City Council - Regular Meeting

Please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. All right, clerk Ryerson, roll call has been taken. Yes, sir. Thank you. Move into adoption of the agenda. So move to adopt agenda, your honor. Motion made by Mr. Mr. Bington. A second. Seconded by Mr. Richie. Any additions or corrections? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried by all. Approval of 715 2025 common council minutes. Make that motion. Motion made by Mr. Bau. Second. Second by Mr. Hess. Any additions or corrections to those? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried by all. Mr. Dorsey, authorization to pay the bills, please. Mr. Make a motion for authorization to pay the bills in the amount of $1,319,19869. Second.

That motion been made by Mr. Dorsy, seconded by Mr. Fcher. Any additions or corrections? Hearing none, please cast your balance. That motion's 90. All right. Public comment. Public comment. One more time for public comment. Hearing none, we will move along to standing and special committees. Starting off with the board of public works. Mr. H.

Thank you, your honor. Order of public works met Monday, August 4th. Meeting was called to order at 5:15. Motion was made to approve the agenda. Seconded, carried by all. Public input. Jim Stern, 413 Oshkosh, approached a committee regarding the poor quality of top soil used on Ashka Street project and the metal stakes he used for the erosion matting. Director Garski responded to Mr. Stern's concern stating that all metal stakes were removed by the contractor and biodegradable stakes used in their place. Garski asked the residents to contact the public works off office office if they have concerns with any projects. Motion made in second and approve the July 1st minutes. Motion carried by all. Wastewater treatment plan update. Wastewater notes enclosed in the packet. Next, discuss citywide garbage collection. provide direction. The proposed numbers for the citywide garbage collection were presented to the board. Lengthly discuss discussion took place going through the benefits and disadvantages of having citywide garbage collection. Representatives from both GFL and Harters provided input about collection services. It was decided that the committee would like to have the city's administrative costs be provided to make a final determination of moving forward with the project and what to cost. No motion was made or vote was taken. Approve of recommend to council asphalt patch program to northeast Asphalt in the amount of $55,65025. Director Garski brought to the committee the only bid we receive for the asphalt patch program. The bid is not out of line from the previous contracts for this kind of work and recommended be awarded to Northeast Asphalt in the amount of $55,650.25.

Motion made and was second to recommend the council. Motion was carried by all. Discuss and recommend council state municipal financial agreement for state highway 54 project. The state municipal financial agreement was brought to the committee. It has been established financial responsibility for the sanitary structures that would be adjusted to meet new grades and intersection of highway 54 and Sho Street construction project. Cost has been estimated to be around $3,000 for work. It was noted that the structures belong to the city of New London and would be the city's fiscal responsibility for the portion of the project. Motion made in second and recommen recommend to council that agreement for the highway 54 project. Motion carried 110 discuss authorizing installation of a fence in a utility easement on Willow Court. An overview of a residential lot on Cattail Court and Willow Court was shown through the committee. It was a double lot turned into a single lot with one owner. The easement was defined on Willow Court where the owner would like to place the fence. It was discussed that the property owner would have to sign an agreement that would allow the city of New London the right to remove the fence at any time for any reason with notice. Motion was made in a second to authorize installation of the fence in a utility easement on Willow Court. Motion carried 11 to zero. Director's report. Director report was included in the pack and approved by the board. No anniversaries. Ashcross Street project. Two more intersections in sanitary portion. The project will be complete. Anticipated utilities being completed in two weeks. Road work will be started over utilities are done. House and Elcan road construction. Paving is complete. Shoulder work and sign placement in process.

Striping to take place this Friday. Should be complete by next week. North Street is pulverized. They removed curb sections and replaced the bad inlet pylon grading and paving to start the week of August 18th. The asphalt patch program is scheduled for August 20th and 21st upon approval by council Hancock Street, South Ridge Drive, Cook Street, Orchard Lane or Orchard Court. Green Dot Sidewalk Concret Program was put out for bid with only one received. The bid came in much higher than a normal sidewalk repair project. We'll repost for bids in December and January with additional noted location to hopefully attract multiple competitive submissions. Property owner at 103 West Northwater Street had a roof drain that was no longer connected to the storm sewer system because of last year's downtown project. The best course of action is remove one section of sidewalk panel to allow the hookup to the back side of the inlet. Future agenda items are citywide garbage collection and the budget. Date and time for the next board of public works meeting will be Tuesday, September 2nd, immediately following the park and rec committee meeting. No further discussion. Meeting was adjourned at 6:31. Like to make a motion to consider approval ordinance to assault stop signs in Smith and Jefferson Street. Second reading.

Motion made by Mr. H. Seconded. Second by Mr. Richie. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your ballots. Mr. That motion carried 90. Make like to make a motion consider approval of $55,65025 contract with Northeast Asphalt for asphalt patching. Second.

Motion made by Mr. H, seconded by Mr. Bington. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your ballots. Mr. Roberts, that motion's carried. 90 as well. Like to make a motion consider approval of the state municipal financial agreement for state highway 54 project. Motion made by Mr. Hess, seconded by Miss Mcowski. Any further discussion? Again, hearing none, please cast your ballots. I

think we're making our way around the horn. That motion carries 90 as well. Like to make a motion to consider approval of agreement for a fence installation in the utility easement on Willow Court. Motion made by Mr. Hess. Second. Second by Mr. Bington. Any further discussion? hearing none. Please cast your ballot. Our motion is carried 90. Thank you. That's all I have, your honor. Thank you, Mr. H. Finance and Personnel. Mr. Dorsey.

Mr. Honor. Finance Personnel Committee met Wednesday, August 6th. Being is called to order. Approve the agenda. Approve the meeting minutes from July 2nd. There's no public comment. Minister Herth reviewed the community development director position, a new position, and the existing building inspector position and the placement of each position on the wage schedule. After a discussion of reorganizing the duties and responsibilities of each position and how a cont contracted building inspection position might fit in and be an option, a motion was made and seconded to recommend a council to update the building inspector job description placed at grade 14 on the weight scale and a new community community development director job description placed at grade 17 on the weight scale. carried by all. Minister presented a suggested change to ordinance regarding the appointment of members to boards and commissions. The updated version would verbage would include employees of any business in the city of New London as members. Mayor Her spoke of difficulty finding members. Alderman Shay asked about the ability of persons outside the city having influence on city policies and procedures. Alderwoman Croy was more favorable to business owners as members. Alderman Roberts felt the ordinance should remain as written. There's a general concern about the planning commission members as those are members approved land use and development matter shaping the community's growth and future. Motion was made second to recommend the council approval of the changes. That motion failed. The question to the above concern will be researched and ordinance will be revisited. Finance director reports reviewed. Finance directory report discuss. There be no further business. Motion to adjourn at 6:37. We also met Thursday, August 14th

here at the council chambers. The meeting was called to order at 5:15. Motion made by was a motion was made to approve the July 2nd meeting minutes. Committee discussed the situation in which the fire police and fire commission fell out of compliance with the municipal code requiring a majority of the members be city residents. Attorney Ste provided information regarding case law legal Wisconsin municip municipalities legal opinions and state statutes addressing eligibility to serve on London's PFC committee discussed challenges in recruiting city residents to volunteer for boards and commissions. One suggestion was to broad broaden membership eligibility include individuals who either reside in the city or have their principal employment within the city. Concerns were raised about allowing too many non-residents to serve on important commissions. Another ideal was to have was to expand the PFC membership to include represent representatives from surrounding townships that receive direct fire service from the city while not extending employment eligibility as a membership option to other boards and commissions. Motion's made second direct to recommend the council amend section 1.04 subsection 5 of the municipal code to change the police and fire commission membership to requirement to include residents living within the direct service area of New London Fire Department carried 800. You know further business meeting was adjourned. Make a motion to consider the approval of the monthly license list recommended for approval by the police department.

Second. Motion made by Mr. Dorsy, second by Mr. Biso. Further discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried by all. Mr. Stebower, uh, Mr. Dorsey is pointing at you. Okay, you got the floor.

So, uh, everybody hopefully has seen the letter which might includes my vehicle that, uh, probably told you before the municipal statutes are somewhat inconsistent. I found one and I take responsibility for not knowing it. Uh basically though I lay out in the letter to council on August 19th that says what I think the rule needs to be are not going to be voluntarily designed. This um proposed change is everything that we talked about the other day except for ads that members of the commission appointed after the effective date of this ordinance shall reside within the areas uh as set forth. Uh what that uh that accomplishes is over the course of time it uh gets everybody on that commission as the uh committee thought made sense. It also respects the people are on the committee right now and it makes sense to treat this one somewhat differently than the others because this has a five-year term which I think most of your other committees are significantly less but so this is this is a unique committee commission in that it's intended to have separation from politics so that fiveyear term is significant and so that's why I think it all makes sense. So I I'm suggesting that if you would like I think it's consistent with what was discussed in committee but also uh matches the law and the addresses some of the facts and areas that I laid out for you. Uh I would suggest that uh it would be appropriate to if you want to to wave the rules to address it once uh since it really doesn't change the actual membership and then uh approve the uh amendment to the ordinance as presented in the written version. Uh there isn't any need for amendments or anything of

that nature because there isn't any amen any motion put before council at this point in time. it was only at the committee. So, that's what I'm suggesting. Um, just a point of order question. Since the ordinance was approved without that verbiage in it to go to council, wouldn't there need to be a motion on that and then an amendment to the motion for this? No, because it's never been presented to council. So then the committee didn't approve this moving to council.

Correct. I mean council said or excuse committee said this is the ordinance that we want to make. That's just a recommendation of a committee. Somebody from the floor today can make a motion to present this change this version to council. There is no motion in front of council at this point in time. Okay. would be excused from this. Back to you, Dorsey. I'll make a motion considering waving rules to pass an ordinance upon one reading. Second.

Motion made by Mr. Dorsy, second by Mr. Bington. Any further discussion on that? Please cast your ballots. Brierson one person

abstain his Yeah. He stated he would heain abstain from Yep. Right. All right. That that motion passes 8 Z. Make a motion to consider an approval of the ordinance regarding the appointment of members to boards commissions as presented to us before the meeting. Second motion made by Mr. Dorsy, seconded by Mr. Fcher.

Any further discussion? So is it the intention of this ordinance then that those that are currently not in compliance due to their residency would not be reappointed? First question. Second question is are we going to address um at some point the fact that um the the state law states that they should be police and fire commission should be confirmed by common counsel.

So it's my understanding they've historically been approved by council. So going forward they just will be. Secondly, this means that the existing members would stay on for their term

for their existing terms. Reappoint would be so just picking a name. John is on the uh commission. He has one year left. He doesn't live in the city anymore. At the time of reappoint, the mayor would say, "You're not eligible. I'm appointing Jill instead who lives in the city." And that council Okay. And then what you stated in here in this um letter to us was that then moving forward after this ordinance, should it be approved, that if John was appointed to a five-year term and one year in moved out of the city, moved out of the residency requirements, um then he could be removed.

Correct. And we should. Okay. Thank you. Those are my questions. Thank you, Miss Cro. Those are great questions. So, we do have a standing motion. Any further discussion? That motion being made and seconded? Please cast your ballots. And that motion motion carries 8 to Z as well. Uh, make a motion to consider the approval of the community development director planning and zoning administrator job description. Motion made by Mr. Dorsy.

Second. Second by Mr. Hess. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your ballots. That motion carried 90. Make a motion to consider approval of the building inspector one and two family residential job description.

A second motion made by Mr. Dorsy Richie. Was that you? Second by Mr. Richie. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Please cast your ballots. That motion's carried 90 as well. Make a motion to consider the approval of the amendments to hiring wage schedule. Motion made by Mr. Dorsy. Second. Second by Mr. Bisau. Any further discussion?

I just have one question about the wage schedule that was presented to us. Is that updated for 2026 or would that just be for 2025 and then we're getting a new one? soon for 2026. Correct. This would be for 2025 and then next year's would be presented at a later date. Thank you. All right. Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your ballots. That motion carries. 90. That is all I have, your honor.

Thank you, Mr. Dorsy. Park and Recreation. Mr. Besaw. We had no market park and rent meeting in August. Thank you, Mr. Bisau. Planning Commission. Mr. Richie, we had no meeting in July. Thank you, Mr. Richie. Moving right along. Economic development committee, Mr. Cry.

Thank you, your honor. Um the economic development committee met on Tuesday, July 22nd. Um starting at 5:15 p.m. The meeting was called to order. Um the agenda presented and approved. Meeting minutes from June 24th, 2025 were reviewed and approved as presented. Four residents from the town of Maple Creek spoke during the public comment in opposition to a proposal to consider an offer to purchase land in the city's industrial park by Avan Grid for a solar array substation and maintenance facility. Town of Maple Creek Chairman Susan Griffin and town supervisors Adam Yankee and Tom Strayy were present at the meeting to talk to the committee about the town's view of a solar farm array that is proposed to be put in the town of Maple Creek. The town board expressed concerns and opposition of the proposal and stated that there is nothing they can do at this point to stop the project. The town board asked the city to consider rejecting an offer to purchase land in the industrial park for the solar array substation to either block or slow down the developers progress. Their concerns about the loss of prime farmland, potential environmental impacts, and preservation of the real community were expressed. Derek Bus from Avengrid followed up the discussion providing information on the financial benefits to the t to the project to the town, city, and county and addressed concerns of the project citing that the agreements to restore the land to its original state after the

project's life, the solar panels are of high quality and environmentally safe. Native pollinator seed mixes will be planted to prevent weed growth and storm water runoff and will have setbacks from public and non-participating properties. The committee thanked the various representatives for their input and information. Jeff Mccorski from the Waka County Economic Development Corporation provided information about the details of a new small business grant program targeting improvements to historic downtown properties and a regional tourism grant program intended to provide grants to groups starting or expanding events and festivals to attract visitors to the county. The chamber director's business report. A new business called Riverfront Spa opened at 504 West Northwater Street. Taco Bell at 1280 North Shauno Street is completing interior and exterior facade renovations. Rightspec GeForce Trailers is working on exterior facade updates. Polish Nail Nook at 1275 North Channel Street has recently added fine line tattoo and waxing services. Marley's Restaurant at 520 South Pearl Street has a price reduction for their commercial listing and there is an accepted offer for the purchase of the storefront at 1817 North Shauno Street. April highlighted a report provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation summarizing the event impact for the summer kickoff event held in June.

City administrators report. Voting for the new city slogan continues until August 19th, which is today. At the time of the meeting, the city had 1,200 left available for the downtown facade grant program. The city was chosen to participate in the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's strategic planning and revitalization for communities program one-day workshop. The workshop will focus on improvement ideas for the city's property near the Bernagger Riverwalk. The committee viewed potential topics for future discussion. The next economic development committee meeting meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26th at 5:15 p.m. Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. and was carried. Thank you.

And that is all I have here. Thank you, Miss Croy. All right, minutes and reports will stand as read in your packet. Moving along to reports of officers on recent events and announcements to the public. start off with the mayor's report. I have no report for this month, so we keep trucking right along to city administrator. Mr.

Thank you, honor. Uh the only one thing I have to report on tonight is that uh most people here should be aware like uh all the person Cory talked about, we've been working towards a process to consider a new city slogan. Public voting on the top three choices concludes today and the results will be presented next Tuesday's economic development committee meeting. So, if you're interested in hearing what the top choices, uh, the top choice was, come to next week's committee meeting or check us out on our YouTube channel. Uh, if you're interested in that, you can go to YouTube and search for New London Access. Next week's meeting starts at 5:15 p.m. That's all I have, honor. Thank you, Mr. Chief of Police, Mr. Wilson.

Thank you, your honor. Uh, short list as well preparing for back to school. Um, just want to recognize our school resource officers starting. Officer Ewing will be up at the high school. It's our full-time officer up there. Again, we have Officer Ruck Dashel and Officer Elliot splitting time at the middle school and elementary schools. And as parents to do our homework and the drop dropping off and pickup times for our children, it gets a little frustrating as parents drive around those school zones. So, if we know the process, it'll help everything go a little smoother. That's all I have, your honor. Thank you, Chief. Director of Public Works, Mr. Garski.

Thank you, your honor. Um, Ashka Street remains on schedule even though we just received two inches of rain. Um, it did slow down the road escavation process. Um, that is delayed probably 3 days um, including tomorrow. Um, all sanitary elements are complete uh, except for the CIP lining which should finish up next week. Road excavation will probably take until the beginning to mid September with curb and gutter to follow. Um house and allan road project is almost complete with just a few small items to finish up for um grant purposes. Um I also want to take this time to urge residents to stay aware of what is happening in public works. We are prepared for a facility upgrade to the wastewater plant. This is something that needs to be done in order to meet the DNR's phosphorous limits in 2029 and replace facility that is 50% 58 to 71 years old. By attending public works committee meetings, you will hear the facts about what is happening and why this is taking place. It also provides you the opportunity to have your voice heard by elected officials in the public comment section. The Board of Public Works usually meets the first Monday of the month unless it lands on a holiday like this September Labor Day um which we will go on September second following Park and Recre. Um if you're unable to attend, you can always get the facts by watching the recording on the YouTube channel. And that is all I have tonight, your honor.

Thank you, Mr. Garski. And thank you for that information. And that's a great big project coming up and and a lot of work's going to go into that and I know council definitely enjoys listening to the public. Director of Park and Recreation, Miss Soul.

Thank you, your honor. As Belinda mentioned in her economic development report uh minutes, the New London parks and recreation department has been chosen by East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission for a free engineering and design project workshop. Um, this will be surrounding the downtown parks areas, including the Bernier Riverwalk and the other pocket parks downtown. This will be a one-day workshop on September 4th. Um, there will be more information to come on how the community can be involved. Um, join the parks recreation department and the New London Public Museum in a day to celebrate Hatton. Uh September 6 starting at 11 am we will be dedicating the park and celebrating its 90th birthday and recent nomination on the uh National Registry of Historic Places. There will be oldfashioned kids games displays throughout the park and a just for fun baseball game to round out the day. A quick schedule change for our adult fitness classes to make note of. Pilates will be now on Wednesdays starting September 3rd at 4:45 in the North Room. And more from the recck department, September 20th, we have our first ever mother son golfing um where the parks and recreation department has created a 9hpole mini golf course in the Washington Center gym for mothers and sons to enjoy a night out together. Be sure to register ahead of time because spaces are limited. It's $15 a couple and registration can be done online, over the phone, or in person. And last but not least, um summer programming and seasonal workers will be wrapping up their final week this week. Um the supervisors Morgan and Luke would like to recognize and thank all of their staff for a job well done this summer. And as always, um, questions, comments,

concerns about anything in the park and recck department, parks programs, um, please give us a call at 9828521. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Soul. Utility manager, Mr. Besset.

Thank you, your honor. Uh, on August 5th at 3:30 a.m., we had a owl with a possum land on a riser out at Wolf Cheese causing a fuse to blow on a breaker operation at Wernner Sub. Approximately 300 customers seen the operation of the breaker and crew crews replaced the blown fuse. On August 7th, we received a call around 11:15 a.m. that electric was struck by a contractor digging at a lot at on 17 in Northwoods Village. The contractor continued excavating and struck the water as well. The park water was shut off for several hours so repairs could be made. On August 10th at 1:16 am we received a call from the police department stating a pole was struck in front of Quality Inn on Shauno Street. Uh crews responded and replaced the pole and on August 19th this morning at 653 a squirrel met his fate with a misstep on a transformer and blew a fuse affecting seven customers by the bowling alley. Uh crews restored service by replacing the fuse. And then last, I'd like to recognize Carrie Krauss for 10 years of service and Jack Knights for two years of service with the utilities. That's all I have this evening, your honor.

Thank you, Mr. Besset. That's a that was a full time with the uh animals this month. All right. Up next, uh fire chief, Mr. Wilfr. Anybody have a report? See? All right. Hearing none, then we uh move to adjournment. Then need a motion. So move your honor. Motion made by Mr. Bington second seconded by Mr. Roberts. Any discussion on that? All in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried by all. Thank you.