11-4-2024 Minutes

1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY BOARD November 4, 2024 The meeting of the Park, Recreation & Forestry Board of the Village of Slinger was called to order by Chairman Bergum at 300 Slinger Road, Slinger, WI 53086 at 6:00 PM on Monday, November 4, 2024 in accordance with the notice of minutes emailed to the members on Friday, November 1, 2024. 1. Roll Call & Notice of Meeting: Present Absent Bob Stuettgen x Jeff Behrend x Jennie Stonehouse x Becky Wojtak x John Murray x Jake Bergum x Scott Kusta x _____________________________ 7 0 Also Present: Josh Feller, Parks & Forestry Supervisor Elizabeth Van Maanen, Recreation Supervisor Margaret Wilber, Administrator Scott Stortz, Village President 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: 9/3/24 Motion Behrend/Murray to approve the minutes from 9/3/24. Motion passed. 3. Public Comments - None 4. Unfinished Business Motion Behrend/Kusta to move the introduction of new Recreation Supervisor Elizabeth Van Maanen to the beginning of the agenda. Carried. A. Introduction of new Recreation Supervisor Director Dobson introduced new Recreation Supervisor Elizabeth Van Maanen to the board. Supervisor Van Maanen told the Board about her previous work experience. Park Board members all welcomed our new supervisor. B. Forestry Report Supervisor Feller said they planted the last four new trees of t he season. Feller said they planted one replacement tree and three trees around the playground at Breuer Park. Feller stated that they will begin pruning and trimming trees the first two weeks of December. C. Recreation Report Supervisor Van Maanen said she is working on monthly updates for the Department as well as new programming ideas and special events. Van Maanen said that she is also working to improve and upgrade our social media platforms by consolidating some Facebook pages and starting a new Instagram page for the department. Van Maanen stated that she is excited to introduce some backpacking, camping, hiking and senior programming to the Village. November 4, 2024 2 D. Dog Park Report Jennie Stonehouse said they officially have their 501 C3 certification, which took around seven months. Stonehouse said they will now be sending out donation letters in an effort to collect more funding. Stonehouse stated that they just went over the $13,000 mark in their fundraising account. Stonehouse also informed the board that they will be selling candy and t-shirts from 1:00 – 8:00 outside the library during the election. 5. New Business A. Introduction of new Recreation Supervisor Discussed earlier in the agenda. B. 2024 Tree Lighting Director Dobson informed the Board that the tree lighting would take place on Friday, December 6 th at Community Park. Dobson stated that supervisor Van Maanen was already working on the planning and details for the event. Some additional discussion took place regarding the tree lighting. Supervisor Van Maanen said that the ceremony will begin at 5:45 and there is a coloring contest for this as well. Van Maanen stated that the Slinger Kiwanis Club has donated $225 toward supplies for this event. C. Park Project Priorities Discussion Director Dobson presented the Board with a Park priorities list put together by staff. Dobson said he feels that it is very important for the Board and staff to review this list and add anything that staff may have missed. Dobson also stated that he feels it is important to understand the difference between what is needed and what is wanted. Considerable review and discussion took place regarding the Park priorities list. Dobson said that he will update the list and email to all Park Board members for review. Chair Bergum said that he would like to have the Board begin to rank the park needs at the next meeting in January. 6. Other Discussion Next meeting date will be Monday, January 6, 2025. Bob Stuettgen talked about making sure the timing is better next year during budget discussion. Stuettgen said he would like to make sure the Park Board is recommending the budget to the Village Board. Some discussion also took place regarding whether or not the Board should meet in December or January in 2025. 7. Adjournment Motion Behrend/Stuettgen to adjourn at 7:13 pm. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Submitted By Tony Dobson, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director