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AGENDA
MINUTES OF PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
City Auditorium West Room – 7pm
Present: Aaron Paden, Connie Giese, Wendy Eairleywine, Anna O’Reilly, Dian Christensen-Hillis, Dan
Gillis, Craig Steer, Ayden Swanson Amy Swanson, Nick Hansen, and Nate Schwanke.
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Giese. The agenda displayed
at City Auditorium and was distributed to the Park Board, Mayor and City Council on January
29th, 2026, and is open to the public. The open meeting law is posted continually for public
inspection.
Roll Call: Roll Call showed members O’Reilly, Geise, Eairleywine, Christensen-Hillis and Paden
present. Absent: Moran.
Open Meeting Law posted for public review.
Reading of the Parks & Recreation Board Minutes, January 5th ,2025. Paden moved to suspend
the reading since the board had read them, seconded by Christensen-Hillis, to suspend the
reading of January 5th, 2026, minutes. Motion carried.
Hansen mentioned no action item request for use.
Hansen mentioned no action times for discussion.
Schwanke discussed an RFP was sent out for Christensen Field ballfield fencing, backstops, and
dugout project. Schwanke mentioned the project would remove the old fencing around the
ballfield, backstops, and removal of the cinder block dugouts, new fencing would go around all 4
fields, backstops, and fenced dugouts. Schwanke mentioned 3 contractors have reached out
and a good interest has been shown in the project. Schwanke mentioned some additions to
CivicRec have been built out by Schwanke adding gardens, pool point of sales, and ballfields.
Schwanke mentioned that P&R staff help transport participants around various locations on for
City Government Day of Fremont Leadership Program, Schwanke mentioned P&R gave a brief
presentation over the master plan to the class. Schwanke mentioned that staff put a
presentation for the council retreat and good discussion from council and visitors. Schwanke
discussed getting ready for summer jobs and bids are out for summer supplies. Schwanke
mentioned that league sign-ups will going out for summer rec league for softball and pickleball.
Hansen discussed no major repairs to facilities. Hansen mentioned the sensor faucets were
changed out to metering facets in all restrooms in the auditorium. Hansen mentioned P&R
maintenance crew was building 2 offices in the East room for new P&R offices.

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Hansen discussed a spreader that was purchased for wood chips to help build out the trails in Hormel
and Wildwood. Hansen mentioned the P&R crew are making a few fabrications to the spreader and the
trails will start adding chips in March. Hansen mentioned 4 maintenance crews attended a 3 day turf
conference and 2 had renewals for spraying license and 2 received new spraying license. Hansen
mentioned hiring of a one new position for maintenance worker bring the parks total up to 9 full time
employees. Hansen discussed the EDA grant for Hormel and Wildwood has been completed and one
more check needs to be processed and the reimbursement for the project. Hansen mention a grant
extension for JCF Park project was accepted for a new date of June 2026. Hansen mentioned new signs
are being made for Johnson Park and some old signs and rule signs are being replaced throughout the
park system and old a new sign for the friendship center. Hansen discussed the city council retreat at
the Friendship Center; a big discussion was the P&R Master Plan and next steps for Johnson Park
Renovation. Hansen mentioned special guests attended the meeting for Papillion to discuss how
Papillion Landing was built and what steps were taken. Hansen mentioned there was great information
from the guests which led into discussion with city councilmen about the P&R Master Plan. Hansen
mentioned a activity was given to council to rank the highest priority associated in the master plan.
Hansen mentioned the discussion led to forming a committee or design and construction of Johnson
Park and the committee would be P&R board members, council representatives, and 2-3 at large
community members. Hansen discussed the Tree Canopy Program supported by McKnight’s family for
the 2026 season. Hansen mentioned the program will offer 60 trees at discounted price to all citizens to
place trees in their front or back yard. Hansen mentioned P&R staff will help inspect the site and
Siffring’s will plant, stake, mulch, and provide a water bag. Hansen mentioned the Christmas tree
recycling was partnered with Keep Fremont Beautiful and APlus tree services. Hansen mentioned APlus
chipped the trees and took them to Hormel Park for trails. Hansen mentioned 2 forestry tree trimmers
went to a 2 day arborist conference and renewed their licenses.
Hansen discussed capital improvement plans of Van Anda restroom arriving in March. Hansen
mentioned Christensen Field Fencing RFP was published and parks and cemetery equipment is being
purchased.
Next Meeting – Monday, March 2nd, 2026, 7:00pm, West Room City Auditorium.
Adjournment- Motion was made by Paden, seconded by Eairleywine to adjourn. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:18pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nick Hansen, Secretary
I, the undersigned, the Secretary for the Parks and Recreation Board, Fremont, Nebraska, hereby certify
that all of the subjects included in the attached proceedings were contained in the notice of said
meeting of February 2nd,2026 kept continually current and available for public inspection at the Parks &
Recreation Office; that such subjects were contained in said notice for at least twenty-four hours prior
to said meeting; that the minutes of the Park Board of the Parks and Recreation Department, Fremont,
Nebraska were in written form and available for public inspection prior to the next convened meeting of
said body. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of February 2026.
Nick Hansen, Director of Parks & Recreation February 2nd, 2026