Superior Chronicle -- Parks and Recreation

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - Eric Lytwyniuk called the Recreation/Cultural/Life Enrichment Committee to order yesterday evening at 6:00 PM. The meeting was held in the Women's Club Room on the second floor of the Memorial Building.

New member Kathy Dishaw was scheduled to be sworn into office, however, she was out of town and didn't receive notice of the meeting in time to attend. She was excused from her first meeting, however.

Community Development Director Dan Petersen called roll. Attending the meeting were: Sam Davey, Annette Burchell, Eric Lytwyniuk, Laura Thomas, and John Wyssling. Kathy Dishaw was excused. David Piete, Scott Stephens, and Marion True were absent. City staff present at the meeting included Dan Petersen and City Manager Scott Erickson. Representing the media were Chronicle photographer Alan Traczyk and yours truly.

The June 02, 2008 minutes were approved, and the discussion notes of the July 07, 2008 meeting that failed to draw a quorum were put on file. After a few additions were made to the agenda, it was unanimously approved by the Committee.

Trail Update - Dan Petersen announced that, after a very successful work bee on Saturday, from about 10:00 AM until about 2:30 PM, the hiking trail around the Riverside Cemetery is basically complete. There is a small amount of brushing that needs to be done on the southern end of the trail, according to Sam Davey, but other than that, the trail is completely brushed.

Once the new signs for the trail are finished, another work bee will be held to erect them. Dan Petersen told the Committee that he will contact the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Tourist Information Center to let them know about the trail, and he would see that maps were dropped off for anyone wishing to hike through the trail.

Sam Davey suggested that spray-painted arrows be used as a temporary measure until the signs are completed.

Laura Thomas told the Committee that she was impressed by the wonderful job everybody did to make the hiking trail a reality. She said considering how much red tape and hurdles that had to be jumped, it was impressive how quickly the trail was established.

Davey told the Committee that a letter has been sent to Xcel Energy to get permission to continue the trail through the "caves." This will be marked as a hiking and snowshoeing trail he said. The "caves" trail would then be tied into the Cemetery trail and that would complete Phase I of the trail project.

Annette Burchell asked if she could send out letters thanking everybody that participated in Saturday's work bee. She thanked Scott Erickson and Dan Petersen, as City employees, for taking the time to help out with clearing the trail. Both Scott and Dan said they were happy to lend a hand, they had fun, and they both said the trail is an asset to the community.

Petersen told the Committee that he has been busy trying to contact land owners along Phase II of the trail. He has been asking for permission to establish the trail with the cooperation of these private land owners. He said he has been in contact with two of the largest land-owners along the trail, one from East Lansing and the other from the Chicago area. The Chicago property owner was initially enthused believing that the City was interested in establishing a snowmobile trail through his property. His enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment, however, when he realized the City was working towards establishing a non-motorized trail. He told Petersen that he wanted to find a "legal route" that lead to the Wisconsin trails from his property.

Petersen told the Committee that the Chicago land owner would be in town on August 11, 2008 and he was going to meet with him on the matter. Petersen invited Committee members to attend the meeting if they desired. Petersen told the Committee that the property owner seemed to be agreeable to allowing an easement on his land, but he wanted to get more information. The man owns government lots one, two and three along the proposed trail.

Sam Davey explained to the Committee that, at one time, snowmobiles were permitted on almost every City street in town, provided you were going from your house to a designated trail. He suggested that a similar policy be examined once again.

Name Change - The Committee unanimously agreed that a name change to "Parks and Recreation Committee" (PRC) was in order. A recommendation must now be sent to the Planning Commission for approval. Then the City Commission must approve the change before the name can be officially changed.

Public Information Meeting - A public information meeting regarding the hiking trail will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at 6:00 PM. Originally, the Committee decided to have the meeting on Wednesday, August 13, however, the City is holding a Town Hall meeting regarding the Downtown Blueprints program on August 12th.

Update on Grants - Dan Petersen told the Committee that none of the three Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants the City applied for were approved. He said that the City would start contacting the contractors that agreed to help install the pad for the skate park and have it done as soon as possible.

Scott Erickson told the Committee that he had requested a schedule from Moyle Construction to see about getting the skate park slab installed.

Petersen then asked the Committee what they wanted done with the funds the City has already received for the skate park. The Committee unanimously agreed to use the money for needed equipment to set up the park. The City has over $30,000 in cash and pledges to establish the park. A very nice skate park can be established with that amount of money.

As a matter of procedure, Scott Erickson explained, whenever the City is turned down for grant money, they ask what was done wrong. It turns out, according to Dan Petersen, that an $8,000 grant for trail acquisition near Prism Entertainment was never finalized, and that caused the granters to reject the current grant applications.

Member Attendance - After examining the attendance of the Parks and Recreation members, it was decided that contact needs to be made with several of the members that are chronically absent from the meetings. According to the Charter, three unexcused absences is cause to be removed from any City Board, Authority, or Committee. Until recently, the Parks and Recreation Committee only held meetings every other month -- or six times a year. So, technically, a member could miss half of the year's meetings without being excused and the other half being excused. Obviously, the City Charter needs to be re-examined and changes are in order. Unexcused absences are a problem for nearly every Committee, Board and Authority within the City.

Next Meeting - Since the next scheduled meeting falls on Labor Day, the meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, September 09, 2008, at 6:00 PM.

Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM.


Skate Park Construction to Begin Shortly
IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - Eric Lytwyniuk called the Recreation/Cultural/Life Enrichment Committee to order yesterday evening at 6:00 PM. The meeting was held in the Women's Club Room on the second floor of the Memorial Building. New member Kathy Dishaw was scheduled to be sworn into office, however, she was out of town and didn't receive notice of the meeting in time to attend. She was excused from her first meeting, however. Community Development Director Dan Petersen called roll. Attending the meeting were: Sam Davey, Annette Burchell, Eric Lytwyniuk, Laura Thomas, and John Wyssling. Kathy Dishaw was excused. David Piete, Scott Stephens, and Marion True were absent. City staff present at the meeting included Dan Petersen and City Manager Scott Erickson. Representing the media were Chronicle photographer Alan Traczyk and yours truly. The June 02, 2008 minutes were approved, and the discussion notes of the July 07, 2008 meeting that failed to draw a quorum were put on file. After a few additions were made to the agenda, it was unanimously approved by the Committee. Trail Update - Dan Petersen announced that, after a very successful work bee on Saturday, from about 10:00 AM until about 2:30 PM, the hiking trail around the Riverside Cemetery is basically complete. There is a small amount of brushing that needs to be done on the southern end of the trail, according to Sam Davey, but other than that, the trail is completely brushed. Once the new signs for the trail are finished, another work bee will be held to erect them. Dan Petersen told the Committee that he will contact the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Tourist Information Center to let them know about the trail, and he would see that maps were dropped off for anyone wishing to hike through the trail. Sam Davey suggested that spray-painted arrows be used as a temporary measure until the signs are completed. Laura Thomas told the Committee that she was impressed by the wonderful job everybody did to make the hiking trail a reality. She said considering how much red tape and hurdles that had to be jumped, it was impressive how quickly the trail was established. Davey told the Committee that a letter has been sent to Xcel Energy to get permission to continue the trail through the "caves." This will be marked as a hiking and snowshoeing trail he said. The "caves" trail would then be tied into the Cemetery trail and that would complete Phase I of the trail project. Annette Burchell asked if she could send out letters thanking everybody that participated in Saturday's work bee. She thanked Scott Erickson and Dan Petersen, as City employees, for taking the time to help out with clearing the trail. Both Scott and Dan said they were happy to lend a hand, they had fun, and they both said the trail is an asset to the community. Petersen told the Committee that he has been busy trying to contact land owners along Phase II of the trail. He has been asking for permission to establish the trail with the cooperation of these private land owners. He said he has been in contact with two of the largest land-owners along the trail, one from East Lansing and the other from the Chicago area. The Chicago property owner was initially enthused believing that the City was interested in establishing a snowmobile trail through his property. His enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment, however, when he realized the City was working towards establishing a non-motorized trail. He told Petersen that he wanted to find a "legal route" that lead to the Wisconsin trails from his property. Petersen told the Committee that the Chicago land owner would be in town on August 11, 2008 and he was going to meet with him on the matter. Petersen invited Committee members to attend the meeting if they desired. Petersen told the Committee that the property owner seemed to be agreeable to allowing an easement on his land, but he wanted to get more information. The man owns government lots one, two and three along the proposed trail. Sam Davey explained to the Committee that, at one time, snowmobiles were permitted on almost every City street in town, provided you were going from your house to a designated trail. He suggested that a similar policy be examined once again. Name Change - The Committee unanimously agreed that a name change to "Parks and Recreation Committee" (PRC) was in order. A recommendation must now be sent to the Planning Commission for approval. Then the City Commission must approve the change before the name can be officially changed. Public Information Meeting - A public information meeting regarding the hiking trail will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at 6:00 PM. Originally, the Committee decided to have the meeting on Wednesday, August 13, however, the City is holding a Town Hall meeting regarding the Downtown Blueprints program on August 12th. Update on Grants - Dan Petersen told the Committee that none of the three Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants the City applied for were approved. He said that the City would start contacting the contractors that agreed to help install the pad for the skate park and have it done as soon as possible. Scott Erickson told the Committee that he had requested a schedule from Moyle Construction to see about getting the skate park slab installed. Petersen then asked the Committee what they wanted done with the funds the City has already received for the skate park. The Committee unanimously agreed to use the money for needed equipment to set up the park. The City has over $30,000 in cash and pledges to establish the park. A very nice skate park can be established with that amount of money. As a matter of procedure, Scott Erickson explained, whenever the City is turned down for grant money, they ask what was done wrong. It turns out, according to Dan Petersen, that an $8,000 grant for trail acquisition near Prism Entertainment was never finalized, and that caused the granters to reject the current grant applications. Member Attendance - After examining the attendance of the Parks and Recreation members, it was decided that contact needs to be made with several of the members that are chronically absent from the meetings. According to the Charter, three unexcused absences is cause to be removed from any City Board, Authority, or Committee. Until recently, the Parks and Recreation Committee only held meetings every other month -- or six times a year. So, technically, a member could miss half of the year's meetings without being excused and the other half being excused. Obviously, the City Charter needs to be re-examined and changes are in order. Unexcused absences are a problem for nearly every Committee, Board and Authority within the City. Next Meeting - Since the next scheduled meeting falls on Labor Day, the meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, September 09, 2008, at 6:00 PM. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM.

Skate Park Construction to Begin Shortly