Yeah.

All right.

We will call to order Monday, May 18th, City of Waukeshaw Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board Meeting.

And we'll call to order with Roll Call.

Alderman Camacho.

Here.

Steve Johnson is absent.

Sarah Roth.

John Schmidt.

Here.

Alderman Jack Wells.

Here.

Erica Yoss is absent.

Jennifer Walner.

Here.

Eric Hummer.

Here.

Great.

We will move on to public comment.

If there's anyone here for public comment this evening.

Seeing no public comment, we will move on to the approval of minutes for the board minutes from April 20th, 2026.

I'll motion to approve.

Motion by Eric Hummer, second by Sarah Roth.

Any further discussion?

Great.

We'll take that to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

Great.

Moving on to item four.

We have a presentation in recognition of our nation's great.

Semi quiz centennial.

Very good.

Thanks for that.

Acknowledgement of the Park Foundation of Waukeshaw for its sponsorship of a commemorative flagpole at Lowell Park.

Well, the key to pronouncing that is the Quince Park.

And no, I just give you a hard time on that.

Yes, actually, I'll in all seriousness.

And that's uh headquarters ground zero for 4th of July, jamboree events, et cetera.

And uh and the other thing that happened the line is it's the 250th.

So long story short, a flagpole was in order.

And uh not just a little flagpole, but we're looking at a big flagpole.

And uh so just uh uh a very brief background on how this came together.

Um we uh looked to partner with uh uh our park foundation of Waukesha, the Park Foundation Waukeshaw, who has helped us out in many other projects over the years, and thought this was uh exceptional opportunity uh for them and for the park system.

And uh we uh started the search as far as uh how big and where uh at Lowell Park.

Uh and uh we'll go uh well some of the background with that is uh this to give you idea it's an 80-foot flagpole.

We don't have a picture, we'll keep you in suspense, I guess, with that.

So uh imagine uh 80-foot flagpole.

Uh most flag poles that you see are maybe 30 or 40, maybe some 60, but 80 is getting getting a category in itself.

And uh it's a black andized pole.

We'll have uh uh eagle ornament on top uh on a resting on the ball.

Uh it should look uh extremely nice.

And uh it's uh internal halard system.

Uh won't bore bore you with that, but it's the the best system as far as uh uh lesser wear and tear and vanel resistant and uh location was one of the toughest things.

And um because of the height, we are restricted as far as where it can go.

Uh there we're within three miles of the airport, so there's a certain zoning uh considerations.

So we went through the process of getting a permit through Waukeshaw County, and uh that went through well.

Um a lot of discussion with the airport manager, uh who's very cooperative and helped us out with this whole thing.

In fact, we had a contact with the FAA and also get a filing with them to ensure that uh the location uh would be in compliance with uh FAA as well as Waukeshaw County.

So those things have been accomplished since the idea really this started around December, January-ish, and uh we approached the park foundation to see if they would have some interest uh to do this, and uh well here we are tonight.

Um the uh flag, it's a 20 by 30.

It can support, it can support a smaller flag, but it can support a 20 by 30 foot flag.

So it's a substantial flag.

Um it uh the location uh one of the maps we showed you is it's right on the on the crest of when you start going uphill uh basically centered within the park.

Uh basically centered within the park.

Uh the idea here is accessibility for the public.

Uh we visualize this uh future projects would be uh ADA uh pathway to the flagpole, uh staging area.

You could visualize uh veterans groups, etc.

Uh having uh ceremonies at the park as well.

Uh having it on top of the hill, uh cost uh pretty astronomical and plus access uh really uh uh would be very difficult to have a general public.

Uh so the flag is gonna be very visible to those at the site and beyond and uh fireworks, you can have fireworks in the background if you're familiar with how the fireworks work over at Lowell.

Uh you're up close and personal, so we'll have uh like the Star Spangled Banner uh live uh to the point where the flag is fire retardant.

Uh and then and I'm not I'm not um serious, uh that uh just in case uh we didn't want that much of a reenactment, but again, uh it'll be a centerpiece of the park and uh certainly a centerpiece of uh 4th of July activities and uh for hopefully many years to come, and again, in celebration of the 250th.

Um installation, you'll be uh we're due uh no later than June 5th, and then we start working on the lighting.

Uh the flag would need to be lit.

Uh and we're uh right on track where we want to be.

Uh there will be a ceremony, so put everyone on fair warning uh in the room here, especially the park foundation, and uh of course the park board and other members of the city it uh that uh we're gonna work you into a program and our 4th of July fireworks are on the third, so July 3rd.

So if you didn't have plans, now you got some.

So uh July 3.

Uh more much more to come on that ceremony, but things are really uh lining up quite nicely, and uh really uh do official uh opening of the flagpole.

Uh so uh that's uh a brief background on it.

Uh the location again, there's a map that kind of shows you, and uh lines up again very nicely within the park and uh blends in with the uh kind of landscape of uh it's a black flagpole or black anodise.

So our fencing there is black with the tennis courts and our light poles are black, so it all works in with the you know the landscape and uh the type of uh amenities that we already have in place.

Um yeah, and the lighting.

The lighting is specified for a flagpole of that size or the flag of that size, and uh uh it's been uh uh very interesting experience.

We would have thought that a flag pole would be quite that challenging, but uh you know, when when you're looking bigger, I guess uh that's what you're gonna get.

So uh all in all, fantastic.

I can't say enough again for the park foundation.

We have some key members here tonight, and uh we're uh ready to do a dedication.

Uh there's gonna be a plaque, a commemorative plaque.

That's that third uh uh rendering that you're that's uh listed on your attachment.

The um it's actually uh how big is that mark?

Three by three uh 48 by 24.

Okay, two by four.

So that will be located in a strategic location and near the flagpole, and uh we'll recognize again the uh contribution to sponsorship uh covering the flagpole uh is a big cost.

And uh so we can't say enough again for uh the park foundation, and we had asked them to come tonight and do a presentation to the board, and now the hard part is to get everyone organized for the official passing of the check.

And uh so we could organize uh in the front here, and then we'll have the park foundation come on up, and we're gonna get some photo ops.

Thank you.

What order do you want to?

So the right, the board to the left, and then uh and yeah, push your chin out towards me and your forehead back for me, please.

Yeah, push your chin out towards me and your forehead back for me, please.

That's that's actually not that bad.

I mean, for the first Deb, if I can put you in a little bit, John a little bit of John.

John, can you slide in just a little more?

Perfect.

Beautiful.

All right.

As my father in law would say, pretend like you like each other.

All right, perfect.

Excellent.

Okay, now speech.

Stanley.

Thank you.

When we got that opportunity to display the foundation.

We raised about money over the years.

But there's seven of us on the foundation.

Thank you guys for everything.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Yeah, I think that's our learning.

That's sure I'm just asking real quick.

That's mine.

Great.

Okay.

Moving on to the discussion, discussion decision items.

First one, review and possible action on proposed revisions to the departmental financial assistance program.

All right, Mark Shram has been working diligently on the program.

We're proud to say we've had a financial assistance program for many years.

And the board has taken action.

If it hasn't been every year, it's been every other year to keep it very relevant and fresh.

And Mark's going to share some of the uh proposed changes uh with the board tonight.

Mark.

Perfect.

Thanks, Ron.

Uh so provided to provide a little bit of an overview on our financial assistance program.

Um this program helps residents with lower incomes be able to take part uh to participate in our activities.

Um for those that do qualify, we use other programs such as like badger care, food share, things of that nature.

Um require proof from the individuals and the family in order to receive whether that's the forty or sixty-five percent of subsidy.

Um the impact that this program has on the community is pretty great.

Um depending on the on the year, uh we will contribute anywhere from seventy-four to ninety-six thousand dollars uh to families in need, which equates um to at least this past year for the 2024-2025 school year uh four hundred and forty-five families that uh were able to receive assistance.

So definitely a big impact.

The primary use is for our before and after school program, but that you there are other benefits as well with other general activity registrations.

So for the uh financial assistance policy, um, you should see the text in red.

That is the track changes that we have on the policy.

For the most part, it's administrative changes to clarify to our customers to curb questions.

But the main change that I want to highlight and go over here is item number five under assistance procedures.

So what we're looking to do is um when somebody submits their application and their application is pending, they would be required to pay the full amount to register for a program to secure their spot.

And then once the financial assistance is approved, we will refund them for the that approved umount.

So not everyone that submits an application is approved for our financial assistance.

Um and uh prior to this change, we have offered a 35% deposit on a uh registration fee while an application is pending.

And what we've found is that by offering that you might only receive the 40% discount, not the 65%.

So then we're we're chasing after you to collect payment.

Um you may not receive any um financial assistance.

So yet again, we're we're chasing after you to now complete um that registration fee.

Um and we also wanted to make it clear that um any type of refund that you would receive would occur from when you submitted your application and the until it's been approved.

Um so you can't submit an application and receive a prorated refund for a program you took eight months ago.

So we wanted to specify that in here.

And that was the main change on this program.

Does anyone have any questions?

Mark, if I could add just real quickly, um, just wanted to note that our financial assistance account is uh a self-supporting self uh special revenue account.

Um we don't have any tax levy that goes towards this program.

Um it is all through donations, sponsorships, events like our Bear Wants More adventure walk that we hosted a couple weekends ago.

Um so just wanted to reiterate that there are there are no tax dollars that are going to this program.

It is a self-supporting special revenue bond.

Thank you.

I mean, I do question folks' ability to be able to pay the full amount if they're looking for the assistance, but I understand also where you're coming from on the standpoint of having to chase when folks only get a certain amount of assistance.

Um just throwing on that out there, yeah.

Quick question on that.

So when you were chasing people down, you know, right.

Sorry, bad verbiage.

No, you're fine, you're fine.

We're using it together, it's all good.

So my question though is like did you not recover all of the funds once you had to reach out?

Or did you were we still able to recover all the funds once sometimes, yes, sometimes so we weren't able to recover all the funds that okay, so and then in those situations we tend to have to write that off.

Okay, because yeah, we can't okay.

We there's no collections or anything of that nature.

All right, so that's why for the programs, like do we find that there are some that quickly sell out, if you will, that would then put a barrier in front of these people who potentially might need it.

Since it's primarily used for our before and after school program, I don't think that this change would create a barrier for anyone.

Um we do uh everyone that registers for that does have to go on to a payment plan.

Um, and then your uh registration fee for the current session hits 15 days prior to the session starting.

So in most instances, if you are applying by or before that August 1st date, you will have been approved, and then that won't be an issue for you for for the upcoming school year.

Thanks.

Any further questions?

Okay, uh, we'll be looking for um then a motion to approve the uh proposed revisions to the financial assistance program.

So moved.

I'll second.

We have uh Alderman Camacho and a second by Sarah Roth that we've got one of those.

Um any further discussion?

I just want to say that I'll just be interested to hear like kind of how it goes, like with numbers of enrollments and things like that.

Um after this new, hopefully it solves the issue of you know not recouping funds.

Um, but yeah, just really be curious to know how that turns out.

Absolutely.

And uh next summer I'd be happy to bring a report to the board.

Great.

Appreciate it.

Okay, we will take that to a vote then.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

And that passes unanimously.

Great.

We will move on to our favorite thing, the annual election of the parks recreation and forestry board officers.

Item A election of the uh parks reparate recreation and forestry board president.

Uh we will look for a motion to open the nominations for the board president.

I have a motion to open.

Great.

And I okay, we've got a motion by Eric Hummer, second by John Schmitz.

Any further discussion?

Okay, we'll take that to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Okay, we will now the nominations will now be open.

We will take any nominations for board president.

I'd like to nominate Jennifer Walner.

Okay.

Any other nominations?

Okay.

We have to vote on that.

We'll just close it, right?

Okay.

Okay, so then we will close nominations.

Oh, I'm sorry, we'll have to make a motion to close.

Okay.

I'll motion to close.

Thank you.

And I will second.

Uh motion by Eric Humer, second by Jennifer Walner.

Um, any further discussion?

We will take that to a vote.

Um, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

And that passes unanimously.

So now we will look for a motion to vote.

We will vote for board president.

So all in favor of Jennifer Walner say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

Thank you.

We'll get through these, I promise.

Okay, item B, election of the PRF board vice president.

I'm looking for a motion to open nominations for board vice president.

I'll make a motion.

Second.

Motion by Jennifer Walner, second by Eric Hummer.

Any further discussion?

We'll take that to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

We will now uh open nominations for board vice president.

I'd like to nominate Alderman Rico Camacho for board vice president.

Any other nominations?

Okay.

I'll be looking for a motion to close nominations for board board vice president.

Motion to close.

And I will second.

So that's a motion by Eric Hummer, second by Jennifer Walner.

Any further discussion?

Great.

We'll take that to a vote.

All in favor to close nominations, say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

So next we will take a vote for board vice president for Alderman Rico Camacho.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

Moving on to item C election of the PRF board secretary.

Looking for a motion to open nominations for board secretary.

I'll make a motion.

Motion by Sarah Roth, second by Eric Hummer.

Any further discussion?

Okay, we'll take that to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Okay, that passes unanimously.

So now we'll be looking for nominations for the PRF board secretary.

Yeah.

Well, I will nominate Eric Hummer for board secretary.

I'll second.

I know they're very loud.

Okay.

Any other nominations?

Great.

We will be looking for a motion to close nominations for PRF board secretary.

I'll make a motion.

Second.

Motion by Sarah Roth, seconded by Eric Hummer.

Any further discussion?

We'll take that to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

So last we will take it to a vote for PRF board secretary for Eric Hummer.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

Congratulations.

We made it, guys.

Great.

Moving on.

Board president report.

Nothing to report out of plan commission as of last month.

We have our meeting next month, so I'll bring anything forward in June.

So moving on to director and staff report.

All right.

Thank you, Jennifer.

Lots of activity, lots of plans.

I'll start with the first one, our park and recreation system master plan.

We've had a lot of activity with uh engagement with the community and a survey.

Hopefully, you saw the handy link that uh Mark has distributed.

And I'm sure Mark would want to report on that.

But the we're getting the well, last as of last week, I know we were over 500 uh responses already with the survey, and we're closing not until the end of the month.

So I'll let you uh keep people in suspense and where things are at.

Uh we have also had uh pop-up engagement at various uh events that has been very well received.

Uh and uh they'll continue uh the gather information and uh the firm that we're working with, uh they're called Damon Farber, and they're also uh uh working on our uh wayfinding project.

Uh and if that's not enough, they're also working on a project with community development uh called the Artscape uh project with part of the riverwalk that's being investigated through a community development initiative.

And uh so those plans are well on their way.

Uh the uh wayfinding is very much trails oriented, and that includes uh not only off-road but uh even more importantly on road uh trail connections and how to get from point A to B.

Uh the signage is uh pretty much non-existent uh throughout the city, and it's been something that uh has been talked about for years, and and we're happy to have the opportunity to finally you know do something more concrete about it.

So it'll be a standardized uh signage shift system throughout throughout the city.

This isn't gonna be in conjunction with uh public works slash engineering department because of the road aspects of it and then the off-street uh uh trails would really fall uh on our responsibility, but uh we're networking uh Waukesha County, get their input.

Uh we're all in it together.

Uh state can't forget the state, glacial drumlin is a state trail.

We have a bunch of county trails, and of course, uh we have our city trails.

So that's all part of that plan.

Uh the uh park and recreation mass the master plan uh is uh to integrate all that together.

So we have companion plans to the major plan.

Uh that plan is to guide us through 10 to 15 years.

Our current plan that we've been working off of is goes back to 2007.

So we've had a lot of mileage out of that, and uh we've accomplished quite a bit uh from that 07 and and those years go by fast.

Uh so that's uh kind of a short uh in on the the planning aspects with uh projects.

Uh we were out to bed for a prairie, and the the results were favorable, uh pretty much right on budget, and uh hear more on that.

The prairie project again is uh doing more or less a revamp of the entire park that includes uh I guess that would feature uh redoing the courts.

So the four tennis courts that exist there will become two tennis and eight pickleball over at Prairie Park.

Uh south side location.

We don't have pickleball courts currently on the south side, and that should complete our pickleball uh armada throughout the throughout the community.

So we have the different locations, uh banting, lowell, Buckner, and now Prairie.

Uh we're also doing the the ball fields, uh total redo uh the fencing, backstop, etc.

of the uh baseball diamond uh that's also utilized by uh, for example, for uh uh JV uh baseball and our programs, and uh there's a softball field that's also uh uh in the park that's gonna be redone with uh brand new fencing as well.

Uh lights, uh we have uh multi-sport field, primarily used for football, some soccer, etc.

And uh the oldest lighting system that we've had uh in the city, that's where it's at.

That'll be changed.

Uh used to be Buckner Park.

And um, what else we got?

That that pretty much covers prairie.

There's uh Viniola still working on the final design, going out the bid on the building.

Uh there's been some uh we needed to do some we call value engineering to get the project to fit the budget.

Uh but a very nice building, staying true to uh what uh our priorities were.

Restroom facilities be equal to which you what we have over at uh Cutler Park, and that accommodates crowds from two to three thousand.

We still would have uh auxiliary uh portable toilets.

Uh most sports facilities will have that, but uh it'll be supported now by actual restroom facilities.

Uh community room is still part of the project, certainly.

Uh, and uh concessions.

So that'll be a big piece of the revenue uh picture on that.

Um other projects, uh well, um pools, lots of pools.

It's right around the corner.

We're gonna get pool like weather starting uh sounds like now next week.

It's supposed to get cold again.

And uh, but next week it looks like more like uh summer.

I've you know you hear that all the time.

Uh but uh opening day is sneaking up, uh June 6th.

And uh so um yeah, uh Memorial Day events, don't forget about that.

Uh we have uh uh we have a different ceremonies.

There's a march that starts at the state office building, works its way across Barstow Bridge down Main Street over uh into uh Cutler Park.

So it's a short, it's called a march versus a parade.

And uh then there's a ceremony at Cutler.

There's a river ceremony at nine, I believe we have it, and then uh we have this uh another ceremony over at Cutler Park.

Uh and uh that is uh uh the VFW and Allied veterans are co-sponsoring working together on Advent.

So great to see, and that's you know that's really what it's uh you know what it's all about.

So hopefully you can get out and uh uh take advantage of uh uh that uh remembrance.

All right, uh lots more going on, but that's kind of the highlights that uh other projects.

Uh we can probably say that for meeting time.

I can say that for another time.

Uh we're making progress, though.

Last I'll say is in the formal gardens.

That project is been something.

Uh so um, but uh I believe the new servicing went in with the trails, so we're kind of excited about that.

Uh so keeping further suspense.

So uh Mark Thompson, recreation.

All right, thank you, Ron.

Um, so as Ron stated, summer is coming, and the team has been extremely busy.

Um so Logan and his team have been uh out at the pools just making sure that we're prepping things in anticipation of the season.

Um we have one of the pools full.

Buckner is gonna start filling here in the next week.

Um hiring is ongoing.

We still have a couple positions uh that we have open at the pools, but we're really only looking for a few lifeguards at this point.

Usually we're still looking for like 10 plus.

So it's looking very good for the aquatics team schedule.

Um Pro Health hosted their cancer walk on May 2nd.

We had over 800 people, um, 800 runners and walkers um at Frame Park, and it was a beautiful day, and it was a great event for an awesome cause.

Um, Joanna and her team have been working with the Remember Our Falling Committee.

Um, so the committee was formed with local veterans uh who served during the global war on terrorism, um city staff who served um uh who served during the global war on terror, and then also park record forestry staff.

Um we're working on the ceremonies, a program, layout, sponsors, and logistics, and the opening ceremony is planned for 6 p.m.

on Wednesday, August 19th at the Schutzsee Recreation Center.

And there'll be more information to come as we get closer to that event.

Deb has been um working very diligently in securing uh sponsorship banners.

Um we have great example out at WRO.

Um WRO has sold very well.

Um, so we have a good variety of banners out there, great colors out there.

Um I just think that it uh it was tactfully done where it's doesn't look like we just shotgun blasted banners out there.

They all look very professional and they're very well designed.

Um, and the program is is going very well.

Um Cheryl, she's been busy.

Uh youth softball, uh baseball and t ball.

We have 48 teams full of 12 players, so the program is at capacity.

Um with our adult softball, we have 115 teams playing this summer, and then we have 10 adult kickball teams.

Um, in addition to that, youth spring soccer leagues uh wrapped up this past Saturday.

Um, we do have a couple games that kind of spilled over into this week, um, but we had 75 teams registered for that program.

Um, and then we're anticipating 75 plus for this fall as well.

Uh so our youth sports youth sports program continue to grow.

Gayla and her team are working very hard on the summer, excuse me, summer explorers program.

And we did get verbal confirmation from DPI that we are able to move the Hawthorne grant over to Lowell for this next school year.

So we are able to continue that grant offering free after school care over at Lowell with a transfer of that grant.

And registration has opened up for next school year as well as summer programs.

So lots and lots of youth enrollments.

And uh last but certainly not least, um, we just renewed our contract in partnership with the school district of Waukeshaw for 4K services.

Um so just a friendly reminder that we have been in a partnership with the School District of Waukesha for 15 plus school years now over at the Shutzee Recreation Center, offering 4K services.

Um have a great relationship with the school district and uh just looking forward to continuing that partnership.

And that's what we have on recreation.

Thanks, Ron.

Thank you, Mark.

Now we'll pass on to Mark Schramm.

Thanks, Ron.

All right, so I get to speak a little bit more on the master plan.

Uh so like Ron mentioned, we attended uh or had three uh different uh pop-up engagement activities to uh gauge some public uh input and feedback.

Uh the first one was at the library where we were connecting with teens.

Our second one was at our cool school run uh to connect with children and adults, families, and then the last one was at Senior Bingo at SRC uh to connect with our seniors.

Had a great turnout at all of those um programs and events, a lot of feedback and participation, so it was great data to collect.

Um, and also in conjunction of having our pop-up engagements, we've had a survey circulating for um a week and a half.

Uh the survey is uh live until May 31st.

Uh as we stand right now, we have 582 responses as of this morning, um, and a good response rate that we've been told from our consultants is 500 to 700 for a community of our size.

Uh so we're doing really well, working really hard on uh getting the information out there, whether it's on a website, social media displays, newsletters, emails, signs in the parks.

Um, so a lot of effort uh has been going into that so that we can gain as much public uh feedback and input as possible.

Um outside of master plan updates for the admin team, it's been a busy month for us.

Uh we've assisted with 285 rentals this past month, uh, which uh 87% of those are in person.

Um so far we've also sold 535 pool memberships and assisted with 5,291 um program enrollments.

Uh so it's been a busy month for us.

That's what I have.

Thank you.

Thanks, Mark.

And this uh add on to Mark indicated as part of the process again with the park and recreation system uh master plan is the board.

You're not excluded from the from the process at all.

Uh once uh we have the initial gathering of information from the public uh we are looking at putting a workshop together as we've done with strategic plans for those that have been on the board for a bit.

And uh so keep that in mind.

I know the summer is always tricky, but uh uh we usually look for like a Saturday, uh Saturday morning seems to work pretty well, and that would be with uh our uh leadership staff and with uh with you guys with the uh Park Rec Forestry Board.

I'm also gonna be reaching out to uh all the aldermen uh get their ideas about parks and everything parks in Rec and Forestry.

And uh so more to come.

I guess that's what I'm saying is that uh there's definitely uh a piece of that puzzle uh that involves uh specifically uh PRF board.

Okay, that concludes our report for tonight.

Great, and with no further discussion, we are adjourned.

Thanks, everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you.