DATE: January 20, 2005
TIME: 91:00 A.M.
Baraboo/Sauk County UW Campus, Meeting Room off the Lange Center Executive Dining Room, 1006 Connie Rd., Baraboo, WI
Members Present: Wedekind, Mielke, Haugen, Lombard, Griffith, Geimer, Will, Brophy, and Giese
Absent: Davis.
Chairperson Wedekind called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. and compliance with the Open Meeting Law was verified.
Motion by Will, seconded by Geimer to approve the agenda for today's meeting as mailed. Motion approved.
Motion by Geise, seconded by Will to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2004 meeting, as mailed. Motion carried.
Financial Report:
A 2004 year end financial report was distributed by the City Clerk which covered the period 1/1/04 to 12/31/04 and indicated an unemcumbered balance of $78,361.07. Ms. Giese noted most of the invoices submitted for approval today will be posted back to December, 2004. Motion by Lombard, seconded by Geimer to approve the report and transfer any remaining balance into the "boiler repair/replacement fund", as required under a previously adopted motion. Motion carried.
Maintenance Report and Approval of Bills:
R. Griffith presented the monthly maintenance report and list of bills. Motion by Will, seconded by Lombard to approve the monthly bills, as presented in the amount of $1,165.25. Motion carried.
Dean's Report:
Dean Brophy reported on the following items:
* Several professors will be retiring in 2005 and recruitment for replacements will be conducted as soon as possible.
* Ms. Marsha Thomas has been hired as the new Library Director, she will be introduced to the Campus Commission at an upcoming meeting.
* A new summer theater program will be presented on the Campus lawn this year.
*The Campus is working with representatives from the Al Ringling Theater to prepare a celebration in honor of the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Al Ringling. A re-creation of the opening complete with period costume, is being planned.
*Grant money has been received from the Uw for a pre-university program to assist Latino students in the Sauk Prairie area.
*The Campus will work in cooperation with Culver's restaurant management trainees to offer instruction in conversational Spanish.
*A $50,000.00 grant has been received to invest in theater related projects.
* The Friends of the Campus have recently added five new scholarships.
* UW Colleges have recently been in the news, specifically concerning the possibility of merging with UWEX and returning to the status of "satellite" campuses. This situation bears watching, but the future of any legislative changes is unknown at the present time.
*Plans are to present a detailed report at the February or March Campus Commission meeting on the future of a "Living and Learning Center" (Resident's Hall). If a decision is made to proceed, eventually the City and County will need to be contacted and asked to amend the lease in order to allow location of a privately financed building on their property.
Discussion of Tennis Courts:
Discussion on the continuing request to consider changes to the Campus tennis courts followed. Copies of an opinion rendered by the Sauk County Corporation Counsel were distributed which stated the decision of whether to imporve the tennis courts was within the discretion of the Campus Commission, unless the County and City have expressly appropriated funds to pay for the improvement of the tennis courts, there was no requirement on the part of the Commission to do so, including making the courts compliant with competitive tennis standards, and if the tennis courts are renovated, they will have to be made accessible under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Dean Brophy presented a report from Rick Luther, Recreation Supervisor, entitled, "Status and Strength of Community Tennis in the Baraboo Hills Area." The report detailed local tennis programs and participation numbers.
Discussion followed concerning original intent on the use of the tennis courts (recreational, not tournament competition) Campus priorities, possible future relocation of the courts vs. investing funds to update, and budget concerns. The final consensus of the Commission was to consider and prioritize the tennis court issue in 2006 budget discussions. In the interim, it was decided to allow one court to remain operational and either remove the net on the second court or post a "play at your own risk" sign.
Discussion Items:
Cost estimates were distributed and reviewed for Campus theater lighting upgrades. It was noted the painting estimate may be substantially reduced if work is completed by the maintenance staff. Motion by Wedekind, seconded by Geimer to proceed with this project, providing the total cost does not exceed $17,660.00. Motion carried.
Upon inquiry, Dean Brophy reported progress is being made on the operation of an educational access TV channel. When final approval is received, the Campus Commission will be advised.
Dean Brophy invited Commission members to tour the theater following adjournment of today's meeting.
Motion by Mielke, seconded by Giese to adjourn and set the next, regular meeting date for Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. Motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Beverly J. Mielke, Secretary