2.Minutes of 11-11-08
LEISURE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
TH
NOVEMBER 11, 2008 7:00 PM
LEISURE SERVICES CONFERENCE ROOM
Members Present: Betty Schwarz, Jeff Clark, Kevin Reilly, Terry Thompson,
Lorie Markus, Doug Derby and Jayme Roth
Staff Present: Mike Williams and Tom Presny
Guest Present: Mary Ann Buenzow
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM in the Leisure Services Conference Room
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by Chairperson Terry Thompson. The minutes of the September 9, 2008 meeting were
approved unanimously on a motion by Lorie Markus and a second by Kevin Reilly.
Tom Presny provided background information and the current status of the effort to
connect Janesville and Beloit with a bike trail along an abandoned railroad grade. Tom
stated that this is a collaborative effort with several organizations including the City of
Janesville, City of Beloit, Rock County, Rock Township and the Rock Trail Coalition.
Ken Hendricks was originally instrumental in serving as the catalyst to get this project
underway and also his involvement in acquiring several key parcels in the vicinity of
Afton. His corporation continues to be involved in this effort. Tom distributed a copy of
a brochure which was prepared by a joint Janesville/Beloit Certified Public Manager’s
class. The City of Janesville has authorization to proceed with the acquisition of
approximately 4½ acres of abandoned railroad grade south of Tripp Road.
Mike Williams provided an update regarding the proposal for a North American Hockey
League team to become established in Janesville. This would be a new franchise team
that would be made up of young men between the ages of 19 and 21 years of age.
They would be part of a league that includes other teams from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois
and Michigan. They would play 30 home games during the hockey season on Friday
and Saturday nights at the Janesville Ice Center. It will be necessary for the City to
renovate the Ice Center to accommodate new locker rooms and shower facilities as well
as some modifications to the concession area to permit the sale of beer. The new
hockey team will rent the ice from the City as well as pay rent for the locker rooms and
an office area. A use agreement is currently being negotiated. We anticipate having
the new team begin league play in September 2009.
Tom Presny and Mary Ann Buenzow, Rock County DNR Forester, presented
information regarding a collaborative effort between the City, School District and DNR to
develop a management plan for the Outdoor Arboretum. A plan is necessary in order to
better manage the various natural resources at the Arboretum as well as providing
guidance to the City and the School District regarding the types and magnitude of
certain recreational activities within the Arboretum. The Arboretum is designated as a
community forest under State Statutes and as such the City should have a more
structured management plan related to timber harvesting. The Committee unanimously
endorse a slow and appropriate implementation of the Forest Management Plan. Tom
anticipates the need to establish an Arboretum Friends Group to provide community
input for future policies and procedures related to the management of the Arboretum.
Mike Williams mentioned that there is a discussion underway to consider moving City
Council meetings from Monday night to Tuesday night. If this happens the Council
meeting on the second Tuesday of the month would conflict with the Leisure Services
Committee meeting. Although no final decisions or recommendations have been made,
Mike wanted to alert the Committee that it may be necessary to reschedule their
meetings to an alternate night instead of the second Tuesday of every other month.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Next meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 in the Leisure Services Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Williams
Leisure Services Director