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Record of Proceedings

Commission on Aging Well Meeting - June 11, 2026

Common Council & City Boards — Thursday, June 11, 2026
BodyFitchburg, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & City Boards
DateThursday, June 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 56:48

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

We're launching Fitchburg Connect, the city's new monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed about all the events, services, and updates that matter to you.

0:09

Get it in your inbox once a month.

0:10

Our first edition is live now.

0:12

Sign up today to get Fitchburg Connect.

Unassigned speaker

0:29

Hi,

Speaker 1

0:30

I'm Jeremy Frosby, and I'm Nick Bouchet.

0:32

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

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 Fitchburg.

Speaker 1

0:42

Find Talking Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors.

Speaker 3

1:10

Okay, well, welcome everybody to the June 11th meeting of the Commission on Aging Well.

1:15

Um, starting out with the uh approval of the minutes.

1:19

Are there any uh additions or subtractions from the last none?

1:28

Motion to approve.

Speaker 4

1:30

So moved.

Speaker 3

1:32

Second, second favor, aye.

1:37

Minutes are approved.

1:41

Moving right into number four on the agenda and the items, the department restructured discussion.

Speaker 5

1:48

Okay.

1:49

Um as we talked about last time.

1:51

Um there's just a there's a lot of there's a timeline for how I think we roll this out so we can be successful.

1:59

And one of the first things that I'd like to discuss is is a mission and a vision and a mission statement to kind of guide the department.

2:06

And so what I have um given the

Speaker 3

2:10

Jill, just to stop here for people that are watching this on video, we're talking about um we're talking about the restructure of merging the senior center and the recreation department.

Speaker 5

2:20

Yeah, so the restructure was official in in December of 2025, and it wasn't just the senior center and the recreation department, it was also um something called Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, and that was one other employee that sort of falls under a community service piece versus a recreation piece.

2:40

Um, you know, I've spent this last six months just just really getting a feel for what each uh role is, particularly in the rec department and the um HI the grant program.

2:53

But I think that we've talked about it, it's important to rebrand us officially

Speaker 4

2:59

and

Speaker 5

2:59

uh take next year to do that since the city hall is being

Speaker 4

3:02

remodeled,

Speaker 5

3:03

and it just will be a nice fresh start.

3:05

But I think

Speaker 4

3:06

uh

Speaker 5

3:07

to take some time to develop a vision or a vision and a mission statement that's gonna guide this brand as we move forward and roll it out to the public.

3:17

And to me, you know, that's that's an important component to always kind of go back to what is our mission here?

3:24

And so um I put forward here, I gave you our current mission and vision statement.

3:31

Um, we called it our purpose and our dream.

3:34

Um that's the first page of the handout, and our mission is to promote healthy aging for everyone from vibrant to vulnerable by offering a mix of social, recreational, and volunteer opportunities along with supportive services.

3:48

So that's our current mission statement.

3:50

Um, Barb and some former commission members were involved in developing and upgrading that probably I don't know, six or seven years ago.

3:59

We never had a vision statement, so we did add a vision statement back then, and that is we strive to become a recognized leader in reimagining aging, a welcoming hub where people build connections, find inspiration, and live their best lives.

4:14

Um that was our vision statement.

4:18

That was before the hub was built.

4:20

Um then so

Speaker 3

4:23

that so the the our purpose is is the mission statement.

Speaker 5

4:26

Yep.

Speaker 3

4:27

And the our dream is the vision statement.

Speaker 5

4:29

Yeah.

4:30

Yeah, that's correct.

4:32

Um, I did talk to Rec to see if they had a uh vision or a mission statement.

4:36

And because they were under this parks and recording in the um the 2025 to 2030 parks and open space and recreation plan.

4:49

So the vision statement is going to include parks as well.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

So their vision statement, the City of Fitchburg Park Open Space and Recreation System strives for an appropriate balance of passive and active recreational social opportunities and responsible preservation and sustainable stewardship of the city's natural environment and resources.

Speaker 5

5:11

The system works to achieve these ideals through adherence to the city's growth principles of sustainable, equitable, vibrant, and cooperative, and the system's 3S framework of social solitude and seams.

5:29

So that is their current vision statement, and they have that from 2025 to 2030.

5:37

So looking at that, looking at ours, I wanna talk about an updated one for this new uh restructured department.

5:46

And so that's kind of what our just discussion is gonna focus on today.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Senior Services█████████████████████████████████33%
Community Engagement██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Parks and Recreation██████████████14%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Senior Programs███3%
Procedural██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Commission on Aging Well Meeting - June 11, 2026

The Commission on Aging Well met on June 11, 2026, to discuss the ongoing restructuring of the department following the merger of the senior center, recreation department, and Healthy Neighborhood Initiative (HNI). The meeting focused on developing a new mission and vision statement, exploring board structure changes, and coordinating future outreach. Additional updates included a Friends report on fundraising and donations, Juneteenth and Pride Month programming, and the groundbreaking of Oak Ridge Senior Housing.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote (motion, second, ayes).

Discussion Items

  • Department Restructure and Mission/Vision: Director Jill led a discussion on the merger, which became official in December 2025. She presented the current mission ("promote healthy aging for everyone from vibrant to vulnerable") and vision statement ("become a recognized leader in reimagining aging") of the senior center, as well as the parks and recreation vision from the 2025-2030 plan. The group reviewed sample mission statement options (e.g., balance and professional, community and belonging, simple and direct) to guide a unified department brand. Commissioners emphasized the need for inclusive language (equity, community service) and simplicity. Jill noted that a combined board (potentially one oversight commission with an ad hoc committee for senior services) and updated bylaws would be required. The timeline prioritizes mission/vision and board structure before public rebranding.
  • Recreation Department Overview: Jill described the recreation department as traditional, with youth-focused sports (140 kids signed up for T-ball), summer camps, evening classes for adults (Zumba, strength training), and handling park shelter rentals, discounted water park tickets, and trail passes. She highlighted inefficiencies in the refund process for shelter deposits, which she is discussing with the new parks manager to shift duties.
  • Healthy Neighborhood Initiative (HNI): Jessica, the HNI coordinator, was introduced. Her role includes outreach to identified neighborhoods (Southdale, North Fish Hatchery, Alley Drive area, West Verona Road), grant program oversight, and feedback to other departments. She is working with recreation on a movie night and pop-up events.
  • Future Guest Speakers: Commissioners requested a presentation from the city administration (administrator or mayor) to understand the city's vision, noting that council changes every two years and a long-term plan is needed. If city representation is not available for the July 9th meeting, they will invite Beaver Dam’s merged department for insight.
  • Friends of the Senior Center Report: The Friends group reported holding a brat fry on August 21st, maintaining costs at $5 per meal. They donated approximately $500 for senior center programs, $450 for flowers and landscaping, and supported lunches and gifts for 34 residents over 90.
  • Director’s Report: Jill announced that the 2027 budget papers will be released Friday. She reported a groundbreaking for Oak Ridge Senior Housing (80 units initially, for disabled and veterans at 30-80% AMI; 30% AMI is $27,000, 80% is $72,000). A life-lease project (Terra Sesta) is also planned. Juneteenth programming includes a June 17th event with Dr. Charles Taylor (author of "Juneteenth"), a songstress, and poet; a community flag raising at 3:30 p.m. Pride Month program on June 18th will feature speakers from the LGBTQ+ community center and PFLAG. A volunteer life-story writing program is gaining momentum.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: Unanimously.
  • Next Steps on Restructuring: Jill will attempt to invite a city administration representative to the July 9th morning meeting. If unavailable, she will invite Beaver Dam’s merged department. The July 9th meeting will also include an afternoon outreach meeting starting at 4:00 p.m. Commissioners expressed willingness to meet twice that day. If no speaker is secured, the morning meeting may be canceled.
  • Future Planning: The commission expects to present a draft plan to the city council committee of the whole in fall 2026.
  • Budget and Programming: The 2027 budget process begins immediately. Juneteenth and Pride events are scheduled for June 17–18.

Meeting Transcript

Get connected, Fitchburg. We're launching Fitchburg Connect, the city's new 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. Our first edition is live now. Sign up today to get Fitchburg Connect. Hi, I'm Jeremy Frosby, and I'm Nick Bouchet. We're your hosts for the program that's all about your city, Talking Fitchburg. Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Fitchburg. Find Talking Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors. Okay, well, welcome everybody to the June 11th meeting of the Commission on Aging Well. Um, starting out with the uh approval of the minutes. Are there any uh additions or subtractions from the last none? Motion to approve. So moved. Second, second favor, aye. Minutes are approved. Moving right into number four on the agenda and the items, the department restructured discussion. Okay. Um as we talked about last time. Um there's just a there's a lot of there's a timeline for how I think we roll this out so we can be successful. And one of the first things that I'd like to discuss is is a mission and a vision and a mission statement to kind of guide the department. And so what I have um given the Jill, just to stop here for people that are watching this on video, we're talking about um we're talking about the restructure of merging the senior center and the recreation department. Yeah, so the restructure was official in in December of 2025, and it wasn't just the senior center and the recreation department, it was also um something called Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, and that was one other employee that sort of falls under a community service piece versus a recreation piece. Um, you know, I've spent this last six months just just really getting a feel for what each uh role is, particularly in the rec department and the um HI the grant program. But I think that we've talked about it, it's important to rebrand us officially and uh take next year to do that since the city hall is being remodeled, and it just will be a nice fresh start. But I think uh to take some time to develop a vision or a vision and a mission statement that's gonna guide this brand as we move forward and roll it out to the public. And to me, you know, that's that's an important component to always kind of go back to what is our mission here? And so um I put forward here, I gave you our current mission and vision statement. Um, we called it our purpose and our dream. Um that's the first page of the handout, and our mission is to promote healthy aging for everyone from vibrant to vulnerable by offering a mix of social, recreational, and volunteer opportunities along with supportive services. So that's our current mission statement. Um, Barb and some former commission members were involved in developing and upgrading that probably I don't know, six or seven years ago. We never had a vision statement, so we did add a vision statement back then, and that is we strive to become a recognized leader in reimagining aging, a welcoming hub where people build connections, find inspiration, and live their best lives. Um that was our vision statement. That was before the hub was built. Um then so that so the the our purpose is is the mission statement. Yep. And the our dream is the vision statement.

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