1. Roll Call

Present - Okonek, West, Glodosky, Phillips, Sachs, Freckmann, Nealis, Somers, McDonald, Molski

Absent Excused - Aldinger

Also Present - Elbert Rackow, Jerry Moore, Dave Sowieja, Paul Chronis, Kim Erzinger, Eric Erzinger, Jaime Klasinski, John Jury, Bernice Sevenich

2. Approval of the May 2, 2001 Minutes

Motion was made by Molski, seconded by Phillips to approve the Minutes of the May 2, 2001 meeting.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

3. Discussion and Recommendation on City Owned Homes 2424 & 2432 Bush Street

Schrader stated that there are three options on the city owned homes; sell the homes and move them off the property, rent out the properties or raze the two homes.

Molski asked how long Marc Barnes will be in the one rental home and Schrader said until his home is sold in North Carolina, at which time he plans on purchasing a home in the city.

Nealis felt we should continue to rent out these homes and with the proper advertising and management, it would be more lucrative to keep them on the tax rolls.

Freckmann asked about the cost involved; what would we get for the homes. Schrader said that we would get between $100.00 - $1000.00, the cost is in the moving of the homes and if they are razed, the city pays for that.

McDonald asked if the city owns any other homes and Schrader said we own the Jelich property which we rent out and vacant property on Water Street. McDonald reminded Commissioners that these homes, on Bush Street, were purchased for green space and to keep that in mind.

Molski thought these were nice homes and should be rentable.

Schrader stated that he didn’t feel the city should be in the rental business; we do not have the manpower to be doing repairs, keeping renters, upkeep, etc.

Okonek asked who pays for the heat in the homes, shovels snow, etc. and Schrader said the city is responsible, if there are not renters in the homes.

Phillips said there are a lot of liabilities having these homes and is not in favor of keeping them.

Motion was made by Phillips, seconded by Glodosky to sell the homes and then move or raze if they are not sold by the end of September.

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

4. Recommendation on Special Room Tax Committee Meeting Held June 5

Somers specified that the Room Tax Committee recommended that we stick with the originally approved complex project which was the city would give the Youth Sports Complex Committee $100,000.00 initial grant funds and then $150,000.00 matching funds from other municipalities, with a deadline date of February 1, 2001. (extension was requested and deadline extended to June 1, 2001) Since then, Portage County Youth Soccer is no longer a co-sponsor of this project, the scope has changed and matching efforts had not gone as expected. They are now requesting an additional $100,000.00 to complete the project in three phases; Phase I. Indoor Rink Construction and Development of Four Soccer/Football Fields, Phase II. Indoor Rink Finish and Addition of Two Competition Soccer Fields and Two Multi-Use Practice Fields and Phase III. Final Site Development: Youth Softball Practice/Play Fields and Urban Walking Trail.

Jaime Klasinski, from Portage County Youth On Ice, was present at tonight's meeting and apologized saying Mr. Baier was out of town and unaware of the meeting. He proceeded to explain that the concept has been scaled down, general contractor being used, less sophisticated facility,etc. He said they will have an easier time getting the money now that there is only one ownership and so far has $700,000.00 in pledges.

It was noted that Gary Baier, President and Campaign Chair was sent two letters, to the P.O. Box and his residence, in regards to the meeting and he did not show up nor did anyone from the committee.

Molski said that pledges are not the same as having the cash in hand as they went through that with the Willett Arena and many did not honor their pledges.

Glodosky wondered if the Room Tax Committee could get back together and discuss the proposal again.

John Jury said the Room Tax Committee can do whatever you wish, and that the Parks Commission could do what they want with the Room Tax minutes as presented tonight, including making changes.

Glodosky was concerned about the scope of the project changing and concerned about the funds; wants to see a concrete proposal.

McDonald questioned all the changes, not adequate information and the money issue when they will not be having tournaments to bring people into the area.

The Commission asked Schrader if the project has changed since it was first presented to the Room tax Committee.

Schrader stated that there has been some changes; no development phases to three, square footage of building and seating has been reduced, parking reduced from 500 to 80, regulation soccer fields from 4 to 2, increase in multi-use fields from 4 to 6, elimination of two lighted stadium type fields.

Klasinski stated that they were minor changes to save funds, that the parking lot could be expanded and the lighted stadium fields were eliminated because they didn’t plan on hosting tournaments.

Molski thought one of the reasons the Room Tax Committee liked the Complex was that it would host tournaments to bring people to town.

West also was not pleased with the lack of accurate information and wants to look at a revised proposal.

Motion was made by Molski, seconded by Sachs to honor the Special Room Tax Committee’s recommendation; to honor our original commitment to only fund the project as originally submitted to the Room Tax Committee.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

5. Request to Form a Sub-Committee to Look Into Honoring Former Mayor Schultz

Mayor Wescott asked the Commission to begin the steps required to honor former Mayor Scott Schultz considering the amount of time and effort he put into making the park system what it is today.

Motion was made by Phillips, seconded by Glodosky to honor request and ask for volunteers to serve on this committee. Volunteers were McDonald, Sachs, Glodosky, West, Okonek, Somers, and John Jury.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

6. Director's Report

- Schrader acknowledged new alderpersons Jerry Moore and David Sowieja.
- Donald Copps pool was scheduled to open Saturday, June 2nd but it was too cold.
- Registration for summer programs is down possibly because of the cool weather.
- Bathhouses at Bukolt and Iverson have been renovated.
- Thank you letter sent to Community Parks Improvement Committee for their recent gift of $30,000.00 to upgrade the irrigation system at Mancheski Field and renovate the Goerke Stadium Pressbox

7. Adjournment

There being no other business to come before the Commission,
Motion was made by Phillips, seconded by Nealis to adjourn meeting at 7:15 p.m.

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