation for opening with consideration of high water level Water is very high, can’t do much to prepare for opening. New sign at entrance has been installed. Member Swanson rescued a floating sign. Chair Berke will contact Five Star for placing restroom satellite. b. Discuss and consider, plan for removal of broken branches along entrance road Road crew member Jenson and Ranger Minnich to remove fallen trees and limbs on entrance road and will use a chipper. 8. Discuss and consider, Bike & Pedestrian sub-committee report; appointment of replacement member Member Reese to be replaced by member Rowekamp. Chair Berke and Paul McGinnis met with the Y Camp on April 10 for preliminary discussions to consider an off-road bike path to connect with the City of Hudson. How to cross County Road F is an issue. The Y installed the underground tunnel connecting to River Crest Elementary, and currently the school controls its use. Member Schneider questions whether it was constructed by the school district. Also discussed extended shoulders on Coulee Trail east of the Hwy 35 overpass. 9. Correspondence Chair Berke reported receiving a nice note back from Ron Roen’s family to the Park Board. She went to his funeral. Llamas in Glover were discussed; Chair Berke responded to resident, indicating that livestock are not allowed in the park. 10. Announcements and request for future agenda items Park tour is 5:30 p.m. on May 16th starting at boat ramp. 11. Adjournment Member Swanson moved to adjourn the meeting; second by member Freund. Motion unanimously carried. The April 25, 2023 meeting of the Town of Troy Park Board adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Next Meeting: May 16, 2023 (Park Site Tour); May 23, 2023 (regular meeting) Respectfully submitted, Amanda Randall Secretary, Town of Troy Park Board