All right, good afternoon everyone. I welcome everyone. Um, I'll call the meeting to order on this uh regular December 8th, 2025 city of New Alm Park and Recck Commission meeting. Let's start with our roll call with introductions. Cheryl, start with you.
>> Cheryl Corman, staff. >> Jim Jensen, commissioner. >> Uh, Kurt Johnson, commissioner. >> Amy Johnson, commissioner. >> Carissa Bugler, commissioner. Uh Dave Christian, city liaison, >> Loenberg, commissioner. >> Jeff Golden, commissioner. Joey Schugle,
staff. >> Wonderful. Welcome everyone. Thanks for being here today. We'll move into our agenda on to item number three, approval of the agenda. I'll look for move uh approval or to amend approve the agenda for our regular park meeting today. >> So move as submitted. >> Second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried. Moving on to agenda item number 4.1. Approval of the minutes. They were included in your packet from our last meeting on November 10th. Looking for a
motion to approve or amend. >> I'll make a motion. >> All right. We have a motion over here. We'll take a second. Okay. >> Second there. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried for the amendments. Moving on to agenda
item number 5.1, the city council meeting recap. Turn it over to Director Schugall. >> Thank you, Chair Bugler. Commissioners, the city council activity related to park and wreck over the last month was uh on November 18th regular meeting was the second consideration of the city fee
schedule. So, uh all the city fees were adopted at that time, which include our park and recreation fees that you all recommended approval for. At the December 2nd regular meeting, the career expo uh fee request was approved for 2026. So that uh request uh will be put
into motion in March of 2026. And then they also approved that long list of donations that you approved last month as well at that same meeting. And then at after the regular meeting, there was a city council budget meeting. Uh and the city council then did set the 2026
city budget and that was approved that evening. Any questions on any of that? >> No, my only comment is um if they make that any smaller in the paper. I was trying to read the what the fees were
with my glasses and my magnifying glass and >> it I mean it that's a little ridiculous. It should be a little bit bigger. >> Yes. The good thing is uh Commissioner Lunberg is that the city fee schedule is online on the city website so we can
>> I didn't really I was just kind of glancing. It's like >> pretty small. >> Good feedback. Thank you. Any other questions? If not, look for a motion to receive and order file the city council past action report.
>> So move second. Have >> a motion. Second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried. Moving on to old business 6.1, the park and wreck >> comprehensive master plan update.
Director Schugall. >> Thank you, Chair Bugler. Commissioners, uh, staff has now received the 50% plan from ISG. it is not included in your packet tonight as it it is time for us to review that uh and and correct any make some corrections at this time
before it does go public. That will get sent to you directly once we're at that point. Uh and it will also get sent to our city council. Um the other big part of that 50% plan is there will be a open house at the recreation center on our next meeting date uh which is January
12th. That open house will follow the regularly scheduled um commission meeting that day. So that'll be at the rec center rough 4:30 to 7:00. We're encourage everyone to come down and and give feedback to our consultants and be
able to view what's in that [snorts] and you'll you'll be preempted with that. So you'll have a copy of it if you wish to make some go through it and make some comments to our consultants at that time as well. But we're really looking for a lot of people to come out and and uh participate in that open house on
January 12th. >> Great opportunity for commissioners to connect with the community and hear the voice of the community as we approve and shape that plan. So, >> and how are you going to let them the public knows? >> So, that will go out in multiple ways. We'll put it on social media. We'll put
it in our press releases. Um and uh variety of act we'll put it in our KUJ monthly update as well. So, it'll hit a variety of options. We'll also probably send a mass email, too, once we gets a little closer. >> Good question. Any other questions
here? None. I'll look for a motion to receive an order filed, the park and wreck master plan update. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried.
Moving on to new business 7.1 2026 election of officers. >> Thank you, Chair Bugler and Commissioner. So, um, in a moment I'll set this over to all of you, but we do have two outgoing uh, members of our commission today, which is Chair Bugler
and Commissioner uh, Lunenburgg. So, we are looking for both a a president or a chair for 2026 and then a vice chair. We do have two new incoming members. So, if we can't decide on either of those open positions, we could table that and move
that into the January meeting if needed. >> Okay. All right. So, I will call for a nomination for chair. >> Uh, I would nominate my neighbor here, Mr. Kurt Johnson, as our chair.
>> I would second that. >> All right. >> Do you accept? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Yes sir. >> Okay. Are there any other nominations for chair? And third time. Are there any other
nominations for chair? Hearing none. We have a motion and we have a second for nominating Kurt Johnson for chairperson of the park and recck commission. All those in favor, please say I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried.
Congratulations. Thank you for your service. >> Thank you. Thank you all. >> All right. I'll [clears throat] call for a nomination for vice chair. >> Nominate Amy for vice chair. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a nomination.
Any other nominations for vice chair? Any other nominations for vice chair [snorts] hearing? None. We have a motion and we have a second for Amy Johnson for vice chair of the new park and wreck. All those in favor, please say I.
>> I. >> I. >> Same sign. Motion has carried. Congratulations and thank you to the both of you for your service. >> You were in a good game. >> All right. [laughter] All right. We'll move on to agenda item
7.2. communication board installation. Director Schugle. >> Yes. Thank you, Chair Bugler. Commissioners, I'm going to turn this one over to Assistant Director Corman uh for the presentation on this. >> Thank you, Chair and Commission. I was
in communication with Cali Schugle a few years ago. she approached me about this notion or this um option to purchase this communication board that would be installed at one of our parks. And for those of you that don't know what a
communication board is, it's a visual tool that is designed for individuals who have um for whatever reason issues with um communicating verbally. So they use this communication board um to you
know kind of point and and uh talk about you know h or how they want to communicate their their needs and their feelings and their requests. Um and it's great because it it just ensures that everybody can fully participate in these
public spaces. Um, and then it and and that's kind of where it sat for a little bit. And then, uh, Calie being passionate about service, um, for those of you who know her, uh, she also works at Tavern 507. And she, besides that,
she is also, I forgot to mention this, she is also, um, a Brown County autism social worker. And so she um approached me again and then also talked with the new manager of this uh new
establishment, Bethany Wood, um about the possibility of pos of fundraising for this uh this board. and the manager was all in. Um, and so Tavern 507 ran a 6-w weekek
uh fundraising campaign and donated 10% of their Friday night sales and the Optimus Club also joined in and gave them additional funding. So, this communication board was uh fully funded
and the board has been ordered. A location is yet to be determined. Um but we are right now leaning heavily towards Herman Heights inclusive playground because there is a walking like a little walking path right
up to the playground where it would fit in super well. Um, the board is two-sided. So, there's English on one side, Spanish on the other side. Both sides can be used. It doesn't matter what the language is, but that just offers another option for people. Um,
and so the the donation, like I said, has already been um given to us, and so it's it's also on the agenda to for you guys to accept it. And um we're just asking
at this point or this particular item to accept this report on the communication board. >> Sounds like a wonderful wonderful thing. I can't think of any any possible reason why we wouldn't do it. I just great
guess I never realized there was a need for that but >> you know that's that's wonderful that that would >> I think it's great too. Where would it be located? Or we don't know yet. >> There's I'm thinking Herman Heights Park. There's a there's a a walking path from the parking lot to the playground. >> Yeah.
>> And there it there's it's that would make a really good location for it. Plus, that park is heavily used, >> you know, both in town and out of town. You know, it's a regionally significant park. >> Okay. If you think I'm I'm concerned
about the use, that's good. Mhm. And that that park in itself has the spirit of inclusivity and ensuring that all children of all abilities are welcome and that they're challenged there. >> So I love that that that would be a good park. And if I remember right on the
master plan in the survey we did, this was the number two most utilized park under German Park. But German Park probably is utilized more by all ages where this is probably the number one park used by children in the community. really I mean it would benefit at any
park quite honestly. Um, our our community uses a lot of different parks and they rotate and quite honestly we work hard at, you know, at these playgrounds to not duplicate amenities so they're all different and that gives
people a reason to >> to go to different visit different park sites. But I just think that it would really fit in well up there >> and that'll come before the commission probably in the next month or two that
decision. >> Another another park that would work if that doesn't work out there. We're close to Nailsburg and there's a lot of young people there, a lot of families and they have have those great walking trails and and there's a lot of kids over there and we we're quite uh not just kids I know
but >> but uh it's a it's such a kind of a arms open type park for everybody to have whatever if they wanted to have the the throw the discs you know the >> all those kinds of things and nice swings and sets and so that's another option I would say but I think your
original idea is good but >> is this something new to the industry or has it been out there for a while? >> It's I don't know exactly when they came out, but it's it's I would say relatively new like probably less than
10 years. >> Plus, if we're not looking for it, you're not going to see it probably. >> I see. >> You know, we're >> So, is there a possibility of it being in more than one park? >> Sure. funding's available or
>> that's an option. Yes. >> Yes. And commissioners, we we currently have 12 playgrounds in our system. Um you know, something like this could is generally located close to the playgrounds within the parks. Um so um you know, I I expect that this would go
over very well um in the community and uh you know, if funding's available in the future, there'd be an option to add these into other parks as well. Great questions. Any other questions for assistant director?
>> Hearing none, I'll look for a motion to approve the installation of a communication board within the park system. >> Motion. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> Oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried and great appreciation to our donors as well for that. Moving on to agenda item 7.3, park and rec donations. Director Shugall. >> Yes, thank you Chair Bugler commissioners. We have a nice list of uh
generous donations again this month. Uh first one for the Pollinator Park from the Isaac Walton League chapter 79 for $1,500. Uh Riverside Environmental Learning Center again Isaac Walton League for $1,000. Miller Park Back Stop for from New Alm
Baseball Association for $2,800. And then the next two are for the communication board, as we just discussed, from Tavern 507, $1,700, and the Optimus Club of Newm for $500. And then we have a parks donation from Victoria and Ken Kenneth Rolloff for
$25. So that total today is $7,525. >> Any questions? If not, I'll look for a motion to recommend to the city council that they offer a resolution and wave the reading to accept the donations just read by director Schug that were offered to the city of New Alm through the park and rec
department. >> I'd make that motion with great with great thanks to the donors >> and I'd second it. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor, please say I. >> I oppose. Same sign.
>> Motion has carried. Moving on to agenda item 7.4, the Turner Gymnastics Academy lease agreement renewal. Director Schugle. >> Thank you, Chair Bugler. Commissioners, uh, this Turner Gymnastics lease is has been set up since its infancy. This is,
uh, it's been in the works for four years, but as a 2-year lease each year. So, we are at the, um, the second term of the 2-year lease. Uh, that covered the years 2024 and 2025. Uh, so I've been in contact with um executive
director for TGA, Turner Gymnastics Academy, and working through this as well as our um our attorneys, their attorneys. There are real no real changes to um the last lease in the last two years. There is an addition. The addition has to do with the advertising
um that happens within that facility. So at the when we first signed the lease or for the first two years, they did not have advertising. Now there is advertising um through signage on the walls within that uh facility. And to be consistent with our other facilities and
our other user groups who have an advertising agreement, we added that within this lease agreement. We did not do a separate advertising agreement. So that language is in the lease where TGA would retain 90% of the gross revenue from that uh advertising. uh the city
would then receive 10% of that um gross advertising um yearly for two years. Um and with that then the the other change was uh the the rental the monthly rental amount did go up to $4,180.
Uh it was at $3,925. Um so it did go up. Um and a mo all of that um was due to employee cost. Um so even though they're in their own facility, we our maintenance and custodial staff sees a lot of extra um
responsibilities due to um the wear and tear of the facility in and out and and also the maintenance within that facility that we are responsible for. >> Has Turner agreed to this? >> Turner has agreed to this. Yes. Happy to answer any questions related
>> questions. >> So that rental comes from income from Turner Hall and memberships. >> It it comes from the facility. So the youth gymnastics program, uh the high
school gymnastics program is there and all of their competitions that they generate revenue. um they their program continues to expand and has um since this facility has happened they have greatly increased their numbers and their their programming for the space.
>> Is is this aside from the the public school gymnastic program as a sport? So the the the New Alm gymnastics team does use this facility for practices and their meets and they have um a sub lease for
this with TGA directly. It's not with the city. So they do rent space for their use. >> So there really isn't classes held at Turner anymore? >> Not at Turner Hall. No, this facility has taken all of that space. So, no more
in and up and down with their gymnastics equipment anymore. They now have dedicated space. Yes. And so, this lease would then cover the years 2026 and 2027. >> Any other questions? I'd look for a motion to recommend to the city council approve the renewal of
the lease agreement with the new turn verine doing business as Turner Gymnastics Academy for the gymnastics center and the recreation center with the monthly amount of $4,180. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion.
>> A second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion has carried. Moving on to agenda item 8.1, commissioner reports.
Do we have any commissioner reports today? Hearing none, we'll move on to agenda item 8.2, the department activity report. Director Schugall. >> Yes. Thank you, Chair Bugler and commissioners. A few things to highlight
over the month of November. Um, I did want to talk about I I've talked about this maybe um a year or two ago of our lifeguarding class that we offer. Um, that class did start um at the beginning of the fall semester and this is the first year we have uh New Alm High
School included in that too. So we have students from Newm High School and uh Newm Cathedral that are involved in that class. And that class focuses focuses on um physical conditioning, games, uh water safety, but also then lifeguard
certification is part of that class. So the participants in that class do not have to go fully through the lifeguard certification. Most of them do. Um, and then, uh, it's a great option for those students because they're not then paying the lifeguarding fee that goes into, uh,
that certification. And it's a great option for us because we then have a really good opportunity to retain lifeguards from this program as well. >> How many participants? >> Uh, I Cheryl, do you know the exact number? >> I think there's 10. >> Yes, >> pretty sure there's 10. >> Yes, >> I'm pretty sure there's 10.
>> Good. >> And that's a good number. We we we can't take 20. Um so our aquatics and and fitness coordinator Ben Doden um teaches that class. He has the certifications to do that and does a very nice job. Um so that class would wrap up uh later this
month and uh uh we're really happy about that. We there aren't many classes like this where there's that partnership between the school districts and um a city that does this. So this is a unique partnership to offer this >> and it's about half and half. There's
about four or five from New Public and about four or five from Cathedral. >> Yes, we have also offered it to Minnesota Valley Lutheran as well. There's a it's a little um more of a struggle for them just because of their location, you know, timing. This class happens at the end of the school day,
last period of the day. Uh but there's potentially some options in the future for to include them as well. And the other thing I wanted to highlight uh other than that is adult leagues have started. So adult volleyball is continues to be very popular. That happens on Wednesday and
Thursday nights at the recreation center. Adult tennis has started. That's on Tuesday evenings. Um basketball leagues will be coming up after after winter break. So, um it certainly it is definitely busy season at the recreation center um and continues uh to be with
all the programming and activity and just open use of that facility. >> Any questions? If not, look for a motion to accept and file the park and wreck department activity report for November of 2025.
>> We have a motion. >> Second. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion has carried. Moving on to agenda item 8.3, the staff
report. >> Director Schugall, >> Chair Bugler, commissioners, uh have a variety of items to uh discuss this month. First is we we had an early start to practice our first snow removal that our uh parks and recreation department
does. that happened uh the weekend of Thanksgiving. Um and everything went well. Um and it was probably I think that snowfall almost equaled what we had last year alto together. Um and since then, as all of you know, we've had uh
additional practice. So, um crews continue to stay busy with that. Um and always, you know, depending what our our maintenance priorities are for the day, they they get dropped for snow removal and and snow removal becomes the top priority. um whether it's during the
workday or on the weekends or outside of normal hours. Um every snow event is a little bit different. Uh also wanted to touch on the first uh year of the wine marked holiday event and that happened the Friday after
Thanksgiving. It was uh planned out by the downtown action team, the chamber of commerce and some great volunteers. And then the city participated in helping uh make that go and our department um along with it, city administration were part of that
planning process throughout the throughout the leadup to the event. Uh it was the for the first year it was a really nice event. I don't know if anyone was able to attend it. It was a pretty cold day. um uh based on what we've had most
Thanksgiving years, you know, we've had pretty nice weather, but this year it was pretty cold. There was 20 arts and crafts vendors down there. There was food trucks down there. There was live reindeer down there and I think I was down there three different times and there was a lot of people down there each time. So, it was really nice. uh
the community was able to sponsor whether it was organizations, businesses, or even families sponsor Christmas trees and decorate them that are still lit up through the holiday season. And then the chamber chose um and asked for approval to have the upside down Christmas tree displayed this year in German Park, too, to kind
of be part of that whole event. So, um I know there was a post uh event wrap-up meeting and that uh committee is really um excited to start planning for year number two. So, this event I anticipate to be around for many years to come. Um,
and a nice uh additional option for New Alm and uh as were the city of festivals. >> Yes, >> I thought they really did a nice job with that. Uh we were down there and and people just were a lot of families and the atmosphere was wonderful
>> and just great way to get into the Christmas spirit, you know, and I think congratulate everybody involved. Of course, the park is perfect setting for it. Yeah. Very nice. >> Great. Uh, keeping with the holiday theme, the annual Skate with Santa event was held yesterday. So, it was held on
December 7th. Uh, that was at the Civic Center. It's an it's a free event where people can come and uh use skates for free and and then skate on the ice for free, but then Santa's there as well. Um, and we had a roughly 200 people there yesterday during the 2-hour period
of the event. Really um um well attended. And then part of that attendance is donations to the local food shelf. So those will be dropped off this week uh which is um people are always very generous with that and we have a a lot of uh goods and items to
take down to the food shelf this week with that. And keeping with the ice theme, uh this might be the earliest since uh maybe since Mr. Christian was still working um that we've that we've had outdoor ice. So um we did have skating this weekend. Uh we didn't have
the warming house open yet uh just with some of the snow events going on and we we'd like to get a couple more layers of ice on, but uh by the end of this week, we'll we'll for sure have good skatable ice looking like the temperatures are going to cooperate for that. And uh we'll announce warming house hours and
all of that to the community by the end of this week. And um the last item I wanted to report on is our recreation program supervisor Liz Mallaloy um did resign within the last couple about last few weeks now. Um she had moved on uh
out of the area uh and was with us for seven plus years. So I I know she presented to this commission a couple times and uh um really did some nice things for our programming in our department. Um, one of the highlights I think is starting an afterchool program
that we haven't had. Um, that will now continue for hopefully years to come. Um, but we are in the recruitment phase right now. So, um, we have applications are are open until December 14th and then we'll probably start interviews and
such after the new year right away and hopefully have that position filled soon. Any questions on the report? All right. Hearing no question. Look for a motion to accept and file the park and recreck department staff report. So move. >> Second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion has carried. >> 8.4. >> Okay. Now, you're not going to [laughter] have to announce this one.
No, no. Uh, as a city councelor and, uh, working with staff here, I do want to personally thank Bev and Cararissa. Uh, you guys did an excellent job. Finding members can be tough at times. And I do want to remind the park and recck commission. Council weighs heavy on what
you send to us. Very, very rare do they overturn something about. The only one I can think of now in my nine years is the CO issue with the baseball tournament. that after we took all the heat, we kind of overruled it and went backwards.
Otherwise, we do appreci appreciate your input and we weigh heavy on the commission's uh recommendations. Again, personally, thank and the city council thanks both of you. >> Thank you. >> Now, you can I wasn't going to let you read that to yourself. [applause]
>> You want to make any comments on your service? >> Want to appre I appreciate being honored and I have learned a lot. I think about the park system and that um how many parks we have in New Wal and what it takes to run these parks.
[clears throat] You know, it isn't just having them. It takes money and labor to and it makes me appreciate what the city does for us and and the cart and wreck. And I would second those comments. This has
been one of my favorite volunteer opportunities to serve. I am so proud at our city. Making our parks and our recreation and programming an opportunity for the community members here. It leads to a better quality of life for all of us, healthier lives for
all of us. So grateful to have served and feel really great about the accomplishments we did together. So thank you for allowing me to serve. >> Thank you, Cararissa. Dear Bugler, commissioners, I I do have certificates uh for for both of you. So, both of you did serve six years. Six years is a long
time. So, that's great. I we don't look past that time and effort that goes into volunteering to be here every month and to participate. Uh Carissa was able to chair the commission for four years. So, thank you for that as well. Um just because your terms are ending, we'd love
to hear from you going forward. So, the master plan's 50%. There's still a great opportunity of that >> and I will be there >> but wanted to recognize both of you with certificates at this time. >> Thank you so much. >> Would like a picture afterwards please.
>> We'll see about that. >> All right, moving on in the agenda. [laughter] [gasps] All right, moving on. Uh the date of our next meeting will be January 12th here at 4m. Just a reminder, we also have that master plan community event um following shortly thereafter if
you're able to make time for that. Uh do we have any other further business? Hearing none, for the last time, I will declare the meeting adjourned. Thank you everyone. >> Go ahead. Use the gavl. >> Oh, totally. [laughter]