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HARTFORD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 5:30 PM – City Hall Council Chambers Present: Todd Rusniak, Ken Mikulec, Joe Kohler, Chris Becker, Dan Hummel, Kate Carroll Excused: Scott Helms 1. President Rusniak called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM; "This is an open meeting under 19.81 to 19.98 of the Wisconsin State Statutes". 2. Approval of Minutes – Tabled as there was not a quorum that were present for the February meeting. 3. Informational Monthly Staff Reports – Reviewed 4. Communication and Correspondence – The Director made the Commission aware of communication he received regarding playground safety at Centennial Park. Specifically mentioned were concerns that the playground was not fenced in given there is a pond on one side and a railroad track on the other. The Director explained the steps the City has taken to improve safety. Originally, plans for the site had no fencing. Later plans included a split rail fence to serve as a deterrent. In addition, the Mill Pond has stone riff raff rather than a steep drop at the playground site. Also, Volunteers for a Beautiful Hartford has plans to plant additional trees and shrubs to the north of the playground as a buffer for the train tracks. Commissioner Becker said he takes his 7 and 4 year old children to that playground and believes the City has done a good job in making the site safe. 5. Appearances / Public Comments – None 6. Old Business - None 7. New Business ADMINISTRATION Introduction to the New Building Maintenance Supervisor – The Director introduced Mike Fritz. Mike has been a Maintenance V employee for the City for 5 years. With the retirement of Brian Wirth, Mike was promoted to Building Maintenance Supervisor. While Mike becomes more familiar with the various buildings and pools including the mechanicals for all of them, the Director will oversee Parks and Cemetery operations. Scott Cahala, who held the Maintenance IV position, was promoted to Maintenance V and Stacy Neuy, formerly the Maintenance III parttime janitorial position at the Recreation Center was promoted to Maintenance IV which splits time between the Recreation Center and City Hall and has more project responsibility. Applications are being accepted for the part time Maintenance III position. Executive Summary – VMAC Admission and Season Pass Fee – In 2022, the City of Hartford was offered an opportunity by Washington County to increase the hourly wages of our lifeguards, swim instructors and managers by $3/hr utilizing ARPA funds. Each year this support is reduced by 20%. In 2023 the City received $41,500. For 2026 the county support will be approximately $12,000. To help with the loss of these funds, as well as to help with all rising pool operational costs, staff is recommending adjusting the daily fees and season passes. The recommendation is to increase the daily fees for residents by $1 and by $2 for non-residents. Season passes for youth, senior and adults would be increased by $10 for city residents and $20 for non-residents. Family passes would be increased by $20 resident and non-residents by $55. The proposed fees adjustments will net an estimated revenue increase of $37,825.00 based on 75% of 2025 attendance figures. The Aquatic / Fitness Supervisor researched comparable aquatic centers in Wisconsin based on quality, size and attractions and found that these new fees are comparable. MOTION BY Hummel, seconded by Mikulec to approve staff’s recommendation for increases to the daily admission and season pass fees for VMAC. MOTION APPROVED Executive Summary Replacement of Oven at VMAC - The 2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget includes $17,000 to purchase a new or lightly used oven for the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center concession stand. There are currently two single batch Turbo Chef ovens at VMAC. One has not worked for 2 years and the other is losing efficiency as it ages. The Aquatic / Fitness Supervisor obtained quotes for three different ovens from Badger Popcorn. Staff recommends the purchase of the Pratica Fit XL Rapid Cook Oven for $10,457.33. The FIT XL has the most comparable cook times to our current oven, it will be user friendly as it is similar to the current ovens and also is the lowest bid. The Director thanked Ken Mikulec, from Badger Popcorn, for his help in researching the various ovens. Commissioner Mikulec was asked about the typical life expectancy of these ovens. He commented that they are good for about 10 years. The current ovens are over 10 years old. Many of the ovens can be refurbished to extend the life expectancy. Ken also said with the newer models, the catalytic converter is easier to clean which helps their efficiency. MOTION BY Kohler, seconded by Becker to approve the purchase of the Pratica FIT XL Rapid Cook Oven for a price not to exceed $10,457.33. MOTION CARRIED with Commissioner Mikulec abstaining RECREATION PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES Review Stuck at the Movies Event – There were 84 students that attended which makes it one of our best attended in a while. Teens saw their pick of 2 movies, had pizza, popcorn and a soda. Youth Dance – Ages 6-13, Saturday, Wednesdays, April 8-29, 5:30-6:30. Supervised Gym – During spring break, March 30 – April 3, the gymnasium will be supervised and kids can come hang out, shoot hoops, spend the day away from screens, for free. This will be offered on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:30-3:30 that week. ADULT / YOUTH SPORT Youthball Registration – Due to registration software issues, Summer baseball sign up has been extended to Monday, March 9. To date, numbers are on track compared to previous years. Staff will review league registrations next week and may need to limit enrollment to make balanced teams. Spring League Adult Volleyball – League started on Monday March 2. There are 13 teams which is a solid number. Pickleball with Pat – Beginner lessons for adults held on Wednesday from 1-2 PM March 11 – April 1. AQUATICS Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center Summer Staffing – Currently there are 68 staff planning to return. Last year’s entire admissions staff are obtaining lifeguard certifications. Applications are already coming in for Attendant and Lifeguard positions. The Aquatic/Fitness Supervisor anticipates another strong, well-staffed team. Signicast Aquatic Center Special Swims Patty’s Pool Party, Tuesday, March 17 3:30-5:15 PM. Dive for coins and claim a prize. March Madness, Friday, March 20, 6:30-8:30 PM. Organized basketball games. Fools Gold Dive, Wednesday, April 1, 2:00-5:00 PM. Dive for coins. SOME are worth a prize. Spring Break Extra Open Swims – Monday and Wednesday, March 30 & April 1, 2-5 PM. PARKS OPERATIONS Park Project Report – Lots of snow removal and salting…..just enough to be a hinderance to our operation. Also for February, burials and tree trimming. Ice Rink – Ice rinks are closed for the season. Weather and staffing needs did not line up for a quality skating season. The rink at Veterans Park was never operational due to issues with the kick plates and poor freezing thawing cycles. Skate Park Project Update – Both the equipment purchases and concrete installation was approved by the Commission and Council last month. Staff hopes to break ground in May with the project to be completed late June. OTHER REPORTS /COMMISSION REQUESTS None ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY Carroll, seconded by Mikulec, to adjourn at 6:02 PM. MOTION CARRIED Submitted by Randy Wojtasiak and Sara Cummings "Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations for attendance at the meeting should contact the City Clerk at least one (1) business day prior to the meeting." Members of the Common Council may attend the above meeting. Pursuant to State ex rel. Badke v. Greendale Village Board, 173 Wis. 2d 553, 494 N.W. 2d 408 (1993) such attendance may be considered a meeting of the Common Council may attend the meeting without violating the open meeting law."