2. Minutes of 5-12-09
LEISURE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
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MAY 12, 2009 7:00 PM
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1 FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
Members Present: Sandra Hendricks, Steve Ellis, Betty Schwarz, Lynn Jones,
Lorie Markus, William Truman, Douglas Derby, and Jayme Roth
Staff Present: Rebecca Smith, Tom Presny, Bonnie Davis and Shelley Slapak
The meeting was called to order at 7PM in the Leisure Services Conference Room by
Doug Derby. Introductions were made by everyone and the new members were
welcomed.
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APPROVAL OF MARCH 10, 2009 MEETING MINUTES
A correction is to be made to the March meeting under the Committee Member Update
section stating that the Committee would be welcoming two members instead of one.
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The minutes of the March 10 meeting were approved.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A motion was made by Betty Schwarz and seconded by Steve Ellis to appoint Lori
Markus Chairperson. This motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by William
Truman and seconded by Betty Schwarz to appoint Sandy Hendricks as Vice-
Chairperson. This motion passed unanimously.
ARBORTEUM VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
Tom Presny is working with the School District and the Department of Natural
Resources to create a vegetation management plan for the Janesville Arboretum.
Public meetings will be held and experiments will take place with the goal of getting
more people involved with the Arboretum and reducing invasive species.
UPDATE ON FLOOD RECOVERY
Tom Presny updated the Committee on the flood recovery and shared recent Janesville
Gazette articles on tree loss due to the summer flooding. Park funding from FEMA is
taking longer than expected and some components such as plants and shrubbery are
not funded. There is extensive ground settling at Monterey, Riverside and Traxler
parks. Some recovery and tree planting will take place at Riverside Park. The
downtown walkway is currently undergoing restoration with FEMA funding including new
sidewalk, railings, power washing and replacement of some portion of the plants. The
wood bridge on the bike trail was damaged during the flooding and will begin
reconstruction soon. The Aqua-Jays frontage at Traxler Park will be restored. The
Rock River Parkway hiking bridge will be re-built.
UPDATE ON AHL HOCKEY CONTRACT AT ICE CENTER
William Truman briefed the Committee on the AHL team that will be using the Ice
Center. WI Hockey Partner received a liquor license on May 11, 2009 and will begin
serving alcohol with the start of the AHL schedule. The AHL will begin player draft on
May 14. The City Council approved spending $200,000 in improvements and bids will
be open for renovations to the Ice Center. Bonnie Davis informed the Committee that
the ice sheet was removed at the beginning of May. Currently maintenance is taking
place and repairs should be completed and the Ice Center will open on June 8, 2009.
Bonnie Davis also stated that she would like to re-instate the Ice Center Advisory
Committee in the future.
AQUATICS UPDATE
Shelley Slapak stated that City Administration is prioritizing a list of maintenance repairs
for both Rockport Pool and Palmer wading pool. There is a backlog of required
approvals at the State level regarding the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. Most compliance
changes must be completed by 2010 and planning for regulations must be done in
2009. Shelley also informed the Committee that summer registrations for swim lessons
is high, with some classes already being full.
MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
William Truman mentioned the Fourth Ward Park sidewalk needs repair. William
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Truman commented that there is interest in renovating the 3 floor of the Senior Center
and having a deck overlooking the Rock River. William Truman has concerns regarding
the rental of the Warming House at Traxler Park. He would like to work with the Friends
of Traxler to have the Warming House available for rent more often.
Sandy Hendricks shared that the Friends of Riverside will be holding a golf outing on
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Friday, August 7. Friends of Riverside will also be selling concessions at the Airfest
event. Sandy Hendricks will be starting shuffleboard leagues on Fridays at 10AM at
Riverside Park. Lynn Jones has 20 youth available to do community service if groups
are interested.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35PM. The next meeting
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is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009 in the 1 floor Conference Room of the
Municipal Building.
Respectfully submitted:
Rebecca Smith, Management Assistant
Tom Presny, Park Director
Bonnie Davis, Recreation Director
Shelley Slapak, Recreation Coordinator