8-5-2024 Minutes

1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY BOARD August 5, 2024 The meeting of the Park, Recreation & Forestry Board of the Village of Slinger was called to order by Chairman Bergum at 345 Arthur Road , Slinger, WI 53086 at 6:00 PM on Monday, August 5 , 2024 in accordance with the notice of minutes emailed to the members on Wednesday, July 31, 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 (Excused) _____________________________ 6 1 Also Present: Josh Feller, Parks & Forestry Supervisor 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: 6/3/24 Motion Stuettgen/Stonehouse to approve the minutes from 6/3/24. Motion passed. 3. Public Comments - None 4. Unfinished Business A. Forestry Report Director Dobson said that pruning would begin in the fall and that Supervisor Feller was working on the Urban Forestry grant for 2025. B. Recreation Report Director Dobson said that the 2024 little league season was wrapping up. Dobson said the final awar ds night would be Wednesday at Community Park. Dobson also stated that flag football registration was taking place and would begin later in August. Dobson said practices would be at Community Park and Saturday games would now be played at Breuer Park. Dobson informed the Board that Little Gridders would still be played at Community Park due to the need for lights on the fie lds. Dobson also informed the Board that Supervisor Weninger was working on the 2024-2025 Fall/Winter Activity Guide. C. Dog Park Report Jennie Stonehouse informed the Board that fundraising is going very well. Jennie mentioned three upcoming events for the dog park. August 11 th they would be at the Tap Yard in West Bend, August 11 th they would be at the Holy Hill Art Far m and August 22 nd they would be having line dancing at Community Park in Slinger. Jennie stated that there has been a lot of excitement regarding the dog park as they continue to fundraise and spread awareness throughout the Village. 5. New Business August 5, 2024 2 A. Breuer Park Field availability Director Dobson said that some discussion took place at a recent Village Board meeting regarding the availability of the Breuer Park ballfields during daytime hours. Dobson stated that they started with the gates open, however quickly had to deal with bik es on the fields, dogs on fields, individuals moving the mound and base distances as well as litter, sunflower seeds and gum on the fields. Staff made a decision to lock the fields during the daytime hour to prevent those issues from occurring. Dobso n said that since they have been locked he has only received one phone call asking why the fields were locked. Dobson said that when he explained to that person why , they agreed and commented that they were happy the fields were locked. Considerable discu ssion took place regarding whether or not to open the fields during the day. A recommendation was made by the Park Board to put a sign on each field telling people to call the Village Hall to open fields if they wanted to use them during the day. They al so said that the sign should say to give park staff 24 hours notice to open fields. Director Dobson said he would take this recommendation to the Village Board in August. B. Breuer Park event use Director Dobson said Breuer Park has hosted five very large you tournaments this summer. Dobson stated that all were extremely successful and all would like to book again for 2025. Dobson also mentioned that an outside organization would like to book as many as eight additional weekends in 2025. Dobson said that he would pr esent a rental proposal to the Park Board at the September meeting. Dobson said they are currently charging $1,000 per day to rent Breuer Park for a tournament. C. Breuer Park future event use Director Dobson said that they are working to secure pricing for up to eight new tournament events in 2025. Dobson said this group would allow us to operate the concession stand during their events. Dobson suggested that these would be great fundraising op portunities for not only the Village of Slinger, but also outside non-profit groups. Dobson said he is hoping to have a plan prepared for the September meeting. D. Breuer Park Security Cameras Director Dobson said that he is looking into additional security cameras at Breuer Park. Dobson said he is working to cover the areas of the Park facing each batting cage. Dobson stated that currently, they are not able to see in those two areas. Dobson said he would like to have cameras installed in spring of 2025. E. Oktoberfest at Community Park Dobson informed the Board that Oktoberfest at Community Park would be Wednesday, August 28 th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Dobson said that they would have music featuring the Bob Breuer Band as well as German Beers on tap, German food and an German dance group. 6. Other Discussion Next meeting date will be Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 7. Adjournment Motion Stuettgen/Stonehouse to adjourn at 6:44 pm. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Submitted By Tony Dobson, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director