Committee Meetings 5/10

I had half of this done last week, better late than never?

All of the elected officials were in attendance at this meeting.

Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation

• Columbia CUSD No. 4 Presentation

Ed Settles was in attendance to further discuss land use options for the school district at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park or across Route 3 where the city owns 33 acres set aside to be a future city park.

Superintendent Settles explained that the district would like to use Bolm-Schuhkraft during school hours for physical education classes and after school for band practice, soccer practices, and football practice. The schools are landlocked and the will that presented the land that is now Bolm-Schuhkraft to the city prevents the selling of some or all of the land to the district or anyone for that matter. The district had expressed interest in the past to purchase some of Bolm-Schuhkraft Park from the city. Settles also expressed interest in purchasing portions of property the city owns across Route 3, referred to in the meeting as the Weigman(sp) property.

Al Hudzik asked Settles how much land the district would be interested in buying. Settles expressed interest in anywhere from ¼ to ½ of the 33 acres, but said they would be interested in whatever the city would be willing to part with. It was noted the district would like to locate a practice field and a game field if possible.

Alderman Stumpf said he would rather trade land parcels with the district rather than selling land for cash.

Alderman Roessler asked if the district already used the park area at Bolm-Schuhkraft for activities. Superintendent Settles said that they do but he would prefer that a type of reservation system be put in place. Roessler then asked if the city had a plan in the works for the Weigman property. Alderman Niemietz responded that there is a trail there with no future plans in store at this time; there is a plan that has been prepared and awaiting funding for “Creekside Park” that would be developed first.

Alderman Roessler asked if the Weigman property floods. Niemietz responded that the land is “swampy”. Stumpf added that the land flooded for a few hours when the storm that was hurricane Gustav passed through our area. Stumpf also noted that it’s a shame the land is not being used and that there is no plan for the Weigman property. He reiterated the idea of not taking money for the land if the city were to “sell” some of the Weigman land to the school district; he would prefer a trade for land elsewhere for the city to develop a park. Alderman Ebersohl noted that one acre of the Weigman land sat higher out of reach of flooding and that was planned to be used for restrooms and parking.

Superintendent Settles asked when there may be a decision or plan for a reservation system for Bolm-Schuhkraft so he could pass that info on to his replacement that starts July 1. Niemietz said that the Play Commission is looking into creating updated park policies. Stumpf noted the district should put together a plan that would illustrate the areas of Bolm-Schuhkraft the district would utilize and what times they would want to use those designated areas. In regards to “selling land” Stumpf asked Settles for a plan of what the district would want and what they would be willing to give to the city in return. Stumpf also noted that if the school district is ever in a position to abandon the property that the high school sits on now he would like the city to be offered ownership to extend its current park area there.


Executive and Rules

• Committee Appointments Discussion

Alderman Ebersohl started the meeting stating that the Rules Committee saw no reason to change the members or chairmen of any of the council’s aldermanic committees.

Alderman Stumpf asked if there could be an economic development committee formed and if there was he would like to serve on it. Niemietz asked what its purpose would be and Stumpf replied that it could bring fresh ideas and accountability to the economic development of the city.

It was then asked if the committee chairs ever change, Ebersohl said that really doesn’t happen.

Alderman Agne asked if larger cities have economic development committees. Mayor Hutchinson replied that the Planning Commission reviews projects and their associated zoning and they move projects over to the council.

Alderman Oberkfell noted that he would like to be back on the Fire Committee. Alderman Row mentioned that if someone wanted to drop off of a committee and switch with someone else that could be a solution. No one volunteered to switch with Oberkfell. Row said he would like to switch chairmanships with Alderman Hejna moving him from Library back over to Refuse & Recycling. Niemietz asked Hejna what would happen to all of the recycling plans Hejna had for the Refuse & Recycling Committee. The idea of Hejna & Row switching was not mentioned again.

Hejna mentioned that she would like to Finance chairman again.

Stumpf said he would like to be parks chairman instead of Niemietz.

Hejna asked why the council has an education committee.

Alderman Niemietz said that the city works hand in hand with the taxing body that is the school district and that committee provides for that communication. Niemietz also noted that she would prefer to keep her chairmanship of the Parks Committee for one more year.