Minutes: Special Mtg April 30, 2008
Special Village Board Meeting of April 30, 2008
A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Plain was held at the Municipal Building on April 30, 2008. The following members were present: Raymond Ellenbolt, President; David Buchanan; Kevin Kraemer; James Liegel; Duane Meise; Robert Neuheisel; and, Merry Lynn Riek, Trustees.
Others present: Josh Straka of Strand Associates, Inc.; Steve Frank; William Gruber; Joe Prem; Marjorie Prem; and, Nick Ruhland, Public Works Director.
Notice of this meeting, along with the agenda, was posted at the following locations in the Village of Plain: the Municipal Building; the Plain Post Office; and, The Peoples Community Bank on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
The meeting was called to order by President Ellenbolt at 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the bids for American Legion Drive and to review Park Master Plan designs by Josh Straka of Strand Associates, Inc.
Nick Ruhland reviewed the American Legion Drive bids previously. The measurements were similar for all three companies that submitted bids. Meise motioned to accept the low bid from D.L. Gasser Construction bid of $14,700.00. Neuheisel seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Josh Straka performed a survey of the park to become more aware of the drainage issue. There is poor soil in the park that is not very permeable and the water table is a foot below it. Also, three-quarters of the park is in the FEMA 100-year flood plain. Day to day occurrences can be solved. Josh Straka explained in detail his drainage plans for the entire park area. Alternatives and ideas were discussed at length.
At the kick-off meeting an ice skating rink was discussed as a desire for a winter activity. Straka stated that the pavilion would be a nice place for an ice skating rink but maintenance may be difficult. A liner would be needed to protect the concrete. There are pros and cons and the final decision can be added to the Park Master Plan.
The consensus from the kick-off meeting was to rebuild pool. The pool then pulls everything else together.
Option one consists of leaving the pool in same spot. The pool house is shifted to the north of the pool opening up Parkview Avenue. There ample space for parking along entire stretch of the street. A new pool with six lanes would have dimensions of 42 x 75. Incorporated with that pool would be an 1,800 square foot wading pool. Around the entire pool would be a 15 foot deck. Because of the high water table the pool would be brought up four feet and a boulder wall would surround the area. However, Badger Pools stated the pool can be kept at the current level without any problems. The current pool is 10’6” deep. According to Badger Pools, an 11 foot depth would be acceptable for a one meter board.
Parkview Avenue can be reduced to a 24’ street to keep it a two-way and parking would be increased by avoiding diagonal parking. The tennis/basketball court would have to move to the northeast corner for the pool area to expand. It would be set-up similar to the current court. Also, a parking lot would be constructed by the courts. This proposed parking lot is set-up for 60 stalls. The old parking lot had close to 30 stalls. The northeast corner is a low spot and would need to be raised about two feet to bring the tennis/basketball court and parking lot out of the wet area. This area would then be at same elevation as the pavilion. The playground area would be moved by the pool. The batting cage will be located by 3rd baseline. This will be installed soon but adjustments will be made to synchronize with the Park Master Plan. An eight foot wide fitness path will encircle the park and connect with the existing crosswalk and link with Westbrook. The path is just over a quarter mile. The green space entrance is not designed in detail yet. This needs to be decided yet.
The future concession stand location is not on the design either. Options were discussed with no confirmed determination.
Option two is not much different from option one. It just rotates the pool ninety degrees. Comments were that it looks a little more crowded.
Option three moves the pool to the north and the tennis/basketball courts would stay in their current location. This option was not well received because of dust problems, tree waste issues and large trucks traveling on Bridge Road would hinder the safety of the children traveling to the pool.
Josh Straka handed out a pool house design from another community that is comparable in size to the Village of Plain park proposal.
There are three potential grant opportunities. Depending on what is decided to be done with the drainage, there is a grant for improving existing conditions. This does not include new development.
Grants through the WI-DNR and the WI-DOT exist for the fitness trail through the park. Since the Village of Plain is not a hardship community, grants are limited.
Buchanan motioned to proceed with option one. This was seconded by Meise and carried unanimously. Straka was directed to create phases to carry out this plan.
Liegel addressed the board regarding a request by the Franklin Historical Society to hang a sign on the Old Franklin Town Hall. They need to show the board what their exact plan is.
Nick Ruhland inquired with the board regarding seasonal full time golf course employee Judith Busse could have a free golf membership as an employee benefit. The personnel policies list employees as full time or part time and she is not a full time employee. The board agreed they did not want to issue any part time employees a free golf membership.
Meise motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Buchanan seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Sheila Tafs
Clerk/Treasurer