Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board Meeting Summary - July 20, 2026

The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board met at 5:30 PM on Monday, July 20, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Hall in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Six members were present and two were absent. The board approved the May 18, 2026 minutes and the proposed recreation fee schedule, and received reports on the Parks System Master Plan, summer programs, air-quality adjustments, budget timelines, and staffing.

Attendance

• Present: Rico Camacho, Steve Johnson, Jack Wells, Erica Yoss, Jennifer Wallner, and Eric Huemmer.
• Absent: Sarah Roth and John Schmitz.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment.

Approval of Minutes

• The board approved the draft Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board minutes from May 18, 2026. Motion by Eric Huemmer, seconded by Ald. Rico Camacho. The motion passed unanimously: 6 ayes, 0 noes, with Roth and Schmitz absent.

Discussion Item: Recreation Program Fees and Charges

• Staff presented the proposed fee schedule for the upcoming season. Note: The agenda and minutes identify this item as the '2026 Fall Season Recreation Program Fees/Charges Schedule,' but the transcript shows staff and the approval motion referring to the '2027 winter/spring fees and charges.'
• Recreation staff reported 588 total classes: 281 youth classes, 119 before- and after-school offerings (including day-off programs, special events, and early-release programs), 99 adult classes, 71 older adult classes, and 18 family classes.
• Sports offerings were largely unchanged. The only contractual increase was a 4% increase for Skyhawks. The men's basketball league was the only league listed because soccer prices had already been approved for summer.
• Special offerings included older adult painting studio, trips, and free classes: trauma-sensitive yoga (partnership with the Resilience Center) and Ballroom Basics for Balance (funded through a grant via ProHelp).
• Youth development staff announced a $1 per month increase for before- and after-school programs to keep up with staff wages and supply costs. Beginning in fall 2026-27, programming would expand to Summit View, covering all 10 elementary schools. An adaptive class, Friends and Fun, would be offered at $5 per class for six weeks.
• Because Hawthorne Elementary closed, the fifth year of its Community Learning Center grant was moved to Lowell Elementary, with a future application cycle still dependent on federal funding.
• The main fee increase in fitness and older adult programming was 8% for Foxtail 3K. Staff explained this was driven by staff wages rising from $13 to $18 per hour and the need to remain competitive after an instructor's departure. A board member questioned the size of the increase, noting increases are usually 3-4%, and staff said they increase fees only when necessary and aim to remain affordable.
• Tai Chi and pickleball continue to see strong enrollment and were being restructured; American Mahjong was being expanded with adult and senior versions plus day and evening meetups.

Board President Report

• Board President Jennifer Wallner reported that the Saturday master-plan workshop was successful and well facilitated. No action was taken.

Director and Staff Reports

• Director Ron Grall reported on the Parks System Master Plan process with consultant Damon Farber, including three full days of park system inspections in April/May, special-interest meetings (including Horb Springs Park and DOT Park), and an October target for board review of the master plan.
• Staff noted additional public engagement would occur at Horub Springs Park and DOT Park (also referred to as DOP Park in the transcript), with a draft master-plan open house scheduled for late August at Rivers Crossing Beer Garden.
• The Jamboree website redesign was set to go live July 21, 2026, and the fall activity guide was being printed, with residents expected to receive it the week before August 17 and registration opening the week of August 17.
• The 4th of July event and flag dedication went well despite weather; attendance was described as the highest in a decade. Air-quality challenges caused program modifications and cancellation of youth appreciation night and a jazz event, with rescheduling planned.
• Staff purchased and installed mobile air conditioners for pool shelters and made programming changes to limit outdoor time for youth during unhealthy air-quality days.
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) submittals will be reviewed at the August board meeting; initial submittals are due August 14. CIP adoption is scheduled for September 15 and operating budget adoption is expected in early November.
• In the recreation supervisor search, 67 people applied, 34 had direct sports experience, 9 were interviewed, and 2 finalists would have second interviews on July 21, with an anticipated start in August.
• The Remember Our Fallen exhibit will be held August 19-23, 2026, fully funded by sponsors and free to taxpayers. Sponsors included Mission Barbecue, Meyer, Cobblestone Hotel, Oberlin Filter, Metal Tech, Curry Insurance, Eaton, Midwest Industries, Habish, Rotheer, and Sussex Service Club.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the May 18, 2026 minutes by a 6-0 vote.
• Approved the proposed recreation fee schedule by a 6-0 vote, with Roth and Schmitz absent.
• Next steps include continued master-plan engagement and review of CIP submittals at the August board meeting.