Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES TOWN OF ROME PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026 4:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Reppen at 4:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Committee members present: Cyndee Lewis, Sue Bultman, Jill Reese, Tim Reppen and Michael Donigain Also present: Director of Public Works, Cody Knoblock and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky 3. Certify Posting of Meeting Taylor Owczynsky certified that on Thursday May 14, 2026, the agenda for the Town of Rome Parks and Recreation Committee meeting for Monday, May 18, 2026 was posted at the following locations: Rome Town Hall 11:54 a.m. Kwik Trip, LLC 12:34 p.m. Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank 12:40 p.m. Emailed to the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune 12:25 p.m. 4. Approve Agenda Motion by Donigain/Lewis to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 5. Pledge of Allegiance 6. Citizen Comments – During the Citizen Comment period of the agenda the Parks and Recreation Committee welcomes comments from any town resident, not a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, on any item not on the agenda. Please know that pursuant to State law the Commission cannot engage in conversation with you but may ask questions. The Commission may refer the item to staff, a standing committee or a future Parks and Recreation agenda for discussion and action. Each person wishing to speak will have up to 3 minutes to speak. Speakers are asked to submit a card to the Chair providing their name, address and topic for discussion The Commission will also take comment from the public on agenda items as called by the Chair, but not during Citizen Comment. Please note that once the Commission begins discussion on an agenda item no further comment will be allowed from the public on that issue Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov No Citizen Comments Received. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 7. Discussion and possible action – Approval of the Monday, May 18, 2026 meeting minutes Motion by Lewis/Donigain to approve the May 18, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 8. Discussion and possible action – Vibrant Spaces Grant Director of Public Works, Cody Knoblock explained that at the last Town Board meeting the shade structures were approved for $35,000 and to include the funding from the Vibrant Spaces Grant. He further explained that we cannot approve purchases with possible future grant money. With that, he further stated that if this is something we're going to pursue, we have to go back to the Board again. This would go back to the Board with the understanding that it is a purchase of $35,000 or whatever amount is decided on, with possible/optional reimbursement from the Vibrant Spaces Grant. Motion by Donigain/Lewis to bring this item back to the Town Board for proper wording in regards to the purchase and then possible reimbursement from the Vibrant Spaces Grant. Motion carried. Further discussion regarding the shade structure quotes. Motion by Donigain/Lewis to withdraw the original motion. Motion carried. 9. Discussion and possible action – Shade Structures in the Rome Town Center Chairman Reppen explained the difference between the proposed shade structures. He explained that he requested the Finance Director and Director of Public Works to locate the original invoice for the shade structure that is currently located by the Splash Pad. Director of Public Works, Cody Knoblock stated that the original invoice for that shade structure was $22,200 in 2018. He recommended the committee discuss and come back with concrete decisions and numbers before going back to the Town Board. Original motion in agenda item 8 was then withdrawn, above. 10. Discussion and possible action – Walden Park Update Dave Trudeau stated that the money they currently have is seeming to fall short of where they thought they would be. He explained that they do have money from Visit Rome, however, they will have to do more fundraising to reach the full price. Dave indicated he could have a updated total for the project by the upcoming Board meeting. Motion by Reese/Bultman to move to present to the board an updated total for the Walden Park project. Motion carried. 11. Discussion only – Outdoor Learning Equipment at Walden Park Reppen – Mentioned he has been researching fishing tips and tricks and learning opportunities. He also mentioned a learning scale-type game. He also mentioned there could be a sign on “How to tie a knot”. Discussion regarding a possible informational board and some learning equipment. To be discussed further at next meeting. 12. Discussion and possible action – Rome Town Center Subcommittee Update Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky gave an update that the Rome Town Center Sub-Committee was created with the purpose of reviewing and updating the Master Plan and Rome Town Center zoning ordinances. Once this is complete, the Committee will be dissolved. She indicated that they have made quite a bit of progress already. DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 13. Next agenda items *Vibrant Spaces Grant *Shade Structures in the Rome Town Center *Outdoor Learning Equipment at Walden Park *Walden Park Update 14. Next meeting date and time July 20th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lewis/Donigain to adjourn at 4:24pm. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Owczynsky Taylor Owczynsky Town of Rome Deputy Clerk/Treasurer