City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, being 6:30, we'll call the December 16th common council meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation [clears throat] under God indivisible liberty and justice for all Mr. Herth roll call has been taken correct yes all right with that I'd like everybody to acknowledge Mr. is up here filling in for our city clerk. So, please be diligent and speak clearly. Be patient.

All right. Uh adoption of the the agenda. So, move your honor to adopt agenda for tonight. Motion made by Mr. Bington. Second. Second by Mr. Dorsy. Any additions or corrections to those? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed? That motion's carried by all. Approval of the November 20th, 2025 common council meeting minutes. Move to approve the November 20th, 2025 council minutes. Second.

Motion made by Mr. Fchet, second by Mr. Bau. Any additions or corrections to those? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. That motion carried by all as well. Mr. Dorsy, authorization to pay the bills, please. Should I make a motion to pay the bills in the amount of 1,660,986.36? Second.

Motion made by Mr. Dorsy, second by Mr. Fcher. Any additions or corrections to those hearing? None. Please cast your ballots. That motion's carried. 90. Moving along. Public comment. Public comment. Public comment. Hearing none. We'll keep rolling right on into the standing and special committee meetings. Board of Public Works. Mr. H, you're up. Thank you, your honor. We had no no December meeting to report. Wonderful. Thank you very much. Finance and Personnel, Mr. Dorsy. Mr.

Honor, the finance personnel met December 5th. Meeting is called to order at 5:15. We approve the November meeting minutes. [snorts] You have any public comment? Student administrator Chad presented the adjustment to the starting salary promotion compensation scale. The adjustment of 2.5% would keep the weight scale competitive for hiring of new staff and or promotion of current staff. Motion was made, seconded. Send that to council. Financial reports are reviewed. The financial directory report was discussed. Motion was adjourned at 5:33. There will be we're not going to have a schedule finance personnel committee on January 7th unless we need one. So therefore, the next meeting would be February 4th. Make a motion to consider the denial of the beverage operating licenses for Vincent Chisel, Francis Livzowl, and Jacob Boltz based on police department recommendation.

I'll second that motion. That motion made by Mr. Dorsy, second by Mr. Richie. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your ballots. That motion's carried 90. Motion to approve the monthly license list recommended for approval by the police department. Second. Motion made by Mr. Dorsy, second by Mr. Bington. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. That motion's carried by all. Make a motion to approve a 2.5% adjustment to the compensation scale. Second.

Motion made by Mr. Dorsy, second by Mr. Fche. Any further discussion hearing? None. Please cast your B. That motion's carried 90 as well. That is all I have, your honor. Thank you, Mr. Dorsy. Park and Recreation, Mr. Bisaw.

Thank you, your honor. Park and R rec on Tuesday, December 2nd. Meeting was called to order at 5:15. Motion was made to approve the agenda. Motion was carried. Motion was made to approve the November 7th meeting minutes. That motion was also carried by all public input. There was being none. Consider and adopt the 20 26 through 2030 city of New London comprehensive outdoor recreational plan. Director Soul addressed the committee thanking them along with those who participated in the community outreach opportunities to add input to the needs and recommendations for the comprehensive plan. She also recognized ECWRTC for their generous sponsorship and hard work in putting together the corp program. Motion was made and seconded to approve the 2026 through 2030 city of New London comprehensive outdoor recreational plan as made out in the packet. That motion was carried by all director sport was included in the agenda packet and reviewed by the committee. Additional comments noted as f follows future discussion regarding the tennis courts and pickle ball courts. Chairman's report there was none. Future agenda items. Eagle Sculp project public art [snorts] ordinance tennis court plan. The next park committee meeting meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 6th at 5:15. At this time, the economic committee committee development committee was called to order for a joint committee meeting. Discussion on the Pearl Street and London loop concept spark space joint committee discussion with economic development committee. Director Soul led a discussion on the sparks report that was provided at last month's meeting. The report outlined conceptual improvement ideas for the Bernard Riverwalk, Anchor Park, and St. John's Park. One suggestion from the report was

to create a cohesiveness between the parks and the rest of downtown by enhancing the river and the bordering green space. Comprehensive discussion took place with several committee members raising concerns related to the accessibility for emergency service. Potential future businesses at the site, parcel acquisition, utilities, and parking. It was agreed that it would be ideal to proceed with obtaining a profitable cost estimate for the project to bring back to the committee and continue joint discussion. Thompson motioned Kitsky seconded to direct staff in seeking a probable cost estimate on the sparks recommendation plans and return to the committee with the findings. Motion was carried by all members from both committees. There being no further discussion, motion was made to adjourn. Motion was made and second and meeting adjourned at 603. I will look for a recommendation to consider and adopt the 2026 through 2030 city of New London comprehensive outdoor recreational plan.

Motion made by Mr. Bau. Second. Second by Mr. Richie. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Please cast your ballots. That motion carried 90. That's all I have, your honor. Thank you, Mr. Bau. Planning Commission, Mr. Richie. We didn't have a November meeting, your honor. Wonderful. Thank you. Economic Development Committee, Miss Croy.

Thank you, your honor. Um, the Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order on Tuesday. Um yeah, Tuesday, December 2nd in conjunction with the park and Rex committee meeting. Um there were it was called to order at 5:22 with 12 members voting present. Um the agenda was uh approved as presented. The October 28th uh meeting minutes were approved and we went into the spark discussion that was previously read by the park and wreck chairman. Um [clears throat] following that we went into our committee where we reviewed the economic development goals for 2026. Herth provided an update on current priorities in the residential and commercial development that will continue into the new year. Manufacturing growth remains a challenge as most inquiries are seeking exist existing facilities to remodel. Overall residential growth will likely receive the most attention in the coming year supported by the reduced commute times resulting from the highway 15 improvements. Uh the chamber director's business report included Quiet World Brewing has announced that they intend on purchasing an old farm on Highway D to convert into a brewery and event space. A new convenience store is planned for 102 East Cook Street. The New London and Press Star Buyer Guide is closing their local site at 301 South Pearl Street. There is an accepted offer on the new London Family Tiner building at 1601 North Shauno Street and Chad Naper will be reaching out to the new owner of the Grand Theater to find out the intentions for the building. Future agenda items were reviewed. The

next economic development committee meeting is anticipated to be held on January 27th, 2026. Motion to adjurnn was made at 6:32 p.m. and carried. And for that I have um I would like to make a motion to consider approval of the memorandum of understanding between Maverick Dog Investments LLC. Motion made by Miss Croy. Second.

Second by Mr. Bau. Any addition or uh any further conversations hearing? None. Please cast your ballots. Motion carried 90. [clears throat] And that is all I have, your honor. Thank you. Capital Equipment and Projects Committee. Mr. Hess.

Thank you, your honor. Capital Equipment and Projects Committee Wednesday, December 3rd. Meeting is called to order at 5:35. Motion being second to adopt agenda carried by all. Raki was called upon to review the 2026 through 2035 capital equipment and project schedule. The purpose of the tenure plan is for all department heads review the list on an annual basis by updating estimates, adjusting timing, and or adding or deleting items based on need. After the process, the department heads then meet to discuss priority equipment and project needs for the current 2026 budget year. Raki highlighted recommendations by staff for priority items and department heads were called upon to discuss equipment or project. The following motions were made. Motion made and re recommended for approval of four enterprise lease vehicles estimated cost at 36,480. Motion carried by all. Motion was made to recommend approval of two police vehicles estimated cost at $145,000. Motion carried by all. Motion made recommend to council the yearly computer replacement estimated cost of 15,000. Motion carried by all. Recommended a council for the approval of the Shauno Street to gazebo extension of the Riverside Trail estimated cost to the city of $29,188. The total project cost estimated at $147,188 and the city is applying for a DNR grant that would reimburse 80% of the project. Motion carried by all. The next capital equipment and projects committee will be held on February 4th, 2026 immediately following the finance committee meeting. Motion was made to adjurnn and a meeting adjourned at 6:13.

Like to make a motion to approve four enterprise lease vehicles estimated a cost at $36,480. Motion made by Mr. H. I'll second. Second by Mr. Richie. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Please cast your ballots. That motion carried 90. Like to make a motion consider approval of two police vehicles estimated cost at $145,000. Motion made by Mr. Hess. Second. Second by [clears throat] Tim Roberts. Any further discussion hearing? None. Please cast your ballots.

Motion carried 90. like to make a motion considered approval of the yearly computer replacement estimated cost $15,000. Motion made by Mr. H. Second. Second by Mr. Bington. Any further discussion?

Hear none. Please cast your ballots. That motion's also carried. like to make a motion to consider approval of the Shauno Street to Gazebo extension of the Riverside Trail estimated cost at the city of $29,188. The total project cost is estimated at $147,188. The city is applying for a DNR grant that would reimburse 80% of the project. Motion made by Mr. H. Second. Second by Miss Mcowski. Any further discussion? hearing. None. Please cast your ballots. Motion carried. 90.

That's all. I have your honor.

Thank you, Mr. H. Minutes and reports distributed will stand as read in your packets. Reports of officers on recent events and announcements to the public. We'll start off with the mayor's portion. Um, first off, I'd like to make my appointment of Ethan Byer as the student rep on the park and rec committee. That does not confirmation. Uh, District Three Alderman Dennis Herder has chosen to resign as of January 1st, 2026 and will not seek reelection. I assume that seat will be filled in the spring election. And with that, I'd like to recognize and say thank you for your service to our community as December 9th marks 18 years of service for our city administrator, Mr. Her.

Almost got away with that. Darn. Thank you. And the only other thing I have to say is merry Christmas to everybody and happy new year. Please stay safe and make great choices and have a great time with family and friends.

All right, Mr. Hurtth is stepping in for city clerk. As acting city clerk, um couple things that need to be done for the upcoming election. Um they're in your package. You should see a listing of appointments for election expects for two-year terms January 26 uh through December 2027 and then also appointments of high school election inspectors. Each one of those need to be um voted and approved by council. So with that, we're looking for a motion and a second for appointment of election inspectors for two-year term January 2026 through December 2027. Motion.

Motion made by Mr. Dorsy. Seconded by Mr. Bington. Any further discussion? Hear none. Please cast your ballots. That motion carry 90. Also for the appointment of high school election inspector for 2026 elections. We're looking for a motion and a second. And make the motion.

Motion made by Mr. Visaw, second by Mr. Hes. Any further discussion? Hearing none, please cast your ballots. That motion's carried 90 as well. Thank you all. Uh back to you, Mr. All right. So, for my city administrator report, first of all, it's tax collection time in the office. I just want to remind everyone of the holiday hours that we have for the municipal building. Municipal building will be closed on December 24th and 25th as well as December 31st and January 1st. So, please uh just plan in those days as you want to come in and pay your tax bill. Otherwise, we are taking taxes Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and then Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Um, as we're talking about taking taxes, we are also answering questions about the new garbage assessments that are on the tax bills. Uh, first I want to remind everyone that we do have a page on the city's website dedicated for garbage and recycling information in the city. You can access that information on the resource page of newlondonwi.org. /garbage. Um that has a ton of information of the new program. And then the second thing I want to point out that we've just learned recently um that if anyone who has GFL service already that transition to the new service should be pretty seamless um for the most part. However, we did learn that if you have GFL service and you have any autopay scenarios with your bills, you have to actually um cancel that autopay. GFL nor anyone else can go into your accounts, your financial accounts, and change that or disable that. So, you will need to go in if you have any autopay scenarios with your GFL bill. You'll have to take care of that. Again, um we recommend to make those cancellations for that auto payment as of March 31st because the new program begins April 1st. And then lastly, as everybody can see, I'm subbing for a city clerk tonight. Um unfortunately, our clerk has moved on to a career advancement for with another

municipality. So, we are currently accepting applications in the search of our new city clerk. If anyone is interested in the position, you can find more information and can apply from our website. Again, the website newlondonwi.org. On the homepage, you can find a button on the top right corner saying I want to. If you hover over that, it'll give you an option to click on learn more about employment opportunities. Um, that's going to be the page that has a job description, all the information, and the application process for the clerk's position. So, um, that position application process closes January 4th. So, we still have a couple weeks for that. Yep. But if anybody has problems or questions or troubles, just contact us in the office. We'll be more than happy to help. And that's all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Herd. Chief Wilson, the floor is yours.

Thank you, your honor. I want to remind everybody the holiday initiative that law enforcement's involved in, the drive sober, get pulled over. It's an OWI initiative that focuses on intoxicated driving over the holiday season. Uh on a positive note today, 15 of our staff members, officers, and dispatchers participated in the shop with the cop program. This was funded through donations from business owners, citizens, uh as well as gifts were dropped off and then we had some volunteers help us wrap these gifts for some children and families who need the help. So we were able to help out seven families or 18 children. So it was a pretty neat event for us. And finally, merry Christmas and happy new year everyone. That's all I have, your honor.

Thank you, Chief. Director of public works, Mr. Garski.

Thank you, your honor. I have a couple service anniversaries. Don Goodro, street operator, 20 years of service. Uh Mark D. Roger, street operator, two years of service. And Chris Clark, public service administrative assistant and deputy election clerk. She has three years of service. Um, as you can see, we have a lot of snow out there already. Uh, just a couple notes on snow. [clears throat] Uh, please do not place snow in the street. It is against the municipal code to do so. Please remove snow and ice from your sidewalk. You have 24 hours to do so after a snow event. [clears throat] Even though you can park on the street from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. unless there is a snow emergency, please wait until the plow truck has gone by. Um, plowing is a lot faster and safer if we're not going around uh parked vehicles. And if you follow a plow truck, please stay at least 100 foot behind that truck so they can see uh your vehicle in their mirrors. A lot of things are happening out front as they're plowing and they're not always checking their mirrors. So if you hang back, they'll be able to see you and avoid any potential accidents. And that is all I have here.

Thank you, Mr. Garski. Director of Parks and Recreation, Miss Soul. Does anybody have a report for her? I do not see her in the audience. There is no report tonight. Perfect. Thank you. Utilities manager or Mr. Besset.

Thank you, your honor. Um, water crews have been listening to valves and hydrants. They located a leak at High Street and Ridgeway and they'll be exploring that. Hopefully, they can find that and fix it tomorrow. And you'll notice Alexico is working at the intersection of Highway 54 and Shao Street. that is for utility conduit. Well, hopefully they'll be finishing the conduit burial and then we'll be pulling wire for the highway 54 project. So, we're definitely ahead of schedule on that. And I have no service anniversary, so that's all I have to report. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Besset. And with that, we're looking for adjournment. Motion to adjurnn. Motion made by Mr. Roberts. Second.

Second by Mr. Barington. Any further discussion beforehand? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried by all. We are journed.