City Council Meeting — Minutes

City Council Meeting Tuesday July 14, 2026 7:00 P.M. Sue Troxel called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were council members Lisa Fugett, Brian Abley, and Dawn Harper. Absent Brian Leslin and Mayor Jason Tepaske Also present were Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, and Wendy Kirchoff. Absent: Gordon O’Brien, and Leslie LaRose. Pledge of Allegiance Acknowledgement of Proper Posting A notice of the meeting and an agenda was posted at the three public places, and the local newspaper was notified. Approval of Agenda Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to approve the minutes for the May 12, 2026 and June 9, 2026 Regular City Council Meetings. Motion carried. Public Comment • Patricia Wessel presented information to the council outlining the reasons she believed permitting chickens within the City of Augusta was not in the city’s best interest. • Carol Peuse thanked the City and its employees for their hard work and assistance in making the Bean and Bacon Celebration a success. Approval of Department reports Motion by Fugett seconded by Abley to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Abley seconded by Fugett to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Harper seconded by Fugett to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Harper seconded by Fugett to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. No Minutes were submitted by the Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department. COMMITTEE REPORTS Capital Improvement Plan Committee –July 9, 2026 Updates on planned 2026 capital improvements. Additions or changes needed for 2027-2030 capital improvements. Next meeting scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 6:15pm. Motioned by Fugett and seconded by Harper to receive the Capital Improvement plan report. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action regarding review and approval of Certified Survey Map prepared by Real Land Surveying for parcel numbers 202-1090-01-000, 202-1098-08-000, and 202-1090-05-000 property located along Colfax St. Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to approve Certified Survey Map for parcel numbers 202-1090-01-000, 202- 1098-08-000, and 202-1090-05-000 property located along Colfax St. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5-absent. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action to change the date of the regular August City Council meeting from August 11, 2026, to August 18, 2026, due to the Partisan Primary Election. Motion by Harper seconded by Fugett to change the date of the regular August City Council meeting from August 11, 2026, to August 18, 2026, due to the Partisan Primary Election. Motion carried. INFRASTRUCTURE & UTILITIES Consider approval of Winona Mechanical's Pay Request #1 for the Spring Street Sewage Lift Station Project (Proposal #1). Motion by Fugett and seconded by Harper to approve Pay Request #1 for Winona Mechanical's for the Spring Street Sewage Lift Station Project (Proposal #1) in the amount of $211,560.25, contingent upon receipt of the updated payroll information from the electrical contractors. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5-absent. Motion carried. Discuss and review Public Service Commission’s procedures on disconnecting water & sewer utility services at mobile home community due to arrears. Possible action may include directing public works staff to proceed in the disconnection process. This item was tabled until the August 18, 2026, council meeting. The Council requested additional information regarding the process for notifying residents of utility service disconnections in the mobile home park. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS Discuss request to permit keeping of domestic chickens on residential property – This would require amendments to City Ordinances Chapter 10: 10.03 (Keeping of Fowl) and Chapter 9 Zoning: 4.5 (Residential Uses) Motion by Abley and seconded by Harper to refer request to permit keeping of domestic chickens on residential properties to the Plan Commission for further review. Motion carried Discussion and consideration on developing zoning regulations governing data centers (information presented by Carol Peuse) Motion by Fugett and seconded by Harper to refer request on developing zoning regulation governing data centers to the Plan Commission for further review. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action regarding enforcement of Chapter 10.04, Control of Weeds and Grasses, in response to complaints of noncompliance with City mowing requirements. Motion by Fugett and seconded by Harper to refer Chapter 10.04, Control of Weeds and Grasses to the Finance committee for possible amendments. Motion carried. Review Sewer Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Consider related Resolution #2026- 0609 Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to table until the August 18, 2026, regular City Council meeting. Motion carried. The Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) is not completed at this time. Approve adoption of the Election Day Emergency Management Plan and Consider related Resolution #2026- 0714 Motion by Fugett and seconded by Harper to approve adoption of the Election Day Emergency Management Plan and related Resolution #2026-0714. Motion carried. LICENSES & PERMITS Discussion and possible action regarding proposed Augusta-to-Eau Claire transportation service by American Phoenix Transportation LLC, including review of City Code Section 11.09 Vehicles for Hire. No motion was made. Following discussion, the Council determined that Chapter 11.09, Vehicles for Hire, applies only to businesses with a physical location within the City limits. Because American Phoenix Transportation LLC is not located within the City, no Council action was required for the company to operate transportation services within the City. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Approval of Annual Garbage Hauler Permit for the Period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Motion by Abley and seconded by Fugett to Approve Annual Garbage Hauler Permit for the Period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5-absent. Motion carried. Review and Approve “Welcome to Augusta” sign permit application Motion by Fugett and seconded by Harper to approve Welcome to Augusta sign permit application submitted by Augusta American Legion Post 291. Motion carried. Approve Bartender license Applications None Announce and discuss upcoming meetings and events a. Community Night Out – August 4th (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) b. Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committees – August 12th (6:00 p.m.) c. City Council Meeting – August 18th (7:00 p.m.) d. North Lakes Community Clinic Gather and Give-July 29th (3:30pm-5:00pm) e. MRS 40th Anniversary-August 7th (11:00am-3:00pm) ADJOURNMENT Motion by Abley seconded by Harper to adjourn the meeting. Wendy Kirchoff, Deputy Clerk