Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Park Commission  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Wednesday, November 12, 2025  
5:30 PM  
Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at the  
Heritage Center Upper Level, 3101 Lake  
Farm Rd, Madison; attend virtually via Zoom  
A. Call To Order  
Chair Thoresen called the Park Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 PM.  
Staff Present: Alex DeSmidt, Laura Hicklin, Lael Pascual, Sharene Smith,  
Joleen Stinson.  
Youth Governance Program Member Aleena Sanghvan present.  
Others Present: Michelle Kille, Nicole Van Helden.  
6 -  
Present:  
STEFANIE BROUWER, ANALIESE EICHER, TOM THORESEN, KRISTIE  
GOFORTH, DON POSTLER and JASMINE BANKS  
1 - NANCY BOGUE  
Excused:  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
Minutes of the October 22, 2025 Park Commission  
2025  
MIN-385  
Attachments: 2025 MIN-385 Park Commission Minutes 10-22-25  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by GOFORTH, that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote 5-0, YPG 1-0, EICHER abstained.  
C. Referrals (Resolutions & Ordinance Amendments)  
AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF LAND IN THE TOWN OF WESTPORT  
KRONING, CHAWLA, BROWER, BLAZEWICZ and ENGELBERGER  
1. 2025  
RES-194  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-194  
2025 RES-194 FISCAL NOTE  
2025-RES 194 AREA MAP  
2025 RES-194 SUBJECT MAP  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by EICHER, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0, YPG 1-0.  
AUTHORIZING A LAND ACQUISITION FOR MCCARTHY YOUTH AND  
CONSERVATION COUNTY PARK  
2. 2025  
RES-222  
PETERSON, POSTLER, ROSE and FRIES  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-222  
2025 RES-222 FISCAL NOTE  
2025 RES-222 AREA MAP  
2025 RES-222 SUBJECT MAP  
A motion was made by EICHER, seconded by BROUWER, that the Resolution be  
recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0, YPG 1-0.  
AGREEMENT CHANGE ORDERS #02 AND #03 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION  
ADMINISTRATION OF THE WALKING IRON TRAIL, MAZOMANIE, WI;  
AGREEMENT WITH MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.  
3. 2025  
RES-229  
ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2025 RES-229  
2025 RES-229 FISCAL NOTE  
2025 RES-229 CO 2  
2025 RES-229 CO 3  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by GOFORTH, that the Resolution  
be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a voice vote 6-0, YPG 1-0.  
D. Items Requiring Committee Action  
E. Presentations  
1. Conservation Fund Grant Application from The Nature Conservancy for the McMeen  
parcel in the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area  
Michele Kille and Nicole Van Helden gave an overview of The Nature  
Conservancy's work in Wisconsin and Dane County. The Nature Conservancy  
is working to acquire 36 acres in the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area in the  
Town of Town of Blue Mounds for this project. If acquired, the property will be  
actively managed for wildlife habitat and public access. The Nature  
Conservancy is requesting a Dane County Conservation Fund Grant for 50% of  
the acquisition costs, approximately $221,000.  
TNC McMeen Acquisition Conservation Fund Grant Application Presentation  
2025  
RPT-499  
Attachments:  
TNC McMeen Acquisition Conservation Fund Grant Application  
Presentation  
2. Engagement and Visitor Services Summer Recap  
Lael Pascual gave an overview on engagement and visitor services activities  
from the summer of 2025.  
Summer 2025 Engagement & Visitor Services Presentation  
2025  
RPT-496  
Attachments: Summer 2025 Engagement & Visitor Services Presentation  
3. Land and Water Resources Department 2026 Budget  
Laura Hicklin gave an overview of the Land & Water Resources Department  
2026 operating budget changes and the 2026 capital budget.  
LWRD 2026 Budget Presentation  
2025  
RPT-498  
Attachments: LWRD 2026 Budget Presentation  
F. Reports to Committee  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (only if pressing business)  
Heritage Center  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
2. Wednesday, December 10, 2025  
Heritage Center  
3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison  
3. Draft 2026 Park Commission Meeting Schedule  
2026 Park Commission Meeting Schedule  
2025  
RPT-464  
Attachments: 2026 Park Commission Meeting Schedule  
H. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
I. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
J. Closed Session  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by GOFORTH, that the Meeting  
enter into closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: YGP Sanghvan  
6 -  
Ayes:  
Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Chair THORESEN, Second Vice Chair  
GOFORTH, Supervisor POSTLER and BANKS  
The Commission (or Committee) met in closed session for the purpose of deliberating or  
negotiating the purchasing or acquiring of property where open discussion of bargaining  
positions and strategies would discourage bargaining and harm the public's interest in  
obtaining properties. The authority for this possible closed session is Wis.Stat.19.85(1)  
(e).  
K. Return to Open Session  
A motion was made by BROUWER, seconded by BANKS, that the Meeting exit out  
of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: YGP Sanghvan  
6 -  
Ayes:  
Vice Chair BROUWER, Supervisor EICHER, Chair THORESEN, Second Vice Chair  
GOFORTH, Supervisor POSTLER and BANKS  
L. Adjourn  
A motion was made by BROUWER that the Meeting be adjourned. The motion  
carried by a voice vote 6-0, YPG 1-0.  
Meeting adjourned 7:10 PM.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joleen Stinson, pending Park Commission approval.