Index of these Minutes:

1. Roll Call
2. Approval of June 5, 2002 Minutes
3. Request to Open Wading Pool 10:00 am - Noon for Public Swimming Monday through Friday (Sara Schierl)
4. Establish Rule for No Skate Boarding on Bandshell
5. Director's Report

1. Roll Call

Present - Curtis, McDonald, Okonek, Nealis, Freckmann, Molski, Somers, Aldinger

Absent Excused - West, Glodosky, Phillips

Also Present - Tom Schrader, Carole Francel, Karen King, Megan King, Nina Madden, Karel Feldkamp, F.J. Dix, Sara Schierl, Tim Schierl, Laurie Neuwirth, Bernice Sevenich, Jack Barr, Dave Sowieja, Shirley Egner, Amy Schnitzler, Roger Hackler, Elaine Jakusz, Amanda Kotolski

2. Approval of the June 5, 2002 Minutes

Motion was made by Molski, seconded by Okonek to approve the Minutes of the June 5, 2002 Meeting.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

3. Request to Open Wading Pool 10:00 am - Noon for Public Swimming Monday through Friday (Sara Schierl)

Schrader presented a memo from Scott West. Scott indicated in that Memo, that in talking with the Mayor, they agreed that the Commission should discuss the possibility of performing a usage study of the wading pool by opening the pool, during the morning hours, for a portion of this summer. This would allow us to see if there is a real need, in our community, for expanded wading pool hours.

Motion was made by McDonald, seconded by Freckmann, to open the wading pool from 10:00 am - Noon, Monday through Friday, on a trial basis, for the remainder of the season. Standard admission fees will be charged and the basketrooms will not be staffed.

Schrader explained that they would be hiring one lifeguard and one cashier only (no basket attendant) at a cost of approximately $41.75/day. This request would first have to go to the Common Council, for approval, and could then be implemented around July 16th.

Nealis questioned if some type of guaranteed fee is to be determined, and Schrader said that can be discussed by the Common Council.

Aldinger felt that it may be a good idea to have people commit ahead so we would have a better idea of what the cost may be to the city, but that may not be feasible since the season has already started.

McDonald wanted to hear some of the inaccuracies, that were made through open letters, etc. and Schrader responded with the following:

Schrader has never received a call or contact in person, from anyone expressing their need to have the wading pool opened in the nineteen years he has been employed by the city. The city does not respond to "open letters" and has not received correspondence for 4 years, as stated in a Journal article. We received our first letter from Ms. Schierl on May 12, 2001.

Of all the pools, from the surrounding area, only Wisconsin Rapids is open because they have two pools and just leave the gate open for the baby pool. It was stated that Madison public pools were open, but after checking Schrader found that both of the public pools in Madison and several pools he checked around Madison were not open in the morning. That the only pools in the Madison area that may be open were in gated communities.

It was mentioned that the YMCA and the Junior Women's Club were in favor of the city opening the wading pool and calls were received, from both organizations, that this was a false statement; that both organizations never discussed or approved any actions as it relates to the wading pool.

A petition, had been circulating but of the 113 names, 45 had no addresses and of the remainder, only 22 were city residents. Since the pool is financed only by Stevens Point taxpayers, the petition wasn't a strong indication of city wide support.

Okonek thought there would be a lot of interference with our swim lessons as the kids would be screaming, etc. in the wading pool leaving the lifeguards trying to keep the students attention.

Somers opened the discussion, to the people in attendance, in opposition of the Motion.

Amanda Kotolski, a lifeguard at the pool, felt it would be a major distraction especially with the noise factor of the mushroom fountain and the attention span of the small kids she deals with in lessons.

Megan King, another lifeguard at the pool, shared Amanda's concerns and also mentioned that she uses the area close to the wading pool, for her young students and it would be hard to keep them focused as they would want to play along with the other children.

Karen King, a parent, felt that it would be a great distraction, as they do not even let parents watch the lessons because of the distraction.

Sara Schierl answered them with the question can you turn off the mushroom fountain and have you ever tried giving lessons with the wading pool open? Amanda answered that yes they could turn off the fountain and no they have never tried lessons with wading pool open.

Elaine Jakusz agreed that it may be difficult but lets give it a try; it can be done.
Shirley Egner also felt that maybe even a screen could be put up. She definitely feels that it would work; the lifeguards just need to be more focused.

Tim Schierl wondered about getting the news of the opening out to the public and Somers said that would be accomplished through the Newspaper and website.

Bob Gregorich, the pool manager, just wanted it noted that we have 700 season passes that would have to be honored and perhaps requests to open the pool for everyone.

Curtis said he is very much against opening the wading pool and feels we should respect the recommendation of the Director and staff. He also was concerned of the safety factor.

Alderperson Sevenich mentioned that the wading pool has never been open as far back as 1958 and said the children's "outside voice" would be very distracting.

Somers addressed the motion on the floor and asked for a vote.

Ayes; McDonald, Okonek, Nealis, Freckmann, Molski, Somers, Aldinger
Nays; Curtis
Motion carried.

(This decision was overruled by the City Council on July 15, 2002)

4. Establish Rule for No Skate Boarding on Bandshell

Schrader explained that we are currently having a large number of skate boarders using the Bandshell as a skate board facility. Not only is the use of the Bandshell, picnic tables and benches unsafe, the skate boarders are starting to break the concrete edge of the Bandshell and damage the tables and benches. That the Parks Commission, needs to establish a Park Rule of no skateboarding on the Bandshell. He would check to see if we had to post a "No skateboarding on Bandshell" sign.

Motion was made by Freckman, seconded by Okonek to establish a Park Rule not allowing Skateboarding on the Bandshell in Pfiffner Pioneer Park.

Ayes; all, Nays; none. Motion carried.

5. Director's Report

Riverfront Rendezvous is scheduled July 4 - 7th. Come out and enjoy the festivities.

6. Adjournment

There being no other business to come before the Commissioners, motion was made by Aldinger, seconded by Nealis to adjourn meeting at 7:10 p.m.

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