_03052026-87
Village of Fredonia · Ozaukee County · meeting of Mar 5, 2026 · Minutes
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FREDONIA VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Fredonia Government Center - Board Room
242 Fredonia Avenue, Fredonia, Wisconsin
1. President Lenz called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance.
2. Trustees Present: President Lenz, Trustee Abegglen, Trustee Franck, Trustee
Syring, Trustee Eippert, Trustee Van Roo.
Staff Present: Administrator Jenkins, Treasurer Upson, and Clerk Johnson.
Public Present: Anne Redmond, member of the press.
3. Public Comments: None
4. Motion to Approve Minutes of the February 19th, 2026 Village Board of
Trustees Regular Meeting, and General Fund, Water and Sewer Invoices
made by Trustee Syring.
Seconded by Trustee Abegglen.
Passed by 6-0 voice vote.
5. Report on Village Committees By:
a) Planning Commission: President Lenz explained the Commission
reviewed a new zoning change request and CSM from Ms. Hannah Cholip
for her commercial property that is primarily being utilized as a residence.
The Commission recommended approval of the zoning change request
and CSM to the Village Board. The Commission conditionally approved a
new site plan for Nine Ladies Dancing and approved a residential shed
permit application from a resident on a corner lot.
6. Items for Action and/or Discussion
a) Motion to Approve Resolution 2026-01: Authorizing the Borrowing of
$821,300 from PWSB to Fund Equipment Purchases and Road
Maintenance made by Trustee Franck.
Seconded by Trustee Syring.
Administrator Jenkins stated that the biennial borrowing package is
strategically structured to spread out debt burden to taxpayers. This will
fund all 2026 approved CIP projects and possible 2027 CIP projects.
Administrator Jenkins explored three borrowing options: the State Trust
Fund, the bond market and local lenders. Port Washington State Bank had
the most competitive offer at 4% interest over ten years. The repayment
structure is front-loaded to pay additional interest in the first year, freeing
up debt capacity for future borrowing. The mil rate for debt impact is
estimated to be increased to .92 from the current .87. Administrator
Jenkins recommends a one-time $20-$30k payment from debt proceeds
to bring the mil rate back down to not affect taxpayers which will be
discussed further with the Finance Committee in advance of the 2027
annual budget. He has been explicit with department heads that the next
two years are going to be lean in terms of capitol purchases until debt
capacity frees up. Trustee Van Roo asked what the benefits to front-
loading the initial payment. Administrator Jenkins responded that it allows
the Village more freedom to manipulate the mil rate.
Passed by 6-0 voice vote.
b) Motion to Approve AI Addition to the Policies and Procedures Handbook
and Employee Handbook made by Trustee Van Roo.
Seconded by Trustee Eippert.
Administrator Jenkins shared that Trustee Van Roo had mentioned an
interest in creating an AI policy for the Village, and Trustee Abegglen had
reviewed and advised the policy through his background in IT. He said the
proposed policy allows AI to compliment the work of an employee, not
replace them. He said several other municipalities have adopted similar
policies. He has drafted an update to both the Employee Handbook and
the Policies & Procedures Handbook. Vendors and contractors must align
with both when working with the Village. Administrator Jenkins shared that
the policy restricts biometric information, emotional analysis, social scoring
or AI decision-making without human input. Trustee Abegglen stated that
he approves of the policy. Trustee Van Roo wished to know who would be
responsible for creating the associated technical documents. Administrator
Jenkins has reached out to Digicorp and the County IT team for
assistance. Trustee Van Roo asked what the sunset procedure would be.
Administrator Jenkins will reassess annually with the Village’s IT team.
Passed by 6-0 voice vote.
c) Discussion and Possible Action on CSM 2026-01
Applicant: Hannah Cholip
Agent: Adam DeGroot, Parish Survey and Engineering
Address: 415 Fredonia Ave; Parcel Numbers 090500506002 and
090500505000
Administrator Jenkins shared that Ms. Cholip purchased a commercially-
zoned property and is using it primarily as a residence. There was ample
evidence in the property listing, seller’s disclosure, and in Village
communications that the use of the property must be primarily commercial
in nature. Shortly after purchasing the property, Ms. Cholip made an
application to keep chickens on her property, it came to the Village’s
attention that the primary use of her property is residential. Ms. Cholip
made an initial rezoning request, which was denied by the Planning
Commission. She returned with a second request and a CSM to adjust the
lot lines of her two adjoining parcels to accommodate RS-3 Single Family
Residential zoning. Administrator Jenkins stated that the Planning
Commission recommends approval of the CSM and rezoning as
presented. He stated RS-3 zoning is the most appropriate zoning district
which would have the least impact to the abutting commercial district and
is allowable in this circumstance because it will be used to rezone an
already-existing parcel. Trustee Franck stated the decision was very
difficult to make and Ms. Cholip was let down by her entire real estate
team. President Lenz stated the Planning Commission begrudgingly
recommended approval and asked if the Village could put conditions on
the future sale of the property to revert to it’s commercial zoning.
Administrator Jenkins said the zoning is what it is until a property owner
requests a change.
Motion to Approve CSM 2026-01, Applicant: Hannah Cholip, Agent:
Adam Degroot of Parish Surveying and Engineering, Address: 415
Fredonia Ave Parcel Number 090500506002 made by Trustee Van Roo.
Seconded by Trustee Abegglen.
Passed by 6-0 voice vote.
Motion to Approve the Rezoning of Parcel Number 090500506002 and
a Portion of Parcel Number 090500505000 From B-1 Central Business
District to RS-3 Single-Family Residential District made by Trustee
Abegglen.
Seconded by Trustee Franck.
Passed by 6-0 voice vote.
d) Discussion and Possible Action on the Purchase of Parcel Number 09-
050-06-24-008. This topic may necessitate a closed session discussion.
Administrator Jenkins stated it was appropriate to adjourn into closed
session because the Village continues to negotiate the purchase of the
parcel.
Motion to Adjourn into Closed Session Pursuant to WI State Statute
19.85(1)(e) "Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public
properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other
specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining
reasons require a closed session (Purchase of Parcel Number
090500624008) made by Trustee Franck.
Seconded by Trustee Eippert.
Passed by 6-0 roll call vote.
President Lenz: Aye
Trustee Eippert: Aye
Trustee Franck: Aye
Trustee Abegglen: Aye
Trustee Syring: Aye
Trustee Van Roo: Aye
Motion to Adjourn into Open Session made by Trustee Abegglen.
Seconded by Trustee Franck.
Passed by 6-0 roll call vote.
President Lenz: Aye
Trustee Eippert: Aye
Trustee Franck: Aye
Trustee Abegglen: Aye
Trustee Syring: Aye
Trustee Van Roo: Aye
e) Discussion and Possible Action on Purchase of Parcel Number 09-050-06-
24-008:
Motion to Proceed as Discussed in Closed Session made by Trustee
Abegglen.
Seconded by Trustee Eippert.
Passed by 5-1 voice vote; Trustee Syring dissenting.
7. Correspondence: None
8. Items for Future Consideration:
9. Motion to Adjourn made by Trustee Abegglen.
Seconded by Trustee Franck.
Passed by 6-0 voice vote.
Source: Village of Fredonia website. First collected Oct 8, 2026.