minutes-09-26-23-PB-APPROVED

Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, September 26, 2023 APPROVED Page 1 of 6 PARK BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 26, 2023 7:00 pm, Town Hall, Town of Troy Members Present: Jill Berke, Mark Swanson, Chris Gruber, Shanna Rowekamp, Joe Wusterbarth, Alicia Schneider, Gary Sumner Members Absent: Others Present: Jan Cuccia, Doug Rowen 1. Call to Order Chair Berke called the meeting of the Town of Troy Park Board to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Public Comment Jan Cuccia, 132 Skyline Drive, River Falls spoke in opposition to prohibiting fishing at Pemble’s Access. She stated that the Access has been used for multiple purposes for 109 years with no conflict, and that fishing can coexist with other uses. She also commented on the Coast Guard’s removal of the channel buoy, stating that the Town cannot regulate navigational buoys so private citizens pressuring the Coast Guard to reinstall it is an option. Her written remarks were entered into the record. Member Joe Wusterbarth previously submitted an email comment dated 8/30/23 to the Town Board and Park Board asking the Town to reconsider prohibiting fishing at Pemble’s. Chair Berke asked him to read his email comment into the record. He noted that he was unaware that there was never an ordinance to prohibit fishing at Pemble’s Access; he has never witnessed any conflicts involving fishermen and hasn’t witnessed anyone fishing at the Access; and noting that Pemble’s is an access, and not a swim beach, used by diverse outdoor enthusiasts, and that he wishes to keep the ordinance as it currently stands, not prohibiting fishing. Heidi Helgeson of 233 Glen Circle, River Falls submitted an email comment and Chair Berke read it into the record. She doesn’t believe fishing needs to be prohibited by ordinance unless there are issues/complaints. She noted that space constraints and the number of beach goers/swimmers would make fishing incompatible with Pemble’s current use. If action is needed, she suggested gathering input from people who are well acquainted with Pemble’s and the surrounding area, and to consider a comparison of other area beach ordinances to make an informed decision about the property. Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, September 26, 2023 APPROVED Page 2 of 6 3. Approval of minutes, including review and discussion The August 22nd, 2023 Park Board meeting minutes were reviewed. Member Swanson moved to approve the August 22nd, 2023 Park Board minutes; second by member Rowekamp. Motion unanimously carried. 4. Park Ranger Summary and Report, including discussion & review of monthly summary report The Park Ranger report was reviewed. Chair Berke noted that an intoxicated driver ran into the entrance gate at Glover Park, damaging it significantly. Chair Berke and her husband were leaving the park behind the driver and witnessed the incident. She called the Sheriff’s Dept. and officers followed procedure to attend to the situation. Ranger Minnich was on duty in the park at the time of the incident. Chair reported incident to town Administrator Clark and coordinated replacement of the gate panel that was damaged. Supr. Gruber noted that the Rangers didn’t recall any fighting or violence as mentioned on the August report cover page, potential typo. Member Schneider moved to approve the August 2023 Park Ranger report; second by member Wusterbarth. Discussion. Motion unanimously carried. Ranger Enforcement Action Summary: August 2023 Pemble’s Access Cove Boat Ramp Glover Park Animal Other Totals Citations Issued: 0 7 0 0 7 Warnings Issued: 2 5 0 0 7 5. Budget Review of Park Revenue/Expenditures; Expenditures & Funds, year-to-date 2021; Approval of Invoices The 2023 park revenue and expenditures from January 1, 2023 – Sept. 26, 2023 as prepared by the Town Clerk, were reviewed. Member Swanson moved to accept the revenue and expenditures as tabulated by the Town Clerk for January 1, 2023 through Sept. 26, 2023; second by member Schneider. Motion unanimously carried. Income year-to-date: $13,793.16; expenses: $42,699.99. Impact fees available: $54,089.87 and county park fund balance: $64,053.00. 6. Park & Recreation Reports Cove Boat Ramp: a. Activity Continued high level of use. b. Update report, dock project Member Wusterbarth reported the repaired walkway looks nice. c. Discuss and consider, ordinance amendments related to Cove Boat Ramp, action by Town Board-Supr. Chris Gruber Supr. Gruber reported that the Board approved the ordinance update to Cove Boat Ramp, suggested language was approved and section on Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, September 26, 2023 APPROVED Page 3 of 6 firearms was removed. Ordinance is now aligned with language on hang tag permits/procedure, and State statute. Glover Park: a. Update report, Town Board action, Bike Repair Station Shelter building project-Supr. Gruber Supr. Gruber reported that J&S Construction submitted a bid for the bike shelter for $2,850 including labor. The Town Board approved J&S Construction bid at their Sept. meeting. Total updated cost for the bike repair station and shelter is $4,996.80. Cost of labor by the Public Works town crew to be determined. Plan is to pour the concrete and install the bike repair station next spring. Town crew will spend time doing prep work with goal to start mid-October, followed by construction of the shelter. b. Update report, South Field fencing project-Alicia Schneider Member Schneider reported that volunteer group met on Sat., Sept. 23 and dug all the holes with big thanks to Dennis Berke for using his tractor and auger. All posts were put in place. Other volunteers were Chad, Marshall, members Berke and Schneider; and, Jason and his son from the River Falls team. Ranger Becker also helped. Need additional work days to complete pouring 35-40 holes with concrete, followed by installing the fencing. Volunteers to contact member Schneider or Chair Berke. Schneider noted that the South Field infield is in bad shape. Jason is going to spearhead talking with Hudson team to get crew of volunteers to do necessary work to bring field up to standard. Teams would potentially split cost of infield repair. To be on future agenda. c. Discuss and consider, amendment and recommendation to Town Board related to Town of Troy, Hudson Booster Club Inc. and River Falls Youth Baseball Organization Lease, Maintenance and Operation Agreement for Glover Park Ball Field, 13.D.(3) “Ongoing Requests for Scheduling of Games and Practices on Ball Field(s)”- Alicia Schneider and Shanna Rowekamp Discussed language in contract on reservation policy and two possible changes. Member Rowekamp moved to use Option #2 reading “Outside of annual scheduling either Hudson Booster Club (HBC) or River Falls Youth Baseball Organization (RFYBO) may be allowed to make one field reservation in advance as to allow community use on the other field;” second by Member Swanson. Chair Berke made a friendly amendment to add “recommend to the Town Board and to add this under Section 3.” Member Rowekamp accepted the amendment. Since this contract runs through 2025 it would be an amendment to strike #3 and replace with the amended language. Discussion. Motion unanimously carried. d. Discuss and consider, bench donation from Enloe family-Jill Berke and Mark Swanson Chair Berke and member Swanson looked at area park benches, including River Falls and Hudson parks, and they prefer the composite material. She met with Harriet Enola at Gen Park in River Falls to view Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, September 26, 2023 APPROVED Page 4 of 6 benches, and also met with her at Glover Park to determine the best location to place the bench. Chair Berke shared an example of the commemorative plaque. Location to be recommended is at the South Field, close to the paved pathway from the parking lot. She recalled the history of Glover Park and the late Bob Enloe’s effort to lead the project that resulted in the first ball field at the park. The Enloe’s can donate up to $2000. Chair Berke received a preliminary estimate from Lee Recreation (Burke Recreation catalog) bench in amount of $1300 plus shipping, engraving, and concrete. Concrete could be poured at same time as bike repair station concrete next spring. Chair Berke moved to recommend to the Town Board to accept the donation from the Enloe family for up to $2000 for a bench to be placed in Glover Park with a concrete base, and any additional cost to be taken care of by the park board budget; second by member Sumner. Discussion. Supr. Gruber suggested amending motion to say “any balance up to $400 would come from Park Board budget.” Member Schneider suggested getting quotes before sending numbers to Town Board. No action taken; to be on October agenda, Chair Berke to find out engraving cost and get an updated estimate from vendor, including shipping. e. Discuss and consider, trail marking improvement project-Gary Sumner Member Sumner reported that he walked all the trails to count the trail markers, including posts and individual markers on trees. There are two posts that would benefit from adding arrows pointing which way the trails are going. Chair Berke suggested contacting Lebo Signs for this project. Most trail markers are nailed on trees except for Eagle Trail which has posts. Member Sumner prefers not nailing into trees, suggested using a screw and placing reflector out from the tree which allows the tree to grow without having to adjust the marker. Suggested making trail signs smaller so they don’t overhang posts on the sides. Could add additional post markers to cut down the number that are nailed into trees. Could look at metal posts versus wooden posts; using metal T-posts would cost roughly $350 and are less maintenance. He is waiting to hear back from a contact at 3M for costs on markers. Member Rowekamp suggested reaching out to area scout troops with this potential project. Member Sumner also noticed three areas of burdock that need to be removed; asked for volunteer(s) to assist him. He also noted some ash trees on the north side of the park are being attacked by emerald ash borer. At spring site tour, the park board will look at downed trees and best way to angle them for water flow. He also reported a tree leaning over Bluff Trail. Member Sumner moved that the Park Board approve updating trail markings at a cost of up to $750 for materials to update trail markers in 2024; second by member Swanson. Motion unanimously carried. Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, September 26, 2023 APPROVED Page 5 of 6 Pemble’s Access: a. Activity level and end of season preparation Pemble’s remains busy, especially on very hot days. Member Swanson to contact Five Star Rental to pick up satellite after end of the month. Ranger Becker will take out the “no trespassing” signs close to the water and store at Glover Park. b. Discuss and consider, recommendation to the Town Board regarding placement of buoy or other marking of beach There was extensive discussion on the Coast Guard’s removal of the buoy and safety concerns, and information from the St Croix County water patrol chief, who suggested that the Troy could position a buoy back in place, and also to send letters to appropriate officials at the U.S. Coast Guard to replace the buoys. It was noted the Access is “swim-at-you-own- risk” and is posted as such. Chair Berke moved that the Park Board recommend to the Town Board to write a letter to the Coast Guard asking them to measure and replace the buoy in the appropriate place as soon as possible; second by Supr. Gruber. Motion unanimously carried. 8. Discuss and consider, recommendation to Town Board related to Chapter 109, Parks and Recreational Facilities Ordinance The changes to Glover Park and Cove Boat Ramp in Chapter 109 were approved by the Town Board at their Sept. meeting. Fishing at Pemble’s Access was discussed. Chair Berke noted the Access is small with limited space; member Swanson pointed out that this is an access, not a beach. He has never seen a conflict with fishing and swimming; member Wusterbarth agreed. Rangers had suggested this change to ordinance, adding “no fishing.” Member Rowekamp would like to find a way to support the Rangers without creating an issue and ask them what conflicts they have seen at Pemble’s. Member Wusterbarth moved to strike 109-7(E), which reads “no fishing allowed form Pemble’s Access Area”; second by Supr. Gruber. Motion carried 6-1 with Chair Berke opposing. Chair Berke suggested adding an Article V for pedestrian/bike route trails as those are included in the Town’s long range plan. Park Board could form a subcommittee to work on this. Member Gruber moved to recommend the changes made to Chapter 109 to the Town board; second by member Swanson. Motion unanimously carried. 9. Discuss and consider, 2024 budget Member Wusterbarth reviewed the updated budget numbers. He removed the $600 for swim buoys, added a more definite number for playground surface material (footnote #9), bike repair station cost adjusted to $5000. He will send out final budget before budget workshop. Member Swanson moved to recommend to the Town Board the projected budget for 2024 of $113,850.00; second by Chair Berke. Discussion. Motion unanimously carried. Town of Troy Park Board Minutes, September 26, 2023 APPROVED Page 6 of 6 10. Bike/Pedestrian Sub-committee report Sub-committee work continues; met on Aug. 30. To be on a future agenda. 11. Correspondence None to report. 12. Announcements and request for future agenda items Chair Berke will send out the timeline for budget workshops. Pemble’s is closing, effective Oct. 1. Winterization of community bldg. is scheduled for Oct. 16 by Countryside Plumbing and Heating with assistance by Park Rangers at Glover Park. Chair Berke has coordinated the placement of portable restrooms and contacted the Clerk’s office to update locks for closing the building. 13. Adjournment Member Swanson moved to adjourn the meeting; second by member Gruber. Motion unanimously carried. The September 26th, 2023 meeting of the Town of Troy Park Board adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Next Meeting: Oct. 24, 2023 Respectfully submitted, Amanda Randall Secretary, Town of Troy Park Board