City Council - Regular Meeting

I am calling this Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, meeting of the Common Council to order. We will start with roll call. I know that we will not have Alders Eileen and Steve Vantrieste are not going to be in attendance.

Christine?

Here.

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

Here.

Camacho.

Here. All right. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. All right. Next up is public comment. Sam, can you let me know if there's anything in that box for public comment? There's not. Thank you. Is there anyone that did not fill out a slip that would like to speak for public comment? No? All right. Moving on to approval of the minutes. Is there a motion? Alderperson Moulton.

I move to approve.

Is there a second? Alderperson Wigderson?

I second.

All right. Are there any comments? All right. Then please vote when it is before you.

Rick Lemke's an aye.

Camacho's an aye. Christine, aye.

Wells, aye.

All right. That motion does pass 12 to 0. I did want to make an announcement that a motion will be made pursuant to Wisconsin state statute 19.85, parents one, parents E, to go into closed session to discuss negotiation strategies for the acquisition and disposal of real property, including the water utility building. That will take place at the end of this meeting. All right, moving on to consent agenda. Are there any items to be removed from consent? All right, seeing none, we will move on to new business. First up, we have the plumbing code update. Doug, I believe you are handling this one.

Okay, so this is an update to the plumbing code. This will be the second reading this evening. These changes are being brought forth to ensure that the city has the proper authorization to review plans and also spells out what applicants must provide for in plan reviews. The primary need for this change is to bring the city's plumbing code in line with the state code. So I should go back here. There are three different sections, section 16.031 of our code, which is the general building code section, which needs an amendment. And then sections 19.12 and 19.17. And those are specifically in the plumbing code section. Here's the amendment. All of this text in here will be added into section 16.031 of the code. Again, just to bring us in line with what the state would require us to do as a delegated agency for reviewing plans. And then moving on to section 19.12. This is a section where the state code limits what work homeowners can do on their property. So this just clears that up in our code to make sure we're in line with what the state is requiring. And then with section 19.17, this language just spells out that the plan review is required before permits are issued and that the city can do that plan review. So again, this is the second reading. This was at the July Plan Commission meeting, and the Plan Commission did recommend approval of the updates to the building code and plumbing code as presented.

Okay, and this is the second reading. I'm assuming that there's no super rush on this one?

We've got time.

Excellent. All right, are there any questions or comments for Doug at this time regarding the plumbing code updates? Yes, Alderperson Matthews.

Just one quick question. The outlines in 19.12, are those additions, not omissions, correct?

Yes, everything in red would be addition to the current text. The current text is in black and white, and then the red would be the additional text.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, Alderperson Piper.

So Doug, my question is on the same section, so I'm just a little confused. So it says here that the owner and no one else may only place the following fixtures, but they may not relocate fixtures. What's the difference?

So if you're placing a fixture, that would be like removing a toilet and putting it back on the same plumbing infrastructure that's in the house. If you're relocating, now you've got to move pipes and go through walls, and that's where then you would have to hire a plumber to do that kind of work.

And that's a change from what the city's done in the past. Cities allowed in the past.

I don't think it's a change. We've more formalized it here in the code to match in line with the state.

I think I can answer that. Actually, it was a recent change by the state. So that's why we have to adopt the change ourselves as well.

The state made it a little bit more stricter.

Correct.

As to what a homeowner can do.

Correct.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments? Alderperson Lemke?

So what you're telling me, and maybe this is for Brian, when I built my home, they stubbed in the fitting under the concrete, and I built my entire basement rec room. I put a kitchen in there. I put in a bathroom. I put a bathroom sink, and I put a complete shower in there. The state is telling me I can't do that anymore without hiring a plumber?

That's sure what it looks like.

I'm against that and I will be voting no for this even if it follows the state. Thank you.

All right, any other comments or questions? Again, this is the second reading, so this will come back. Brian, did you have a comment?

Yes, just a comment. This is really not the place to object to state law. Contact your state legislator. There's no point in tilting at windmills here at the Common Council level.

I appreciate that comment. Thank you. Yes, you can find the contact information for your legislators online, I'm sure, to make those phone calls. Any other comments before we move on to the next item? All right, so again, this is the second reading, so this will come back to us at the next meeting for a potential vote. Next up, we have ID 2604020, surplus land. Jennifer?

Yep, I'll just wait for the map to come up here. This is a piece of property that's in the village of Waukesha.

We're working on it.

Okay. And its own was purchased back in the 70s by the water utility in anticipation of growth. And so at this time, as we all know, we're not going to be growing any further to the south. And so the water utility has determined that they will have no future use for this property. So. The map on the left, it's a little bit hard to see that red line is the city boundaries. But really, if you think this is long. Just off of 164 south of the bypass that industrial park up on the corner is probably the closest piece of. Of sit minutes property that's in the city limits. So it's quite a ways away from the city limits. And so. The plan commission is recommending that this piece be declared surplus.

Okay, are there any questions or comments? Or motions?

Alderperson Piper? I'll make a motion to declare this property surplus as presented.

Okay, Alderperson Camacho?

I'll second.

Okay, any other comments before we vote? All right, then please vote when this is before you.

Rick Lemke, aye.

Camacho, aye.

Wells, aye.

I think I have to change this. That motion does pass 12 to 0. Hey, I'm learning how to use this thing. Alright, next up we have review and possible action on the sale of two unused water utility sites.

Jennifer so the back to the site. We think that it would be appropriate to hire a realtor to market this site. It's zoned residential. It would be a nice residential lot or Possibly two, I think, I'm not quite sure it's large enough to split into two, but we'd like to hire, we'd like to recommend that you hire a realtor to market this piece and help us sell the piece.

Okay, are there any questions or comments? Or motions? Alderperson Piper?

So, the item says review and possible on the sale of two water utility sites.

I'm going to go to the next one.

Oh, okay, I didn't know if you wanted, I didn't know if I was doing two separate motions or...

Brian, do you think that we should do two separate motions, one for each?

Well, there should be two separate motions, but I would imagine we can discuss or explain both of them at the same time. There's no problem with that. Sounds good.

Then the second piece, this one was already declared surplus a few months ago. This is along Center Road. It abuts our industrial park there. And this is south of the bypass. It's about two acres. It's zoned M3 manufacturing. And so we're recommending the same, that we hire a realtor to also market this piece. We think it'll be very marketable. Okay.

Alderperson Piper?

I'll make a motion that the city engage a commercial realtor for the marketing of the two properties mentioned as presented.

Is that acceptable? All right. Thank you, Brian. Alderperson Hennion? I'll second the motion. All right. Any other discussion?

All right, Alderperson Matthews. Just one quick question from a procedure perspective. We're going to market this with a commercial real estate provider. Would we have say as to how it's used or it would be what somebody's willing to pay for according to the zoning?

Yeah, they would have, we're not proposing changing the zoning, so then it would be, they would have to use it according to whatever the zoning regulations are.

Can you clarify, what was the zone of the first property? I know what the other one was.

Yeah, it's zoned residential. In the town, or I'm sorry, in the village, it's considered R1, which is like a larger lot residential zoning. So probably a single home on there.

Single home. All right, thank you.

Okay, anyone else? All right, then we do have a motion and a second. Please vote when it is before you.

Mayor Kalemke, aye. Wells, aye.

All right, that motion passes 12 to zero. Next up, we have three public hearings. So we'll go through all three public hearings and then we will move on to the action part just for clarification for everyone. So first up, we have the rezoning petition from RM3 to RM3 PUD multifamily residential. for 600 Maple Avenue. Doug, I believe you're handling this one?

Yes, I am. Thank you. So this is for 600 Maple Avenue. That's a proposal by Family Promise, if you're not familiar with them. They're a local agency that assists families that are currently without housing using their resources and programs to help them establish a stable housing. So they've been around for a while now, have a pretty good program in place. And what they would like to do is propose a new facility here in the city to help with their mission that they do. So here is on the aerial you can see the property at 600 Maple Avenue right at the corner of Maple and Park. That's the library in Cutler Park right across the street over here. and currently there's a former church on the site. They're proposing to raise that church and then propose a new 10 unit building on the site, 10 residential units. The current site right now is 26,340 square feet, which is about 0.6 acres in size. Here's a close-up of that site. Again, the existing structure will be raised as well as the parking lot will be modified and shortened up to allow for the placement of a new building roughly in the location where the current building sits and a little farther to the west. And then, as I said, the parking lot will be modified to accommodate the new building locations. So here's a view off of Park Street, just kind of show you from the street, then the building and then the parking lot. And then directly to the west or to the left in this picture is the parking lot behind the existing E&R Church. So there'd be two parking lots adjacent to each other in this situation. Here's an image of the building they're proposing to construct. And this did go through plan commission and did receive site plan and architectural review. The building will be done in a residential style. You can see here it's a two-story building, and then with the gable roofs to kind of match the gable roofs in this older neighborhood in the city. And again, it'll be facing right onto Maple Avenue and Park Avenue. And you can see in the drawings here, there's a porch feature that goes out right onto Park Avenue, as well as one they've put on the corner going out to Maple Avenue. Kind of fit with the residential neighborhood in this neighborhood. When you walk through there, a lot of porches in front of all the houses. As far as the proposed building layout would go, there'd be two one-bedroom units, five two-bedroom units, and three three-bedroom units. Again, their goal is to work with families, so the larger units work well with this kind of setup. Also on the first floor, then, there would also be a large community room, and then some office space for the Family Promise management of the building and programming. They are currently a zoned RM3 multifamily residential. The whole neighborhood is that already. They are requesting a PUD to get relief from the required area. Currently, the current zoning code figures out area based on a square footage per unit size. So you can see 2,500 square feet for a one-bedroom, 3,000 square feet for a two-bedroom, 3,500 for a three-bedroom. Applying that formula to their ratio that I just showed, that would give you a requirement of 30,500 square feet. As I mentioned, the actual lot is only 26,340 square feet. So the plan commission has reviewed this and reviewed their plans. They felt it was appropriate for the site and they're recommending approval of that relief for that area down to 26,340 square feet. Here's the site plan so you can get a better feel of how that's gonna fit on the site. So the building in brown right in the middle here. A variety of landscaping around the base of the building, several trees being added along Park Avenue. The Plant Commission also did require that additional trees be planted along the yard, along the Maple Avenue side too, to match kind of the neighborhood and the feel that's in that neighborhood. Here you can see the parking lot has been shortened up slightly. It'll all be redone, new curbing around the parking lot. There is, I've mentioned, the adjacent parking lot just to the west. There's currently a light in this area, and they are going to keep that light, but that light has some overthrow onto the neighboring parking lot as well. And having that, our city code requires that light not exceed .5 foot candles at the lot line. In this case, the light will exceed that .5 foot candles, but it's into an adjacent parking lot, so we don't see a problem with that. So the Planning Commission recommended relief of that requirement as well with the PUD. Again, here's the building they have a couple renderings just to give you a feel of the building There's a masonry wrap around the base on all four sides of the building a couple of porch features as I pointed out I'm then a mixture of vertical siding going up into the gables and then horizontal siding in the green areas And this would be the view along Park Avenue and And then the view from the parking lot looking at the north and west elevations of the building. So at this time, the Plant Commission does recommend approval of the PUD rezoning for Family Promise. Again, it's currently RM3 multifamily, and it'd just be RM3 with the PUD overlay. And then just summarizing that the PUD will offer relief from the area requirement. It'll also offer relief from the light intensity at the lot line. And then that additional tree is required to be planted in the Maple Avenue yard. And there are representatives from Family Promise here this evening if you have specific questions.

Thank you. Reminder, this is the public hearing section. So are there any members of the public who wish to speak on this or ask questions? All right, then we will close out that public hearing section. Moving on to the land use plan amendment for 223 Southwest Avenue. And I see that there's a land use plan as well as the rezoning. I'm assuming you're going to cover both of those. And then we'll do the public hearing after your presentation for each one individually. That works for you.

That'll work fine.

Excellent. Thank you.

So this is for 223 Southwest Avenue. If you recall earlier this year, that was determined to be surplus land. It was put up for sale. The property and then the rezoning as well is gonna be for that. Currently it's zoned RM1 and we're gonna propose to rezone it to B1 neighborhood. So here's the property in question along Southwest Avenue, just north of West Newhall. um it's a long narrow lot because of the railroad right-of-way that comes very close to west avenue as you get farther and farther to the south there's currently a water utility it's about 0.12 acres in size currently a water a former water utility building on the site that they no longer need So an artist, local artist is gonna be moving in here to open up an art studio. It's currently zoned RM3, which would not allow for commercial use, so it needs to be rezoned. But before we can do that, our land use plan also is calling it out as institutional, civic and institutional uses at this time. Since it's no longer going to be in civic or institutional use, we feel the commercial use would be appropriate since the site is not conducive to residential or anything else. But with the B1 neighborhood zoning, it would allow for a smaller neighborhood-oriented kind of business to go in, and we felt the artist studio would be appropriate for that. Certified survey map showing the layout of the property. So currently it is in the civic and institutional land use. State law requires that our zoning must follow our land use, so we have to change our land use first. So we'd propose to change the land use from civic and institutional to C commercial for this section. And then here you can see our current zoning code. It's under the RM1 zoning, but with the proposal to use it as a small commercial activity, seems appropriate, and so we're recommending that it go to a B1 neighborhood business district. And if you look through the zoning code, those are for smaller businesses oriented towards neighborhood uses and not obtrusive to a residential surrounding neighborhood. So here again is the site and where it's located. So the land use plan amendment we would be calling for going from civic and institutional to commercial use. And then the plan commission also recommended that the 0.12 acre parcel go from RM1 multifamily to the B1 neighborhood business district.

Thank you. Are there any members of the public that wish to ask questions or speak on the land use plan amendment for 223 Southwest Avenue? All right, seeing none, we will close that public hearing. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak or ask questions on the rezoning petition for 223 Southwest Avenue? No? All right, then we will close that public hearing. Next up we are going back to the 600 Maple Ave family promise request. This is the action part. So are there any questions or comments from the Alder? Yes, Alder person Camacho.

Yeah, OK. So my question is, is I know it's based on families. So how does it function with the one bedrooms?

Joe, do you want to come up here? Thank you. And you can just speak into the microphone, please. Thank you.

So for us, we would identify like a pregnant mom. So we don't necessarily need a lot of bedrooms for her or a mom with one little one.

Sir, will you introduce yourself for the record?

Sure. Jonah Simon, the Executive Director of Family Promise of Waukesha County.

Thank you. Are there any questions or comments? Alderperson Moulton.

I move to approve the rezoning of 600 Maple Avenue from RM3 to RM3 PUD as presented.

Alderperson Matthews?

I will second that motion.

Okay.

Any other questions or comments? Alderperson Lemke and then Christine.

Will these be rental units?

Seven of the units will be used essentially as temporary housing up to 90 days. The families will not have to pay anything. And then the other 3 will be used for transitional housing. We asked him to pay about 30% of their income. What we're trying to do with those families has helped them establish credit a rental history so that they can eventually have their own place. The families that we work with are currently homeless. So to have them provide income is not really feasible.

Thank you all the person Christine and then Piper.

Thank you. I managed some properties, and we purchased some properties in another municipality. All righty, the questions were already answered on that, but I think this is a great use of this. I think the neighborhood will love the way it looks, and I fully support this. Thank you.

Alderperson Piper?

Thank you. I've done a fair amount of work in homelessness as part of my board work over the years in Waukesha, and I've come to know Mr. Neteshime and Family Promises, probably one of the most well-run organizations that are working in this space. And it's a very, very complicated space with a lot of players and a lot of opinions. And Joe and his organization have done a marvelous job in this space. Been around the shelter world a bit and the homeless world a bit and a solution like this. In my humble opinion, it's a very humble opinion is a really good, really good path to get folks on the right path out of homelessness and into permanent housing. So I'm glad that there seems to be really good support for this item this evening. I wholeheartedly support it and I know it would be a good project. So thank you, Joe.

Alderperson Wigderson. I just have a question. Thank you for your presentation this morning. I just wanted to know what is the timeline on having it up, because I know that you guys are in need of this space.

So we're still in the middle of our fundraising phase. The estimate that we have now for the building is about $4 million. We're at about $1.5 million just towards the building. We'd love to be able to be in a place by the end of the year that we can start moving forward, that we have enough funds that we can move forward and maybe starting to break ground in spring or summer of 2027 and with it open in 2028. Alderperson Matthews.

First of all, thank you. Thank you very much. This is I would support this honor percent. Thank you I think it's very much needed in the in the city of Waukesha love the location I think it's appropriate around in there So I just wanted to thank you for that in and I think it's a step in the right direction For the city to address some of the issues we're having with homelessness. So thank you very much. Thank you. I appreciate it Anyone else?

All right, then we do have a motion and a second. So this is for the rezoning petition from RM3 to RM3 PUD, multifamily residential with planned unit development overlay district for 600 Maple Avenue. Please vote when it is before you.

Rick Lumpke, aye. Wells, aye.

Alderman Everett. Aye.

Did you vote? I did. Okay. All right. I just wanted to make sure. Yes. So that motion does pass 12 to 0. Next up, we have action on the land use plan amendment for 223 Southwest Avenue. Are there any questions, comments, or motions? Alderperson Wachowska?

Motion to approve the land use plan amendment as presented.

Okay. Alderperson Mannion? Second any additional comments specifically on the land use plan amendment All right, then please vote when it is before you Rick Lemke no Wells I All right, that motion passes 10 to 2. Next up, we have the rezoning petition for 223 Southwest Avenue. Are there any questions? Alderperson Wateska?

I'll make a motion to approve the rezoning petition as presented.

Okay, Alderperson Mannion?

I'll second.

All right, any questions or comments regarding this item? All right, then please vote on the rezoning petition for 223 Southwest Avenue.

Rick Lemke, aye. Wells, aye.

All right, that motion passes 12 to 0. Thank you all. Next up, we have Transit Commissioner Report. Anything, Brandon?

Yeah, just kind of a summary. For the last transit commission meeting, we did hold that meeting at the Badger Drive facility. We were able to take a tour of the new bus wash and see that in operation, which was great. And then afterwards, Brian Engelking did a great job of presenting to the commission the various bus sizes and had that discussion with the commission and presented some of the information regarding that. I do believe that everybody would have received. I think Tony did send this out the one page flyer on the bus size. But if you do have any other comments regarding bus sizes and why we use it, definitely feel free to send those questions along to Brian Engelking. Outside of that, we did have one item on consent and that's it.

Great, thank you. Water Utility Commission, Alderperson Matthews.

I have no report.

No report. IT Board, Alderperson Mannion.

Our August meeting, which would have been tomorrow night, has been cancelled.

End of report Landmarks Commission Report Alderperson Christine.

Thank you, Mayor. Will be meeting here tomorrow night. Thank you.

Redevelopment Authority Report Alderperson Lemke.

Our last meeting was cancelled. Hopefully we'll have one on the third Monday of this month.

Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board Report Alderperson Wells.

No meeting, no report.

Okay, Library Board Report, Alderperson Helgestad is not here, but I know that they just wrapped up their summer reading program with unexpectedly higher involvement. So that's good, and I'm sure we'll get a full report from him at the next meeting. Cemetery Commission Report, Alderperson Christine.

Thank you, Mayor. I met with a local scout troop to do some volunteer around Prairie Home Cemetery. We're looking forward to that. And our meeting is next week, Wednesday, or next week. Thank you.

Thank you. Waukesha Housing Authority Report, Alderperson Piper.

No report this evening. I'll have a report at our next council meeting. Thank you. Excellent.

Thank you. Community Development Block Grant Committee report. Jennifer, anything? No report. Thank you. Public Art Committee report. Alderperson Molson?

The Public Art Committee is looking to do some murals in Freedman Alley, and I'm very pleased to report that we've got a lot of support from our local property owners, and we'll have those coming forward. And I see in the hallways we have new public art and a report.

Thank you. Plan Commission, Jennifer? Nothing further. Thank you. Finance Committee Report, Alderperson Piper?

No action items this evening, but just one more reminder that the 2027 budget kicks off on the 25th of August with the show and tell at 6 p.m. at the City Garage. Tony did a very nice job of positioning that this morning at the Mayor's Breakfast. And also, I can't believe I didn't think about this angle, but if you do have family members that enjoy seeing equipment, especially young kids, it's a great way to use that as an excuse to come learn a little bit more about the city budget. So we encourage the public to attend. We encourage all of you to attend. And again, that's Tuesday the 25th at 6 p.m. at the City Garage on Century Drive. End of report.

and it really is the best Finance Committee meeting of the whole year. All right, Building and Grounds Committee Report, Alderperson Moulton. No report. All right, Ordinance and Licensing Committee Report, Alderperson Wateska.

No report.

Human Resources Committee Report, Alderperson Anderson.

No report.

Excellent. Board of Public Works, Brandon.

Yep, just one bid tonight or this evening from Friday, July 10th for the Rubin Drive pump station replacement projects. The Board of Public Works recommended moving forward with the low bid from Mid City Corporation in the amount of $2,081,600. Okay, Alderperson Piper.

So moved. Alderperson Wateska. Second. Any discussion? All right, please vote when it is before you.

Mark Lemke, aye. Wells, aye.

All right, that motion passes 12 to 0. Anything else on that? Anything for Director of Public Works? Nope. All right. City Attorney, anything? City Administrator's Report, Tony.

Yeah, just one item, an update on the general manager recruitment for the water utility. The search committee interviewed four candidates and ultimately came to the conclusion that one candidate was preferred. So what will happen now is that candidate will be interviewed by the Water Utility Commission on August 20th. And assuming that goes well from there, they would extend an offer to the individual. It's been, I think, probably over a year since there's been kind of an interim arrangement. So I know that the staff and the commission are looking forward to getting a full time person in that position moving forward. End of report.

Excellent. Mayor's report, I do not have anything. Any referrals? Alderperson Matthews.

I'm sending one over to Mr. Brown for looking into stop signs on Fox Ridge Drive and Campfire Crossing.

Okay. Any other referrals? All right. Then we do have a closed session. Alderperson Piper.

I'll make a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 to discuss negotiation strategies for the acquisition and disposal of real property, including the water utility building.

All right. Is there a second? Alderperson Manion? I'll second. Any discussion? All right. Then please vote on going into closed session.

Rick Lemke, aye. Wells, aye.

All right, that motion passes 12 to 0. So as people head out, we will go into closed session once everyone has left the room. All right, we are now back in open session. After the closed session meeting, we decided to take no official action. So with that, we are adjourned.