City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, it is six o'clock, so I will call this Tuesday. All right. We are going to call this Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, meeting of the Waukesha Common Council to order. We will start with roll call. Alderperson Wells and Alderperson Van Trieste are not here tonight.

Christine. Here. Everett. Here. Wigderson. Here. Piper. Here. Van Trieste is absent. Wells is absent. Mannion. Here. Moulton. Here. Witeska. Here. Anderson. Here. Helgastead. Here. Matthews. Here. Miklitz. Here. Lemke. Here.

Here. Camacho. Here. All right, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, next up we have a presentation on the City Hall Art Gallery. Alderperson Moulton.

Yeah, I'll wait for it to get up here.

I don't know.

Bear with us, we just have some technical issues here so we can see the art.

I mean,

Do we want to just do like public comment while we are awaiting the technical issues? All right, so we're going to move on to public comment while we await our technical issues to be resolved. So first up, we have John Thomas. And if you could come up, say your name and your address, and you'll have three minutes.

Everybody knows me. John Thomas, 134 Douglas Ave. And this pertains to e-bikes, which is, I guess, somewhat of a red hot topic, and this is the first time I've ever written anything out. Usually it's from the heart. This time it's a little bit more than that. Is there any progress creating the regulations? I'm assuming that there is some progress, okay. I suggested the need to repaint all the bike lanes. That includes the posted signs and the painted signs. And I know that's sort of hung up because if it's a very costly item that needs to be put in the budget, and I had hoped that it was put in the budget for this year, and I have a sneaking suspicion it was not. Okay, printed regulations issued by the schools should also be included. And there should be a minimum age limit on motorized bikes and those tiny scooters because I see those scooters with the little bitty wheels scooting through the neighborhood where I live often. And it is scary because automobiles run the stop signs in my neighborhood, and you can't have both, and yet nobody's been hit. So far we've been very lucky on that And how should the parents be involved in this? And I'm sure that's been in your discussion also. And one item that's not in here is license plates. And all these bikes with... Riders that are over 16 years of age need to have license plates. They need to be registered. I mean, my bike always had a license plate back in the 50s. I thank you for your time.

Thank you. Next up we have Tariq Amut. Sorry if I mispronounced the last name.

I mispronounced your last name.

So we're even, thank you.

We are even, thank you. I'm going to talk about two things. One is, we have had this- Can you say your address, please? Sorry, 308 South Street, number 303. I just had a brief discussion with our police chief. But you all have heard the controversy about the flock cameras. When I first heard about it, even some sort of surveillance where they capture our facial image and stuff like that. And we know in some countries they do surveillance based upon that and they do checking. Flock isn't that. And we have seen examples of misuse of it in Milwaukee and I think Brown County maybe, and of course across the nation. And some places people don't have good audit policies. I think the city of Waukesha does. But, you know, we can't, they serve a need. But, and I think FLOC, from what I've been told, hasn't handled things properly. I did a chat with the flock help desk earlier today and found out that they only keep the image for 30 days, but any user can download those images if they want to keep it longer. So I think that's something we should just keep in mind and maybe educate the citizens here of how we utilize the flock cameras. The other question I have, and I'm going to follow this up as related to the South Street parking structure, and do you have different accounting systems for the city compared to the transit system when you pay fees and stuff like that? But I'll follow up on it, and then we'll see what happens. So thank you. Have a nice evening.

Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment tonight? All right, seeing none, how are we doing on the presentation? Are we still... Not yet, all right. So we'll move on to approval of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes from our August 18th meeting? Alderperson Manion?

Motion to approve.

Alderperson Molson? Second. All right, any discussion? All right, then please vote when it's before you. That's for approval of the minutes for the August 18th meeting.

Katie rick is an eye.

That motion passes.

Thank you. I can't see it on my screen. All right. So next up we have consent agenda. Are there any, oh, there we, now I can see it. 13 to zero. Thank you very much. Consent agenda. Are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda? All right, seeing none, all items on consent have passed. First up under new business, we have review and possible action on resolution, authorizing the issuance and establishing parameters for the sale of not to exceed $20,735,000 in general obligation promissory notes, series 2026A. Joe?

Good evening. I'll give a quick overview for the council as it relates to the debt offering. Joe Shuro, our finance director, is here as well as Tony. If you have specific questions, we can address them. As part of the packet tonight, there was about a five-page presentation from Baird which has been the city's advisor for many, many years. What we're asking the council to do this evening is approve $20,735,000 of borrowing predominantly for the community investment or the CIP for projects that are underway this year. Of that $18,395,000 of that 20 million are for projects for fiscal 2026. And then there's about $2.3 million for TID road improvements. This is a 10 year borrowing. The estimated rate is right around 3.78, which is still a very, very good and favorable interest rate for the city. Our bond rating remains at double A2, which is the second highest that you can get, which is outstanding as well. As part of the motion that I'll make in a minute, the parameters portion is something that we started to do a number of years ago that gives Baird and staff the ability to negotiate the best rate they can on behalf of the city in a specific period of time that they can go to the market when the market is very favorable. Maybe on a Monday rates are a little higher, but on a Wednesday they're down a little bit and the parameters portion of this allows buried in city staff to go to market on that Wednesday and get the get a better rate for all of us and all of our residents. So before I make a motion, I'll just ask if there's any specific questions for me or for staff as it relates to this item.

Are there any questions? All right, all the person hyper. I'll throw it back to you.

Alright, so seeing that I'll make a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the issuance and establishing parameters for the sale of not to exceed $20,735,000 of general obligation. Promissory notes series 2026 a Alder person Matthews. I'll second that motion.

OK, is there any discussion? All right, then please vote when it is before you. Again, this is to authorize the issuance and establish parameters for the sale not to exceed $20,735,000 general obligation promissory notes.

Alderman Lumke, aye.

All right, that motion, my goodness, that motion passes 13 to zero. Next up, we have a claim for property damage. Brian, I will let you take this one.

Thank you. This claim is from Renee Rosa. Some of you may remember Renee from when she worked in the clerk's office. Tripped and fell on an uneven sidewalk joint and damaged her glasses. So the claim for property damage is to replace her glasses. The amount is $542.40. As you know, we typically do not allow claims unless there's some showing of negligence on the part of the city. And negligence is shown when we are aware, we have noticed that there's a hazardous condition and we don't take steps to correct it. This is a typical situation where we have an uneven sidewalk joint of which there are probably, I would guess, thousands. around the city because they are unavoidable. And I am not aware of any notice to the city or a failure to take action, any negligence on the part of the city, and there was none presented by the claimant either. So, as I say, typically in these cases, we do not allow claims when there is no showing of negligence on the part of the city, and I don't believe there is one in this case.

All right, Alderperson Moulton. I move to disallow the claim of Renee Rosa.

Okay, Alderperson Halligastead.

Second.

all right any discussion all right then the motion is to oh yeah sorry alder person with tesca um sorry brian just one quick question does it matter that nothing's attached to this um in the agenda

Yeah, the reason for that is because she submitted quite a few photographs of injuries to her face that she suffered when she fell. And I just decided to use some discretion and not make those publicly attached to the agenda. They really didn't have anything to do with the damage to the glasses.

That's why. Okay. Thanks.

All right. The motion is to disallow the claim. So a yes vote is to disallow. Please vote.

Rick Lemke, no.

All right, that motion passes 10 to zero. Next up, we have a Transit Commission report. Alex?

No meeting, no report.

Sorry, what? I voted no.

Oh, sorry, 10 to three, thank you. Uh, no meeting, no report for transit commission, um, water utility commission, Alderperson Matthews.

Um, the search for a new general manager is currently underway with all other items were under consent agenda and the report.

Thank you. Uh, it board Alderperson Manion.

Thank you. We have a meeting tomorrow night at 6 o'clock in the City Hall training room. Although not as exciting as the show and tell at the City Garage, we will be reviewing technology-related items from this year's CIP tomorrow night. So if you're interested, please attend. Thank you. End of report.

Thank you. Landmarks Commission Report. Alderperson Christine.

Thank you, Mayor. If the IT board gets out early, you can visit here tomorrow night, 6 o'clock in this room. So give an update next Tuesday about tomorrow's meeting.

Thank you. Redevelopment Authority Report, Alderperson Lemke.

No meeting, no report.

Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board Report, Alderperson Camacho.

So yeah, we went over the CIP budget and we're looking at different projects that they're going with and getting a further understanding for why some of them are happening. So we're still looking at it, but overall a lot of the projects like the Mendiola complex looks pretty good.

Great, thank you. Library Board Report, Alderperson Helgestad.

Our next meeting is next Thursday at 4.45 at the Library Conference Room on the second floor. I also want to remind everyone that the Waukesha Reads brochure for all the activities of this year comes out on September 8th. End of report.

Excellent, thank you. Cemetery Commissioner Report, Alderperson Christine.

Thank you, Mayor. I've not seen a date on the calendar this month, so it looks like we're not going to have one.

All right. Waukesha Housing Authority report, Alderperson Piper.

Thank you. We had a meeting on the 19th of August. One of the bigger items that came out of it, the Housing Authority approved a bid from a company called MEI to replace both elevators at the Saratoga Complex along the river. The amount of that bid was $523,988 for two elevators, and unfortunately there was one bidder. So apparently the elevator business is a pretty good business to be in. The note for the council on this is that a few years ago when we had the ARPA dollars, the council did allocate some ARPA dollars to the Housing Authority for capital projects. And with this project, the remaining balance of those dollars, roughly $51,000, will go towards these two elevator replacements. The balance of the money came from two properties that the Housing Authority sold for a little over $400,000 and about $61,000 from capital funds that are on hand. just wanted to again thank the council for the allocation of arpa dollars to the housing authority that helped get these two elevators that have been in place since the building was built back in the 70s replaced and ensure that they both actually work at the same time end of report excellent thank you community development block grant grant committee report maria anything

Okay, public art committee report. How are we doing on the presentation?

We're going to give up the ghost on the presentation today given the technical difficulties. You will notice that there's new art out in the hallway, and so next council meeting I may or may not present.

Fingers crossed for the next one. Thank you. Plan commission, it looks like we do have one item. Maria? Thank you.

This is the third reading of a plumbing code update. This aligns our plumbing code with the state requirement as we are a delegated municipality for reviewing plumbing plans. So it clarifies the process for plumbing permitting for commercial permits and also clarifies what a homeowner is allowed to do.

Thank you. And Brian, this is the third reading, so we can vote on this tonight, correct?

That's right.

Excellent. Is there any questions or discussion or motions? Alderperson Moulton?

I move to approve the update to the plumbing code for section 16.031 of the building code and amendments to sections 19.12 and 19.17 of the plumbing code as presented.

Alderperson Wachaska? Second.

Any discussion?

All right, then please vote when it is before you. Again, this is to update our plumbing code.

Alderman Lumke, aye.

All right, that motion passes 11 to 2. Next up, we have our Finance Committee report. Alderperson Piper.

Thank you. No items tonight, but I wanted to extend the committee's thanks to staff and directors for pulling together a very successful show and tell. I also want to extend my thanks. We had 11 council members at show and tell, which I think is a record. So I really appreciate everyone that could make it. and see the equipment. The next step in the capital budget process is we're meeting on the 8th of September at 6 o'clock here in this room, where we'll get a little bit more in-depth review of the capital budget, take questions from the committee, and ideally make a recommendation to the full council on the capital budget. And then once that's done, we'll roll into operating in September and October. As we all know, a number of years ago, we broke up the capital budget from the operating budget so the council gets to review and approve them separately. It's a little bit more manageable for everyone. The other thing I would note, as we all know, about a week ago, everyone got an email from Natalie in the finance office that had the agenda for the show and tell, and as a ready reference, the full CIP book is included in that agenda, all 337 pages of it. If you have any questions on the capital budget, I encourage you to reach out to Tony, Joe Shiro, and the respective department director, and you are all welcome to attend the meeting on the 8th of September to review the capital budget. End of report.

All right. Excellent. Building and Grounds Committee report. Alderperson Molson? No report. Okay. Ordinance and License Committee report. Alderperson Wateska? It looks like we've got one item.

Yep, we got one item. It is extension of premises for Club 400 for, I think this is an annual thing, but it's something they do all the time. The application just came in late, so we were not able to review it at ONL. So there's nothing wrong with it, no concerns. LIKE I SAID, JUST CAME IN LATE, SO WE WANTED TO PUT IT HERE SO THEY COULD HAVE IT IN TIME. WITH THAT, I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF PREMISES FOR CLUB 400, AND I HOPE EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT ME.

OKAY. ALDERPERSON HELGESTAD?

SECOND.

OKAY. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. THEN PLEASE VOTE WHEN IT IS BEFORE YOU. AGAIN, THIS IS FOR THE EXTENSION OF PREMISES FOR CLUB 400.

ALDERMAN LEMKE, AYE.

Hey, that motion passes 13 to 0. Anything else for ONL? No. That's it, end report. Thank you. Human Resources Committee report, Alderperson Anderson.

No meeting, no report.

Thank you. Board of Public Works, Alex?

Thank you. Tonight we have two items. The first is the resolution to move forward with preparing plans and specifications for the City Hall Monument Sign Rehabilitation Project. This is the sign out front that was hit by a car. This is to move forward with a project and go to bid for rehabbing that. So that's the first step for that.

Excellent. Alderperson Piper?

So moved.

Alderperson Lemke?

I second that.

Okay, any discussion? All right, then please vote when it is before you. Again, this is the resolution directing the Board of Public Works to prepare plans and specification for the City Hall Monument Sign Rehabilitation. This is just the first step in that process.

Lemke, aye.

All right, that motion passes 13 to 0. Alex, next.

The next item would be the bid we received on August 7th. This is for the Patrick Ponds and Summit Woods Pond Rehabilitation Project. The board recommended moving forward with the low bid from CW Preparo, the amount of $2,529,160 to be awarded.

All right, Alderperson Piper? So moved. Alderperson Wateska?

Second.

Any discussion? All right, please vote when it is before you.

Lemke, aye.

That motion passes 13 to 0. Anything else, Alex?

No other report tonight. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. City Attorney?

A couple things. First is a reminder to send me your feedback on that e-bike memo that went out, what, 11 days ago. I've gotten three very thoughtful responses. Thank you for those, but I'd like to see feedback from everyone so we can then put together a proposed ordinance. Secondly, the new zoning code that everybody worked so hard on for so long took effect today. If you want to check it out, you can go to Muni code or you can go to the community development page on the city's website to take a look at it. But today is the day that all of it except for section eight, which has to do with the subdivision code goes into effect today. And we are in the process of working on the subdivision, land division code, that section eight. So that will be coming through the usual process and will then be added and the zoning code will finally be complete. It was a long process. And also, you know that the Salbs, the owners of the Blair House, have sued the city, the plan commission, for, in their opinion, improperly approving the plans for the development across the street on our lot. We got a favorable decision from the circuit court. It was then appealed, which was filed a little more than a year ago, believe it or not. And this week, the Court of Appeals, they always put out a sheet in advance of the release of decisions so that you know to be looking for decisions when they come out. The Court of Appeals decision on that case is scheduled to be released tomorrow. So we'll have some news one way or another on that case sometime during the day tomorrow. We'll keep you posted.

Excellent, thank you. City administrators report.

I just wanted to reiterate what Alderperson Piper had mentioned. If you have questions, comments, or thoughts of amending the capital budget, if you could either reach out to me or the respective director or Joe, that would be greatly appreciated. And if there are certain things in advance of Tuesday that you would like to know, if we could have that information to us by Friday, that would be very helpful. End of report.

Thank you. Mayor's report, I just want to reiterate what Brian said about making sure that you're providing feedback. We are hearing a lot from the community about e-bikes, so I want to make sure that that feedback is provided to the city attorney so that we can draft a good ordinance on that. Then I did want to remind you, I know there are some messages out on the table as well about our upcoming council workshop on September 16th, so if you are able to attend that, All or part of it, please do and with that we'll move on to referrals. Are there any referrals? Alder person Molson.

I have a referral for O&L to Revise the section six point one seven regarding the buildings and grounds approval of closures of public rights way And I'll send a email to Katie.

Excellent. Thank you. Any other referrals? All right, then absent any objections, we are adjourned. Thank you all.