Alderman Camacho.

Sorry.

Steve Johnson.

Here.

Sarah Roth is absent.

John Schmitz is absent.

Alderman Wells.

Here.

Erica Jos here.

Jennifer Walner.

Here.

And Eric Hummer.

Here.

All right.

That completes roll call.

Great.

We will open it up to public comment.

And it doesn't look like we have anything today.

So we will move on to the approval of minutes from May 18th, 2026.

We have a motion.

I'll motion to approve.

Motion.

I'll say.

Motion from Eric Homer, second from Alden and Camacho.

Any further discussion?

We will take it to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

And that passes unanimously.

Moving on to discussion decision decision items.

We will review and possible action on 2026 fall season recreation program fees charges schedule.

All right, we have recreation staff here.

As we do three times a year, we review the fees and charges going into the upcoming season.

It's been a very helpful practice for us.

That way we can all stay on top of any changes that might be needed, etc.

And uh we have uh we got Logan Gala and Mark is in Thompson here tonight to go through the fees.

Take it away, Mark.

Thank you very much, Ron.

Um so in front of us we have our 2026 um or excuse me, that should be 2027.

I'm sorry, winter fees and charges.

We're not going off to our good start.

All right, so we're gonna have a total of 588 classes.

Um, youth classes, we have 281, 119 before and after school offerings to include day off programs, special events, um, and then early release programs with a day off as well.

99 adult classes, 71 adult all their class other older adult classes, and then 18 family classes.

So moving on next with our sports focus programming.

Um happy to share that this will be the last time that I will be presenting this, and our next will have our new recreation supervisor in charge of sports.

Um, but in front of us we have our instructional classes for uh winter spring.

Um so with regards to the the classes, this is going to be the same lineup of classes that we did have this last time around.

The only increase that we have with our offerings are going to be with our Skyhawks um contractual provider with a small increase on 4%.

Um the only league that you will see on uh the these fees and charges is going to be our men's basketball league as our soccer uh prices were all approved during summer, and that season will be starting here shortly.

Um are there any questions on the sports fees and charges?

All right, so next um we have some special offerings.

So we have our 55 plus uh paint opening studio and then also the trips that uh we will be experiencing here uh in fall with our older active adult programming, and then also some of the free classes that we've done.

Um, so trauma sensitive yoga and then also ballroom basic for balance, and a couple of those um have been started with initiatives through uh Waksha County Chip, and then we're continuing on with these classes being funded free of charge uh through grants through uh ProHelp for ballroom basics, and then trauma sensitive yoga is a continued partnership with the resilience center, offering those free of charge.

There are any questions on this page's fees and charges.

What is instant piano for busy people?

All right, thank you for asking.

Um, so instant piano for busy people is it's an online Zoom offering.

So you are going to be zooming with up to 50 other people and then one instructor.

Um, and by the end of the one session, you should be able to play basic songs.

Um it really is a cool, um, easy way to get in.

It's you know, there's not a lot of barriers to it.

If you have one day and a couple hours, you can get into this class.

Any other questions on this page?

All right, thank you very much.

I'm gonna turn it over to Gala now.

Good evening, everybody.

Uh youth development continues to be extremely busy.

Um parents are very happy this summer.

We've had a tremendous summer, kids are doing well.

Um, even with the heat and the poor air quality, we are managing well, so all things good.

So all things good.

But looking forward to 2027, we only are going to have a price increase for before and after school, just extremely minimal just to keep up with staff wages and rising supply cost, of course.

So you'll see a dollar per month increase for both before and both after school.

And then I'm really excited to announce that we will be at Summit View starting in the fall of 26-27.

So we'll be in all 10 of our elementary schools.

We'll offer an adaptive class for younger students called Friends and Fund.

So it'll be a six-week class.

We're going to start the course off $5 a class to keep it extremely affordable for families.

Other than that, as you know, the Hawthorne Elementary closed at the end of the school year, so we were able to petition to the Department of Public Instruction.

And that fifth year of our Hawthorne CLC grant will move over to Lowell Elementary.

So families were very, very happy to hear that we will be able to extend that over to Lowell.

At this uh time, uh, the Department of Public Instruction has not made applications available for the next cycle.

Of course, that is contingent upon federal dollars, and uh we are still waiting to hear on that.

So we will be very fortunate to be able to finish out our fifth year with that grant, and should that become available, we will absolutely be applying again.

It is such a benefit to our families.

Yes.

Uh, why the difference in the price between a before and after?

Is it due to the hours that's it is so yeah, that is exactly what it is.

Yeah, we try to keep that same hourly rate, of course, the same, but depending on the number of hours.

Yeah, thank you.

Uh, can I answer any other questions?

Awesome.

Thank you all.

Evening everyone.

Uh participants participation remains strong across fitness and your fitness pickable foxtail preschool and our homeschool programming.

Um, the only major fee structure that we're adjusting this year is for our three tail 3K foxtail programming.

Um, that's gonna be seeing a 8% increase.

Um, but generally the majority of the other programs are gonna see the same as fees as last year just because we changed so many fees last year.

Um so that's why you're seeing um the rest of the fees being the remaining the same.

Um, some programmings that did see a high enrollment um and restructuring after speaking with some of the instructors is Tai Chi and our pickaball programming.

Those are still seeing very major growth and uh enrollment from our residents and non-residents, um, which is great.

Um, so we're definitely looking at those programs and enjoying their growth.

Um, again, general other programming are doing very well.

Like I said, pickleball is still seeing some growth.

We did a little bit of restructuring just to try to get more players and participants in those programs.

So and then another old uh older adult enrichment program that we're restructuring is our American Mahjong class.

Um, we're actually adding a adult version of that, sorry, just a general adult one and a senior one.

Um, we've had a lot of people reach out, uh very interested in mahjongs where we both doing a day class and an evening class, and then an evening and a day uh meetup for those as well.

So Mahjong continues to be an interesting program for that.

Um with that, the rest of the programs are pretty much what we traditionally do.

Yes.

What is driving the eight percent on foxtails?

Because that's a pretty big jump.

Usually we see more reasonable increases.

Um thank you.

Um, the main driver on it is staff wages.

Um, we went from employees making $13 an hour to now we're having to pay them $18 an hour, and we've been trying to kind of nudge away at it over the years, uh, but we do now have one of our instructors that is moving on from the program.

She's moving out of state, and in order for us to offer those same competitive wages, we're having to give everybody a bump again.

Um, well, not everyone, but our assistant teacher, and then also our our main teacher is going to get a small increase as well.

Um, but it's to support staff wages.

Okay, thank you.

Well, when you look at um what other providers are are charging throughout our community, and that's one thing that I mean it's a painstaking process.

It's really we only want to increase when we absolutely have to in order to cover those costs.

It's a it's a phenomenal program and still has such an amazing reputation in the community.

Um, but yes, we just want to remain as affordable as possible.

And just looking at the usually when we're increasing, it's more than three to four percent.

And that concludes it, right?

Yeah.

So if we don't have any other questions, then we would entertain a motion to approve the uh 2027 winter spring fees and charges.

Yeah, thank you all.

Who knew Mahjong was the new pickleball?

Um I will make a motion to approve the program fees charges schedule.

Motion by Jennifer Wallner, second by Eric.

Yeah, Eric Hummer.

Um, any further discussion.

Great, we'll take it to a vote.

All in favor say aye.

Aye, opposed.

And that passes unanimously.

Thanks, you guys.

Appreciate it.

Moving on to board president report.

Um, just reporting that we did have, I think, a very successful uh workshop on Saturday.

So everyone who was able to attend, um, I think we had a really good discussion, and uh it was it was really nicely facilitated.

So thank you, Mark.

Um, but other than that, nothing else to report.

So we'll move on to two director and staff report.

Uh thanks, Jennifer.

Uh and and uh still a little thunder.

Um thanks thanks to you guys, the those that could attend, and uh we're also gonna be looking at ways to get um for those that could not attend uh information in your hands to fill out.

So that you have that to look forward to.

But thanks.

Thanks again for taking time on a Saturday.

Uh and uh it sounded like it went, it was very productive, and uh that's great.

Uh we've been very happy with uh Damon Farber.

They're the um you know facilitators, the consultants of the planning process, and uh very detailed, and uh so hopefully again, and it sounds like it was productive.

So it makes it all worthwhile.

Uh more to come on that process.

We're doing some special interest uh facilitation that uh fills the blanks in in some of the areas that uh we don't have as much info.

Uh one example is like Horb Springs Park.

Uh we have uh uh very engaged uh neighborhood association that uh they have an annual meeting, and we're gonna be facilitating a process uh over at Horb Springs to see what their thoughts and interest and suggestions are.

I know DOP Park is another one that we've had special interest in, and um through the uh UW extension, and uh they look at areas uh considered to be revitalization areas and DOP will get some special uh attention uh as well with uh facilitating with the neighborhood there.

Uh I won't take too much away from Mark Shram's report though, because he's our top facilitator with those two events in particular.

Uh a lot of planning processes going on, and overall the the goal is to have that plan.

So we have uh shooting for October to have it for board review and uh the overall plan.

So a lot left to be done, but a lot has already been accomplished, and uh you know it's time just flies.

Uh we had uh uh three solid days they were in town that was back in May, I want to say April, May, of uh just doing uh uh inspections and reviews throughout the park system, and they had three you know total solid days of taking them around and taking a look at things and evaluating uh and plus a lot of other uh meetings and plans that putting together and try to uh tie the pieces together with uh the other companion plans like the bike ped plan, wayfinding plan, uh Saratoga Lake is another plan that's out there.

Uh all this is interrelated.

So the real test is gonna be how to tie all those plans into the master plan.

And uh, and you got a little you got a little taste uh to tugging my hands, did it again tugging my hands too much.

Uh, you got a little taste of that uh on Saturday.

Um so thanks again.

The uh 4th of July.

Um it was an interesting one for myself.

I was in England and experiencing the birth of our second grandchild, first one for my middle daughter who lives in England.

And it was bittersweet because I really wanted to be here for the fourth.

Sounds like everything went very well.

Dodged a few bullets with the weather.

So that's always a good that's always the number one scare.

All not good for fireworks.

So apparently we had some rain coming right after the fireworks were done.

So great flag dedication.

Went real well and uh looking real nice, especially uh some of the photos and pictures that show uh the residual smoke.

Not that we need smoke now, but little do we know uh that uh at the time after the fireworks, uh you had the whole effect of you know bombs bursting in there and and the flag with the the lights and all that.

Uh so that was a special highlight, and uh prayed went well and uh a lot better than last year.

Again, the weather was you know caused some issues last year for us.

So great 4th of July, and again, thanks for everyone that's involved with that.

Uh recreation staff, kudos to them, but really everybody plays a part uh in making that all happen, and uh went very very well.

Um air quality challenges.

Uh I don't know if that's gonna become the new norm.

I hope not.

Uh, but now it's like every other year.

Uh two years ago we had issues as well.

And um, so uh I gotta extend kudos to uh again recreation staff, Mark Thompson, and uh in particular, uh but everyone again plays a role in their in their uh program areas that they're responsible for to really help shape uh and make the call as far as we're gonna modify programming, cancel programming, allow programming to go, and it's uh a revolving door.

Uh so kudos to uh Mark and his team, the recreation staff, and then Mark Schram got kudos the admin team, same deal, the communicate help facilitate, you know, get the word out.

Uh gotta put a plug in for the engagement team as well uh here at City Hall.

They really are uh a great benefit and a boost for getting information out very quickly and efficiently, uh not only in traditional methods, but on you know, with social media, and um so with all that uh I think we've done the best we could with trying to you know manage through uh they all kind of kicked in what Wednesday of last week, Thursday for sure, and Friday, Saturday was a little murky, a little hope on Sunday.

Uh so I think we got half a pool day in.

Uh but what a mess.

But anyhow, thanks uh again to staff in particular with uh you know managing through that and um just take a day by day.

Um budget season, last thing I'll have that uh CIP.

They'll be on the docket for August.

So we'll be getting information out on the CIP uh submittals uh to you guys and uh not too distant future, uh, but the next board meeting will be walking through the CIP submittals, uh capital improvement projects.

And uh and the operating budget is right behind that.

Uh the um submittals, the initial submittals for us is due on August 14th.

Uh we uh October will be the board meeting that will be going through the operating budget with the board.

So that's a longer process, the operating budget.

So the reviews and all that good stuff take place in September into early October.

And we typically have like uh uh meeting just on each department.

So when we know once we know our focus night uh at finance, uh we'll let you know.

Feel free to attend or watch from home, uh, whatever you like.

Uh but we'll we'll keep you posted on how that works out.

Uh and again, ultimately the adoptions, uh CIP, the uh adoption date is September 15th, potentially, hopefully.

So there's several meetings involved with finance leading up to that, but that's uh relatively soon.

So we'll be looking at it again at our August meeting and reviewing, and uh there will be uh some finance meetings in between that and then with uh budget adoption on a schedule at this time for uh September 15th at the common council.

The uh process with the operating budget, uh typical for those that have been around.

Uh the adoption takes place usually that first meeting in November, so early November is when the operating budget gets approved.

So any questions on that.

All right, a lot more to come.

Uh with that, uh pass it along to Mark Schram.

Thank you, Ron.

Um for an admin report to just touch on the park system master plan a little bit more.

Thank you again for everyone that was able to make it this weekend.

And as Ron mentioned, I'll end up sending out um a survey um type monkey uh to you all that uh weren't able to attend so that we can still gather your feedback and I'll um send out the initial workshop documents to you as well.

So once um once you get that, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me and I'll happily uh guide you through that process.

Uh still want to get your input.

Um as Ron also mentioned, uh, we are going to hold a few more engagement opportunities with um the Tower Hill uh Neighborhood Association.

Uh we'll be doing that this weekend on Saturday at Horub, and then the first week of um August, we will hold um two engagement opportunities at DOT Park.

Um, see what uh type of amenities they're they're interested in for uh future 10 to 15 years out and what's working well, uh, what uh could we do better out there?

Um so looking forward to those opportunities again, some additional feedback from the public.

Um also wanted to mention to you all that we are looking at um hosting our open house for the draft master plan at Rivers Crossing Beer Gardens.

So that's going to be the end of August.

Once we have a solidified date, I'll share that with you all for anyone that's able to make it.

It will be our first look and share of the draft plan with the general public where we can gain additional input to make some uh additional revisions.

Um looking forward to all that.

Um, outside of the master plan for admin, uh our jamboree website has been in a redesign process.

Uh that actually will go live um tomorrow.

Uh so if you want to take a look at the redesigned website, I'd uh recommend looking at it on Wednesday.

Um but purpose of the redesign was to stay up to date with trends, keep it fresh, also to help us maintain ADA compliance from a design standpoint that it works well with screen readers.

Um so that is uh coming here really soon and crazy to think that we're already talking about fall for programming.

So activity guide is underway, making sure that we have all of our programming entered into our registration software.

Um creating the activity guide will be going to print uh later this week.

So everyone uh city resident um-wise should expect to receive the activity guide in their mailbox the week prior to August 17th.

The week of August 17th is when we'll have registration open for residents and non-residents for fall programming.

Um outside of that, like Ron mentioned, big focus on CIP and operating budget work to prepare for 2027.

And that is my admin report.

Thank you.

All right, thanks, Mark Schram.

Uh Mark Thompson, anything else on the recreation scene?

Absolutely.

So as I um hinted at before, uh our new recreation supervisor who has yet to be selected, should be joining us here in the new future.

Um applications closed out.

Uh, we had a very competitive process.

We had 67 people apply.

Out of those 67 people who applied, 34 of them had direct experience in a sports position, either working for a municipal setting, a private setting, um, or a school district.

Out of those 34 people, we polled in the top nine for interviews.

We conducted those last week, and we did ask back the top two candidates.

Um, and those uh second round of interviews will happen tomorrow.

Um so we anticipate a job offer going out near the end of the week with the new recreation supervisor starting um sometime in August.

We're looking at um August 11th, which is corresponds with when we can allow people to start with City Hall uh trainings.

So, in addition to that, um summer has been in full swing with all of our programs and special events.

Um of the uh things that I am proud to announce is the remember our fallen exhibit, which is going to be coming to us August 19th through the 23rd, is fully funded.

With our sponsors on that one, with this being a new event, uh just wanted to share with you who those were.

We have in-kind uh donations from Mission Barbecue, uh Meyer, and the Cobblestone Hotel.

Um $500 donors from Oberlin Filter and Metal Tech, and then $1,000 donors from Curry Insurance, Eaton, Midwest Industries, Habish Habish, and Rotheer.

Um, and then we also got a $600 donation from the Sussex Service Club.

Uh so that event will be brought to uh the residents uh completely free of charge to the taxpayer.

And I think it's gonna be just an awesome, really special event.

Um, and really goes towards paying tribute to those who sacrificed everything for us.

Um, so moving on uh with the pools, the pools has been a very interesting season.

Um, we had an extremely cold June.

So attendance in June was dismal.

Um, and then once we turned the calendar to July, the 90 degrees plus came and it's pretty much been here nonstop.

So pools have been slammed since the start of uh July, and we really need it to uh help make up for how cool of a June we had.

Um, but overall attendance is uh doing really well out at the pools, and um we just hope that the air quality remains good.

Nothing hurts me more than seeing closed pools when it's 90 degrees out.

It absolutely stings inside.

Um, so going along with that with the air quality, um, we are actively monitoring the air quality on a daily basis.

Um, I really do need to give kudos to the team members, they're really the ones that are in the trenches getting all this done.

Um, so to use some examples, Gayla and her team, you know, after the first day of suffering through air quality, they went out, purchased uh mobile air conditioners for the shelters that don't have those.

We're getting those installed, um, or those have been installed uh the same day that we bought them.

We're doing program modifications to not allow youth outside um on days when the air quality is extremely unhealthy, and it is challenging.

And my hat is off to all of our youth enrichment staff and everyone else who is locked inside a building with 40 kids and nowhere to go all day long.

And some of those kiddos get dropped off as early as seven o'clock in the morning, and they can stay with us until four or five, six o'clock at night.

So it is truly a thankless job, and my hat is off to all of our staff who are out there getting it done in less than ideal conditions.

Um, so also going along with that, we did have to cancel a couple events last week due to the air quality.

Um, one of them was youth appreciation night, which we had scheduled out at WRO.

Um, we are rescheduling that for this Thursday.

So an announcement um we've been talking with our sponsors and um everybody who's gonna come help us with the event.

We have at least half our sponsors who can come back.

So we are gonna move forward with that and officially make that announcement tomorrow.

Um, we also did have to cancel um jazz was canceled on Wednesday, and we are looking to reschedule, just confirming that the uh act is available on the date we're looking to reschedule for.

So we are looking to make up the two special events that we did cancel.

So, other than that, um, I mean, then the curve balls that uh you know get thrown at us on a daily basis.

Uh summer has been extremely successful.

We are we're seeing the community out there moving, participating, attending special events.

Um, 4th of July attendance, I think was the highest we've seen, or at least I've seen in my 10 years here.

So from that perspective, I think the community is happy and moving, and um, we couldn't be more excited to be delivering these programs.

That's what I have.

Does anybody have any questions for Rec?

Thank you.

Speechless.

All right.

I was just gonna say kudos.

I mean, I don't have much more to add on that.

That is a lot of work, and it's really important for the community health.

So I appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

All right, that concludes our report for tonight.

All right, there's no further discussion.

We are adjourned.

Thanks, everyone.