City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. It is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. We will call the city council meeting of the city of New to order. Um, at this time, our first item of business is the consent agenda. Um, upon earlier review, I would like to pull item 1.6 six from the consent agenda for additional discussion and a staff vote. Um that being said, the consent agenda would now consist of items 1.1 to 1.5. Counselors, what are your wishes? So move second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I.

I. That motion does carry. At this time, um we will move to item 1.6, six which is park and recreation department surplus property. We have Mr. Schugle here today to get us some more information on this particular item. Mr. Schugle, good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Thank you, Council President Becker, City Council. Uh in discussion with uh the surplusing the Johnson Park scoreboard for the replacement of the digital board. The board comes in three panels. So the top panel is Johnson Park. The middle panel has the scores on and then the bottom panel has the Jesser memorial panel on. So we are looking to surplus the two uh top panels and put those on gov deals because there is value still to that scoreboard and we feel there's interest and would go through the normal process of that.

Um with that that panel would fit the same size as Miller Park. So really what this would be doing is moving the Jess Royer Memorial panel down to Miller Park. So one park to another. Uh that current scoreboard at Miller Park, same dimensions, same color scheme, same green. Uh it has been discussed with the Royer family. Um the Miller Park scoreboard was purchased by the city of Newm. It is not a memorial scoreboard. It is um straightforward just like the Johnson Park scoreboard. But I'm happy to answer any specific additional questions that any of you have.

Uh I just was wanting to pull this because I received a phone call from a family member of one of the donors of Miller Park. Um and um I needed some clarification on this. Um who do uh and I understand the baseball association did some of the purchasing of some of these items. Yes. So the the the baseball association is fully purchasing the new board and with that purchase installation of the new board and takeown of the old board takes place at the same time. The same company would install the memorial panel at no additional cost to the city down at Miller Park. [snorts]

Comments on this or has anyone else received calls? I've had nothing. I've had no calls.

Yes. I can add one thing. um from time to time through our donation policy with the city at times different structures and things need to be moved due to future uh future planning. So this could be just like a memorial bench installed at a park and we uh redevelop that park. Uh that is in our policy that says you know um working with all parties involved to try to find a a reasonable solution to uh moving that um that isn't anticipated at the time of um installation. So just like any memorials they are not permanent. Um so there is a timeline but this is a way to recognize this memorial in a different location. Mhm.

President and counselors, um, I might have a question. Um, what exactly does the panel say? I'm trying to remember. Director Schugle, does it say Jess Royer Memorial? Scoreboard. Jess Roy Memorial. I I can't recall if scoreboard is in there. Uh, Jesser Memorial, though. Um.

Yes. Well, President, counselors, I uh have no problem surplusing the scoreboard um as requested and uh I also do not have a problem with the memorial signage that or the just Royer signage um being re relocated to um our second of two premier baseball stadiums, parks in our city.

Joy, was this discussed at the park and rec meeting? So this this did not come up in park and rec commission meeting. No. Um, I just uh want to chime in and say having been and worked with uh not forprofits for many years and um having dealt with memorials uh it's always the right of the organization and in this case the city to be able to relocate or to um even remove as we did with the Vogal Arena. I mean want to bring it up. Uh and so um while um we are being respectful to Jess Royer and that memorial and relocating it to another baseball park, I think uh is a great suggestion and I would offer support of that going to the other baseball park as well.

Thank you, mayor. Make a motion on this then. Yes, please. Okay. I'll make a motion to declare the Johnson Park scoreboard from the park and recck department as surplus property and authorized disposition pursuant to city code 2.75 subdivision 3. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? This one uh 1.8 does say Jesse Ruger Memorial Scoreboard. Thank you. Thank you, Manager Dalton. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. I. That motion does carry. Item 2.1, a raffles gambling permit for Sertoma Club of Newm.

Offer the motion to approve the issuance of lawful gambling permit for the Sertoma Club of Newm to conduct raffles gambling at the Newm Civic Center, Brown County Fairgrounds, 1212 North Franklin Street on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. Second. We do have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 2.2 is a Raffles gambling permit for New Area Catholic Schools. Madame President, counselors, I'd like to make a motion to approve the issuance of a lawful gambling permit for New Alm Area Catholic Schools to conduct raffles gambling at Newm Country Club at One Golf Drive on Monday, August 3rd, 2026.

Second. We have a motion and a second to any further discussion. Those in favor signal by saying I. I. I. That motion does carry. Item 2.3 is 209 pub and grill liquor license extension for 2026 downtown events and fundraising event.

Before you get started on this, um this will kind of be the last year um that this format of liquor license extensions um and street closures will come to before you in this manner. Um we're kind of in the final steps of the draft for event policy um which will come to a work study session to see if the framework is there and then we can move forward with taking it to some of the downtown groups to see what they feel you know have their buy in on that and then bring it back for formal adoption. Um now as we're going through I think it's the next three items are all kind of the same thing. um you know, if you want to take a look at these individually and apply any extra restrictions as you're going through, you know, security-wise, trash cans, stuff like that, because it's not currently in the policy, um you're able to do that on some of these. So, alley closures, you know, I'd say car roll car or car and bike rollins, you might want to [snorts] take a little little bit more of a look on that one uh than some of the other ones with the recent issues we have with alley closures. um on on the B&L side of things. So, just food for thought as you're going through this.

Has trash been a major issue for the bark roll in? I wouldn't say major, but I know Jeff, I mean, they're pretty full when you pick them up on Monday, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, maybe a couple extra bins. Um you know, just little receptacles out there to collect some of the trash. Maybe like you're you're kind of maybe referencing the individual businesses to help put some trash control out uh in those regards. Um have we had any alcohol issues or anything that we're aware of or

I would say there are probably some instances of people out, you know, in a non closed closed space that have had alcohol, you know, out there. I mean maybe commissioner or um Chief Borurt um can speak to that and we you know we have gotten some video footage of stuff like that but I know they do more patrols um during events.

President Bker, members of the council, Chief Borurt. Yeah, regarding your your question, we do see, you know, with more volume of people and just with the event and the free spirits, I mean, we we definitely see more violations than usual. We're looking for it. Um, but I mean, there's never anything that's not manageable, but we, you know, we we certainly do encounter that. We're also [clears throat] trying to be a little we're asking the officers to be more um observant, paying um closer attention to specifically just the downtown like some of the um criminal mischief that we've heard about as far as people um not behaving well in the alley, urinating, that type of thing, drinking um having alcohol out Um, and we've we've written citations for it. And then, um, you know, also in the future, we're looking at like probably some more further investigation, maybe even some pole cameras in certain places where we move it around. We've got some better camera capabilities now um, since we sent an officer to some training regarding that. and um being able to build those fairly sophisticated pole cameras are very affordable and they they're very effective.

I don't know if that answers your question, but um so we do have cameras right now downtown on on this or [clears throat] you're going from private. We have some we have some private cameras that are relatively good. And then we also have pole cameras we can put up. A pole camera we can put them up like with um utility. Um I mean we can put them up anywhere and they work very well. They're temporary or they're temporary. They're meant to be temporary. I mean we could keep them up there on a permanent basis but they're meant to be meant to be temporary

for like events. Well, for anything. We use them for like even like surveillance like narcotic. If we think that there's going to be a narcotic buy in a certain area, we use them for some of those undercover operations. We they have multiple uses. Those cameras do. Um, Corpal Aman is the one that went through some some fairly sophisticated training that you've got to be pretty techy to get through something like that. And he's he's got those skills. He's got just advanced skills. It kind of it comes pretty natural to him. So, we're um we're using him as far as building cameras. We we have one on hand right now and we're looking at probably expanding that to three, four just because they're handy. And now that he's got the training, it's it's very cost effective.

That's good to know that there's something like that out there for security. I mean, that's that's an excellent use of it. Yeah. Thank you. Now there's our eyes. Madam first one here. Yeah, you want to tell I've got a question um first here. Um manager Dalton are is our item 2.3 and 2.4 identical in that they're simply extending the liquor license. Different streets. Different streets. But technically, yes, they Yes. In the same event,

three, four, and five. And your um recommendation might be to um re require the uh the owner of the businesses to place garbage cans or or hand some handle some sort of refu. I would say at least at least for the car and bike rolling have additional trash cans out there cuz that is people just wandering the street essentially. um you know crazy days um a little more limited in that and pray to lights is pray to lights and we seem to handle handle that pretty pretty fine with the amount of people that are down there.

How will we relay that communication to the we will just give them a letter that we accepted the resolution but can you please put [clears throat] out refuge cans as yeah any additional conditions that you place we will be in contact with them to let them know. I can let the chamber know. Sounds reasonable.

I'd just like to make a comment. Having run Heritage Fest and having to uh provide uh garbage uh receptacles, that is a bigger issue than you might think. I believe it's very important to have adequate uh containers to get rid of garbage. There's nothing worse than being at an event and where do you go with your empty containers? You put them on the ground because the garbage is full. Now when we allow events to happen on our main street that becomes an event venue and I believe that then it would be who who's ever organizing it to be responsible to make sure that we have either additional containers receptacles and manage them so that there's always some empty space in them and also an other option would be to access the city receptacles and I don't know what's involved in that and replace the liners there and and remove the garbage because that also speaks to uh the experience of the event. There's nothing worse than bunch of garbage sitting around. So, just want to make that comment. We'll offer the resolution authorizing 209 Pub and Grill to extend their liquor license for the fund raise uh the fundraising event and following chamber sponsored 2026 summer events to allow alcohol to be consumed and served subject to conditions. Uh fundraising event Minnesota Street from 2nd north to 3rd North Street on August 22nd, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Crazy Days. Minnesota Street from First North to Center Street from Friday, July 24th to at 2:00 p.m. till Sunday, July 26th at 12:00 p.m. Minnesota Street from Third North to First North from 7:00 a.m. to 900 p.m. Saturday, July 26th. And First North from Minnesota Street to Alley from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Car and bike rollins with garbage provided by the

business owner in front of their business, please. Minnesota Street from 3rd North to 1st South from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, June 13th, July 11th, August 8th, September 12th. Parade of Lights, Minnesota Street from 1st South to 4th North from 400 p.m. to 700 p.m. Friday, November 27th. Second.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Um my discussion or my question and I guess we hadn't kind of thought about this in the past or maybe it has come up but how are we to enforce that people ordering alcohol from those businesses will stay within those parameters of you know second north to third north. Will the will are they required to put up signage to say like alcohol beyond this point? Is there somebody that's going to be waiting there to make them dump their drink if they go further down the street? Or, you know, are we looking at this as, you know, with their liquor licenses extended so people can go outside and enjoy and if they wander beyond that, that's on their own. We're not going to try to control that behavior.

So, I know at least with the the chamber events, October Fest, things like that, they do have signs where this closure ends. No alcohol beyond this point. um you know outside of that if they get caught with alcohol then the event organizer is going to take that hit of them of them leaving that area um you know and that's something that we will be addressing as part of the event policy when that comes to you.

Sure. So just to just to be clear, you know, they know the parameters if people but the guests won't understand what that means. Like if I go to one establishment and I order a beer and then I walk all the way down the street, you know, technically I'm not supposed to be doing that, but I don't know that I'm not supposed to be doing that. So it's just something that we should consider in the event policy as we're crafting that how we're going to just handle that situation. But um that was my comment. Any additional Okay. Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Warma, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. And President Becker,

yes. That motion does carry. Item 2.4 is Kaiserhoff liquor license extension for 2026 downtown events and 209 pub and grill fundraiser. Well, all off of the resolution authorizing the Kaiser off to extend their liquor license for the following chamber sponsored 2026 summer events and 209 pub and grills fundraising events to allow alcohol to be consumed served subject conditions. Fundraising event, Minnesota Street from 2nd north to 3rd North Street on August 22nd, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Crazy Days, Minnesota Street from First North to Center Street from Friday, July 24th at 2:00 p.m. till Sunday, July 26th at 12:00 p.m. Minnesota Street from 3rd North to 1st North from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26th. and First North from Minnesota Street to Alley from 7:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. Car and bike rollins. Minnesota Street from Third North to First South from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays July 13th, 11th, August 8th, and September 12th. and to include additional trash for the refuge. Cradle Lights, Minnesota Street from First South to 4th North from 400 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 27th.

Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Warma, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion carries. Item 2.5, BNL Bar Alley closure liquor license extension for 2026 downtown events.

So, specifically with this one, um because you are allowing um as part of this to extend their liquor license into Minnesota Street, um you don't necessarily have to allow them to close the alley. You can just allow them to extend into the street and not close the alley and they'll have to put a barricade there saying no alcohol and control that or you can approve as is. I Chris did. Weren't we going to do something or where you're going to have a policy? I think Joe is going to be working on that. That's part of that event policy that we'll bring before you. Yep.

I'm just going to inject a comment. I there's an entrance to that establishment that's in the alley. I would be fine with keeping the alley open. Um, [sighs] you know, uh, I'm a little torn on this given the volume of business that they do. I would like to see some type of security or maintenance staff or something that just is out there. Um, perhaps to enforce to have, you know, using the outdoor bathrooms that they provide, keeping the garbage clean, um, you know, and doing those kind of things. But I wouldn't I wouldn't want to limit the ability for people to enter and leave that establishment. Follow the resolution to temporarily close the alley adjacent to BNL Bar and authorize the extension of the BNL Bar liquor license into the closed alley area and Minnesota Street for the following downtown events to allow alcohol to be consumed and served subject to the conditions. Crazy Days. Minnesota closed from First North to Center from Friday, July 24th to at 2 p.m. till Sunday, July 26 at 12:00 p.m. Minnesota closed from Third North to First North from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26th. And First North closed from Minnesota to Alley from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Car and Bike Rollins with garbage assistance, uh, garbage can assistance outside of the business. Minnesota Street closed from third north to 1st south from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays June 20 or June 13th, July 11th, August 8th, September 12th, spiking in the streets. Minnesota Street closed from 2nd north to center from June Friday, July 31st at 8:00 a.m. till Sunday, August 2nd at 3 p.m. with the intersection of First North and Minnesota open till 400 p.m. Friday the 1st. First North closed from Minnesota

to Alley from 11:00 p.m. Friday the 31st till 300 p.m. Sunday, August uh August 2nd. October Fest. Minnesota Street closed from First North to Center Street from Friday, October 2nd at 8:00 a.m. till Sunday, October 4th at 12:00 p.m. Closed Center Street from Broadway to Minnesota from 7:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 3rd, including Center and Minnesota intersection. Lastly, Parade of Lights, Minnesota Street, closed from First South to 4th North from 400 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. November 27th.

Do we want to reference anything about having security potentially or somebody to watch it or clean for the alley? [sighs and gasps] I mean, my question is, you know, is is there a problem? I don't want to I don't want to do something for one business owner that we're not doing and keeping equivalent for everyone. So when you close the alley, no, there isn't an issue because the alley is closed and people are able to have alcohol. The issue is the rest of the time potentially there's people out there drinking alcohol when the alley isn't closed because people just think it's part of the business. Okay?

And there's signs out there that's saying no alcohol allowed, but no one's monitoring that. The police roll by every once in a while and have, like Chief Morgan said, have written citations to those people, but there's really no repercussions to the business owner. It is to the individual out there. And that has to do with nights that it or days that it isn't part of this. That's just a random Tuesday. There's people in the

restrictions cuz if if we're not doing it for all of them, I don't want to single anybody out. Um, I think they can all, you know, all the businesses that, um, that participate and benefit from having these events and go to the extra work to close alleys and streets so that everyone can come and enjoy these events. Um, yeah, we should all make sure that we're being good neighbors and we have garbage cans. But, all right, then. I Yeah, I don't see a need to add any additional restrictions at this time. I would approve the motion as it is. Any additional discussion? Well, we need a second, I think. I'm sorry. Um, I'll second the motion. Thank you, Commission. Thank you.

Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Wa, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion carries. Item 3.1 is a variance request for 9005th South Street. Mr. Nisley, good afternoon.

Good evening, council president, counselors. John Nisley, planner with city of Newm. Um before you we have a variance request by Joseph L. Deml to construct a residential building addition to be located 7 ft from the front property line of budding South Frank Franklin Street. Um the planning commission at its April 30th, 2026 meeting unanimously recommended approval with two conditions. Uh those two conditions were that the applicant record uh the um variance with the Brown County Recorders Office and then the second condition was that um the applicant contact city staff to verify setbacks once the building addition is staked by the contractor. Um so a little project description here. The property is a traditional grid lot with dimensions of 50 ft wide by 165 ft long or 8,250 ft. Uh the applicant is proposing to construct a 42- foot wide building addition to the north side of the home in line with the existing home uh facing South Franklin Street. The existing home was constructed in 1888. Um just to the north lot 6 is also a 50t wide by 160t 5 160 ft uh deep lot that remains undeveloped and it's also owned by the applicant, Mr. Deml. That property also has utility services stubbed into it, so it could be developed into the future. Um, the existing home is 7 feet from the north property line abuing South Franklin Street. Uh, the home to the north, um, so just beyond the vacant lot is located 27 ft from the property line abuing South Franklin Street. So, in a situation like that, our zoning ordinance does take that into consideration um and allow uh for something called front yard averaging um in lowdensity residential zoning districts. Uh this rule would allow the

proposed home addition to be located at 17 ft uh behind um 17 ft or 10 ft behind the front of the existing home. So, in that zoning district, the front yard set back is 30 ft. But because the home um adjacent to it is closer, um you can average that out and they can have a lesser setback. Um but in this case, the homeowner would like to construct the home in line with their existing home, which is 7 ft from the front yard property line. Um the proposed layout of the home uh addition stacks the new bathroom above the existing plumbing serving the home. At this time, the home doesn't have a bathroom. Um, on the main floor of the of the home, uh, on the site, there is an approximate six uh 6% slope from the front sidewalk back to the alley. Um, the proposed addition would meet the required side, street side, and rear yard setbacks, meaning that it wouldn't impede on the vacant lot to the north. Um, the proposed addition would be designed to match the existing home. Um, and with this new addition, it would bring the total lock coverage on the site to 23% which is under the maximum allowed of 35%. Um, I would note that we didn't receive any public comments from neighbors or anybody regarding this request. And that would conclude the staff report.

Thank you, Mr. Nicely. Madame President and counselors, um, I'd like to offer a resolution approving with conditions the variance request by Joseph L. demo to construct a residential dwelling addition 7 ft from the front yard property line abuing South Franklin Street and legally described as lot 7 block 146 south of center street. Second thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion?

I'm just going to add from the planning and zoning commission meeting. Uh it doesn't hinder any views for a corner. You know it's keeping in line. uh when when asked if he wanted to go further back, he just kind of interferes with his floor plan, you know, with his home, trying to maximize the square footage and make accessibility for his home and it still fits in with the character and it's been there forund and some years. So, you know, long before we had our zoning, so the commission recommended approval. Thank you. Thank you. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Wormka, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes.

President Becker, yes. Motion carries. Um, thank you very much. Under new business, item 4.1 is the 2025 surface reconstruction project final assessments.

Thank you, Madam President, city councilors. Uh, the final assessment rules have been developed um and calculated for the 2025 surface reconstruction project. As a reminder, the improvements included with that project were 23rd North Street from Broadway to Terrace Drive, 11th South Street from Payne to Jefferson, 5th North Street Broadway to German, 15th South from State to Washington, and Summit Avenue from State Park Road to Gulf Drive. The 2025 capital improve capital improvement plan report was approved and adopted by the council on November 19th, 2024. At that meeting, the um surface reconstruction project was recommended to be specially assessed at $2,140 per adjacent residential parcel and incremental benefit for non-s single family residential parcels. Recommended amount to be specially assessed is $143,173 or about 32.5% of the final project cost. The assessment role um is included within the packet for your review. In in addition to that, we are asking to set the public hearing on these final assessments for Jew Tuesday, July 7th at 4:30 p.m.

I'll make a motion to approve the final assessment role for the 2025 surface reconstruction project and set the date for the public hearing on the on the assessments for Tuesday, July 7th, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Item 4.3, professional services contract for center street corridor safety improvements. Mr. Stheim again. Hello. Oh, sorry. 4.2. Sorry. 2025 utility street and alley improvement project. Final assessments.

Thank you, Madam President. City councilors. Uh the projects included on the 2025 uh USA project included Bridge Street from Cottonwood Street to Tower Road. The improvements in Lakeside Village edition, alley block 59 and 60 south of center street miscellane and miscellaneous concrete and sidewalk and ADA improvements. Um again the assessments were calculated per the methodology uh within the 2025 CIP report. Um the total amount to be specially or recommended to be so specially assessed is $1,400,379.79 or 47% of the estimated final project cost. Again, the assessment roles are included within the packet for your review. [clears throat] And again, we would be setting this public hearing uh on the assessments for July 7th at 4:30 p.m. Just a quick question about the Lakeside Village edition one. What are what exactly are they doing there?

That what last year's improvements? So, we're assessing Thank you. Yep. Thank you, Madam President, councilors, I'd like to make a motion to approve the final assessment roles for the 2025 utility street and alley improvement project and set the date for the public hearing on the assessments for Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion. Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. Thank you. Um, item 4.3, professional services contract for center street corridor safety improvements.

All right. Uh, thank you, Madam President. Say councilors. I'm happy to announce that the city of Newm has been programmed to receive federal funding through the mind.ATP7 2030 solicitation. Um, you previously authorized staff to submit grant applications uh for this funding at your December 16th, 2025 meeting. The uh funding that has been awarded to the city is fiscal year 29 carbon reduction uh funding and fiscal year 2030 carbon reduction funding. Both of those are $520,000. fiscal year 2030 TA funding, that's transportation alternative funding of $1 million and 2030 STP small urban funding for $2.3 million for a total federal funding award amount of $4.3 million. And that accounts for about 65% of the estimated total project cost of $6.7 million. Remaining funding will be a combination of city of Newm uh state aid funds and Brown County state aid funds uh with local bond funds. As a reminder, this project is a joint project with Brown County and would include numerous safety improvements along the center street or CASA 13 corridor, including roundabouts at Garden Street, Pain Street, a pedestrian underpass near Garden Street, RRFBs at the intersection surface crossings, reconstruction of the underground utilities, storm water facilities, and other restoration and improvements needed to complete the project. Bolton and Mink completed an intersection control evaluation study of this of the center and garden intersection in 2023. As part of that study, concept designs uh were developed for the construction of a roundabout. And from that report, it was suggested uh that the intersection at Pain Street uh be constructed as a roundabout as well due to queuing during the red light um on Center Street could cause queuing into

the roundabout, which we want to avoid. Uh the fee associated with this proposed Bolton main contract is $768,513 which includes geotechnical services and that includes project design, environmental documentation, uh structures for the retain needed retaining wall and pedestrian underpass. um and uh keeping this project on schedule to be federally authorized in June of 2029 to be eligible for that 2029 carbon reduction funding. Uh the uh professional service funding for this project was not included within our 2026 budget. Um it was unknown that uh that time that the city would receive funding for this project. Um this we are planning to include an appropriation for this project within the 2027 budget, but uh the city may also use their state aid funding uh to fund the engineering services for this project as well. So we'd be looking for direction from the council on how you want us to proceed with that. if you want us to include it within the 27 budget um as part of that process uh or um use state aid funds or a combination of the two. Um staff feels it's important to start the environmental review on this project uh in earnest so we can be eligible for that 2029 uh funding. And given Bolton and Mink's extensive history and background with this intersection, we directly solicited a um a uh proposal for these services from them directly. Um as this is professional services, we are allowed to do that. Um the award letter and exhibit are included within the packet for your review. Be happy to

answer any questions you may have. Um but this is a long time coming for this project. are very excited to be awarded this funding. Madame President and counselors, uh, very, very excited about this project. Go through this intersection many times as most people in our fine community do. And so, I'm happy to make the motion to approve the professional services contract with Bolton and Mink Incorporated to provide professional services for the 2030 Center Street Corridor [snorts] Safety Improvement Project. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Joe, is it the 770,000? Is that the unbudgeted consulting fees? Okay, that's what we'll look for in the future.

Yeah. So, after some discussion with Nicole, uh, finance director, we, you know, the the fees that we'll encounter in 26 are going to be in the grand scheme of that large number are going to be relatively minor. It's a lot of the environmental work that we need to do prior to getting authorization. Um, and Nicole indicated that we can use fund balance. um to get through 26. Um I can also use state aid funds um but that's on the reimbursement. So we still have to spend the money and get reimbursed um but then as part of the 27 budgeting process will include those services. Thank you. Unless directed otherwise. Perfect. Fantastic. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I.

I. That motion carries. Item 4.4 Four [clears throat] is a vacate easement area for Kimberly Conungl. Mr. Schnowre. Hello. Hello, Madame President, members of the city council. This is a request for a vacation of a residential easement area. Uh the property is located in the Lakeside Village area. Um this particular property um the street address is 2303 and 2307 North Highland Avenue and it was platted

in 2024. Um Miss Conungle is the owner of both lot 4 and lot five. And so combined these two lots have a 10 ft wide utility easement area. So it's 5 ft on each lot. She wishes to construct a new house that would cross that existing easement area. uh she is asking that the city vacate both easement areas to allow for the construction of the residence. Um a utility and drainage easement would remain at the front and at the rear of both lots. So there still is a means of access uh to the lots and to the residents. Um the vacation would not include uh the front and rear easement areas. Um vacation of the easement area allows for the construction of a new house and staff is not aware of any um concerns regarding the vacation of this [snorts] easement area. And we did send notice to uh both uh city and PUC staff as well as other utility providers within the community. The only condition that we have is one that we normally have for requests like this and that is that we advise the applicant that the easement vacation is effective upon the filing of the resolution approving the request with the Brown County Recorders Office. Uh we have approved requests like this. Um I would say we probably

have two or three each year. So it's this isn't the first time. That would conclude the staff report. Thank you, Mr. Snorrech. I'll offer the resolution approving the request of Kimberly Conungle to vacate 10-ft wide easement area centered on the side property line between 2303 and 2307 North Highland Avenue. Second. Love seeing it built. Thank you. I have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Warma. Yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. Motion carries.

Item 4.5, Sweet Haven Tonics temporary outdoor patio application and liquor license extension. I'll make a motion to approve the temporary outdoor patio application for Sweet Haven Tonics, 116 North Minnesota Street for use of the public right ofway for the installation of a temporary outdoor patio from May 6th, 2026 to November 1st, 2026 and offer the resolution to extend their liquor license into the temporary outdoor patio area as defined in the diagram with conditions outlined in the application. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. any additional discussion.

Just that I'm happy to see that it's going to happen again. I I love that space and I'm just wishing that a few more businesses would take advantage of the opportunity. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. And thank you for your comments, mayor. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by resolution. Oh, resolution. Yes. Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Wa. Yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion does carry. Item 4.6. Six is the CVB financials for quarter ending March 1st, 2026.

Madame President and counselors, um I'd like to make a motion to receive an order filed to report from Sarah Warmup, president CEO of the New Alm Area Chamber of Commerce regarding the Convention and Visitors Bureau financial report for the quarter ending March 31st, 2026. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any additional discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I I That motion does carry. [gasps] Item 4.7, a police department donation. Chief, hello.

Madame President, members of the council. Um, pretty straightforward. We I have absolutely no idea who provided this anonymous donation, but um it was in my front bin at the law enforcement center just with a note saying, "This is anonymous. Please donate towards the K9 um fund." and thank you for your service. So I um just bring it forward. Our K9 program is is very valuable and I believe it has a a considerable amount of community support. Absolutely it does. Wonderful. Thank you,

Madam President Counselors. Um I uh also agree that our K9 program is very important and valuable and I'm happy to offer the resolution to accept the monetary anonymous donation in the amount of $100 to support the new ALM K9 program. Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Director Jorgensson, please call the role. Councelor Wormka, yes. Councelor Schmidz, yes. Councelor Mack, yes. President Becker, yes. That motion does carry. Thank you. Our last item of business today uh is report of claims paid. I'll make a motion to accept the list of claims paid in the amount of $2,67,732. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Those in favor signal by saying I. I. That motion does carry. With no additional business, today's meeting is adjourned. Thank you.