4-13-2026 Minutes

1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY BOARD April 13, 2026 The meeting of the Park, Recreation & Forestry Board of the Village of Slinger was called to order by Chair Bergum at 300 Slinger Road, WI 53086 at 6:00 PM on Monday, April 13, 2026 in accordance with the notice of minutes emailed to the members on Thursday, April 9, 2026. 1. Roll Call & Notice of Meeting: Present Absent Bob Stuettgen x Jeff Behrend x Jennie Stonehouse x Becky Wojtak x Dawn Smith x Jake Bergum x Scott Kusta x _________________________________________ 7 0 Also Present: Margaret Wilber, Village Administrator , Josh Feller, Parks Supervisor, Dyann Benson, Assistant Administrator/Community Development Director It was noted that the open meeting law had been complied with in connection with the meeting, including the notice of the meeting being sent to all who requested it and posting in three public locations. 2. Approval or Correction of Minutes: 03/02/26 Motion Behrend/Stonehouse to approve the minutes from 03/02/26. Passed 3. Public Comments - None 4. Unfinished Business A. Forestry Report Supervisor Feller said spring planting would be starting soon. Feller stated that the poor weather has slowed up the stump grinding process, which has delayed some of the street tree plantings. Feller said that 16 new trees would be planted at Breuer Park this month and s treet trees would be planted as weather improves. Feller also invited the Board to our Conservation Celebration to honor Earth Day, Arbor Day and Bird City Wisconsin. Feller said this would take place on Wednesday, April 22 nd from 5:00 to 6:00 at Breuer Park. Feller said a tree will be planted and entertainment once again will be provided by the local girl scouts. Bob Stuettgen asked Feller how many trees he was anticipating planting this spring. Feller stated that he is expecting around 40 news trees for 2026. B. Recreation Report Director Dobson read a report prepared by Supervisor Van Maanen. Our summer 2026 Activity Guide has been officially released. Concession stands will open this week, and little league practices are set to begin next week. We have a few remaining programs wrapping up later this month, and we are looking forward to our summer programs kicking into full gear in May. We are also excited to take over coordination of Slinger’s Farmers Market this season. The community Rummage Sale is scheduled for May 9, and we currently have approximately 25 registered participants to be included on the event map. April 13, 2026 2 5. New Business A. Dog Park Survey and Maintenance Discussion Chairman Bergum informed the Board that the Friends of the Slinger Dog Park were looking for recommendation from the Park Board for the Village to cover the cost of a survey. Considerable discussion took place regarding whether the Village should cover this expense. Discussion also took place regarding future maintenance costs that will be associated with the dog park once it is open. It was noted that Park Board members Stuettgen and Stonehouse are members of the Friends of the Dog Park and are required to abstain from voting on any dog park motions. Motion Kusta/Wojtak to recommend to the Village Board that the Village covers the survey cost of the dog park not to exceed $1,600.00. A roll call vote was taken. Yays: Kusta, Wojtak, and Bergum. Nays: Behrend and Smith. Abstain: Stuettgen and Stonehouse. Motion passed. B. Open Space Plan Draft #1 Director Dobson asked the Board to take a close look at proposed plan #1 of the updated plan. Dobson said that the May meeting would take place on Monday, May 11 th so that Vandewalle can be in attendance to review and discuss this initial draft. Dobson asked all Board members and staff to take a look at the proposed plan and email him with any errors or corrections they noticed while reviewing. Dobson said he is looking forward to discussing this plan in May. C. Stakeholder Interview Summary Director Dobson presented the Board with the stakeholder interview summary from Vandewalle & Associated. Dobson said he was extremely pleased with the positive feedback regarding our Village Parks. Dobson said that information taken from this summary would be in the updated park and open space plan. Other Discussion Bob Stuettgen asked when the speed bumps would be installed at Rotary Park. Supervisor Feller said that they will be going in soon. Bob Stuettgen also mentioned that he noticed a new water filling station was installed at Community Park. Supervisor Feller said that the water station was actually installed today and was up and operational. Next Meeting Date Monday, May 11, 2026 6. Adjourn Motion Stuettgen/Behrend to adjourn at 6:33 pm. Passed __________________________________________ Submitted By Tony Dobson, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director