Kenosha Parks Commission approves summer and fall event permits, electrical work and easement; denies proposed balloon ride

The Kenosha Parks Commission on June 9 approved permits for several summer and fall events, accepted an easement and construction quote and denied an event application that included tethered balloon rides after the applicant withdrew those parts of the proposal.

The approvals included permits for the YMCA golf outing, a Kenosha Lakefront Run using Simmons Island and Kennedy Parks on July 18, a Snap-on anniversary celebration at Sunnyside Tide Park, a Juneteenth Kenosha celebration with vendor booths and a street closure on June 14 and a bonfire at Alford Beach on Sept. 21. The commission also approved a temporary limited easement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for grading and sloping near Washington Park, accepted a construction quote from ECI for electrical improvements at Simmons Island Beach House and approved an assignment of a site lease after the property buyer notification that US Settlers had been acquired by T‑Mobile.

Why it matters: the actions clear multiple permit requests that affect downtown lakefront parks and neighborhood sites this summer and into the fall, and they authorize near-term work on Simmons Island infrastructure and routine administrative transfers tied to communications site leases.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Memorial marker, Kennedy Park (agenda item 1): The commission held a public hearing and approved a request from Yamahaowskito place a memorial marker near the Memorial Tree in Kennedy Park in memory of Joanne Williams. Commissioner Mahalski announced an abstention on the item, citing personal reasons; the motion passed. (Vote tally recorded by the commission: 4 yes, 1 abstain.)

- YMCA golf outing donation (item 2): Approved without discussion. (Vote: unanimous approval recorded as "aye" by the chair.)

- Kenosha Lakefront Run (item 3): Approved for use of Simmons Island and Kennedy Parks on Friday, July 18, 2025, with standard event conditions. (Vote: unanimous approval.)

- Snap-on anniversary (item 4): The applicant (gave address as 6701 Fifth Avenue) asked to use Sunnyside Tide Park across multiple days for the company anniversary; the commission approved the permit. (Vote: unanimous approval.)

- Juneteenth Kenosha (item 5): Approved for Lincoln Park on June 14 and a Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Park on June 19 with vendors, amplified sound, temporary structures and a planned closure of Martin Luther King Drive. (Vote: unanimous approval.)

- Kenosha Broadcasting Company / Jamapalooza (item 6): Greg Musilerno, owner of Kenosha Broadcasting Company, described plans that had included tethered balloon rides and large concert acts for an Aug. 16 event at Kennedy Park. Musilerno said he wanted to "bring people here" and described plans to market the event widely. He later indicated he would retract portions of the application that were not fully specified. Staff recommended denial because the application did not include required detail for some activities; Commissioner Mahalski moved to deny the application. The motion to deny passed after Musilerno confirmed he would not proceed with the event as presented. (Outcome: application denied.)

- Desfile Day / Independencia festival (item 7): An application for a Sept. 7 festival at (Pinoyo/Houston) Park was before the commission; commissioners raised questions about parade routing, late-night music and a wrestling-ring demonstration and expressed a desire to hear from the applicant. The commission voted to defer the item to a future meeting so the applicant could attend. (Outcome: deferred.)

- Bonfire at Alford Beach (item 8): G. E. Warner, a resident who said the same event took place last year without incident, spoke in support. The commission approved a bonfire event for Sept. 21 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The commission discussed coordination with the fire department and use of available brush/fuel and staff confirmed follow-up on logistics. (Vote: approved.)

- Temporary limited easement with WisDOT (item 9): Approved; staff described the easement as part of a larger public-works project. (Vote: approved.)

- Simmons Island Beach House electrical improvements (item 10): The commission approved a construction quote by ECI to upgrade interior electrical outlets and related infrastructure so equipment can operate reliably during events. Commissioners asked whether the work was interior; staff confirmed it was interior work. (Vote: approved.)

- Assignment of lease / site notification (item 11): Staff said US Settlers had been bought by T‑Mobile and presented the formal assignment for commission approval; the item was approved as a routine, required vote. (Vote: approved.)

Discussion highlights and staff direction

- Safety and permitting detail: Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that permit approvals depend on complete, written applications that disclose special activities and safety plans. Regarding the Kenosha Broadcasting Company application, staff told the applicant the commission "can't responsibly vote" on an application that omits required details, and Musilerno agreed to retract the application elements he could not document.

- Enforcement and on-site oversight: Commissioners noted enforcement of permit conditions typically falls to Kenosha Police Department or other city staff; commissioners asked that applicants coordinate with KPD and public works when permits include closures or public-right-of-way impacts.

- Parks operations: At the end of the meeting the head of parks confirmed pool staffing: "We are a 100%. We are fully staffed. We've been fully staffed for some time. Both pools are set to open on the 17th," the head of parks told commissioners.

Votes at a glance

- Item 1: Memorial marker at Kennedy Park — Approved; tally recorded 4 yes, 1 abstain (Mahalski). - Item 2: YMCA golf outing donation/permit — Approved; unanimous. - Item 3: Kenosha Lakefront Run (Simmons Island and Kennedy Parks, July 18) — Approved; unanimous. - Item 4: Snap-on anniversary (Sunnyside Tide Park) — Approved; unanimous. - Item 5: Juneteenth Kenosha (Lincoln Park/Civic Center Park) — Approved; unanimous. - Item 6: Kenosha Broadcasting Company / Jamapalooza (Kennedy Park, Aug. 16) — Denied after applicant retracted elements of the application; staff recommended denial. - Item 7: Desfile Day / Independencia festival (Sept. 7) — Deferred to allow applicant to appear and answer questions. - Item 8: Alford Beach bonfire (Sept. 21) — Approved; unanimous. - Item 9: Temporary limited easement with WisDOT (Washington Park vicinity) — Approved; unanimous. - Item 10: ECI construction quote for Simmons Island Beach House electrical improvements — Approved; unanimous. - Item 11: Assignment/notice re: US Settlers / T‑Mobile — Approved; unanimous.

What the commission did not do

- The commission declined to approve any special activities or variations that were not included in a completed application; multiple commissioners and staff said missing application details require denial or deferral.

Next steps and follow-up

- Applicants for deferred or denied items may return with completed, detailed applications and required safety/insurance documentation. Staff will confirm permit conditions and liaise with KPD or the fire department as required.

(For evidence, see transcript excerpts referenced below.)