Rotary Club of Lake Mills Board meeting
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Members present: Anita Martin, Beth Naughton, Dan Sanft, Barb Cramer, Tom Vinz, Todd Larson, Brian Benisch, Amy Litscher and Will Gruber (zoom)
Meeting called to order by Rotary Club of Lake Mills President Anita Martin at 7:00am.
Agenda approved. Table for future action: 4H announcements, Foundation Board asking for policy change for the 25% of concession income to Foundation.
Guest: Brian Peterson (Lake Mills City Parks/Facilities Director)
Rotarians present introduced themselves
Brian is from the Beloit area
He is taking a closer look at operation (2 months as Director)
City currently has 5 street employees and 4 parks employees
Plans to plant a tree at one of the local schools for Arbor Day and school will receive an arbor day flag.
Need seasonal employees (18 and older). If interested, please call 920-728-7551
City plans to work on the welcome sign as you come into town from the interstate. The south sign is part of the township of Lake Mills but they all plan to work together.
If there is an issue with plumbing/electrical at Rotary Park Concession Stand, please contact Parks Department.
Contract between Rotary and city for the concession stand needs updates.
Check for the memorial bench for Ken Stetson has been received by city.
Basketball court at Rotary Park needs resurfacing and new lines. Estimate is $10,000. Brian will receive more information and pass on to Rotary.
Financial Report:
Round Up check deposited for $2,148.
$6,629 remains out of the $10,000 budgeted this Rotary year for Community projects.
Net income $8,655.93
Total assets $76,073.67
Membership:
Eli Wedel has left Rotary due to business pressure.
President will reach out beginning of June to members that are in arrears. (minimum of 2 quarters)
Rotary Foundation:
Don B. attended meeting in April.
Next Foundation meeting will be attended by Dean W.
Night Meeting and Run Update:
Received $500 sponsorship from Johnen and Holevoet LLC. All sponsorships should be known by the end of May.
Last meeting was dedicated to road clean up. Thank you to the volunteers who helped with this project.
Discussion:
Foundation Board would like to have a donation from the Club for $825 to bring concession stand emergency fund back to $3,000.
Brian B. asked where do we make the better interest rate, Foundation or bank?
This money is considered an “insurance policy”
Motion made by Amy L. to keep funds as is and to not allocate additional funds to Foundation. Second by Brian B.
When Foundation President Jim W. presents to the Club, he will explain general donations to Foundation.
Will discuss at future Rotary meeting. Foundation needs to raise their own funds.
In the future if we have a balanced budget, possibly donate at the end of the fiscal year. This year, we are working with a deficit budget which was approved by the Board and the full membership.
Sunshades
In conjunction with Parks and Rec Department.
Rotary logo will be on the sunshades.
Pricing will be available soon.
$1,000 is currently in the budget.
Additional $600-$800 needed to purchase all the sunshades required for Rotary Park, plus add Rotary logo to them. Final pricing will be available soon. Carmen W. thought $1,800 total should cover everything.
Amy L. made a motion to add $800 to the current $1,000 so that the Rotary logo will be on the sunshades at Rotary Park. Second by Beth N. Motion carried.
FYI Wallace Park sunshades are being sponsored and paid for by Farmers & Merchants Bank.
Digger at Rotary Park
Cost will be to replace digger is $1,200 which includes installation and shipping.
City will take out old digger.
Motion made by Barb C. to allocate $1,200 from the community project fund to replace digger at Rotary Park. Second by Dan S. Motion carried. One opposed.
Dues:
There will be an increase from Rotary International for the next 3 fiscal years.
Motion made by Amy L. to increase dues $4 per year ($1 per quarter). Second by Beth N. Friendly amendment by Amy L to increase dues by $5 per quarter and no other increases for the next 3 years. Brian B. seconded. Motion carried.
Concession Stand:
Plans were sent out to Board via email on having the concession stand open 2 days per week. Two people volunteered to schedule each day.
Question: who buys groceries?
Todd L. offered alternative plan – continue status quo. Will G. discussed scheduling challenges at our last Board meeting. Challenge is filling in empty spots due to illness etc. Need a call list.
Anita M. mentioned that Zach W. volunteered to work all shifts plus drop off and pick up money bag.
Beth N. proposed forming a small committee to run the stand. Volunteers are: Tom V., Dan S., Todd L., Beth N. when available. Invite Zach W. and Karen R.
Decisions need to be made by May 19. Games start June 8, 2026.
Committee will decide who will take food handling online class. Need to have posted certificate before start of season.
Motion made by Amy L. to form committee to discuss and decide future of Spring/Summer 2026 concessions. Second by Tom V. Motion carried.
Dog Show: 12 dogs participated but many spectators attended. That’s a wrap for this year.
Next Board meeting is May 26 at 7:00am at Farmers & Merchants Bank.
