Hillmoor Commission Meeting — Minutes

HILLMOOR COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, August 13, 2026 – 6:00 PM LAKE GENEVA CITY HALL; COUNCIL CHAMBERS (MAIN LEVEL) Members: Mayor Todd Krause, Alderperson Cindy Yager, Mark Davids, Kenneth Etten, Dan Getzen, Larry Happ, Paula Porubcan, Peggy Schneider, and Lowell Thompson. Consultant Michael Krajovic. David Winger, City Parks Director, was also in attendance. Call to Order by Mayor Krause at 6:00 pm. Roll Call - Present: Mayor Krause, Alderperson Cindy Yager, Kenneth Etten, Lowell Thompson, Dan Getzen, Paula Porubcan, Larry Happ, and Mark Davids. Consultant Michael Krajovic. Peggy Schneider was excused. (Parks Director David Winger was also in attendance.) Comments from the public as allowed by Wis. Stats. §19.84(2), limited to items on this agenda, except for public hearing items. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes. Betty Volquardsen gave public comment. (Public comments can be reviewed on the City’s website.) Approve the Minutes – No minutes were approved at the meeting. Consultant’s Report – M. Krajovic mentioned that he has not had time to work on the next issue of the Hillmoor newsletter but hopes that it will ready within the next two weeks. Presentation/Discussion regarding Geneva Lakes Astrophysics and Steam (GLAS) Project by Friends of Hillmoor (FOH) - Peg Esposito of the FOH presented the GLAS project which involves placing a small, roll top observatory structure to store telescopes and other supportive technical equipment on Hillmoor in the area where the old, paved parking lot for the former golf clubhouse is located in Zone 3. The project would also involve a restroom and canopy roof for supplying solar power and not require other utilities. Commission members expressed support for the project; however, the Commission anticipates beginning planning for Zones 2 thru 5 in 2027 so no permanent recommendation can be made at this time. The Mayor asked David W. to further investigate the issues that would need to be addressed to allow GLAS to have temporary use of this part of the Hillmoor property and to report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Presentation on City Forming a Parks Foundation – David Winger gave a presentation on the City forming a private Park Foundation to help raise future donations to support City park projects including Hillmoor. The board of the foundation is proposed to be made up of residents from the City. Aldermen Yager suggested that representatives from other select City committees and commissions by represented on the board. The Mayor asked David W. to provide additional details at the next Hillmoor meeting. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Hillmoor 2027 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Budget Priorities for 2027-2031 – M. Krajovic gave a PowerPoint presentation on potential Hillmoor projects to be included in the City’s upcoming budget. He stated that the projects support the Vision and Major Objectives for Hillmoor as established by City Council in 2023 as well as the recent strategic plan for the City which emphasizes livability issues. He presented 2027 Operating Budget items as well as four different scenarios for funding priority capital projects in Zone 1 over the next 5 years. The Commission members generally agreed that completing the south loop main path which is part of the Knowles-Nelson grant project, removing the current dog park, constructing a new dog park, and relocating impacted disc golf holes should be recommended as priority projects. The Commission also agreed to recommend approximately $100,000 per year for 3 years to begin ecological restoration work in Zone 3 to protect the oak forest which has been identified as the initial top ecological restoration project area. Developing a conceptual plan for the remaining zones 2 – 5, creating a river restoration plan for Zone 1, funding ecological restoration project oversight, and funding the Hillmoor coordinator consultant, were other projects recommended for funding. M. Krajovic also suggested other capital projects for funding in the four different scenarios which included constructing the north loop and connector path, constructing the connector path to the dog park, allocating funds for a splash pad, beginning native plantings, constructing 3 river access points, building a large picnic shelter, and a river boardwalk. The idea of setting a financial goal for raising donor funds for certain projects was also discussed. The total costs for all projects proposed in the four scenarios ranged from $1,142,000 to $2,215,000 over the 5 year period between 2027 and 2031. After extensive discussion, the Mayor suggested that the Commission make its final budget determinations and recommendations at the next Hillmoor meeting. M. Krajovic said that he would be reaching out to the Commission members to help them determine their priority projects in preparation for the next meeting. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Future Planning of Hillmoor Zones 2-5 – M. Krajovic talked about the need to begin planning for the remaining zones of the property that would be integrated with the recently completed Zone 1 conceptual plan. He stated that developing a master conceptual plan for the entire Hillmoor property is a primary purpose of the Commission as determined by City Council. One of the budget priorities would be to fund the development of a conceptual plan for Zones 2 – 5. The Commission agreed to begin planning discussions at upcoming meetings. Adjournment – On a motion by Lowell Thompson and seconded by Larry Happ, the motion to adjourn was unanimously approved. Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:59 pm.