12-01-2025 PRCEM Parks, Recreation &Community Education Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
December 1, 2025
Members present were Liz Stearns, Margo Kaping, Eric Thovson,Ann Lamecker, Chad Czmowski, and
Steve Kropp. Staff present Lynn Neumann, Leslie Alberts.
Chad Czmowski called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm.
Liz Stearns moved to approve the November 3, 2025, meeting minutes. Ann Lamecker seconded the
motion.The minutes were approved.
Old Business
Library Square Fountain Update
o Previous contractor walked away from the project. Has been paid for all work completed to this
point.
o City working with a new contractor to get the fountain complete by end of winter.
o Celebration for re-opening of Library Square fountain and river fountain taking place in the
spring of 2026.
Roberts Park Lighting Project Update
o Electrician tested underground wiring and found it to be bad. Installer didn't initially bid
underground wiring work.
o SLA(Sports Lighting Authority) suggested the City get sealed quotes to replace underground
wiring.
o Sealed quotes will be opened December 11.
o No decision has been made to replace the wiring at this point.
New Business
MDE Community Education Report
o This report goes out every year to the state.
o Generic report identifying general program information, statement of assurance, programs
offered,facilities and highlights.
Pickleball at Recreation Center
o Email was sent to all users re-establishing rules and policies for open gym versus pickleball.
o Need to leave west side available during open gym since PRCE received grant through
Hutchinson Health sponsoring free youth open gym.
o No pickleball during indoor playground.
Campground Host Operations for 2026
o Currently working with HR to finalize job description.
o Host would occupy full hook up site#1 through entire camping season and events. This is the
least rented site and the most visible for campers.
o Duties would include: greet& check campers in,fee compliance, liaison to HPD, light cleaning
and restocking of the restrooms, and grounds.
o Potential to leave restrooms on west end of campground open 24/7 if host was present.
o Future consideration would be reopening kayak rentals along with selling firewood.
Meeting Schedule for 2026
o Will meet January 5, 2026.
o February meeting will get pushed to 2/9/26 due to scheduling conflicts.
Board Member Items
• Park Elementary Rink flooding: Parks will begin flooding this week with the cold weather.
Hoping to have up and running by Christmas break.
• Kiwanis Warming House: checking with Parks to see when this will be opening for the sledding
season.
• Open Skating: comments made it has been well attended with roughly 60-70 patrons over the
past couple weekends.
• Bluff St/Hwy 7 intersection—concrete shelf area: question asked about who maintains this
piece. Will check with Sara Witte in Parks. Asked to add flowers or shrubbery to "spruce it up."
• Hwy 7 sidewalk by Utilities: question asked about who maintains this or if anyone can spray for
weeds along this area.Will check with Parks.
• Park Elementary Playground: Question was asked if there was a way to make the ADA swing
wheelchair accessible. Material for Poured in Place is expensive. Currently use wood chips that
are ADA compliant. Any monies that need to be raised to complete this would need to be
fundraised, donated, etc.
• Emergency Response Notifications for early morning activities: Question was asked how are we
communicating with users that signed up for early morning lap swim in the event of school
closures. PRCE to follow up with Amy Scheele in Community Education.
Adjournment
• Next meeting is January 5, 2026-Location TBD
Eric Thovson moved to adjourn, and Margo Kaping seconded the motion.The meeting adjourned at
6:18pm.