Work Session Meeting June 17, 2026

Madison City Council Work Session — June 17, 2026 High-level summary: The Madison City Council held a work session focused on Parks and Recreation capital needs and five-year facility planning. Parks and Recreation Director Kory Alfred and sports turf consultant Andrew Mosley discussed heavy field use, turf wear, safety concerns, field-rest needs, and the need for additional athletic capacity. Alfred then outlined major priorities including 12 additional covered pickleball courts at Town Madison, a four-field expansion at Palmer Park, a Miracle League accessible field, Palmer Park fencing improvements, and a new indoor aquatic center at Dublin Park. Facilities and Grounds Director Gerald Smith presented related capital and maintenance needs. A proposed park on Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road would include three soccer fields, a relocated dog park, playground, pavilions, restrooms, and parking, with funding potentially supported by selling a house and three acres on the donated property plus naming rights. Smith also reviewed Fire Station 5, building renovations, roofs, HVAC systems, playground replacements, equipment, vehicles, and trail possibilities at the rock quarry. Combined five-year requests discussed totaled about $67.5 million. Council members also discussed vacant city parcels, neighborhood parks, splash pads, aquatic-center priorities, and long-term recreation growth. No substantive legislation was voted on during the work session. City Council & Mayor Attendance Roll call at 00:16:28: Mayor Ranae Bartlett — Present Council President Maura Wroblewski — Present Council Member David Bier — Absent Council Member Billie Goodson — Present Council Member Michael McKay — Present Council Member Alice Lessmann — Present Council Member Erica White — Present Council Member Kenneth Jackson — Present Quorum established. YouTube Jump To Chapters 00:00:00 — Livestream begins / pre-meeting 00:16:19 — Call to order 00:16:28 — Roll call 00:16:59 — Athletic field conditions and sports turf update 00:26:20 — Parks and Recreation five-year capital priorities 00:26:46 — Town Madison covered pickleball court expansion 00:30:11 — Palmer Park four-field expansion 00:33:42 — Miracle League accessible field 00:35:39 — Palmer Park fencing improvements 00:36:21 — Proposed indoor aquatic center at Dublin Park 00:43:48 — Facilities and Grounds five-year capital plan 00:44:04 — Huntsville-Browns Ferry park and soccer fields 00:48:05 — City facility and infrastructure projects 00:54:03 — Proposed archery range 00:59:16 — Rock quarry trail concept 01:02:26 — Major maintenance plan 01:05:51 — HVAC replacement planning 01:08:09 — Equipment, playgrounds, and park improvements 01:11:06 — Vehicle replacement plan and combined cost outlook 01:12:52 — Council discussion on neighborhood parks and vacant parcels 01:20:20 — Splash pad and aquatic-center priorities 01:33:44 — Palmer Park fencing, Hexagon turf, and field-rest discussion 01:48:03 — Adjournment Notable Actions & Takeaways Appropriation/Resolution: No appropriation or resolution was adopted. Staff said a future resolution is expected regarding sale of the house and approximately three acres on the Huntsville-Browns Ferry property to help fund development of the new park. Major Capital Needs: Covered pickleball courts estimated at roughly $2.5–$4 million; Palmer Park four-field expansion about $9 million; indoor aquatic center about $22–$26 million; Palmer Park fencing about $400,000. Proclamation/Recognition: None during this work session. Public Hearing Focus: None. Public Concerns Raised: No public-comment segment was held. Council discussion focused on overused athletic fields, youth-sports growth, aquatic capacity, neighborhood park maintenance, splash-pad interest, and the need to prioritize limited capital funding.