Park and Rec Committee Minutes – 2025-09-23

September 23, 2025 (Allouez Parks, Recreation & Forestry Committee Meeting) 1 ALLOUEZ PARKS, RECREATION, & FORESTRY COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2025 5:30 P.M., ALLOUEZ VILLAGE HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL In the absence of Chairperson Hallberg, the meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM by Chris Clark Present: Gerry Faller, Marc Seidl, Deidra Ruohomaki, Rob Atwood, Keith Leiterman (arrived at 5:32 pm) Excused: Ryan Hallberg Not Present: Jason Mathwig Also Present: Chris Clark, DEO Officer Jason Vogel MODIFY / ADOPT AGENDA D. Ruohomaki moved to adopt the agenda as presented. G. Faller seconded the motion. Motion passed. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 26, 2025, MINUTES M. Seidl moved to approve the minutes dated August 26th, 2025. D. Ruohomaki seconded the motion. Motion passed. PUBLIC APPEARANCES - A resident contacted Trustee Atwood regarding a traffic vision concern at the corner of Greenwald St. and E. Mission Rd. involving a tree within the site triangle. C. Clark informed the Committee that he has also spoken t o a resident about this concern and is working to resolve the issue. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Senior Halloween Dinner and Dance – October 14th from 5-9 pm at Rock Garden Banquet Hall in Howard. Cost is $21 per person with pre-registration by October 6th. b. Downtown Chicago Holiday Shopping Trip – November 1st. Cost is $75 per person with pre-registration by October 17th. INFORMATION: UPDATES ON DISCUSSION ITEMS AND PROJECTS a. Updates on park projects and maintenance items. - Kayak rental kiosk at Eastlawn Park ▪ We have an agreement with Kayak Wisconsin to install a kiosk at Eastlawn Park in the spring of 2026 ▪ Similar to the kiosk at Kayaker’s Point ▪ Cost for both locations is within budget September 23, 2025 (Allouez Parks, Recreation & Forestry Committee Meeting) 2 - Eastlawn Park shelter renovation is ongoing ▪ Exterior painting is completed ▪ Pavement installation with follow up landscape restoration to be completed yet ▪ Anticipated completion by mid-October - Webster Park parking lot project is ongoing ▪ Concrete work is complete ▪ Asphalt paving early next week with landscape restoration to follow ▪ Anticipated completion by mid-October - Staff maintenance items ▪ Mowing and beginning fall cleanup ▪ Athletic field preparation ▪ Facility maintenance and repairs ▪ Special event prep and cleanup ▪ Sitework for the Eastlawn shelter project ▪ Tree pruning and invasive management work DISCUSSION: E-BIKES, SCOOTERS, AND MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON TRAILS The Committee discussed concerns and issues regarding the use of various types of specialty vehicles with motors, such as electric bicycles (e-bikes) and scooters, and speeds associated with the use on trails. In particular, the Committee’s discussion focused on specialty vehicles on the East River Trail. C. Clark: - Provided information including current village ordinances, state statutes, and what other communities are doing. Many communities throughout Wisconsin are having the same issues. - Most of the concerns revolve around high-speed use and dangers to other trail users. DEO Officer Vogel: - Discussed state laws associated with e-bikes as well as law enforcements role. - E-bike classifications; Class 1, Class 2, Class 3. Discussion: - The Committee does not want to deter the use of e-bikes if used responsibly. - Village code limits the speed of any vehicle within public park grounds to 10 miles per hour. - Mixed use of the trails; walkers, joggers, pets, bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, etc. - The East River Trail runs through multiple communities. - Recommend posting speed limit signage along the East River Trail as an initial step. - Staff will include information on trail rules and etiquette in the 2026 All About Allouez publication and Facebook page. - The Committee will continue discussions on this topic at future meetings. September 23, 2025 (Allouez Parks, Recreation & Forestry Committee Meeting) 3 DISCUSSION/ACTION: 2026 PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ADJUSTMENT The Committee discussed capital improvement projects and purchases in parks for the 2026 budget that were approved at the previous meeting. Year Property Improvement Description Cost Estimate Funding 2026 Green Isle Park Site lighting $ 12,000 CIF 2026 Wiese Park Park sign $ 7,500 CIF 2026 Various Site furnishings $ 5,000 CIF 2026 Comprehensive Outdoor Rec Plan update $ 10,000 CIF CIF (Parks Capital Projects Fund-Fund 47) - The Finance Department is working on an approximate $21,000 shortfall in the 2026 budget and requested all departments review their budgets to eliminate this shortfall. - Finance asked if we could reduce the capital budget request from $34,500 to $25,000. - C. Clark recommended deferring the park sign replacement at Wiese Park and a portion of the site furnishings one year to reduce the budget request by $9,500 to reach $25,000. M. Seidl moved to defer the Wiese Park sign and site furnishings for one year in the amount of $9,500. D. Ruohomaki seconded the motion. Motion passed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - None ADJOURNMENT G. Faller moved to adjourn at 6:10 PM. M. Seidl seconded the motion. Motion passed. Minutes taken by Chris Clark, Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry