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Meeting Minutes 11-08-11 Approved LEISURE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TH NOVEMBER 8, 2011 7:00 PM MUNICIPAL BUILDING FOURTH FLOOR TRAINING ROOM #416 Members Present: Steve Ellis, Betty Schwarz, Benjamin Dobson, Sandra Hendricks, Steve Knox, Dean Paynter, and Deb Dongarra-Adams Absent Members: Lorie Markus (excused), Lynn Jones, Bill Jass and Frank Dmuchowski Guests: None Staff Present: Tom Presny, Shelley Slapak Meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by Chairperson Steve Ellis. Roll call was completed by sign-in sheet. th APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Steve Knox and seconded by Betty Schwarz to approve the minutes of the September 13th meeting. Motion was approved unanimously. (Dean Paynter noted that he would be sending out some website information on Fistball a sports game that will hopefully be accommodated at Riverside Park in 2012). RECREATION DIVISION UPDATE Enchanted Forest – Shelley Slapak gave an overview this year’s award winning Enchanted Forest event to the Committee members. Success in terms of participants, volunteers and revenue were discussed. Old Fashioned bakery donated 100 dozen cookies each of the four nights. Attendants were recorded coming from Milwaukee, Jefferson, Evansville, and Beloit among many others. Survey results were very complimentary toward the program. Holiday Magic on Main Street – Shelley Slapak gave an overview of this program which in th prior years has been held at Traxler Park. On Saturday December 10 from 1-9 PM a wide variety of activities will be taking place Downtown including at the Senior Center and Lower Courthouse Park. New this year will be live reindeer. Holiday light displays formerly maintained by the South Central WI Builders Association (SCWBA) will be displayed by the Downtown Development Alliance (DDA). PARKS DIVISION UPDATE 2012 Parks Budget – Tom Presny shared budget service level reductions that will be made for next year. Seven fewer seasonal employees will be hired. This will result in a citywide change from a seven to an eight day workday mowing cycle at a cost reduction of $28,500. In addition 6-8 older drinking fountains will be removed from the parks at cost reduction of $3,500. A discussion took place by several members of the Committee concerning parks staff being Union and if volunteer groups would be allowed to mow parks and the liability behind that. Tom Presny stated that it would depend on future Union contracts, but there have been times when groups/individuals have been allowed to do so with a signed liability waiver. Steve Knox questioned why Parks close at the end of October. Tom Presny informed the Committee that Parks Division staff has been involved with leaf collection and staff is unavailable, as well as budget concerns. Friends of Traxler Park Donation – Tom Presny shared that last winter the Traxler Park skating conditions significantly improved with the number of skating days increasing by several weeks. The Friends of Traxler Park were able to generate considerable revenue dollars which they are turning into improvements this winter for the skating facility. They will be donating some $6,000 to $8,000 for additional light fixtures out on the outdoor skating surface as well as replacing the old ceiling light fixtures located inside the warming house. Lions Beach Bathhouse – Constructed in 1950 this building has the singular purpose of accommodating swimmers. Lions Beach bathhouse has not be used as a true bathhouse for more than 10 years. Recently some informal discussions have occurred between the Lions Club Rotary Gardens and others simply to consider the possibility of renovation of the bathhouse and the possibility of transforming it into a multiple use space to not only accommodate the beach but other community uses. The committee was intreged about the possibility of tourism related uses but questioned private business uses of the facility. MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA th Sandy Hendricks shared that 90 anniversary of Riverside Park would be celebrated on Saturday July 14, 2012 with special activities in the park. It was also noted that the new Pickleball court as a part of the tennis court renovation project is proving to be very popular because of the lack of wind at that location. Steve Knox asked if the Main Street Entertainment Program budget was cut for 2012. Shelley Slapak indicated that no cuts were made to this program. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM with a motion by Sandy Hendricks and seconded by Dean Paynter. The motion passed unanimously. th Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2012. th The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2012 was cancelled due to lack of a quorum. Submitted by: Tom Presny Parks Director