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Record of Proceedings

Fitchburg Parks Commission Meeting - March 5, 2026

Common Council & City Boards — Thursday, March 5, 2026
BodyFitchburg, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & City Boards
DateThursday, March 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:22:18

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Get connected, Fitchburg.

0:01

Sign up for Fitchburg Connect, the city's monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed about all the events, services, and updates that matter to you.

0:10

Get it in your inbox once a month.

0:12

Sign up today to get Fitchburg Connect.

Unassigned speaker

0:29

Hi,

Speaker 1

0:30

I'm Jeremy Crosby.

0:31

And I'm Mick Bouchet.

0:32

We're your hosts for the program that's all about your city, Talking Pittsburgh.

Speaker 2

0:36

Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Pittsburgh.

Speaker 1

0:42

Find Talking Fitzburg on Cable TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and our live stream on the web.

0:48

Plus, you can find all our headlines and stories on Facebook, YouTube, and our video on demand service.

Speaker 2

0:53

This is your city.

0:54

Keep up with Talking Fitzburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors.

Speaker 3

1:14

All right, it is 601, so we will call this meeting to order.

1:17

Uh the let's see, but it's the the March 5th edition, Fitchburg's Parks Commission.

1:22

Uh 601.

1:23

Um so to start with, uh we have approval of the minutes for February for last month or February.

1:32

Um before we move on that, we do have a citizen registered speak.

1:37

Patrick Cheney from Triperley Hills coming up, Patrick.

Speaker 4

1:47

Um so there's two versions of the minutes of the February meeting.

1:54

The better one is in your packet because the other one that is actually posted with the line for the February meetings, that one is not as good.

2:03

Uh, this one here is better because it has members present, colon, and then it lists the specific members of the park commission, which I think is the better way to do this, and then other people, whether they're presenters or commenters or whoever are listed as others present, including city staff.

2:23

Uh and I think that distinguishes who are the actual members who count towards a quorum, who are eligible to vote.

2:31

So that's specifically the residents appointed

Unassigned speaker

2:34

and

Speaker 4

2:34

the alder who is assigned to this, the seven people who count that

Unassigned speaker

2:39

way.

Speaker 4

2:40

Uh and for the casual reader who looks at the minutes, it that helps a lot to see okay how many were there, and

Unassigned speaker

2:46

you

Speaker 4

2:46

need to start counting votes or such like this.

2:48

Otherwise, the other version, the previous version, and the one that's listed actually on the line for the February minutes, uh, just has everybody together, and then how do you know who's a member and who's

Unassigned speaker

2:57

not?

Speaker 4

2:58

Um this commission does not take a roll at the beginning or announce if there's a quorum like the council does, you just kind of look around and count, and yeah, we're ready to

Unassigned speaker

3:10

go.

Speaker 4

3:10

Uh so this is better to have it members present.

3:13

Now, some other things that I see in here that I want to go through.

3:16

Uh on number four, adoption of the agenda, which is typically standardly called uh review and approve the agenda, and it says that in this tonight's agenda again.

3:28

Some different wording used there.

3:30

Uh, this does not mention or note if this passed or not.

3:37

And then in uh number five D, uh a resolution, and there's a motion to amend it does not say if it passed or not.

3:49

And then another motion to approve the resolution, it does not say if it passed or

Unassigned speaker

3:53

not.

Speaker 4

3:54

Also in 5D.

3:57

It lists uh public comments colon and two people spoke on

Unassigned speaker

4:02

that.

Speaker 4

4:02

And then back to 5A, a different topic.

4:08

It lists public comments colon and three people talked on that.

4:12

So the odd thing about others present back at the top there again.

4:18

It lists those two people

Unassigned speaker

4:21

who

Speaker 4

4:21

were in favor of that resolution, but it doesn't list the three of the public who spoke for either opposed and or changes to that.

4:33

And it just looks like on face value, it looks like there's some bias against people who are for something, get listed, and people who are opposed to something or whatever didn't get listed.

4:45

So that's not real good.

4:47

Uh so if this is corrected, I marked my registration slip as opposed unless corrected.

4:54

So that is what I am pointing out to you.

4:58

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

All

Speaker 3

5:00

right, thank you, Patrick.

5:02

Um commissioners want to make comments or a motion on the minutes of February.

Speaker 5

5:10

I'll motion to approve.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████53%
Technology and Innovation█████████11%
Procedural████████10%
Public Engagement████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis██████7%
Public Infrastructure█████6%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fitchburg Parks Commission Meeting - March 5, 2026

The Fitchburg Parks Commission met on March 5, 2026 at 6:01 PM and adjourned at 7:22 PM. The meeting covered approval of February minutes, a final plat for No Oaks Ranch, a resolution to amend 2026 pickleball court fees, an electric vehicle charging station agreement, and a budget amendment for park improvements.

Consent Calendar

  • None. The meeting did not have a consent calendar; the approval of minutes and agenda were handled individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Patrick Cheney (Triperley Hills) opposed the February minutes as written due to incomplete listing of public speakers and called for corrections. He also later spoke on pickleball fees, suggesting rate comparisons were misleading and questioning fee consistency across sports.
  • Mayor Arata Frada spoke in support of resolution R4726, explaining the fee increase for pickleball courts was an oversight and that the proposed tournament fee would help attract events. He noted support from Journey Mental Health Center.
  • Angela Kinderman (Fitchburg Chamber Visitor & Business Bureau) supported competitive fees to build relationships with tournament organizers and boost tourism, noting the importance of non-profit support.
  • Dan Shuttler (on behalf of his wife) read a statement opposing the high 2026 fees, citing comparisons with other municipalities, the risk of losing nonprofit tournaments (e.g., Ahara House, UW Alzheimer’s initiative), and potential loss of Capital Area Pickleball Association clinics ($4,500 loss). He urged return to 2025 rates.
  • Steve Strick (Barrington Hills) supported the fee reduction, noting CAPA clinics and tournaments would leave Fitchburg if fees remained high.
  • Deb Hamilton and Pam Trench registered support for the resolution (i.e., opposition to the fee increase) without speaking.
  • Angela Kinderman later spoke again offering to provide tourism expenditure data and suggesting sponsorship to help nonprofits.

Discussion Items

  • 5A: No Oaks Ranch Final Plat – Staff confirmed parkland dedication unchanged since December. Commissioner Heidi Sheehan queried about possible change in parkland dedication rates; staff said no further discussion. Commissioner Dave discussed SMART code compliance; Phil Svium confirmed planning review. Commissioner Sue Easterday noted the new park area has invasive honeysuckle, raising maintenance concerns. Motion to approve carried (no opposition recorded).
  • 5B: Resolution R4726 – 2026 Fee Schedule (Pickleball Courts) – Mayor Frada explained the fee increase from $10 to $15/hour (resident) and $15 to $30/hour (non-resident) was an oversight. Proposed reverting to 2025 rates and adding a tournament fee. Commissioners debated equity concerns: Heidi Sheehan worried about setting a precedent for other sports; Aaron supported the reduction as a welcoming measure. Christopher Pereira (absent) provided input in favor of reverting. Commissioner Dave questioned revenue impact and costs. The resolution passed with one nay (Heidi Sheehan opposed).
  • 5C: Resolution R5126 – EV Station Host Agreement (Charge Up Dane County) – Staff proposed four charging stations at McKee Farms Park, funded for five years. Commissioner Sue Easterday raised concerns about losing five parking spaces and overnight use restrictions. Commissioner Dave suggested alternative locations near entrance. Staff noted consolidation with B-cycle station and possibility of moving dumpsters. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
  • 5D: Resolution R6226 – Budget Amendment for 2025 Capital Overage – $9,000 overage from Southdale playground installation covered by Town of Madison absolved funds. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Staff Reports & Updates – Forestry: tree removal and stump grinding underway; strategic urban forestry plan nearing final review. WPRA conference: connection made for developing a Friends of Fitchburg Parks program. Southdale Park concept updates ongoing.

Key Outcomes

  • February Minutes – Approved with amendments (motion carried, no opposition recorded).
  • Agenda – Approved as written (unanimous).
  • 5A: No Oaks Ranch Final Plat – Motion carried (no opposition recorded).
  • 5B: Pickleball Fee Resolution R4726 – Motion carried (one opposed: Heidi Sheehan). Fees reverted to 2025 levels ($10/hr resident, $15/hr non-resident); new tournament fee added.
  • 5C: EV Charging Station Resolution R5126 – Motion carried (unanimous). Preliminary approval granted for stations at McKee Farms Park.
  • 5D: Budget Amendment R6226 – Motion carried (unanimous).
  • Future Agenda Items – Southdale Park design review and potential review of 2026 rental fees.
  • Next Meeting – April 2, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Get connected, Fitchburg. Sign up for Fitchburg Connect, the city's monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed about all the events, services, and updates that matter to you. Get it in your inbox once a month. Sign up today to get Fitchburg Connect. Hi, I'm Jeremy Crosby. And I'm Mick Bouchet. We're your hosts for the program that's all about your city, Talking Pittsburgh. Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Pittsburgh. Find Talking Fitzburg on Cable TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and our live stream on the web. Plus, you can find all our headlines and stories on Facebook, YouTube, and our video on demand service. This is your city. Keep up with Talking Fitzburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors. All right, it is 601, so we will call this meeting to order. Uh the let's see, but it's the the March 5th edition, Fitchburg's Parks Commission. Uh 601. Um so to start with, uh we have approval of the minutes for February for last month or February. Um before we move on that, we do have a citizen registered speak. Patrick Cheney from Triperley Hills coming up, Patrick. Um so there's two versions of the minutes of the February meeting. The better one is in your packet because the other one that is actually posted with the line for the February meetings, that one is not as good. Uh, this one here is better because it has members present, colon, and then it lists the specific members of the park commission, which I think is the better way to do this, and then other people, whether they're presenters or commenters or whoever are listed as others present, including city staff. Uh and I think that distinguishes who are the actual members who count towards a quorum, who are eligible to vote. So that's specifically the residents appointed and the alder who is assigned to this, the seven people who count that way. Uh and for the casual reader who looks at the minutes, it that helps a lot to see okay how many were there, and you need to start counting votes or such like this. Otherwise, the other version, the previous version, and the one that's listed actually on the line for the February minutes, uh, just has everybody together, and then how do you know who's a member and who's not? Um this commission does not take a roll at the beginning or announce if there's a quorum like the council does, you just kind of look around and count, and yeah, we're ready to go. Uh so this is better to have it members present. Now, some other things that I see in here that I want to go through. Uh on number four, adoption of the agenda, which is typically standardly called uh review and approve the agenda, and it says that in this tonight's agenda again. Some different wording used there. Uh, this does not mention or note if this passed or not. And then in uh number five D, uh a resolution, and there's a motion to amend it does not say if it passed or not. And then another motion to approve the resolution, it does not say if it passed or not. Also in 5D. It lists uh public comments colon and two people spoke on that. And then back to 5A, a different topic. It lists public comments colon and three people talked on that. So the odd thing about others present back at the top there again. It lists those two people who

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