Board of Park Commissioners
Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Index of these minutes:

1. Roll Call
2. Approval of the September 5, 2007 Minutes
3. Update on Proposed Sculpture Park
4. Update on Point 150
5. Director's Report
6. Adjournment

1. Roll Call

Present: Bahling, Curtis, Freckmann, Glodosky, Hall, McDonald, Okonek, Wiza

Excused: Sorenson, Trzebiatowski

Also Present: Director Schrader, Peggy Rentz, Stewart Morris, John O. Smith

2. Approval of September 5, 2007 Minutes

Motion was made by Bahling, seconded by Hall to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2007 meeting and place them on file.

Ayes - all; Nays - none. Motion Carried.

3. Update on Proposed Sculpture Park

Director Schrader introduced John Smith and Stewart Morris and Mr. Morris said there was a copy of the preliminary feasibility study and strategic plan in the packet and he said he would answer any questions.

McDonald asked for clarification on what they want the consultant to provide and Morris said it would include writing the feasibility study, outlining educational activities, strategy for fund raising, maintenance, design, and vision. Smith said it would also include working with governmental agencies.

Hall said she liked the idea that we were working with many groups of people but asked why they had to go to Minnesota to find someone to do the feasibility study and pay traveling costs, etc., wouldn't there have been someone closer?

Morris said they looked for someone with the experience in obtaining funding, such as on a national level. He said they had looked at about seven and narrowed it to three and made the choice based on the type of experience they had. He added we want this to be a growing sculpture park to fit our growing and changing community and this person has that type of expertise, and he said he was actually the closest in distance. Smith added that this person came highly recommended.

Director Schrader said he thought the first listening session will be on the 22nd of October in our meeting room and they are looking for input from the community so if anyone wants to be on the notification list they should give them their email address. Smith said they can contact him and his email address is josmith@uwsp.edu.

Director Schrader said Stewart and John were the ones who brought the five sculpturists in two years ago.

4. Update on Point 150

Director Schrader handed out an outline for a year long celebration of the City's 150th birthday, he went over the themes and special events that are planned. He said there are many groups working together to make this happen and many ideas on tying the 150th birthday in with other yearly events. He said the Journal will be putting out a booklet in January that will list all the events. He referred to the handout saying the events on the first page in bold are the ones the committee will run, the rest of the events are run by others using the 150th birthday theme. He said the kick off will be January 12 at Sentryworld complex and May 17th is the actual birthday and the party will be at the Pfiffner Bandshell. He said the July 3rd celebration, which is the day before Riverfront, will be a huge music event. He went on to say we are using grant money where we can, anyone with an event to tie in with the celebration can apply for some of this money, adding historical research can add to the cost of an event.

Wiza said Jami Gebert is working on a 150th Monopoly board. Other ideas included identifying the oldest, largest tree in Stevens Point, house/yard decorating contest, a special Point Beer, tying in the Trivia Contest, and a coloring book that spans the time from George Stevens to the present Clark Street bridge. Curtis said they are going to open the old Fire Station and Director Schrader said the YMCA is 40-years old and had started out in the old Fire Station.

5. Director's Report

Director Schrader reported:

• Forester Ernster held an Oak Wilt demonstration and over 40-people attended, it was on how to prevent and care for Oak Wilt.
• The Forester and Arborist attended an Emerald Ash Borer seminar and were told that when Dutch Elm Disease occurred it took over 15-years to do its damage but that the Emerald Ash Borer will do the same amount of damage in a year. Ash trees make up about 11% of the trees in the City.
• Wiza said there is a site on line that will help identify the actual insect, that there are others that look very similar to it. Director Schrader said the Forester has put information on the City's web site. The Director added that the tree in front of his house is tagged for observation because it's considered to be stressed and more susceptible. He said one of the largest threats is when people transport wood.
• The first Dog Park meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. this evening.
• The new playground equipment is in at Village Green, Morton, and Yulga parks and already is being used.
• The parks close for the season after October 14th and this means while people can still enjoy the parks, the restrooms will be closing as they are winterized.
• The problems with students at Bukolt Park is still being addressed, the park was closed to students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and after the Police talked to them they reopened but they will close the park again if problems continue. He said the PD is working with the school toward something such as revoking the privilege to leave the campus if a student is caught misbehaving in a Park. It was brought up that if they close one park they just go to another.
• Wiza said he had seen a tape the Police made and as usual only a few students are misbehaving, most of them just go to the park to eat their lunch without causing trouble.
• Director Schrader said the tape is available if anyone wants to see it, he also said between noon and 1:00 p.m. is a real busy hour for the Police Department and limits the time they can devote to this.
• Director Schrader referred to the letter in the packet saying the KASH Playground has won the 2007 Design Award of Merit and he will accept this award at the fall WPRA conference. He said he will tell the WPRA that it was started by a group of dedicated and very committed people who worked hard to raise the donations, they followed through on their idea. He also said Jeff Bahling did most of the design work. He added we have also applied for a national award, but haven't heard anything yet.

The Board expressed their congratulations to Director Schrader.

6. Adjournment

Motion was made by Curtis, seconded by Hall to adjourn the October 3, 2007 Board of Park Commissioners meeting at 6:55 p.m.

Ayes - all; Nays - none. Motion Carried.

The meeting minutes reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables, maps, and other documents that are a part of the official minutes are not included in the files reproduced on this website. Please consult the printed minutes, available in the City Clerk's Office, for the official text. The decisions made by City of Stevens Point boards, committees, and commissions (other than the Police & Fire Commission) are advisory only and are not binding on the City until affirmed at a meeting of the Common Council. Some of the minutes on this web site might not be approved by the Common Council as of today.

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