Parks board approves event permits, vendor agreements, easement and elects officers

The Waukesha City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board on May 19 approved event permits and vendor agreements, granted a distribution easement to We Energies for underground utility work in Merrillcrest Park, accepted a contract for aquatic plant management at Saratoga Lake and elected new board officers.

The approvals were unanimous on each item. The board also approved minutes from its March 31, 2025 meeting.

Why it matters: The approvals clear the way for city-sponsored events this summer and autumn, allow utility work that city staff said will be limited to underground conduits in Merrillcrest Park, and green-light annual and periodic maintenance work on area waterways. Officer elections set the board’s leadership for the coming year.

The board approved a special-use request from the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council to use Veterans Park and Cutler Park for Memorial Day and Veterans Day services at no charge. City staff described plans for a river service at Veterans Park at 9 a.m. and a Cutler Park service beginning about 10 a.m. on Memorial Day; Mayor Riley and the fire chief were listed as scheduled speakers. The board moved to approve the request and voted in favor.

The board approved the summer jazz concert series at Cutler Park, including beverage service by North Pillar Brewing (listed in the packet as North Pillar Brewing); staff said the brewery will serve fermented malt beverages, soda and water on the July concert dates and will pay the city $400 by June 30.

The Athletic Banner Program received approval with an accompanying form (referred to in the packet as the “889” form) required by the Wisconsin Army National Guard for sponsorship compliance; staff said the form documents vendor and security requirements and that the city attorney had reviewed the arrangement.

The board approved the annual proclamation designating July as National Parks and Recreation Month and recommended it be forwarded to the Common Council.

The board approved two vendor agreements for the 2025 Waukesha Oktoberfest: an agreement with the Kiwanis Club of Waukesha Early Risers to sell merchandise (Kiwanis to receive 15% of sales; merchandise purchased by the city) and an agreement with a food vendor identified in the packet as Kapatosa (the city to receive 20% of the vendor’s sales); the vendor will offer a fish fry on Friday and charcuterie and Reuben rolls on both days. Board members discussed keeping event prices affordable and balancing vendor participation to avoid crowding long-standing vendors.

The board recommended approval of a distribution easement for We Energies to install an underground electrical line in a portion of Merrillcrest Park; staff said the easement is limited to underground work, was narrowed in response to review and was reviewed by the city attorney. The easement also crosses school district property, staff said, and any above-ground work would require additional board approval.

The board accepted a contract recommendation for the Saratoga Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan with Solitude Lake Management; staff said the firm was on a list of consultants supplied by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and that the city took the low bid. Staff noted that the annual aquatic plant harvesting contractor must be preapproved by the Wisconsin DNR and that the five-year aquatic plant management plan is submitted as part of the permitting process.

In officer elections, the board elected Jennifer Wallner as board president, Sarah Smith as vice president and Eric Hummer as secretary during roll-call votes.

The meeting concluded with staff reports on pool preparations, hiring for seasonal and full-time positions, and upcoming capital projects including the formal gardens reconstruction and wayfinding signage work.

The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.