The Advisory Recreation Board voted to raise cemetery and recreation program fees and set rules and pricing for a new pet cemetery option. The board also sketched out 2026 events and started planning work on Neshotah signage and a youth sports “summit.”
Key Decisions
Cemetery costs are going up: the board approved a higher plot price, a new winter burial fee, and higher Saturday/after-hours charges—directly affecting families planning burials in Two Rivers.
The board approved a pet cemetery setup (cremation-only) with set fees and restrictions, despite a split vote—showing there’s not full agreement on how this should be priced and managed.
The board reviewed 2026 concerts/events and signaled it may want fewer Downtown Friday Night Live dates, citing concerns about impacts on local businesses—one of the few times the board openly weighed event programming against downtown business health.
Public Input · 2 speakers
Dean Hirvela
Said cemetery rates are too high. Also praised the Recreation Clerk’s work on the Community Garden and complimented cemetery staff.
John Gomez
Asked what the city will do when ropes come down on Pierce Street that currently prevent parking on the grass. Also asked about the pollinator plantings on the old tennis courts (who did the work, what topsoil was used) and whether the flag pole will stay at Paddlers Park.
Agenda Items
Pet Cemetery - Action Recommended
Passed
The board approved a pet cemetery option built around a 4x4 plot that can hold up to four cremation burials, with set fees and strict rules (no irrigation; imitation flowers only). This is a new city service with real, ongoing management choices baked in—what’s allowed, what’s maintained, and what families will pay. The vote was not unanimous, which is a signal the board itself sees tradeoffs here, even if the minutes don’t spell out the full debate.
The board approved higher cemetery fees, including raising the plot price to $800, adding a $150 winter burial fee, and increasing Saturday/after-hours burials to $400. This is a direct cost increase for residents at a time when one speaker explicitly told the board rates already feel too high. The minutes don’t explain the board’s reasoning beyond the action itself, so residents are left to infer the “why” from the rate changes rather than a clear public explanation.
Review of Recreation Program Rates - Action Recommended
Passed
The board approved fee increases for several youth programs (including flag football, softball, and indoor soccer). These are smaller dollar amounts than cemetery fees, but they add up for families with multiple kids and multiple seasons. The board treated this as a straightforward approval, with no recorded discussion about affordability or financial aid beyond a later note that one assistance application had been received.
2025 Concert Results & 2026 Concert/Event Direction
The board reviewed the 2026 events list and generally supported keeping the lineup similar to prior years, with additions tied to the July 4 celebration (a 250th U.S. birthday/time capsule opening) and new food truck rally ideas. Notably, the board flagged a concern that too many Friday Night Live events could hurt local businesses—an important tension in how the city programs downtown activity. No formal vote was recorded, so this reads as direction-setting rather than a final plan.
A committee was formed to create a signage plan for Neshotah Park and Beach, aiming to reduce sign clutter, make messages clearer, and better connect trails, the beach, and downtown. This matters because signage is how the city manages behavior and expectations at its busiest public space—and it can either help visitors navigate or overwhelm residents with rules and warnings. The minutes point to attached details, but the key takeaway is the board is moving toward a coordinated, park-wide approach rather than piecemeal signs.
The board discussed a community planning process to set a shared direction for youth sports, from youth leagues through high school. Members suggested bringing in current and former coaches, athletic directors, and past athletes—an attempt to broaden input beyond the usual small circle. This is early-stage, but it could shape future spending priorities and facility decisions, so residents who care about youth sports should watch who gets invited and what goals get set.
Staff shared updates on recreation programs, events, and Senior Center services, with detailed attendance numbers referenced as attached. This is mostly operational reporting, but it’s also the data the city uses to justify which programs expand, shrink, or get priced higher. The minutes don’t show the board challenging or digging into the numbers during this meeting.
Staff reported on park and facility work (including tennis court work at Neshotah, seasonal removals, tree/stump removals, winterizing, and benches) and noted hiring plans for Community House attendants. For most residents, this is a “what’s getting done” list rather than a decision point. The one thing to watch is whether staffing and maintenance capacity keeps pace with the city’s growing list of park assets and projects.
Staff reported that Paddlers Park improvements are tied to a $30,000 Wisconsin Coastal Management Grant, and that Riverside Park planning includes a $324,500 DNR Stewardship Grant plus additional grant applications. Grants reduce the immediate hit to city funds, but they also lock the city into specific project scopes and timelines—and usually require local match money and long-term maintenance. This is the kind of update that sounds like “free money,” but residents should track what the city is committing to build and maintain after the grant dollars are spent.