1. Roll Call

Present - Okonek, Sachs, Glodosky, West, McDonald, Somers, Aldinger, Freckmann, Phillips, Nealis, Molski
Also Present - Elbert Rackow, Richard Nielson, John Tomaszewski, Kevin Ruehl, Mike Jacquart (Journal)

2. Approval of the August 14, 2000 Minutes

Motion was made by Molski, seconded by Aldinger to approve the Minutes of the August 14, 2000 Meeting.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Recommendation on Chapter 11 Forestry Ordinance

Somers questioned the plantings to be 30 ft. from corner. She doesn’t see a real problem with it in most areas. Schrader said that is to prevent the trees from being planted in the vision triangle.

Freckmann felt that under 11.06 Public Nuisance, Declaration and Abatement (a) the language was too broad as it relates to trees on private property. Schrader said it was to cover all instances dealing with safety of people on public property adjacent to private property. An example was a rotted limb that was recently removed from a tree on private property, because the limb hung over the sidewalk.

Rackow had two suggestions; the city forester is under the Parks & Recreation Director not under the Commission as stated and where "eight (8) days" appears it should be amended to read "eight (8) working days" to make the time limit more workable.

Phillips was not in favor of going around trees and questioned what the additional cost would be, how would a contractor figure it into their proposal, and who would need permits. Schrader said a permit is needed currently, but has not been enforced as construction, up to this point, has been minimal. But with all the construction proposed for the Highway 10 reconstruction and the number of trees that may be in these corridors, the staff, felt it was time, to provide the contractors doing the work, a little clearer direction as it relates to working around trees. Schrader stated that the cost would be minimal if any, as the only real costs may be increasing the soil depth in areas from 6 to 12 inches. That if you look at costs of construction, you need to look at the costs of tree removal, costs for the replacement tree and the dollar value of the tree that was removed.

Rackow expressed how important it is to consider the maturity of the tree before removal is contemplated.

Nealis thought it may be a good idea, in the future, to perhaps develop a permit which would instruct people when they could cut down a tree, on their property, as it enhances the value of the property.

Sachs questioned whether 8 working days would be enough and the consensus was to change that verbiage to 10 working days.

Motion was made by Sachs, seconded by West to accept Chapter 11 Forestry Ordinance with the change of 10 working days and putting the Director in charge of the City Forester.

Ayes; Aldinger, Freckmann, McDonald, Molski, Nealis, Okonek, Sachs, Somers, West (Glodosky excused from meeting due to illness)
Nays; Phillips
Motion carried.

4. Request to use Pfiffner Pioneer Park for 2nd Annual Tater Town Nationals on July 20, 21, 22, of 2001

McDonald expressed the following concerns of this event. She felt our parks should not be used for profit for private groups, our summers are so short leaving only 10 weekends for public use, resented the Green Circle being closed, questioned the damage of grassy areas from oil leaks and felt an alternative site should be considered, such as Bukolt Park.

Schrader stated that the city made $1,850.00 from the event, had 3 calls about the Green Circle being closed, and overall it was a very successful event with no problems.

John Tomaszewski, the director of the event, said they are extremely pleased with the location, expect to double the cars next year (400 this year) and would really like to stay in this location until they outgrow the area. They had rerouted the Green Circle trail adding two blocks for users and the event ended at 3:30 Sunday so it wasn’t closed all weekend. There was no leakage as these cars are very expensive; not junk cars and having them use the trail before they park their cars, keeps them off the grass.

Okonek asked if there was any damage and Schrader said none. Okonek also liked the parks used for different activities that bring people to town.

Sachs was concerned on how we could get 600-800 cars in that area and answer was more efficient parking

Motion was made by Okonek, seconded by West to approve their request to use Pfiffner Pioneer Park on July 20, 21, 22, 2001 with the same rules/procedures as last year and that they improve Green Circle detour signage, run newspaper ads outlining the detour and continue to look for the possibility of relocating the festival to larger grounds in the future.

Nealis felt uncomfortable about the Green Circle being used for this activity because as a taxpayer, he should be able to use it whenever he desires. He wondered if they could look into an alternate site by June, 2001 and Tomaszewski said that they would need to know by October of this year. Nealis was also concerned about shoreline erosion as there were some cars parked near the river and Tomaszewski said about a dozen cars parked there and they just did not tell them to move; he would prevent that next year. Schrader said that they could leave the sidewalk open, on Crosby, by using barrels and the group agreed that would help, as they had no other way of blocking it off.

West felt that they should consider parking better and stay off the lawn west of the Green Circle.

Amendment to original Motion.
Amended by Okonek, seconded by West to not allow parking of cars on the west side of the Green Circle.

Ayes: All
Nays; None
Amendment passed

Vote on original motion as amended
Motion was made by Okonek, seconded by West to approve their request to use Pfiffner Pioneer Park on July 20, 21, 22, 2001 with the same rules/procedures as last year and that they improve Green Circle detour signage, run newspaper ads outlining the detour, and continue to look for the possibility of relocating the festival to larger grounds in the future.

Ayes; Freckmann, Molski, Nealis, Okonek, Somers, West
Nays; Aldinger, McDonald, Phillips, Sachs
Motion carried.

5. Review and Approval of 2001 Park Price Structure

Okonek asked if the covered boat slips have had an increase in the past and whether there have been improvements made and Schrader said no.

Motion was made by Okonek, seconded by Aldinger to increase the covered boat slip rental from $50.00 to $75.00 in 2001 and 2002 and increase to $100.00 in 2003.

Amendment to original Motion.
Motion was made by McDonald, seconded by Nealis to not increase the pool prices for the years 2001-2004 and approve the above covered boat slip increase. Schrader also requested that the security deposit for lodges be $100.00 for all rentals.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried

6. Discussion and Recommendation on Possible Purchase of Property at 100 Bukolt Park

The Kulas family has approached the city with the possibility of the city purchasing, their property, at 100 Bukolt Park. This parcel is in our Riverfront plan; our current adopted plan calls for securing an option or at least first right of refusal. The family is looking to sell the property to the city, with a life tendency for two members of the family that are currently living there.

Motion was made by Molski, seconded by McDonald to approve the possible purchase of property at 100 Bukolt Park.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

7. Request to Consider a "Slow No Wake" Ordinance on Wisconsin River from Clark Street Bridge to Bukolt Park Boat Launch (Alderperson Nealis)

Nealis feels that the no wake zone would prevent further shoreline erosion and listed the boat traffic as one of the major reasons for the erosion, and disapproves of the noise from the jet skis.

Schrader explained that the city can not establish such an ordinance, for the river, without first obtaining the necessary approval from the Town of Carson, as some of the land may be in the Town. If the city was to pass such an ordinance, we would be responsible for purchasing the buoys, along with annually placing and removing the buoys. The cost of the buoys would be around $300.00 each. (10 needed). Placement of the buoys would be difficult, in that we don’t own a boat, and would have to work with the Fire Department on annual placement and repair/replacement of same. Enforcement of the ordinance would have to be done by the DNR or Sheriff’s Department. Secondly, the number of days that we see heavy boat traffic, in this area, is minimal compared to the erosion damage done by waves from westerly winds and spring high water ice flows.

Rackow felt that the wind is more of a factor in the erosion, we need to protect the shoreline and disapproves of the no wake proposal.

Phillips felt that it is a large area we are talking about and would like to see rip-rapping done to the shoreline. Schrader said that to accomplish this, we would have to accommodate users; rip-rapping this area has the potential of changing the look of the park. That he is currently working with the DNR, Mark Anderson at Consolidated Papers, and a professor at UW-SP with coming up with ideas on how we can rip-rap this shoreline. We will need to form a sub-committee, from the commission, to address this issue.

Freckmann said he realizes it would be hard to enforce but likes the no wake concept.

Somers thought the whole idea was unfeasible.
Motion was made by Phillips, seconded by West to not consider "no wake ordinance"on the Wisconsin River, from Clark Street bridge to Bukolt Park boat launch.

Ayes; Aldinger, McDonald, Molski, Phillips, Sachs, Somers, West
Nays; Freckmann, Nealis, Okonek
Motion carried.

8. Director's Report

- Football season has started; field ready with rain hampering 2 games.
- Spud Bowl is Saturday, September 9th at Goerke.
- Willett Arena sponsoring "Rock Night On Ice" on Friday nights from 8:30-10:30,
admission $2.50 to promote teen activities in the area.
- Packets available for adult basketball/volleyball with registration October 4th & 5th.

9. Adjournment

There being no other business to come before the Commissioners, motion was made by McDonald, seconded by Phillips to adjourn meeting at 9:00 p.m.

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