STE. GENEVIEVE – The minutes of the August 25th meeting of the Ste. Genevieve Parks and Recreation Commission meeting have been released.
Ste. Genevieve Parks & Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2025
6:30 p.m.
City Hall at 165 S. Fourth St
Meeting called order at 6:30 p.m. by Gary Roth.
Roll Call: Present: Gary Roth, Shelly Schmelzle, Lauren Smothers (6:40 p.m.), John Karel, Barbara Basler-Peterson, Samer Zoughaib and Alderperson Amie Dobbs.
Also Present: Happy Welch, David Bova, Gina Bennett, and David Woods.
Absent: Mark Buchheit.
Approval of Agenda : 1st Samer Zoughaib, 2nd Barbara Basler-Peterson, All Ayes.
Approval of Minutes – July 28th, 2025: 1st Samer Zoughaib, 2nd Shelly Schmelzle, All Ayes.
Public Works Report: Corey Litterst submitted the following written report:
- Trees at Pere Marquette (PM) entrance were watered as needed.
- The split rail fence was installed at the entrance of PM.
- A sink and 2 partitions were repaired due to vandalism at Main Street Park bathrooms.
- The tree was trimmed at Main Street Park. Thanks to John Carrol with the guidance on that.
- The trail at Pinkley Park is complete. We had to get some more screenings as of last meeting.
- Dirt was put around the new playground in PM. It has settled some so we will be putting in more dirt to get it back to grade.
- Soccer fields have been painted for the upcoming soccer season.
- The playground equipment and shelters at Valle Springs Park were pressure-washed.
- A big limb came down from a Cottonwood tree at Pinkley Park. We will get that cleaned up this week, but does the board have any thoughts on taking the entire tree down?
- A tree was cut down at Gauge Park that was damaged.
- There will be an extra guy in the Park 2 days a week to help Geoff out starting next week.
John Karel would like a replacement tree to be planted if we decide to remove the cottonwood tree. The board came to a consensus to remove the cottonwood tree and replace it with an oak tree. Happy Welch will get quotes for the board.
John Karel also spoke about the pruning project at Main Street Park. Karel gave accolades to Geoff Duvall for doing a great job at pruning but more importantly representing the park board in this matter. Karel called it a win / win because the tree will be healthier, and the business owner has more visibility.
OLD BUSINESS
Master Plan – Committee Reports:
Fundraising Committee – Barbara Basler-Peterson discussed the Hayride for the Christmas Walk. Basler-Peterson expanded on the idea of renting lots at the park as a fund raiser for the event. Businesses, organizations and families with memorials are good candidates. She has mapped out a route and located the electrical sources for those who would need it.
Trail Committee – Happy Welch reported that he will have Cochran Engineering come up with cost figures to expand the trail all the way down to Main Street.
Playground Committee – Chairperson Roth reported that he met with the Rotary Club and had a good meeting with both parties comfortable with the progress and location discussion thus far for the splash pad. He will meet again with the Rotary Club and the designer for the splash pad in Festus. Barbara Basler-Peterson mentioned that the lease agreement with the VFW for Khoury field would have to be amended to allow something besides a designated ball field. She suggested our city attorney draft an amendment as such.
Bathroom Committee – Happy Welch had nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS
Samer Zoughaib mentioned an outing recently in Indianapolis where he was introduced to the sport of FootGolf (a hybrid sport that combines the rules of golf with kicking a soccer ball to score in a larger hole). This is an extremely popular sport in the United Kingdom and is becoming more popular here. With soccer season coming up Zoughaib said this would be a great activity for parents at the park while their kids are at soccer practice. He volunteered to create the first hole to display this idea to the board.
John Karel mentioned that this is Happy Welch’s last meeting with the Park Board and wanted to express congratulations and appreciation. Welch mentioned that David Bova would be acting as intern until the board decides on the path forward.
Gary Roth stated the edging stones are ready for pickup for the Valle Springs trail improvement.
The board came to a consensus to purchase two more park benches out of the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2025 from the landscaping budget line item.
OTHER BUSINESS
Adjourn at 6:59 p.m. 1st Shelly Schmelzle, 2nd, Barbara Basler-Peterson, All Ayes.
Next scheduled meeting is on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.
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David B. Woods