Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board Meeting - August 31, 2026

The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board met at 5:30 PM in the Training Room at Waukesha City Hall on Monday, August 31, 2026. Initial roll call showed five members present and three absent. The board approved the prior meeting minutes and unanimously recommended the proposed 2027-2031 Parks, Recreation and Forestry Executive Community Investment Program (CIP) budget to the Finance Committee.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the draft Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board minutes from July 20, 2026 (ID#26-04251): motion by Eric Huemmer, seconded by Ald. Rico Camacho; approved unanimously with 5 ayes and 3 absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered; no action was required.

Discussion Items

• The board reviewed ID#26-04250, the proposed 2027-2031 Executive Community Investment Program (CIP) budget for the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. Director Ron Grall and staff walked through the project list, which was color-coded into projects, IT/equipment, and fleet items. Staff noted that the Finance Committee had already held an initial discussion-only review, and the board meeting was rescheduled to allow members time to read the new budget book.

Major projects discussed included:

• Hyer Park playground replacement: the oldest playground not yet replaced; one playground per year is the current program. Staff discussed typical playground life of roughly 25 years, maintenance, parts replacement, and the high cost of safety surfacing.
• Mineola Park complex: construction of a new pavilion with an 80-person community room, restrooms, and concessions; parking lot phase with about 40-45 stalls, lighting, and three new U8 grass fields. Staff said the project was delayed but should go out for bid soon, with groundbreaking in fall 2026 and possible opening in 2027.
• Frame Park seating and storage improvements: a proposed $400,000 project with $200,000 from Carroll University and $200,000 from the city; includes modular seating, storage under bleachers, a press box, and pavement improvements. Board members asked that the design permit future expansion without demolition.
• Sparks Field hybrid turf: using $164,636 in community donations plus $235,364 in city funds to install hybrid turf on Field 1, a warning track, and turf wings. Staff said the project would reduce rainouts and was tied to the Jackson Sparks memorial effort; no lighting is included.
• Schuetze Building HVAC overhaul and gym floor work: replacement/upgrades for multiple rooftop units, boilers, and related systems serving five zones, plus sanding and re-lining of the gym floor.
• Riverwalk overlook boardwalk: reconstruction/replacement between the Spring House and Arsenal Bridge after flood damage from the prior year's 100-year storm; the $400,000 budget is intended for a more flood-resistant design, with possible support from Fox River Development Board funds held by the community foundation.
• Pool filter media replacement at Horeb and Buckner pools: replacing sand/silica filter media approximately 10 years old to improve clarity and inspect the filter tanks.
• Bike/pedestrian wayfinding signage: phase 1.5 of design and installation, including a trailhead for a proposed center city trail. Staff noted the separate RAISE grant is for the bike/ped overpasses, not this signage item.
• Banting parking lot lighting and Mineola parking lot lighting: safety improvements, including about four light poles at Banting.
• Aviation Building fire alarm and fire suppression-related systems: $45,000 to replace alarm components, detectors, horn strobes, pull stations, and the monitoring dialer, including a wireless dialer.
• E.B. Shurts roof replacement: replacement of the original asphalt shingle roof, skylight resealing, sheathing as needed, and gutters/downspouts.
• IT items: keyless entry and camera work, including fiber installation at Mineola, eight cameras, 14 keyless entry systems, and some wireless access/equipment mounts.
• Fleet items: nine fleet replacement or repurposing items, including a cargo van, a multi-purpose roll-off truck, three tractors/vent track units, pickup trucks, and a forestry chipper. Surplus vehicles would be auctioned through GovDeals.

When asked which project could be deferred if budget pressure required it, staff identified the Frame Park/Carroll University project as the most flexible $200,000 item, while saying Sparks Field should proceed and Mineola parking/lighting should be coordinated with the pavilion construction. Staff also noted that the department's 2028 CIP is currently much smaller, around $500,000.

Key Outcomes

• Motion by Ald. Jack Wells, seconded by Eric Huemmer, to approve the recommendation of the 2027-2031 Parks, Recreation and Forestry Executive CIP budget to the Finance Committee. The motion carried unanimously: 5 ayes, 3 absent.
• The minutes list the voting members for this item as Steve Johnson, Sarah Roth, Jack Wells, Jennifer Wallner, and Eric Huemmer, with Rico Camacho, John Schmitz, and Erica Yoss absent. This conflicts with the roll call at the start of the meeting and transcript, which showed Camacho present and Roth absent; that discrepancy is noted rather than resolved.
• Next steps: the Finance Committee is scheduled to meet September 8, 2026, and the Common Council is expected to take action on September 15, 2026.

Board President Report

• The Board President reported no items.

Director and Staff Report

• Staff reported a successful summer: youth development camps had record numbers and record revenue, and before- and after-school care is now operating at 10 sites. Aquatics wrapped up on August 23; attendance was down due to cool weather, and overall pool revenue is expected to be down 2-4 percent, with one pool exceeding forecast and one falling short. Greenway Terrace community build slots filled within 30 minutes, and more than 50 volunteers took part in a memorial event. Fall soccer has more than 110 volunteer coaches, more than 70 teams, and is at capacity. A new recreation supervisor, Jesse Jeffers, was scheduled to start the following week. The fall activity guide was released, and a draft parks master plan was presented at the beer garden for public feedback.

Adjournment

• After no further discussion, the board adjourned.