City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, it is 6 o'clock, so we will call the Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 Common Council meeting to order. We will start with a roll call. Dale Matthews is excused. Christine?

Here.

Everett? Here. Wigderson? Here. Piper? Here. Van Trieste? Wells? Here. Mannion?

Here.

Molson?

Here.

Wuteska? Here. Anderson?

Here.

Helgastead?

Here.

Matthews is absent. Miklitz? Here. Lemke? Here. Camacho?

I'm here.

Excellent. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and

All right, we'll get started with public comment. I have one, nothing else in the box. Excellent. I have Joseph Miller. And you can come up to the mic. You've got three minutes. And please state your name and address. Thank you.

Hello, Joseph Miller, 205 West St. Paul Avenue. I'm here in response to the recent Friedman article about Waukesha's proposed e-bike and e-scooter regulation. I understand the concern about fast riding on sidewalks and the need to protect pedestrians. At the same time, I hope the city approaches this as a give and take rather than simply taking mobility options away from kids and families. If sidewalks are not the place for powered bikes and scooters, then riders, especially students and children, need a safe, practical place to ride. Many streets without bike lanes, traffic calming, or connected routes are not safe for children on e-bikes due to fast moving traffic. Just as fast sidewalk riding is not safe for pedestrians. If the only practical option left is to be driven everywhere, then we are pushing more trips into cars, which is inherently less safe for everyone else using our streets, all the pedestrians and cyclists. To me, this points to a larger traffic safety issue in Waukesha. The city should not solve a sidewalk safety problem by ignoring the unsafe streets conditions that cause many riders to choose the sidewalk in the first place. A potential approach would be to make incremental safety improvements to our streets, making the next small step by creating safe, productive streets that work for people outside of cars, especially around schools, parks, neighborhoods, and downtown destinations. I do support regulations that address genuine unsafe behavior, but I also encourage the city to pair them with low-cost improvements such as marked bike lanes, traffic calming near schools and parks, clear signage, safe crossings, and connected routes to recreation areas. These do not need to be large, expensive projects. They can be small, practical investments that make the city safer and more financially resilient over time. E-bikes can give young people a healthy sense of freedom and independence, helping get them to school, jobs, parks, and friends without requiring every trip to be driven by a parent. That is good for families, good for traffic, and good for building a strong, more resilient Waukesha. Thank you for considering a balanced approach that protects pedestrians while also giving riders a safe, legitimate place to be. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment today? All right, next up we have a gallery art presentation. Alderperson Molson.

Okay, tonight I would like to share with you the art created by Alex Poison, Brian Radway, Jaron Baer, and Taylor Usleman. This group of friends are Carroll alumni who have maintained their friendships partially through their love of shared art, shared love of art. First is a colorful mosaic glass garden. I like how the glass elements completely fill up the space. We can't see here in the hallway, but in a sunnier location, all of the colors may change depending on the light. Next is a head in a jar. The head appears to be floating, and the expression looks quite calm for the predicament of being stuck there. I wonder if this is to keep the head safe from something, and if so, whether it is worth the cost. Next, moonlight over marshy area. It looks calm and peaceful, though there may be lots of unseen animals and insects. It is interesting that the water appears to be flowing toward the bottom of the picture, as if it will spill out on the floor. Next is an unnaturally colored portrait. Jaron may be just playing around with the colors, or she may be considering beauty standards or thinking about what a person's mood would look like if they were visible. Next is a portrait of a person with a large forked tongue. This feature is a bit alarming, but is the person really different? I wonder if the tongue is meant to be the focus of our attention, or are we to look past it to see something else? Next is a pathway in the woods. Maybe it is early in the morning and we are about to discover a surprise right around the corner. I like the way the feeling of being out in the woods is captured by the light surrounding the trees. Next we have a fruit collection. Taylor has cut some of them in half. Possibly we are to consider whether the interesting part is on the inside or the outside. The scale is also interesting. All of the fruit fills up the frame so the blueberry is huge while the apple shrinks. Next, Brian shares with us his incredible photograph of animals. First is a snake. It may be a rattlesnake. I hope you did not get this close to the snake. Next is a cheetah and a peacock. The details are mesmerizing. The backgrounds fade away. The last photo is a deer. This one may live at Minooka Park because they are so used to people walking the trails that they barely move off the path. We have the attention of the deer, so it might move on in a minute. Next is a trio of cats. The cats have a big range from the house cat to the panther to the lions. I do not know why the panther is looking in a mirror. Does he seem rather pleased with what he sees? We thank Alex, Brian, Jaron, and Taylor for sharing their art with us. City staff and visitors enjoy the art and appreciate the perspective of the artists. In case you want to test whether or not you're paying attention, one of the pieces of art didn't make it into the presentation.

Thank you. That was the one I was waiting for. All right. Approval of minutes. Do we have a motion to approve the meeting minutes from last meeting? So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Okay. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? No. All right.

I'm sorry. Can you just repeat the first and the second?

All right. So it was Alderperson Miklitz. And then who was the second over there? Was it Everett? All right, please vote when it is before you.

Piper, aye.

Camacho, aye.

Miklitz, aye.

All right, that motion passes 14 to 0. Are there any items to be removed from consent agenda? Any items? No? All right, then we will consider the consent agenda passed. Next up, we have a disallowance of claim for property damage. Brian, do you want to present this one?

Yes, thank you. A claim for property damage was submitted by an unfortunate individual by the name of Mervyn Hanson who suffered a baseball to the windshield of his car at Frame Park. It's not clear if it was parked there or happened while they were driving by. but submitted a claim for 911 dollars to replace the windshield there's no claim or evidence shown that the city was in any way negligent or responsible for this happening so we are recommending disallowance of the claim This is a situation where I hope that Mr. Hansen contacts his auto insurance carrier because that's the appropriate place to report something like this.

Excellent. Alderperson Moulton.

I move to disallow the claim of Mervyn Hansen.

Is there a second? Alderperson Wateska? Second. Any discussion? Alderperson Vantriese. Okay.

I would concur with Brian on this one. I did go over there. There's 40-foot netting to each side of home plate. And I would like to make a referral about it later on.

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

Piper, aye.

All right, that motion does pass 14 to 0. Thank you moving right along. We have a transit commission report.

No meeting no report.

All right. Water utility alder person Matthews is not here, but we did not have a meeting. So no report it board alder person. No meeting no report landmarks commission alder person Christine.

Thank you, Mayor. We had two people come and report their needs to upkeep their property, which were passed. One of the applicants did not show up, so we stayed that over for the next meeting. End of report.

Thank you. Redevelopment Authority Report, Alderperson Lemke.

Our meeting was canceled. The next meeting is on third Monday of next month.

Thank you. Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board, Alderperson Wells.

No meeting, but pools are open, and check out the activity guide for all the stuff that's going on this summer.

Excellent. Library Report, Alderperson Helgestad.

Thank you. Next meeting is July 9th, and I encourage everyone to sign up for the summer reading program and check out the plethora of activities at the library.

All right. Cemetery Commission Report, Alderperson Christine.

Thank you, Mayor. We had our elections and elected a new president and vice president. We got an update on tuck pointing on the old chapel and getting up ready for the roof repair, which because of the rain, they put a hold on that for a little bit. And friends of the cemetery gave a report and they're moving along nicely around the flower garden and expansion on the veterans area and a report.

Excellent. Thank you. Housing Authority report. Alderperson Piper.

No report this evening. Our next meeting is actually tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Housing Authority on Arcadian Avenue. All are welcome to attend. End of report.

Excellent. Community Development Block Grant. Anything, Jennifer? No report. Public Art Committee. Alderperson Moulton.

No further report.

Plan Commission? No report. The next meeting is next week, Wednesday. Thank you. All right, Finance Committee, Alderperson Piper.

Good evening. We have one item for consideration. It's a fire department item. Before I make a motion, I think it would be best to have Chief Goplin and Assistant Chief Fleming come up, preview the item for the council, see if there's any questions, and from there I'll make a motion.

All right, good evening. So tonight, we're asking to reallocate funds from one of our CIP projects, which was the project for our fire safety trailer. That project was approved in the CIP for 2025, and in 2025, I should say. And ultimately, through the competitive bidding process, came in lower than expected. We are getting everything that we want in that trailer. So all of the needs are met. We went through that with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that that's the case. It resulted in some savings that made some funds available, and so we're requesting that we reallocate some of the funds from that project to be able to purchase a vehicle for our mobile integrated healthcare case manager position to use. So the case manager position ultimately travels daily throughout the city visiting clients and working with various clients throughout the city and also primarily within Waukesha County and Milwaukee County, really meeting with, whether it might be taking clients to different places, it might be meeting with counterparts or partner agencies to accomplish their mission as the case manager. The vehicle that we're asking to request is a 2015 vehicle. It's got about 61,000 miles on it. We're asking to move 35,000 of that to replace it with a Ford Escape. If there are any questions about the trailer project, Assistant Chief Fleming worked on that. If there are any questions about the vehicle, Fleet Manager Weinkauf is also here. And I will certainly answer anything that I can.

Back to Alderperson Piper.

With that, the reason it's here before us this evening is this was before the Finance Committee, but it did not pass unanimous. There was a dissenting vote, so that's why we're voting on it this evening. With that, I'll make a motion to approve the reallocations of funds for the Fire Department as presented, and with a second, I'll speak briefly to it.

Alderperson Camacho. I'll second. Thank you.

I asked the fire chief to give the council kind of an overview of this item. The current vehicle is rather old, and we have an opportunity to replace it for the clinician that works inside the fire department. My point at the Finance Committee is that position's very important, and it's important that this role has a reliable vehicle to make sure that they can respond appropriately to the clients that they're working with. We are certainly looking at every dollar, certainly. However, we're in a specific case where the The trailer came in significantly under budget, and I feel that this is an inadequate and a good use of those some of those save dollars to replace this vehicle. So I asked for your support this evening. Thank you.

Any other discussion? Other person, Miklitz.

Yeah, I also asked the chief about a little bit more information, so I know this was a hand-me-down vehicle, and it's kind of gone through its whole paces, and the value is pretty close to what it would cost to fix it. The other thing I asked was, is there any other vehicles that are going to come up later on where we're going to say, oh, well, we need another vehicle, so could she have gotten a hand-me-one-down vehicle? at that point um and he assures me that there there's not anything that would be coming that i'm aware of so i would support this thank you elder person moulton i'd be interested in what the reason was somebody dissented elder person lemke everybody here knows my background i had

I had a meeting with John and the two fire chiefs, and while my answer isn't going to change, I'm not going to contest it because I know what the result is going to be. Thank you.

All right. Thank you for that update. Anyone else? Alderperson Evert.

Yeah, I'd like to ask that. From what I read, it said that there's like 61,000 miles on that correct that that's I wish had about half of us wish that we only had 61,000 on our car. What I'm asking is and then there was like 3000 or so to fix it or to. for the repairs that were done on it or something? Repairs that need to be done, yes. They need to be done? They need to be done. Okay, all right. Yeah, that's kind of what I was referring to. Thank you.

All right, anyone else? Alderperson VanTriest.

Chief, could you tell us what is this vehicle used for?

Sure. So the case manager position uses this vehicle on a daily basis to be able to go out and meet with the clients that have been referred to them. So it's citizens within the community that need help in various ways. It's ways that it might be... going to an appointment with a physician and they don't have another way to get there that's not super common but they may use the vehicle to actually transport someone to that appointment uh... it's going out and meeting with other partner agencies that uh... have a similar mission set, so they're working with the same people within our community. But this position has, we've had over 125 referrals to this position already. We've got, I don't remember the exact number, but we've got about 40 some odd active Referrals going on right now that we've either received or that we're working on. So it's daily travel to meet with the clients people in our community who need some sort of assistance. And then also the day to day function of the position, whether that's meeting with another partner agency or. traveling to maybe into Milwaukee County to work with counterparts there and so on. So it gets both use within the city on a daily basis and then travel, I would say, a little bit more regionally, but primarily through Waukesha and Milwaukee County.

Alderperson Wigderson and then Everett.

I just want to say for the record that I drive two vehicles. One car is a Toyota Camry 2005. It has a quarter of a million miles on it, and it still drives like a dream. I also have a 2016 CRV Honda that has 115,000 miles on it. However, I want to commend you guys for saving money on the project to afford this. I'm definitely for this. I understand that this particular position has a lot of miles that they have to do. And they're serving critical people that don't necessarily fall under the emergency part. And it's one individual. So there's a lot of people that are serviced with this person. And they have to have a reliable vehicle. So I am definitely in favor of it. And again, thank you so much for the savings that you provided on your project to afford this. Thank you. Thank you. Alderperson Evert?

one more thing i just wanted to know that thirty five thousand is that all in with the lights and uh... so that this article is not going to be equipped with emergency equipment so it is and uh... fleet manager wine cough can speak to this if if needed but that is to buy the car off the lot so that would cover the price of the vehicle there will be some emblems that have to go on at that's normal writing stuff but i know i just didn't know cuz i know

It can get expensive putting new lights on and new sirens or whatever you put on. Yep, there will not be lights and sirens in this. Thank you.

Alderperson Van Trieste.

So Chief, I wanted to ask, this is a social worker?

She's trained as a social worker, yes.

And is full-time equivalent, I assume, and is this each shift?

It's every day, Monday through Friday, all week long.

24 hours a day?

Not 24 hours, no. Monday through Friday, 8 to 4.30. 8 to 4.30?

Yes. Okay, thank you.

All right, any other comments or questions? All right, there is a motion and a second. Please vote when it is before you. Again, this is for reallocation of funds for the CIP project for an MIH vehicle.

Piper, aye.

All right, that motion does pass 13 to 1. Moving along, thank you very much, Chief. We have Building and Grounds Committee Report, Alderperson Moulton.

All items on consent.

Thank you. Ordinance and Licensing Committee, I understand that Alderperson Wateska was not able to attend, so I'll turn it over to Alderperson Mannion.

Yeah, so the item that's on here, proposed regulation of powered scooters, bikes and other vehicles on city sidewalks. I'll make a motion to send this item back to committee this evening and with a second, I'll speak to why.

OK, Alderperson Wigderson.

I'll second that.

So as the mayor alluded to, we were shorthanded on the committee. There were only three of the five of us there that evening. So we didn't get a full opportunity to completely robustly discuss this. We were also met with a bit of a surprise in that the PD and the city attorney's office had some slightly different opinions on what this ordinance should include and So they're from talking to the mayor, there's been some additional discussions within city hall and possibly will be some additional discussions and may lead to a new draft ordinance. And we'd like to have the opportunity to discuss that further in committee rather than discuss it tonight and possibly turn into a very long and drawn out discussion. So. that is the the reason for the referral so i'd appreciate your support in sending this back to committee and uh knowing that it will come forward back to council with uh um a more complete uh review thank you beth okay alderperson lemke i just would like to make a comment because i don't know if i'll be able to attend the

I would not be in support of any ordinance for scooters and bikes that forces 12-year-old and under onto the street. So take that into consideration. I'm in support of it for 13-year-olds and up because I think they're old enough to be able to be on the street. But I just wanted to give that opinion before. So thank you.

Thank you. And I would, if this does go back, if this passes, I would encourage all of you to provide that feedback to Brian, who will be crafting the ordinance. So there's still plenty of opportunity to make sure that opinions are heard. And then also for the general public, you can always come to our committee meetings to see what's being discussed and provide your opinions there as well as at council meetings. So with that, is there any other discussion? All right, please vote when this is before you. A yes vote sends us back to committee for further workshopping.

Who was the seconder? Thank you.

Piper, aye.

All right, that motion does pass 14 to 0. Next up, Human Resources Committee report. Alderperson Anderson?

No report, and tomorrow's meeting has been canceled.

Excellent. Board of Public Works report. Alex?

Good evening, we've got two bids tonight. The first one was received on May 22nd for the William Street overhead and under overhead to underground electric conversion project. The board recommended moving forward with a little bit from Bovera. The amount of $99,920.

Excellent Alderperson Piper so moved all the person with Tusca second. Any discussion? Alright, please vote when it is before you.

Piper I.

All right, that motion does pass 14 to 0 Alex.

The next one would be for the 2026 pavement crack filling project. The board recommended moving forward with a little bit from Thunder Road and the amount of 143,220 dollars be awarded.

All the person Piper make a motion to approve all the person with Tesco second. Any discussion? All the person Van Trieste.

So I just noticed that we had a per pound unit of measure per pound. Is this the tar snakes that we put down?

Is that what that is? So it is the tar that gets put down, but it doesn't come in snakes. It becomes a liquid. So it comes in blocks. They put it in a tar kettle, and it becomes a liquid. And rather than paying by the foot or anything like that, we pay by the pound of sealant. Thanks, Alex.

Anyone else? All right then please vote when it is before you.

Piper aye.

Alright, that motion passes 14 to 0 Public Works director.

The only other item I'd mentioned would be that we're looking to set up a tour of the clean water plant on July 21st before the Council meeting that night at 430. So stay tuned. I'll send everybody an email with more information on that if you'd like to attend. So thank you.

I definitely encourage everyone to attend. I recently took a tour and it was fascinating. Alright, city attorneys report.

This week is the annual Municipal Attorneys Institute that's put on by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities each year. It's the greatest value in continuing legal education credits, which we are required to have 15 hours of each year in order to maintain our licenses to practice law, which means that our office will be empty for the rest of the week and we'll all be back on Monday.

Excellent, thank you. City administrators report.

I'll report.

All right. Mayor's report, I have a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month. Whereas parks and recreation is an integral part of our communities, whereas parks and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health through the city's 50 parks. Whereas parks and recreation promotes the time spent in nature over 1100 acres of dedicated city park and open space. Whereas parks and recreation partners provide 10,000 healthy meals in the summer, nutrition services and education year round, which are critical to childhood development. And whereas parks and recreation is fundamental to the environmental well being of our community. And whereas parks and recreation is essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change, and whereas our parks and natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors, I therefore proclaim July as Parks and Recreation Month. Are there any referrals? Alderperson Christine.

Thank you, Mary. I'm going to make a referral for to forestry with all the wet April. We had, we have a lot of trees that have grown into the stop signs. So neither change the height of the stop sign or clean up some of the trees and I will send out the appropriate emails. Thank you.

Thank you. All the person.

This referral is to be in G signage caution children's with disabilities in this area, one in each direction, north and south on Meadow Lane.

Alder person Manion, did I see your hand earlier?

I have one to building and grounds to review parking restrictions on Newhall Ave between Walton and West avenues. Consider removal of the existing one hour parking restriction.

Alder person ever.

I too have one for buildings and grounds. Establish no parking zones on both sides of Gascoigne Drive adjacent to Pewaukee Road.

Thank you.

Alderperson Helgastad.

Thank you. Also to buildings and grounds to consider and review relocating an existing no parking sign at roughly 530 North Hartwell, 30 feet south.

Thank you. Are we getting Alderperson Lemke?

Also to building and grounds. I'd like to get a opinion of the traffic people to see if a sign at Winterberry and Tallgrass Circle heading north is appropriate. Now that the new subdivisions in some of the people have been requesting it and I don't know if it's appropriate or not.

Thank you. Any other referrals? Are we sure there are no other referrals? All right. Building and grounds is going to be very busy. All right. Then barring any objections, we are adjourned.