Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES TOWN OF ROME PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026 5:00 P.M. ROME MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1156 Alpine Drive Nekoosa, WI 54457 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky at 5:00 p.m. 2. Discussion and possible action – Appointment of Officers ➢ Chairperson Motion by Lewis/Bultman to nominate Tim Reppen as the Chairperson of this committee. Motion carried. ➢ Vice-Chairperson Motion by Lewis/Bultman to nominate Jill Reese as the Vice-Chairperson of this committee. Motion carried. 3. Roll Call Committee members present: Cyndee Lewis, Sue Bultman, Jill Reese, and Tim Reppen Committee members absent/excused: Michael Donigain Also present: Director of Public Works, Cody Knoblock and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky 4. 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. 5. Approve Agenda Motion by Reese/Lewis to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 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 Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov 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 No Citizen Comments Received. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 7. Discussion and possible action – Approval of the Monday, April 20, 2026 minutes Motion by Reese/Bultman to approve the April 20, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 8. Discussion and possible action – Vibrant Spaces Grant Chairperson Reppen explained that he has gotten new shade structure quotes for the area by the Bandshell in the Town Center. The quotes are cheaper than the last quotes. This item will be moved onto the Town Board. This item will also come back as a next agenda item for update. Motion by Reese/Lewis to go forward with the request to the Town Board for $35,000 towards shade structures in the Rome Town Center, in front of the bandshell. Motion carried. 9. Discussion and possible action – Walden Park-Community Garden and Play Equipment Member Bultman shared that she met with the manager of the Community Garden at Woodland Lutheran Church. She indicated that there are already 28 plots there and she fills them, but there is never a waiting list. She did mention that it is a lot to maintain and she would be concerned if a 2nd garden was started, as their Community Garden is already available to the Town. Bultman also mentioned that the manager of the Community Garden explained that it is hard to come by volunteers for all the work that goes into the garden. No action taken; decision to have item possibly come back in the future, if necessary. Dave Trudeau of 14-Mile Watershed Alliance spoke to the grants that were awarded to the Town for the Walden Park Prairie Restoration Initiative. He explained the next steps for Walden Park, in terms of the planting and possible expansion of the sprinkler system. Chairman Reppen mentioned that there is also talk between the Town and Visit Rome about putting in ADA-Compliant fishing stations at possibly Walden Park and Twin Lakes. Committee to possibly look further into a learning playground for Walden Park. 10. Discussion and possible action – Update by Michael Donigain on the Rome Town Center Sub Committee and what projects they are working on Member Donigain not present to give an update. Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky will give an update at the next meeting. DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 11. Next agenda items ➢ Vibrant Spaces Grant ➢ Walden Park update ➢ Learning Equipment at Walden Park ➢ RTC Update 12. Next meeting date and time: Next meeting: June 15th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. The Committee has chosen to move the meeting time from 5:00 p.m. back to 4:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Reese/Lewis to adjourn at 5:27pm. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Owczynsky Taylor Owczynsky Town of Rome Deputy Clerk/Treasurer