Park, Recreation, & Tourism Commission — Minutes

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission Monday January 26, 2026 6:00 PM Village Hall Building 13136 30th Avenue Lake Hallie, WI 54729 Minutes 1. Meeting Called to Order according to Chapter 19.84 of the Wisconsin State Statutes 2. Roll Call: Mr. Danielson...Ms. Squires...Ms. Leibke...Mr. Stelter...Ms. Devereaux…Mr. Scholtz…Mr. Calkins…Ms. Normand Highlighted were present at the meeting. 3. Public Comments: None 4. Approval of Minutes: a. December 29, 2025 Meeting Mark made a motion to approve as presented and Jayson seconded motion carried 5. New Business: a. Discuss/Review-DMO Year in Review for 2025 AND Plan of approach for 2026 Marketing Ellie Peabody (Tourism Director) recapped 2025 Go Chippewa County Marketing Efforts for 2025. Ellie also introduced Rachel Jacobson (Communications and Marketing Manager for the Chippewa Chamber). Allyson Wisniewski (President) recapped financials for 2025 Profit & Loss Budget vs Actual, and Balance Sheet. Allyson also shared audit information from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for 2024 financials. Allyson also provide their budget for 2026 which was approved by the Chippewa Chamber board. b. Discuss/Recommend/Approve -Concession Stand Contract A discussion/ approval was had to increase the Concession Stand Rental Fee for Hallie Girls Softball from $4,500 to $4,800 for 2026 season from April 15-July 18, 2026. Russ Stacy was ok with the increase. Mark motioned for the increase, seconded by Jayson. Motion carried with no objections. c. Discuss and approve the replacement of hydraulic fluid for the weed harvester and determine responsibility for contacting Zimmerman to address hose repairs prior to spring operations. Mark will reach out to Heidi and/or Sam to see if she has a copy of the Service Manual for the weed harvester to find specifications for the hydraulic fluid so we can secure bids on the product. d. Discuss/Approve Batting cage renovations for 2026-Chaz Chaz presented his proposal to renovate the existing batting cages near the west side of the girls storage shed. The proposal would be to pave existing area and extend slightly to the south by 10ft for an area that will be approximately 60’x120’. The batting cage area would be all black top with cement footings to secure the poles. The cage area would have 4 pitching/hitting lanes, 2 on the east and west ends, and 3 soft toss/tee work areas in the middle with an area for picnic tables. Kent made the motion to approve and Jayson seconded. Motion carried with stipulation that we need to see the final plans for drainage towards the trees to the south for final approval before digging. Chaz also made the comment that the electrical will be routed in a way as to not be buried under the black top in case plans change to use the space differently in the future. e. Discuss/Approve recommended User Fee increases for the 2026 season and moving forward for the Boys, Girls and Soccer Clubs at Hallie Park A discussion was had to increase the user fees for Boys, Girls, and Soccer Clubs by $5.00 for both residents and non-residents for the 2026 season, and another increase of $5.00 for both residents and non-residents for the 2027 season. Girls softball tee ball will be exempt for 2026, but will pay the additional fees for the 2027 season. Tee Ball Skills will be exempt from these fees at this time. Becky motioned to approve the increases, and Jayson seconded. Motion carried no objections. f. Discuss/Approve Surveying of the Ball Fields at Hallie Park to assure proper drainage and safety of the fields-Ethan with Monarch Paving will be presenting per Chaz Chaz was not ready at this time to present, please move to March 2026 meeting. g. Discuss/Recommend Ball Field Rental revised agreement with price increase changes recommended at our December Meeting We discussed raising the fees for tournaments/events that use Hallie Ball Park Fields. 1-3 fields pricing will increase from $500 to $700/event, and 4+ fields the price will move from $1,000 to $1,400/event. Motion to approve increases made by Kent, seconded by Jayson. h. Discuss and establish a date and time to meet with the Chippewa Strikers regarding contract considerations, including an open discussion of any items of concern in advance of the 2026 season. We discussed meeting at 5:00 PM, February 23, prior to our 6:00 PM meeting. 6. Old Business: a. Booster Club update on funding for the crow’s nest on Sipple Field-Jayson and Mik Jayson has a meeting scheduled to discuss our crows nest remodel project on February 11, 2026 with the Chippewa Falls Extravaganza committee. b. Tot Lot playground equipment update-Renee Renee was not present c. Sipple Field Crow’s Nest update No update this month 7. Review of Disbursements and Profit & Loss: N/A 8. Standing Agenda Items: a. Discuss/Approve Park Rental Agreements-Chippewa Valley Raptors for May 29- 31, 2026, and September 25-27, 2026 We discussed and approved the tournament dates. All paperwork and down payment has been made. Motion to approve from Jayson, Mark seconded. i Chippewa Raptors still not billed for fall tournament 2025. b. Peace Memorial Park Update Kent spoke with Hallie Fire Department, they agreed to help lower the last flag that is hung up on the top pulley. c. Capital Outlay Projects None d. Lake Association Carla mentioned that aerator was put in 1/5/26. Kent asked how/when the village gets billed for the electricity. Carla was not sure, should have more information at next meeting. Next Lake Association meeting tentatively scheduled for March. e. Pickleball Courts Update N/A f. Bike/Ped Update N/A g. Lake Hallie Outdoor Recreation Plan update N/A h. Hallie Boys Baseball N/A i. Hallie Girls Softball Russ hopes to have sizing of signage for outfields by the February Meeting. Girls softball still not paid key security deposit of $350, 7 keys Girls Softball still not paid for Concession Rental Pass-through. 3 concession rentals, Total $1,275. j. Chippewa Strikers/Soccer Complex Looking to possibly have May 2nd League Play, weather permitting. Looking to have Fall Soccer Tournament October 9-11 9. Adjournment Mark motioned to adjourn at 7:25 PM, Jayson seconded. Posted: 1.22.2026 CC: Chippewa Valley Newspaper, Eau Claire Leader Telegram, Maverick Media, Clear Channel, WEAU, WQOW, Committee Members, Village Board Member Posted by Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer 13136 30th Avenue Lake Hallie, WI 54729 Office (715) 726-2660 www.lakehallie.us