Recording in progress.
» Penny, we're just going to give it another minute and see if
anyone else is pulling up here. But, we do have
quorum, so we'll be able to have the meeting.
» Okay.
» probation
» All right. Well, um we'll see if anybody else joins us a
little bit late, but we might as well get going since we have quorum. Uh it's
5:05. I'll call the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Committee meeting to order.
It's Wednesday, August 26th, 2026. Um we do have a quorum and the agenda
was properly posted. It's a hybrid meeting taking place both on Zoom and
here in Village Hall. Then we can move to item three, public
appearances. Public's opportunity to speak about any subject that is not a
specific agenda item. Um Charlie, we do have you for item
five. Do you want to talk then? We'll just talk during that portion. Does that
sound okay? >> At your pleasure.
» Okay. I don't think it'll take us real long to get to item five, so.
All right. Uh then uh item four, discuss and consider the
minutes of the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Committee meeting on July 23rd,
2026. Any edits um or comments or a motion on
the minutes? >> Motion to approve the minutes.
» Thank you, Jerry. >> Second.
» And second by Penny. Thank you. Any further discussion?
Hearing none, all those in favor say aye.
Aye. >> Aye.
» Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carries. Thank you. Then um up to item
five, the cottonwood tree update. Um I don't know if we'll do Sean can
present his memo and then Charlie if you want to come up and we can have
discussion about that. Charlie did fill out a wish to speak form
for that item. So Sean if you want to kick off your memo
that you prepared for us, please. >> Okay.
Great. We also do have James here too. So if we have any cottonwood questions
as we get into things. Um I put a rather lengthy memo in your
packet. Um hopefully everybody's read that verbatim.
But I I just wanted to kind of just highlight the memo a little bit rather
than go through it word for word. So I'll just kind of I'll
do that right now. Um obviously the the purpose of this is to evaluate evaluate
the management options available for mature cottonwood trees in the village.
And you know with James and I kind of looking at things, we estimate that
there are less than about 50 cottonwood trees in the village, most around
private property and in slash near retention areas. So we we currently do
not have any cottonwood street trees. Um
obviously the cottonwood is a native Wisconsin tree species for recognized
for its rapid growth, broad canopy, and environmental benefits. Female trees
produce cottonwood seeds during late spring and early summer that
are commonly perceived as a nuisance because they accumulate on sidewalks,
lawns, streets, and park facilities. Although the seasonal cottonwood can
generate complaints, the cotton itself is generally a maintenance issue rather
than a public safety concern. Decisions regarding these trees should
therefore be based on on overall tree health, structural
integrity, maintenance costs, and and risk to the public rather than solely on
seed production. Um so I I wanted to
again apologize for the lengthy um memo, but I wanted to make sure that you guys
had some options to look at and I tried to lay those out the best that I could.
Um so if If do nothing um and just kind of leave things the way
that they are, um the advantage to the that is it preserves a mature preserves
a mature tree that provides significant shade and aesthetic value.
Continues to provide environmental benefits including carbon sequestration,
which is capturing the CO2 from the atmosphere, storm water interception,
air quality, and wildlife habitat. Maintains existing
landscape character, avoids removal expense. Mature trees provide
ecological benefits, more ecological benefits than newly planted trees.
Disadvantages to doing nothing, annual production of cotton seed can create a
nuisance conditions in parks, streets, sidewalks, and residential areas. And
also disadvantage would be increased maintenance. So those are just kind of
the highlights of the do nothing. Option two is treat and maintain.
Advantages, it extends the useful life of the tree, reduces the likelihood of
branch failures through proactive maintenance, protects the community's
investment in mature tree canopy, delays significant expense of a removal and
replacement. Um and that would allow for ongoing
evaluation as as tree conditions change. Um disadvantages, recurring maintenance.
So if we if we wanted to require treatment, it is a recurring thing, it's
not a one-time cost. And the treatment does not eliminate the
cottonwood production, it just reduces the cottonwood production.
Um if we
wanted to do tree removal, so asked that that all of those cottonwood trees be
removed. Advantages, biggest biggest advantage is it eliminates future
cottonwood production and associated maintenance.
Removes safety concerns with declining trees, reduces long-term liability
associated with maintaining an aging tree. Disadvantages, the immediate
removal costs are high. Likely $3,000 roughly on a mature mature tree.
Um the loss of shade and then the reduction in wildlife habitat.
Um municipal considerations, uh things that I just wanted to throw in there,
the village has a responsibility to maintain public trees in a manner that
protects public safety while preserving the long-term health health and value of
the forest urban forest. While cottonwood production can be
inconvenient, it is generally not sufficient justification by itself for
removing a healthy tree. Decisions should instead
be based on objective criteria such as structural conditions, public safety,
maintenance requirements, site restraints,
uh and then the overall life expectancy. Um
If we wanted to address this ordinance-wise,
um um adopting an ordinance that
specifically regulates female cottonwood trees um from everything that I've seen
and and folks that I've talked to is is generally not recommended. Species
specific ordinances can create enforcement challenges, increase costs
to property owners, and encourage removal of healthy healthy trees that
continue to provide significant public benefits. Cotton production is a natural
characteristic of the species and and does not by itself
constitute a hazardous condition. Instead, municipalities typically
regulate trees through broader tree maintenance and public safety ordinances
that apply equally to all trees. And so, what we kind of already do is we refer
to ordinance 294 three and then uh D which addresses hazardous private trees,
requires property owners to maintain maintain trees
so they do not create hazards to the public. The ordinance uh addresses dead
or dying trees, trees with structural defects, trees interfering with sidewalk
streets, utilities, or public infrastructure, and uh authority for the
village to require pruning or removal after inspection. So, which is those are
all things that we do James does on a daily basis that we're, you know,
constantly addressing any any hazard trees that are out there and and a good
example is we we just sent a letter to the
homeowner. What what's that daycare on N?
Um >> Preschool City Kids, I don't
» Yeah, right right right across from Cottage Grove School. There were some
trees hanging down branches hanging down. We sent them a letter. They cut
them they cut them off. Everything's is is much better.
Um Public tree planting policy rather than
regulating existing cottonwoods the village could adopt a policy limiting
future planting of female cottonwood trees on municipal property.
Um the policy could include uh approved street tree list which we do have and
cottonwoods are not specifically called out. Correct, James?
» They're not on the list. Excuse me, they're not on the list, but
we can put them on the prohibited list. We can add that.
» Um Uh diversity goals, uh selection
criteria based on maintenance requirements, um
replacement standard for trees that are removed. Um this allows the village to
gradually diversify its urban forest without necessarily removing
um healthy trees. So, and then my recommendation based on
um what I saw, what I who I talked to, what
I read, um was basically um
if we wish to reduce future main maintenance concerns with cottonwood
trees, the preferred long-term strategy is to adopt an urban forestry policy
that discourages future planting of female cottonwood trees on municipal
property while maintaining a diverse, resilient, um sustainable public tree
canopy. Um so
it is recommended based on available information, um it is recommended that
the village continue to evaluate female cottonwood trees individually rather
than adopting a specific or species-specific ordinance.
So, in a nutshell that's the that's the information that I
came up with. So, again, I wanted to provide the committee with some possible
options. Um obviously, those are not all of the options. Uh you guys can think of
something different, but um open to questions, thoughts
based on my memo.
» Um
and I was wondering, James, was there anything else you want to add
from that on your daily work? >> I I would add that um just to clarify to
the committee that we do not have any cottonwood trees in the boulevards
within the public right-of-ways. Where we have them is in the drainages,
retention areas. So, what we want to consider is access
um in identifying these trees, cuz access will be difficult. And removals,
these are big trees, may need to be contracted out to take
down if removal is an option versus treatment.
» Thank you. Um questions? >> Question for James, are there
other than willow trees, which comes to mind, are there other trees to fill the
need of what you just described in those wetland areas, you know, where you want
to maybe help that tree take care of some of the over-flooding challenges and
things like that? Are there other species of trees that are desirable to
plant in those wetland kind of areas that would be beneficial, or for the
most part, no? >> Um
depending on how well these areas are drained, you could go to certain oak
trees. Um more beneficial, lower maintenance. Um
yeah, the cottonwoods need to be checked on versus
from breaking apart in storms. Um willows, as well. We've had issues with
Willows and the retention areas that have fallen apart and we're in there too
often to to deal with those.
So, there are other options if we had to replace the cottonwoods.
» And that would bring up a budget part of things too. It's like if we were going
to cut those down and want to replace that's obviously an additional expense.
Um, out of that 50 James, what do you think
how many of those 50 would you guess are on public property?
You know, can you know, obviously our our our storm water drainage areas is
the most >> We've
if we include thorough examination of what we have out there. I think Thaden
is a big area that could have cottonwoods.
I would say we have at least 50 on our public
drainages and retention areas and that would not include private
private property. So, the 50 number is probably that we're going to have to
deal with.
» Thank you. Charlie, if you want to come up and
thanks for bringing this item forward for discussion and I appreciate you
being here tonight to help us continue that.
» So, I'm Charlie Rogers. I live on Old Town 211 Royal Street.
And the whole start of this was never to remove all the cottonwood trees in
Cottage Grove. That was never even discussed or brought forward.
All of the ordinance that I supplied to you guys were all what are considered
complaint driven. Meaning if there's a problem, excuse me,
then a complaint is filed and then the solutions are either treated or
something else. And that's something that we're dealing
with in my neighborhood, okay? Um
the public nuisance we understand quite
well. But the thing that I want to stress
tonight is the flammability of this situation.
Um during Fireman's Festival, which is the
peak shedding time for these trees, there is anywhere from 3 to 5 in of
can I say fluff, or do I have to call it cottonwood seed?
» We know fluff. >> Okay. There's anywhere and again, it
depends on the season because they go through cycles. Some years are better,
some years are worse. Um anywhere from 3 to 5 in of this fluff
in the parking lot behind my house and on our property also.
Um somebody throws a cigarette butt down and Heidi hopefully has the a video that
we can show you about the flammability of this substance.
Uh it's not not it's very lethal, okay?
Um and we're not you know, like I said, we're not asking James to be the police,
tree police, and go out looking for trees.
All we're asking for is a complaint-driven
ordinance to say, we have a problem, here is how we solve the remedy, okay?
You either treat your tree or remove it. Okay? Um because it is a fire hazard.
Okay? Um
and the it's a mechanism before it has to go to
like a legal situation, which none of us want. I mean, we're we're working with
our neighbor to if she can't or I if they can't afford
it, we're willing to help them, okay? Uh you know, we're not bad neighbors, but
it's a situation where and I don't know, Heidi, do you want to
put that up, the flammable part? But imagine the liability that would
happen if someone threw a cigarette butt down in these 3 to 5 in of fluff with
all the cars parked there during the festival.
And then I'll I'll finish, too, is as far as the cost to implement this
um is minimal to to none. And again, if there was a complaint in a course, there
would be a small cost for James to go out or the paperwork to be filed. But,
as far as the cost would be minimal to the village
in my opinion.
And again, it uh on the uh municipal considerations
con consist cons
causes a hazardous condition.
I'll emphasize that. Causes a hazardous condition.
And hopefully the And again, I don't know if if any of you
watched the videos that I asked you to last meeting.
Um it's not
a little. It's an explosive
flame.
I don't know I don't know whether the volume will come through there, so I'll
just check out my sound of
Now, this is >> I gathered a bucket of cotton and this
will demonstrate how flammable the cotton
This is in my fireplace, my fireplace. Jesus.
» Imagine the parking lot of that.
Or a neighborhood. >> I've gathered a bucket of cotton and
this will demonstrate how flammable the cotton is. This is in my fireplace.
» Jesus.
» Tell my wife. My wife actually did a small experiment
in the backyard along the fence line thinking it would be a small little
flame and this this was only like 3 in. That's of course an exaggeration. Um,
and it freaked her out. Luckily she had water
available to put it out, but it just took off.
Um, and again, you have a festival, you have a parking
lot full of cars, and you got 3 or 5 in of that.
That can consist consider be a hazard of
condition in my opinion. So, um, I would just ask you to
reconsider. Um, minimally I would like to have an
ordinance that says you can't plant female cottonwoods. Like
Madison's had one for 50 years. Um, ideally I'd like a complaint driven
ordinance.
And again, I appreciate you guys' time. Um,
and again, it's to me it's a safety hazard. It's not a nuisance anymore,
it's a safety hazard. Okay? Thank you.
» Thanks, Charlie. Um,
so, uh,
Sean, did you have any chance to talk to legal about our current ordinance and
how maybe specific situations, you know,
given proximity to, you know, high traffic type events that
maybe it is more of a um,
a hazardous nuisance or like how how can we objectively
apply that ordinance for various situations, I guess.
» Overall, legal wants us to stay out of private tree issues as much as we can.
Um we we typically now address hazards that
are going to fall that could fall onto into the right-of-way,
onto a car or, you know, into the street, sidewalk, that that those
situations. Typically, if it's a private tree and it looks like it's dead in the
backyard, we we don't get involved in those. I think we have um on a couple of
occasions where it was very imminent that it could fall on a
um on another property, but um
overall, their suggestion is that we kind of stay out of that. Um we could
James, I think we could simply we could add this to the prohibited street tree
list as James as James mentioned. Um that really would only give us govern
and governance on the street tree. I don't know we would have to we would
have to definitely change the ordinance to make it so that they couldn't do it
as a private street tree. James, anything to add to that?
» Um I would I would think
getting it on the prohibited list and then
if I see
trees being planted on private property and something doesn't look right
and I can I would need something to cite that, you know, that can't be planted
even on private on the private side of things.
I just need clarification on that. And what I what my boundaries are and
what I can enforce, so to speak. >> To Charlie's point about that, that
feels like that's making you be the tree police. That seems like you have a lot
of other things going on and that that would be a real
challenge to go around peeking in backyards and
» And also to go with what Charlie said is
that this would be complaint driven, you
know, so that we're not going to ask I don't think we would ever ask James to
just go drive around and look for cottonwood trees, but more like if the
neighbors are you know, if there's a complaint driven then if there is a
complaint then it gives us an opportunity to to do something. We don't
have anybody in the village that does any you know, sidewalk inspections or um
uh uh long grass all of that stuff is
complaint driven. So that that could be the same type of a situation. We could
absolutely do that for sure.
» So that would be more not just add cuz that's an easier administrative thing to
add them to the prohibited street tree list because that's not an ordinance,
but if we wanted to create no new plantings
then that would need ordinance, right? >> I believe so since we don't currently I
think it could be added to the nuisance ordinance that's
already there. We could just add another line I again I don't know exactly how
that works on the legal end of things, but we could certainly add it to that or
we would have to create its own section, but
adding it to the to the street tree list is an easy one because our ordinance
currently states that it's a fluid document and if somebody wants a copy of
it they have to contact me because we are changing that and James you know,
James will chime in and say hey no, we can't we can't have this one on the list
anymore. So that's an that's an easy one for sure to just put it on the
prohibited list, but it doesn't Nobody I mean are people actually planting
cottonwood trees anymore? I mean >> No, the nurseries
don't offer them because to municipalities in particular because we
don't nobody wants them in the public right-of-ways for the
the hazard is they mature they just die. That's what they do and they don't break
apart from the top down, they they'll break loose at the roots. So, they're
just a known hazardous tree once they mature and
nobody wants to deal with them in the public right-of-ways, so
that's why the ones we we've identified are all within the drainages, retention
areas where they're kind of out of the way and
they they're old older trees. >> Sure, they're not in an area that they
drop a branch and someone walking or a car or something along those lines which
yeah, street trees. >> I discussed with Shawn, we do have some
on private side of the Door Creek drainage through Community Park that
could fall into the park. So, that's something I would be watching at
watching and I I do monitor that edge cuz we're always removing some trees
that kind of fall limbs that fall into the park.
So. >> Okay, so that
kind of covers that aspect of safety and I'm glad Kevin's here now too because
maybe he's heard some things from the fire side about fire hazards of
Use your There's some on the Yep, thank you.
» Yeah, I'm sorry. We really don't talk about that type of stuff. It's so few
and far between. In fact, when Charlie pointed it out, it kind of shocked me as
much cotton as there was. But I do agree with Shawn and with the forester as far
as putting them on the prohibited list and kind of placing it like on the on
the complaint basis just like tall grass and stuff like that. No no no a nuisance
item.
» Um Are there questions, thoughts?
» One thing in my travels of trying to collect information
I was looking for a tree service to to call and I
Google it and I picked the one that said save a tree because I like save a tree.
And I just so happen to get talked to the the arborist that is
actually treating the tree um next to Charlie's. And so that's where I got a
little bit of the information as far as the cost and things go. So I believe
Charlie that they're are they at least sounds like they have plans to treat
that tree? >> Uh we have not heard back.
» Okay. >> Like I said, we're still offering to
help if she needs or if they need it.
But again, the last conversation
we had with her, um
they were going to do it but it's a spring treatment. It's not a a fall
thing. >> Yep.
» Um so
again, I'm I'm trying to solve a problem
without having to go over the next step. And as far as
um wood trees in the village,
well, that tree shed enough cotton wood to see
that I pulled cotton wood exactly out of my
yard all year long. So
you don't have to you don't have to buy it cuz you got a
lot of wood shed. And community park, your trees down
there, I know pickleball people came up to our
park at Bicentennial because they couldn't play down there. It was
shedding so bad that they were getting it in their mouths and stuff.
All the rest. So and that's a nuisance.
That's not That's not
» Yeah. >> In In talking with um the arborist from
Save a Tree, he he also said the same thing that Charlie did that cottonwood
trees work uh a
along a similar cycle to what oak trees work when it comes to dropping acorns.
They work in they fluctuate every year. About every 5
years they have a max drop. And it could have been this could have been the worst
that it's been. Not saying that it's right or wrong. It's just they work in
cycles. Some years it's it's less than others. Um
And there's one other point that I wanted to make but I don't remember what
that was. So
I'll come back to that.
» I know during dry periods there's like no burn
orders that Does Is there ever a
something like that during cottonwood season or is that No.
Right. Yeah, that I mean Yeah, cigarette butts can light up all sorts of stuff.
Charlie was just giving us the timeline for the trees for those of you online
that it lines up with festival time when it
drops the seeds when there's the most traffic and most people in the area and
you know, kind of the highest risk time it seemed you know, that the
most traffic. Peak. Yes. Peak of the park lines up
with peak of the cottonwood.
So I guess it seems we don't have like a consideration. It's just cottonwood tree
update but it seems like consensus is definitely
add to the prohibited street tree list because that is like a no-cost
administrative
portion. Is that kind of Is it Are we understanding that right?
Doesn't >> Yeah, I mean it's a great place to
start. Put it on that list. That way in case someone does call and say it's a
nuisance, we can be like, "Well, it's on our prohibited tree list and this is how
we would take care of it." So, yeah. I'm
not sure if that gives us the ability to address a private tree.
Um that's where I think I mean we can definitely put it on the the the street
tree list, but we don't really have that problem. That's not where the problem
lies. The problem lies with the private trees. So, I think that's where if we're
looking to >> Yeah.
» I think we would have to do some sort of an ordinance adjustment.
» How does that work uh putting that in alignment with someone
that has like an unkempt yard, like long grass, stuff like that? I mean, could we
modify that ordinance or put it in with that?
» I believe that's the same nuisance nuisance ordinance.
» Nuisance >> ordinance. Um and that's where I would
have to just check with legal and and see what we can do there. So, if that's
the direction that you would like me to go, then I can come back to you in at
the during the September meeting and tell you what that looks like.
» Yep. Yep. >> So, direction that that I'm just to make
sure the direction that I'm hearing is investigate whether we can add that to
the current nuisance or what that would look like to make it
Are we looking to make it illegal? >> No, not a not a legal tree.
» A a cottonwood tree or how do we want >> It it's it's more of a nuisance. So,
like there's male trees and there's female trees and there's ones that have
that drop the the cotton and some that don't. So, it's got to be more of a
nuisance. If someone would call and complain, then it can be addressed.
» But then how are we addressing that? That's what That's what we need to You
know, it's like are we going to Are we going to require Is the village part of
this ordinance? Is the village going to require either that it be treated or
removed? Are would >> Is that are those the two options that
you guys are thinking? >> Yeah, cuz if if they want to keep their
tree then treat it. If they don't want their tree then remove it.
» So and and all that is based on a complaint driven. So just in this
example, Charlie comes to to me to us and says, here we go, then we then we
start taking taking a look at that tree. Is that what you guys are thinking? I
just want to make sure I'm clear. >> 100%.
» Jay? >> Yes.
» Yeah. And Penny or or Amy, anything to add?
» Um I'm a little Oh, is that me? I have an echo. Um okay,
just taking this to an extreme. What if my lovely neighbor has a tree and they
never rake and it's really dry and there's 5 in of leaves that might pose
maybe not as combustible but the same type of um nuisance. I mean
then what? Do we have to start really I mean this is one specific tree
but there are other trees that could cause the same type of situation. I just
want to be really careful that we don't you know, become this weird HOA type of
community where I'm going to complain and you have to treat and I don't know.
I'm just hesitant about jumping to that.
» Thanks, Penny. Um
Amy? Do you have any I just want to make sure
that we get everybody online that
wants to add in.
Um cuz it's yeah, it's I just want to make sure we get an opportunity for
everyone. I mean that that is um that is an interesting point because
different trees can pose, you know, different types
of hazards. Um, you know, things drop, things that
are poisonous for dogs or
Yeah, that that does kind of it opening up the door on
you know, what constitutes a hazard, I guess, is um
an interesting way to um to look at it.
But also recognizing that, you know, that
the fluff is quite um flammable.
I mean, we could take it to the village board and get, you know, them to
weigh in also and give us some
additional information or direction.
» Yeah, I I mean, the
That one. Yeah, sorry. I I I mean, the fluff is flammable, just like Penny
says. Everyone has trees, they all drop leaves. Leaves are flammable, too.
Um, but this is a little different, I think,
as far as cottonwoods go. We're trying to eliminate cottonwoods for reasons.
Um, and there's a way to treat them so that they don't drop their cotton.
Uh, every other tree that drops leaves, you can't treat them so they don't drop
their leaves. It's kind of a different situation. This is more of a
trying to put a leash on the cottonwood issue.
Uh And I don't think it would be like
people's leaves falling in their neighbor's property.
Uh, because there's actually an avenue to treat this as far as treating the
tree to eliminate the cotton. That's kind of the way I look at it.
It's kind of our next steps, um
we could have kind of a
ask the village board or report up to the village board and just see if they
have any feedback and ask
the legal team what that might look like in a ordinance and how much that might
cost. I don't know if we can authorize the cost for an ordinance or if that has
to go through public hearing at plan commission also. I'm not sure where it
lies in ordinance or if the village board I mean obviously the village board
would have to approve an ordinance change also.
» I guess to add to what I already saying I I would like to first hear the like
the legal piece of that and for them to be able to
share with us maybe addressing some of what Penny's
saying does that then apply to all these other things that could happen
that somebody could say, "Oh, you know, their dried grass because it's 4 ft tall
is flammable and you know." So I think to get some guidance from our
legal folk would be first step. I don't I feel
like the village board might have the same
kind of debate and discussion as we will and come to similar
kind of conclusions. So I feel like we're the park rec and forestry group
they want us to come up with a recommendation and I feel like we can do
that. Um so I but I would think I would first
just like to see what a legal Okay.
» Yeah, I I I feel the same way. >> Yeah, I feel like let's
let me tie this all together and um I can address the
the ordinance part of things in the memo as well and you know, present the whole
thing to the board. I think I feel like that they would just say the same thing
that let's get more information, you know, when it comes to that ordinance
part of things and and then
to at the village board meeting we will have legal present as well. So if
there's any outlying questions that happen, you know, during that discussion
they can chime in at that point. So, um if everybody's good with it, then that's
what I'll do. I'll get I'll just continue to get information on what that
ordinance looks like and what that entails and
you know, if they feel like this is a a good thing to try and force,
you know, to try and force through is is just see what their general
temperature is.
» Okay. Other direction for Shawn on next steps here.
Okay. All right. If nothing else, then it looks like we'll get some more
information again and and
it's good it's a spring treatment um time frame cuz we have some more time to
figure out how this um might look for us.
Yeah. Thank you, Charlie. Anything else on this item?
All right. Then we can move to uh Shady Grove Park update.
» Yeah, Shady Grove is done uh with the exception of we're still working through
some electrical things um just to get power
into the shelter and then power to the AED. There is currently not an AED in
there yet, but that's because we we don't have power in there. That that
that that will be addressed here in the next week or so and so then the park
will be completely finished and ready to roll. So, we're in a good spot.
Happy that this one's done. >> I drove by the other day and there were
about four families there playing, so it's great. Um questions for Shawn on
Shady Grove Park.
All right. Then we'll keep moving to the Juniper Fields Parkland update.
» So, had some initial discussion with uh Strand and Blake from Park Architecture
um for the Juniper Fields and um it it's looking like we will
yeah, the September meeting, Blake will be here and we'll start to talk about
how that lays out and what we like with that. So, he was pretty encouraged by
what was there um and what they designed kind of we want to maybe tweak some
spots and maybe try and extend some some green space as much as we can into the
hill kind of over by the pool, but um overall I think we're in a we're in a
great place. So, something to look forward to for
that budget meeting which will be in September, but we'll we'll bring Blake
in and and kind of hammer that out.
» Great questions on the Juniper Fields Parkland.
All right, then we'll keep going um item eight discuss and consider Outlot five
signage. There are a couple of mock-ups and quote estimate in the packet.
» Yeah, just let me pull that up quick so I can
share the renderings with you.
Okay, I think Amy's on too, but we talked about this a little bit at
previous meetings and um let me just share, hopefully,
share the two items that we came up with.
There we go.
Okay, so this was the first option. Um
I don't know if I can make this any bigger.
Um let me let me Can I clarify, Shawn, is that the one that's considered the
larger sign? >> Yes. Let me let me let me do the let me
try this real quick to get you a better picture.
» While he's doing that, I'll just say that um um
the verbage that's being used on the sign is something that I put together
based on what I found through the historical society, what I know, you
know, personally and from the neighbors in that neighborhood,
um and I tried to make it something that A,
Shawn and I discussed how the sign should look so that it looks like other
signs, you know, in our village, but also um I wanted to make sure that it
touched on the history of Cottage Grove and more specifically the Fading Horse
Farm that was there, but also touched on the conservancy and the different
wildlife that we have here in the village and
you know, that makes their home in that area.
» So, as you can see in your screen, this is
the larger of the two signs. I'll just show you quickly the smaller.
Um I really really I think Amy did a great job with this and I really like
how this particular sign lays out um in comparison. It's a bigger sign, so this
this sign would be um in size compare comparison to uh the one at Bakken Park
or our larger parks, our larger park signs. We have two different size signs.
Take uh Red Hawk, that is that is more like it's even it's a little bit smaller
than that, but um the one that I like is is it's going to be the larger sign. And
I just think it laid out really well. I like the colors.
Um one thing I just want to make sure we're okay with Horseshoe Park um in
calling it that, um
but also just looking for a recommendation. Uh I did put the two the
two costs in there. Um let me pull that up. I don't remember what that was off
the top of my head. >> 1,800 and 2,200.
» Yeah, 1,800. Yeah.
So. >> And Horseshoe Park obviously is an odd
to the Fading Horse Farm, but also where that Outlot is specifically is the shape
of a horseshoe.
That does work out perfectly. >> Do you want a motion, Shawn?
» Yeah, just Uh, the smaller sign is 18 18. The
larger sign is 21 93. Just so that that's
» Yeah, they're they're pretty comparable in price, but I like the layout of the
larger sign. It's easier to read from from the road.
So, my motion would be to go with the larger sign.
» Second. >> Motion motion and second. Um, further
discussion. Um, what does the
budget look like for that? Or I think maybe some people might have been
interested in contributing or how does it look?
Um. Or would this be something that we'd
build into the budget for next year and install next year? I guess is
» Those are the two options. Yeah, I currently I don't have $2,000 laying
around to do this right now. Um, I thought there was some talk of possibly
donations, but if we don't have that this year and and if we if we purchase
it we're looking at about 8 weeks to get it. So, either
we try and do it in donations or it is a budget proposal for for next year, which
I don't think that a $2,000 budget proposal is going to be a big deal.
» Do we want to add on to the motion or just give Shawn direction from
here on how we want to work work on it?
» Do the Amy, is has there been any push for conversations about donations
for the sign?
» Um, I do have a neighbor that is willing to
um donate some money. I was not sure on the pricing of the signs.
Um so I can't I can't give you a dollar
amount, but I think that they would throw in a good amount
toward that. So
» Yeah. >> Um even if we could get half of it
I I haven't posed it to the neighborhood yet because we hadn't
chosen the sign, but I feel like there would be people in that neighborhood
willing to donate. I could be wrong, but I know for sure
one of them has agreed to yes. >> Yeah, I mean I'm one of your neighbors
and I probably would donate like 500 bucks to this
um just because it is really nice. Uh but knocking on people's doors, I'm
sure we would we would get donations, but if we sit on our heels the village
will pay for it next year, so. Kind kind of the way to look at it.
Can Can you remind me and then the other thing was I I forget where we were going
to place this. >> Yeah, I don't think we came up with an
exact location, but I believe inside the sidewalk.
Um just inside the sidewalk is where what I would recommend, you know, a few
feet off so somebody doesn't hit it on a bike or scooter, but then also not so
far in that it obstructs the green space.
And I would rather not put it on the between the sidewalk and the curb.
That's just it's more likely to be damaged, snow plow, whatever in there,
so. That's That would be what my thought
would be. Somewhere kind of Amy, I don't know if you thought differently, but I
thought like somewhere right smack dab in the middle, you know, between the two
houses on the on each side of it. Um
that's what I envisioned. >> Between the
Oh, no. Cuz I thought when you and I first
talked I don't think that's a good place only
because there's so many kids that go there and play
they have running baseball games there and kickball games. And so that would be
kind of in where they play. So I was thinking more toward the curve.
» I think we're we're talking about the same thing, but I just I'll bring it up
here quick. >> Okay.
» Just so that everyone >> Probably cuz I know you and I went over
it and you put it where I would have put it.
Maybe that is more toward the middle. >> Yeah.
» it is kind of toward the
I think they got it. >> I I don't know if we can place it
between the curb and the sidewalk. Then it would be an obstruction if a car
would hit it. >> No, the curve c u r v e
curve curve on the curve on the on the turn on the
» Yeah, right where that cursor is. >> Yeah, and I the A you what I was say I
don't know if you can see my cursor, but I was thinking like somewhere
» Yep. >> in this area here. So it'd be between
the between the sidewalk and the trees. So not on the in the park row or in the
terrace. You know, somewhere in this vicinity right here. It is a single
sided sign, so it would be facing the street as opposed to you know,
perpendicular to the street. So that's kind of the location that I was
» what I That's exactly what I was thinking. Right there is I was saying
curve not curb. >> Yep.
» c u r v e, so yes, on the curve. Yes. Yep.
» So do now that we've kind of picked a design and is it everybody is good with
the >> We can vote on that.
» Oh, we haven't voted yet. >> Right, we haven't voted on that part. Do
we want to add something for the for the budget to that motion?
» a question? >> Oh, yes, Penny, go ahead.
» Okay, so excuse my ignorance. I have not been to this Dayton Natural Area, but
what you're showing on screen, do people go in there and walk around?
Is that true? Is are there paths and things for people to walk?
» No, there's there's an ATC clearance. It is not a path. There's not paths back
there. That is a That is incorrect.
» So my question then is
naming it Horseshoe Park to me park suggests a place that I can go
and do park things. Um
I love the nod to the Horseshoe. I think that part is awesome, but I'm just
thrown a little bit by the park. And again, I haven't been into this
wonderful area, so >> Horseshoe open space. I I mean it is
people use it as an open space park. Like they play, like I said,
pick up kickball games and they've go and hit some golf balls and
they I don't know. We We fly kites out there.
» And people do use it for recreation then.
» Yeah. >> It's good.
» Yep. >> I think and just to clarify Penny your
question that it's the part that's mowed or the green space
is like the park area, but the conservancy is like 20 acres, right?
It's like that whole big area behind that that that's not really accessible.
» Yeah.
» Yeah, this this whole area, if you can see my cursor, this whole area is
considered Dayton and it is dedicated parkland. So in our in our parks and
open space plan it is even outlot five is considered parkland. So we could call
it a park if we can call it whatever you want, but we could rightfully call it a
park. >> And so maybe I don't know if you were
thinking this maybe I'm assuming this Penny, but what you're saying is if we
name it a park, it's a park and people are in it
that's okay. And that they can use it somehow.
Is that where you're kind of going or am I reading into that?
Like if I I to start walking back in that 20 acres I can do that because it
says it's a park.
» I might be confused if I looked at the list of Cottage Grove parks and I went
there and where's but Again, I'm not familiar. This is I know
um you know
this is a a project that Amy is driving and Kevin lives by it.
I'm just not familiar enough with the with the acreage to know
if park's a good name for it or not.
» Yeah, I mean from what I understand it's it's a Faden I mean it's a park but it's
more a natural area. Um you know, is park the right word for
it? I don't know. Is natural area a better word for it? Horseshoe natural
area? It's a lot of lot of verbage. Calling it
a park is fine. I mean we have multi we have multi-use spaces.
» I'm sorry, Kevin. >> Yeah, no, it's fine.
Yeah, we have multi-use spaces and this is just one giant multi-use space for
the kids in the neighborhood to play ball or frisbee or whatever.
» It's if you imagine like
like a kickball field that's the size that that general area
is. That's the widest area. And so like I said
you know people go there and hit golf balls, they go there and fly kites and
but it's only that one space.
Like it doesn't it's not it's big enough for a kickball field, it's not big
enough for anything else. You can't play kickball and fly a kite.
Um it's just an open space but that whole
area is called Faden Natural Area. And Faden Natural Area runs from
you know, the post office to Outlot 5 all the way down to
um Overby uh Taylor Prairie Taylor Prairie School,
yeah. I mean, it's it's that whole area. So, Outlot 5 is one
lot within Faden Natural Area. >> So, would it would To me, it makes
better sense to call it Faden Conservancy.
Um part I believe, you know, part of all of this process is to maybe
take Faden out of everyone's thought process as to something that's
developable if that's a correct way to say that. So, to me, if we if we call it
Faden Conservancy it that to me, that just means like it
is what it is and this is what it's going to be. I don't disagree with
Penny. If we start calling it a park, do do people then expect us to treat it
more like a park and develop it like >> So, then it would it Yeah, so then it
could be Faden Conservancy and Horseshoe Natural Area.
» Yeah, I think we definitely don't want to give the impression that people
should come and hike through all of these woods.
Cuz we're not Yeah. That's kind of what we were trying to
avoid a little bit. >> Right.
» Well, although it does say on the sign something, "Please keep to the open
space." >> Okay, that's a
that is a good Yeah, if we can pair the naming with
that the I think >> Yeah.
» Or enforce it, yeah. >> Or if you can somehow think we're just
renaming Outlot 5. It's not going to be called Outlot 5. It's going to be called
something else, and that might be Horseshoe Park.
Because if we say Faden Conservancy, then that's the whole area. Where if we
say Horseshoe Park, it's just the area that's mowed.
But I mean, as far as a park, we don't really have There's no
we don't have to develop park parkland. We can just kind of leave it, too. So.
» We can. It's just more about the about the appearance of what that's going to
be. And it would even if we were to develop it, Outlot 5
would be part of the park. So, I think we could call the overall area Staden
Conservancy and call it good.
You know, if everybody's okay with that. Amy?
» I'm fine with that. >> I'm fine with that, too. Can I just One
more thing. Um what do we call the woods behind the composting site?
» Oaken Gate. >> Is it called what?
Oaken Gate Park or just >> It is Oaken Gate Park. Yeah.
» Okay. So, we do name that up there. Nobody That's not something that we do
anything with other than >> Yep.
The only difference is that in my mind would be the availability
the the availability to develop Oaken Gate. We can't really develop because
it's all trees. Staden, we could develop that if we wanted to. So, that's why I
like I like the conservancy part of things. And if you guys are good with
that, then I can I can have them redo the proof and we can I can bring that
back in September. We can talk about that and then maybe between now and
September Amy can have an idea of what we're looking you know, what we might
have donated for that and make a decision as to purchasing this year or
next year. >> Good compromise. I like it.
» One thing on the sign, I was wondering if
someone wanted to donate, do we Like I've seen in other places like a
little plaque that says this bench was from this family. Like, is that
something that we would want to put on the bottom of the sign? Like
» Yeah. >> Like the the Murphy family or
» Yeah. They do a really nice job of we could
create like a a another hanging sign off of the bottom.
And then that could be you know sign donated by and you know whoever is on
there would be memorialized. Yeah, since this is a
one-sided sign you could just put a plaque on the backside of it too.
Yeah. I like that I mean if we're going to do
it I like the idea of making sure that people can see that as well. You know so
let's let's memorialize the donors and get them out there for if that's what
we're going to do. So I can I I will add that it'll probably increase the cost a
little bit but I will add have them add a donor panel to that a small donor
panel. Like do we have any idea how how many people we think would be on
there? Like that cuz that's going to decide the size of that sign.
I mean we Amy do you think we're talking a handful excuse me a handful of
families or 30 families? >> I can't that would donate.
» Yeah. >> I can't honestly answer that. I only
know of the one and you probably know who I'm
talking about that specifically said >> Sure.
» that he would donate a good chunk of it.
» Well >> So again that was before I knew I think
I threw out like $1,200 to him because I did not have any idea what the
sign would cost but I figured it would at least cost that. So
» Six thousand >> know. It has It has only been
discussed in like what ifs at this point.
» So >> But the last time I went to that
particular guy he specifically said yes I'm still in.
» So I think that um
I don't think it's going to change the cost significantly but maybe between now
and um the next one the next meeting we can
figure out who those people might be and then I can get you know Amy if you can
do that in the next couple weeks, um you know, just whoever's interested, and
tell me who that is, I can just I can have that sign created
uh along with the proof pretty pretty quickly.
» So,
» So, it might be um partially village, partially donation-funded, so then that
would be built into next year's budget, kind of installation in the spring. Is
that kind of a timeline that we think could be
» depending on what what is if we how many funds we collect donate I mean, that I
could have some some enough money left over in the budget to do it this year
depending on how that looks. And I will 100% know that
after we decide what, you know, if we have any donors.
» Okay, so it looks like we have enough direction on the funding, um and we have
a motion and second to approve the sign. We did make the slight change in
Conservancy. Um
Is there other any other things that I didn't capture in that, or are we any
other comments or questions before we take a vote?
All right, hearing none, all those in favor of the signage, say I.
» I. >> I.
» I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carries. Thank you for
the work on that, Amy and Sean. >> Amy did it all.
Not all of it, most of it. >> And that historical
» I did it. Yep.
The Historical Society, um Paula Sieversen helped uh get me in
touch with people through the historical society, but yes, there were
I love the praise, but I didn't do it alone.
» All right, great. Thank you. Um item nine then is discuss uh
Fireman's Park master plan, which um there is another memo in the packet.
Um There's some some various things we have
to consider when looking at this park. So, Shawn, if you want to
go over that memo. >> Yeah.
Um again, another lengthy memo, not quite
as bad as the first one. Um during the festival, we with help we kind of
noticed that the driveway
road going through the the park is in pretty bad shape and it's really kind of
starting to heave in spots. So, rather than just look at
fixing those individual spots, I just wanted the committee's thoughts on do we
want to look at a bigger picture when it comes to Fireman's Park. And so, I I
kind of gave you a few options here. Um
so, the memo outlines uh addressing the condition of the driveway that runs
through the park. Um it's kind of it's definitely outlived its useful life and
we should consider whether the appropriate approach is to repair,
um completely replace the driveway or take the opportunity to
overall look at the park. Um so, option one is evaluate and repair, replace the
worst sections. So, we would we would look at look at what's there
the overall all of the driveway and identify the
sections that were the worst in the poorest conditions and only only those
areas in dire need of repair or replacement would be addressed.
Um obviously, this would be the least
expensive the least expensive option and it would extend the useful life of the
driveway without making a significant investment. Um however, this approach
does not address underlying conditions the entire of the entire driveway or
provide opportunity to make broader improvements. So, one of the underlying
conditions that we deal with is the waterline that goes through there. It's
extremely low. It's only six
maybe a foot maybe a foot down below. Um it's not it's not in great shape and
so that would be something that we wouldn't address in in this.
Um, option two um uh the exi- the existing driveway
would be would be removed and replaced in its
entirety. As part of that project, we would also recommend addressing related
infrastructure needs including storm water management, ADA compliance, and
improvements to the existing water service.
Um, it's a larger investment um than than repairing only the worst sections,
um but it would provide a long-term solution and allow the village to
address several infrastructure needs at the same time.
And option three is just doing a master plan. Um, just kind of really looking at
the park. There aren't We don't have a ton of options there. Um, in things that
we could do. Um, one that I that I really liked and I
kind of spelled that out as option three um would be to re- relocate the
concession stand, the restroom concession
um area, create kind of like a two-story press box facility,
um and we we we could move that to where the current red shed is.
Okay? So, remove the red shed from that area and then relocate that red shed
somewhere closer to the vicinity of where the
existing um existing hamburger stand is. So, whether
that be right in that location or maybe you know, it could be down the tree line
a little bit closer. All that all that's up to be decided. Um, but the good thing
about that is is that we could reuse that building. So, it could be
disassembled and then reassembled um in a different location. Obviously,
we need new concrete to put down there, but um you know, I I we don't like the
flow of what that provides right now, but it was the only option obviously
when it was built. So, putting that our storage facility kind of right in the
middle of the ball park and right in the middle of all the traffic areas isn't
optimal, but um
it's it's it's just what we have to deal with. So, if we were to go that route,
those would be the the the changes that I would suggest.
Um don't have costs on any of this stuff
cuz I wanted to get your your guys's opinion on this before we moved moved
anything forward. And this could possibly, depending on the direction we
go, it's either a budget proposal in the in the simplest form if we just take
care of the problem areas for next year, or it's a bigger picture item if we go
option three and go, you know, like and where that fits into the financial
management plan, I can't tell you that. So,
um ultimately, uh I just wanted to get your your thoughts on this and which
direction you guys would like me to move.
» And >> before anybody jumps in, option three,
that is just It was just something that I pulled out that we're not locked into
anything. I mean, there could we if if option three is what you wanted, we
would definitely investigate this further and make sure that that was, you
know, the direction that we wanted to go. In
um in talking with Blake, he kind of looked at the overall park and, you
know, the farther we get line shelter, nothing that we need to do there. The
shelter's in great shape. It's old, but it's in it's in really sound shape. And,
you know, I wouldn't Moving the playground uh we we like the playground
where that's at. So, rest of the park I I I think I don't think we'd touch.
That's all I got.
» Okay.
Uh did you think to talk to the festival chair and see if any of these ideas
would be intrusive to the festival? >> Negative.
» No. Um
the sh- the shed is is nice where it is cuz it's kind of in the back corner.
At some point, the hamburger stand's going to have to get replaced.
Um when that happens, does it need to be
there? Uh there were talks of taking the
Oldtimers Pavilion and leveling that and building something nicer there,
something like what we had at Bakken Park.
Um, two-story so that people can kind of observe the field and stuff like that.
Issue, Fireman's Park is called Fireman's Park
because the fire department owned it. Years ago it was donated to the village
for a dollar in lieu of maintenance and repairs.
Uh, as far as the Fireman's Festival goes,
it used to be this great big thing and it's had to shrink over time because of
things that were done in this committee. I'm fortunate enough to say and I don't
want to get on that soapbox and reap it, but we used to have a old-fashioned
horse pull for almost 60 years and we can't have it anymore because there's a
retention pond where the horse pull was. Um,
talking about leveling the shelter, talking about moving a shed and putting
it right where our beer tent is. Uh, I don't like talking about it until
the festival's done. Uh, the thing that we need to do for
safety's sake is to repair the sections that are damaged. It would be nice just
to replace all the asphalt. And then, who knows, 5 10 years from now
when the festival's over, if it is over at that time,
to look at building a bigger or larger shelter and putting it closer to the
field. Uh, maybe looking at paving that whole area back there where the beer
tent goes for parking, something like that.
Uh, but like I'm tasked with carrying the festival for the next five years and
who knows, someone might want to pick it up after that. Um, I got five more
years, we'll get it get it to 100, but I really want Cottage Grove to retain the
ability to keep a festival going. Uh, and then moving the moving the food
shelter or the food stand on the back side of the backstop,
people are going to have to walk from where the beer tent is all the way over
to the far corner to get any food. It's I'm I'm not for it.
I I would like to see the asphalt fixed at minimum and maybe the driveway redone
at best. But as far as a master plan goes, I don't know how you talk about
that uh until after the festival's done.
» I think it's very valuable that you're on this committee coming because I think
uh having that perspective and that area is
really important. So, I appreciate your um
you're being on the committee and uh
because we like to I mean, that's exactly why this is on the agenda so we
can talk about um you know, what we want to make the right Yeah.
right um decision for all the users of the park. So, I think um you know,
that's why it's here so we can talk about it. So, thank you.
Other thoughts?
» So, I was when I read it, Sean, thanks for providing us with that.
Um you know, obviously cost and I don't
know what and this is we're talking about for next year, right?
» Correct. >> Um
» Correct. >> So, you'd have to get the TBDs to be
actual dollar amounts for us to consider what direction we want to go with that.
» Correct. Um
you know, so my first thought was you know, number two because if you you
know, all of that stuff needs to be done anyway and it's you know, it feels like
that you know, obviously option one is the
the cheaper route, but it it's going to be needing to be readdressed sooner than
later the rest of the pieces found in option two. Is that fair to say?
» Yes. >> So, I just rather
do that if if it's somewhat cost effective to do
that. So, that was my thought. I was >> Option I'm sorry, Jay. Option two?
» Okay. >> Um and then
the only other thing I had was for as long as I've been on here, I've
heard about the hamburger stand and how it's fallen apart and it wiring is
unsafe and it's not ADA accessible and at some point I think we need to
move that forward sooner than later. Um
but that
doesn't have to be in this option. >> And I think we can we can select more
than one option here, too. >> Right. I was just going to say I'm
trying to come up with a variation. >> Yeah. So, I mean, whether that's option
one or we just And so, just I just today um
looking at option one, what we're I just got this from Kyla, we're looking at
roughly 35,000 to replace the There's two
» So, that's significant. >> two large areas. So, 35,000 to replace
that. And again, that is just fixing the blacktop that that is there. Um option
two we'll have to dive into that cuz that's obviously under some underground
stuff. Um and and we can and we can do either option one or option two and
still look at master planning option three because again, this has to be
inserted, you know, this is likely a very high dollar amount. Um so, this
would need to be inserted in the finan- financial management plan. And right
now, I think, you know, just for example, I think the Heidi you can help
with this, but I think the community park shelter isn't has been punted until
like 2030. So, you know, where this is going to
fall into that plan, you know, we could be talking 20 years before this actually
gets funded. Um to So, obviously the the the quickest fix is to
do either one or two. >> Yep.
» And two, you know, if if one is 35,000, two's got to be
» Double that. >> double at least.
» Okay. >> Um and that's
And again, I can investigate that and we can look at what that looks like. It's
going to take probably some money to do that to get Strand involved and really
look at, you know, are we talking about curbing and you know, what are we what
are we all or we or you know, would be included in in doing the infrastructure
stuff. So again, absolutely get a better price for that.
» Right. And if we're adding curbing and things like then that's going to be
storm water calculations and um
» Yeah, I mean I like to um
because we're getting a lot more done, but I honestly think doing just the
option one would be better. Cuz if we start doing curbing and then
have to do storm water retention and all these other things
» It's a lot of money. >> it's going to take up the space that the
festival uses as far as the beer tents go. As far as where the fencing goes,
where the rides go, where where everything
we we put a lot into a small area now since we lost that whole area across the
street. Uh and I I I liked I like seeing the pickleball courts over there. I like
seeing the tennis courts. I like seeing that park finished. But it does squeeze
us into the kind of the area that we use. So squeezing us even more with
um something that's going to be impossible. It's going to end up killing
the festival and I don't want it to do that.
Um we we just want the asphalt fixed,
honestly.
» And the Yeah, the the intention it's not the
intention of any of this to affect the festival. One one iota.
Um I did have a conversation with the the fire chiefs just about whether we
need even need that through road through there, whether that needs to be there.
Um and according to the the fire chiefs it does need to be there. And and I'm
not 100% sure, but it some of it is that it's platted
that there's a street through there. So, if you go on Google, it says it's a
complete through street. So, there could be
you know, the village could replat that and that might change things, but right
now it is considered a through street there. So,
um Yeah,
again, just options in what we're doing. Option three is the pie in the sky type
of a scenario and obviously several years down the road. What the only
difference between two and three or one and two is how much are we going to
stick into the infrastructure underground and does that affect option
three? You know, because we've stuck let's just
say $100,000 into this and then if we decide down the road to move it and do
things different, have we wasted that money? I don't think that we have, but
it's just what I want you guys to think about.
» Thanks, Shawn. So, it kind of looks like maybe we need to just firm up option
one's cost. Yeah.
» Do we Do you want me to investigate option two's cost? So, that would be
replacing all of it um and then doing some infrastructure
improvements as well.
» I mean, maybe if Strand I don't want Strand to spend a whole time a lot of
time on it initially. Like, do they think we'd need to make
more storm water retention just like a very high level general like if we
really do all of this, are we going to have to make more ponds? Is it going to
like significantly affect the footprint of what we have currently? I I guess
that might just be interesting information to know before they do like
a whole deep dive into like real hard costs.
» And I think that we can get general answers from either just Kyla on that.
Like, are we talking an additional storm water pond for this? I can't believe
that we are because we're not we're not adding any impervious surface
to it. Um right now any water that collects just runs off to the side. So,
they would push it through a you know a storm sewer likely. I'm not a storm
person storm water person but likely into the pond that is already there.
But, I think I can get some answers on that and general numbers without a whole
lot of cost any cost being incurred. So, if that's if you guys are good then
do you want do you want to insert a master plan into the overall picture?
Not that we have to make that decision now but do you want me to investigate
that for the future that you know maybe next year we at budget time or financial
management plan time we we insert that into it or do you want to just leave
that alone completely for now? >> I would be okay talking to you about it
as far as the festival aspects go so that we don't
kill the festival. And Kevin, that's never that's never a
part of this. >> I No, no, no, no. You've said that like
three times now and I do I I just want to be clear that nothing is going to
happen down there without approval of everybody involved.
» I I fully understand but if a shed gets put where the beer tent goes, if the
hamburger stand gets removed and moved down closer to the backstop, it all
affects the festival. So, just so I'm saying that.
» Um maybe in the interim it might be I don't know if we can
if we should put it on an agenda or if it's just asking like um outreach to the
stakeholders in the So, we got fire and festival and hometown and MG baseball
like kind of the stakeholders of the park.
Um maybe >> Hm? Pickleball group that was part of
the park. >> Right. Across the street but
um kind of get those
um stakeholders together to see if there's like cuz that I mean
like I've heard the hamburger stand situation has been talked about forever,
and so by not investigating how much it's going to
cost, we're just going to keep talking about how
it's like needs to be replaced. So
» Well, I can tell you right now that it's working
fine enough for festival. But I I would like to see something
nicer like what we have at Backen Park.
But we have to be careful at how we do that and when we do it so that we don't
remove something and leave something not there when festival happens.
Or if we put a date on it are people going to think that's going to be the
end of festival? So we just got to be careful.
» Right, and you know, MG baseball, too. We don't want to be doing something like
right in the middle of their season and um
and what their needs are if they wanted to contribute some portion for what, you
know, if they needed some extra space on it that
it would just be interesting to hear from stakeholders like how how we can
recommend to the village board when to put in anything any funding toward that
if if they would like to. I don't I guess get their input and bring it back
to us and we can help pass a recommendation and
up if we want to add something to the next
financial management plan, but in the meantime, it seems like just doing this
necessary driveway work is kind of >> Yeah, we we just wanted the asphalt
fixed. This does not have to be an opportunity to make a master plan.
And on the flip side of that, I don't want to just fix it and not have people
have an opportunity to look about look at other changes. So, I you know, I
don't disagree with that at all and and great point about the stakeholders
um and and getting you know, if we were to
go to the master plan level, absolutely would I would include MG into that and
as well as all the chiefs that were in there. So, we wouldn't do anything you
know, like in the master plan wouldn't be a master plan until it's approved by
all of the folks that are involved. And I just yeah, to get something out of the
district I you know, I don't know that that's going to happen, but we I I would
definitely want to ask them because uh like Kevin Connor, you know, he want
he wanted to see like a uh a locker room space so that the kids
could shower and change and things like that and you know, that's a huge
building as opposed to just a concession stand, you know, with with a few
bathrooms or whatever. So, um I think we can you know, we can do one or two and
still look at three down the road. You know, if that's what you want to do. If
you don't want to even look at a master plan, we don't have we don't even have
to address that. I just wanted you guys to have the all the thought you know, as
many thought processes as we could before we
put money into something.
So, am I hearing um
investigate option two more and just see what that looks like
uh an approximate cost with option two? I mean, we know roughly
option one is a roughly 35,000 to replace a couple of those really bad
spots, but then we're you know, we throw in the infrastructure that's going to
change that. So, is that what I'm hearing? Check on two.
» Yes, I think >> Okay.
» Heidi said it well is that there's no cost
» Right. >> associated with that. So, that's
important. And so, just yeah, let's see and I think it is important to maybe
back to Kevin's point to learn is like, oh, you're going to need to put in
retention ponds and things like that. Um you know, that
that's a little bit more involved than just replacing the asphalt and I would
then probably lean just towards doing replacing the asphalt, but
good to have the information.
» You think you'll be able to have that for budget so we can consider adding
that? Okay, great. >> I think we can.
I definitely, yep. >> Okay.
» I see no reason why we can't I I can't have that for budget time.
» Great. Thank you. Any other thoughts on um
on then Fireman's Park?
All right, then uh we'll move to item 10, director's report.
» All right, cool. Um fall winter guide is out now.
Um new classes, special events, and department information there. So, if you
haven't had a chance to download that, please do.
Um our flag football unfortunately has started. It's all good
and bad at the same time cuz I mean summer's over, but
um that's where we got 15 15 teams um with grades K through eight. We got a
few young ladies playing this year, not as much as not as many as I'd like to
see, but we are getting some more um participation
um from girls in our flag football program. Um
we've added some new enrichment classes this fall for both adults and youths
youths. Did I just say youth? Youths.
Um we're we're trying out a a company called Kid
um Sci or excuse me, Club Sci Kids, which will be offering uh geology,
fossils, and rocks at Granite Ridge. And we're we're going to be doing some 3D
printing offerings at Glacial Drumlin. So, we're we're excited to to do some
new opportunities and those are definitely areas that we are not
covering right now. Um we added three classes for our watercolor with Betty,
which that that was just amazing. The first one filled immediately and we had
a waitlist um and interest and that continues to grow. So, we actually when
I left we were doing a watercolor class at at MSB now.
Um, we've also partnered with um, Lindsey at
Expressively You in Deerfield do offer some monthly canvas painting classes and
some pop-up art programs. Um, back by popular demand is our puzzle
exchange competition. Um, we're partnering with the puzzle
company for an event um, with the theme being I love Wisconsin. So, dress in
your favorite Wisco team swag gear, whatever thing cheese heads and badger
colors. So, more information on when that date is. Um, we just uh, last week
we had our fourth annual community night out. Um, was a was a good big success.
We had incredible wea- weather. Um, with good vendors there cotton candy
and more. Um, chamber helped us a ton with that so we appreciate their work
and con- continued support from Rugby for hosting the movie again this year.
So, this year I don't know if you're down there but we put the movie um, on
the competition side so on the east side east field and folks were able to sit in
the bleachers and watch the movie from there or they could sit on the field as
well. So, we had a good turnout. Um, tomorrow night Rockin' and Bockin'
um, Nirvana. We got um, sponsored thankfully from Lauf and Berg
Lawn Care as well as Strand. Um, it's the band is Nirvana. So, it's a
90s cover band. So, hopefully, you know, Jay will don some um, some flannel and
um, get down there. Music is from 6:00 to 8:00. It's supposed to be a beautiful
night. Um, we got food like five food trucks are scheduled to be there. We'll
see actually how many show up. Um, and then the Lions Club will be there
selling malt beverages. Um, so we're excited for that tomorrow
night. That that should be a lot of fun. Wear your flannel. Heidi, you got lots
of flannel? >> Yep.
» Yep. Okay. Um,
on the park side um, staff has been helping with uh, helping James and doing
some pruning and clean up, aerating and overseeding our sports field. Um we've
had some irrigation head issues that we've been taking care of, creating the
flag football fields, um doing some tree watering at Shady
Grove, and then also we I don't know I think I may have told you about we there
was a commercial shot at Backen Park at the Wheels Park
um two or three weeks ago.
Um they were shooting a commercial for hacky sack, believe it or not.
Um so we kind of cleaned things up and we got rid of some the wood chips that
were in the entrance area and we put stone in there because that's just a
it's a huge maintenance issue, but um James has been out uh doing a lot of
pruning throughout the village. We got a an
extensive list from the post office about trees that are hitting postal
vehicles, and so we're kind of trying to attack some of that stuff.
And we're kind of getting ready to get cranked up for the winter when we when
we're really out doing a whole ton of pruning.
I think that's all I got for now.
» Not going on. Thanks, Shawn. Any questions for Shawn on his report?
All right. And then we'll move to item 11, future agenda items. So we'll have
um Juniper Fields Parkland, and we'll have budget.
Does that kind of sum up major items?
» Uh we'll have the sign, uh Zayden sign. We'll bring that one
back. And then was there one other one? >> Oh, the cottonwood tree.
» Cottonwood tree, yep. >> Yep. So cottonwood legal
things about that. Um Anyone else have anything else for next
agenda?
All right. Then uh we'll be back uh to our regular schedule um
Thursday, September 24th.
All right. If there's nothing else then all we have left is item 12.
» Motion to adjourn.
» I'll second. >> Motion and second to adjourn. That's
non-debatable. All those in favor say aye.
» Aye. >> Aye.
» Aye. >> Thanks so much everybody for the good
conversation this evening. I appreciate it. Hopefully, we'll see you tomorrow at
back in.
» Recording stopped.