Meeting Minutes

Draft minutes: these minutes have not been approved by the Town Board and are subject to corrections/changes. PARK COMMITTEE TOWN OF HOLLAND April 7, 2025, 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Chair Bob Stupi, Naomi Bjergum, Karen Durnin, Doug Klenke and Tiffany Lein OTHERS PRESENT David Carlson (Town Crew), Marilyn Pedretti (Town Clerk) CALL TO ORDER Chair Stupi called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Notices were properly posted. MINUTES Motion by Durnin/Bjergum to approve the minutes of September 5, 2024. MOTION carried. CITIZENS CONCERNS: none given. HAF PARTNERSHIP Jamie Schloegel, N7064 Pedretti Street, representing the Holmen Area Foundation (HAF), explained the HAF is interested in partnering on a possible park project within the Holmen School district. She mentioned interest in a dog park or pickleball courts. Stupi noted the dog park issue was discussed previously but it was recommended as a Village park. Discussion followed concerning possible options for a pickleball court and the need for fencing. It was the consensus that the Town is interested and to continue discussions. UPDATE: BIKE TRAILS Holland Bike Trail: Stupi reported there was some real estate acquisition work required, which has slowed down the process. He was hopeful the project could be completed yet this year. He noted the Town did receive notice from the Federal government concerning a hold on the release of the funds. Stupi expressed his concerns to Senator Johnson’s representative and will continue to pursue equitable management of promised funding. County Road MH bike trail: Stupi reported the Town has not received notice from the State to proceed and we await Federal funding notification. HIDDEN PAIRIE PARK Bjergum provided a chart from responses to a survey sent to Hidden Prairie residents last fall. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to plan for park trees, park benches, picnic tables and a shelter house/gazebo with future possibility of small play equipment. Bjergum will incorporate the three mailed responses and share with the committee. GAYNOR PARK Pedretti reported the stormwater work was completed last fall but re-installing the backstop (where originally planned) was not practical with the depression area deeper than anticipated. David Carlson, Town crew, reported they went door-to-door to survey the neighborhood and it was the consensus not to reinstall the backstop but perhaps add a shelter house/gazebo in the future. Discussion followed with the consensus to scrap the backstop. WILDFLOWER PARK Gazebo: Klenke reported he finished the gazebo with concrete work scheduled for completion this spring. He provided a sample of a possible “bird nesting preventer” and suggested draft 2 using either composite decking material or treated plywood. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to move forward with the composite decking material. Klenke will work with Stupi on costs. Rock placement: Stupi reviewed the current configuration of the rocks and noted it will be difficult for the crew to maintain. Lein suggested planting natural pollinators in between the rocks. Discussion followed. Pedretti will be obtain cost estimates. 3-year plan: Stupi reviewed the proposal from Coulee Region Ecoscapes (CRE) for the 2nd phase of the Wildflower project. Discussion followed. Pedretti will obtain a cost breakdown of the proposal. Motion by Klenke/Durnin to recommend spending not to exceed $23,500 for Phase 2 of the Wildflower Park plan that would add in the natural flowers between rocks. MOTION carried. Klenke suggested removing the invasive Chinese Elm trees along west side of park. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to add to the Long Range Plan. Klenke offered to donate a River Birch tree and will work with the Town crew on placement. TOWN CREW REPORT Carlson reported all the mowers have been serviced and are ready for the season. He reported they emptied garbage cans in the Town parks. He noted the following will take place soon: 1. Park inspections 2. Open restrooms 3. Install new top section on slide at August Prairie park 4. Drag ballfields and walking trails 5. Update mulch at all parks PARK GRASS MAINTENANCE Stupi reported a request by an August Prairie resident was made to add grass seed and weed spray to their park to keep weeds down. He noted that with the sandy soil, those options would not work but suggested mowing at a 3½” height would assist in holding moisture and shade out weeds. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to mow at 3” for the season. LONG RANGE PLAN Members reviewed the Long Range Park Plan and updates/additions were made. 2025 BUDGET Basketball/Pickleball Court: Stupi reviewed a quote from Mathy to remove the current basketball court and replace with a new base and pave. Discussion followed concerning the current use of the court, whether a full court was needed, possible alteration to a pickleball court and possible exchange of the current site for another spot. Stupi will contact Mathy for quotes for alternatives. Walking path: Stupi reviewed a quote from Mathy to construct a walking path from the Wildflower Park to Shelter House #2, which would be ADA compliant. Pedretti noted this was not listed in the 2025 budget and would require Board action to transfer money from the powerline account. Discussion followed concerning costs, future placement of picnic tables or equipment along the path and budget priorities. Motion by Bjergum/Klenke to recommend to install a paved walking trail from Wildflower Park to the Town Hall park not to exceed $85,000. MOTION carried. Town Hall Park equipment: Stupi shared pictures of fitness equipment he saw on a recent trip and suggested something similar could be installed in the Town park. Members reviewed draft 3 several park equipment catalogs. Lein and Bjergum will review the catalogs, discuss options and submit 3-4 suggestions for replacing the oldest climbing set at the Town Hall park at the next meeting. Hammes Park driveway and lot: Carlson explained the driveway washes out periodically and suggested either double seal-coat or blacktop the areas. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to obtain quotes from Mathy for both options. Other budget items: Carlson reported the equipment at Dresen Park (monkey bars, balance beam and uneven bars) should be sandblasted and repainted. Discussion followed. Carlson will obtain quotes and bring back next month for discussion. He also offered a donation of a volleyball net and cables but cautioned they advertise beer. It was the consensus to accept the donation and use at the Town Hall park. Ash Borer Treatment: Pedretti noted the ash borer treatment was not listed on the budget but does occur every two years. Discussion followed. Motion by Bjergum/Durnin to recommend to authorize the treatment of the Emerald Ash Borer trees at the Town Hall Park not to exceed $2,700. MOTION carried. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND NEXT MEETING Agenda items will include HAF partnership discussion, Wildflower Park plan updates, review Long Range Plan updates, basketball/pickleball court discussion, climbing equipment replacement and Hammes driveway/parking lot updates. Next meeting was set for Monday, May 12th at 6:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bjergum/Lein to adjourn. MOTION carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Pedretti Town Clerk