City Council — Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2025 7:00 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Lisa Fugett, Brian Leslin, Robert Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were, Gordon O’Brien, Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: 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 Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve the minutes for the following meeting: September 9, 2025 City Council meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Theresa Steinke spoke against the proposed wheel tax ordinance. She also inquired about areas of the city budget that could be cut in order to reduce spending and free up funds for street improvements. She inquired about the cost of the police department and the time spent patrolling the Town of Bridge Creek. Note: The city does have a contract between Town of Bridge Creek and City of Augusta to provide police services. The following citizens also voiced their concerns about the proposed wheel tax ordinance, mowing of lawns, and updating the city’s website: Mary Francel and David Hall. APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Leslin seconded by Abley to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Chaffee to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. The Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department submitted the Minutes from the August 13, 2025 and the September 10, 2025 meetings. COMMITTEE REPORTS Capital Improvement Plan Committee Meeting – 9/10/25 Members reviewed the capital needs list, including a 5-year budget plan. The committee also discussed funding options and will work on a funding strategy. The next meeting is scheduled for 10/16/25. Personnel Committee –9/9/25 The committee conducted annual employee reviews. Augusta Industrial Development Corp –9/17/25 The committee continued discussions on increasing residential housing and have been in contact with contractors to discuss developing housing in Augusta. Members have also been in discussions with the Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation about potential businesses that may be interested in coming to Augusta. The next meeting is scheduled for 10/28/25. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER RESOLUTION #2025-1014 - A RESOLUTION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF MEMORIAL PARK PARCELS AND DEED AMENDMENT WITH AUGUSTA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to approve Resolution #2025-1014 - A Resolution supporting the Augusta Area School District’s Development of Parcels commonly known as Memorial Park Parcels and Authorizing related actions. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 6.12, CHAPTER 6 PUBLIC WORKS - MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE– SECOND READING Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to adopt Ordinance 6.12, creating Section 6.12 of Chapter 6 Public Works - Motor Vehicle Registration Fee. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. This ordinance imposes an annual municipal vehicle registration fee of $25.00 on each motor vehicle registered in the State of Wisconsin and customarily kept within the City of Augusta, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 341.35 and shall take effect on February 1, 2026. The vehicle registration fee will be collected by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at the time of initial vehicle registration and at each subsequent annual registration renewal. Revenues collected under this ordinance will be used exclusively for transportation-related purposes, including the repair, reconstruction, and resurfacing of City roads. CONSIDER ORDINANCE 7.06(7)(E), CHAPTER 7 UTILITIES - PRESSURE SEWER CONNECTION TO EXISTING USERS – FIRST READING Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to waive the first reading. Motion carried. DISCUSS FINANCE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES a. Section 6.06: Snow and Ice Removal: Dirt, Rubbish or Other Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to schedule First Reading of the Ordnance at the October 21st Special City Council meeting. Motion carried. b. Section 11.02.5: Street Event Closure Permit Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to schedule First Reading of the Ordnance at the October 21st Special City Council meeting. Motion carried. c. Section 11.03: Trailers, Trailer Parks and Mobile Homes Motion by Fugett seconded by Chaffee to Table for further review. Motion carried. d. Section 11.05: Regulation of Licensing of Dogs and Cats Motion by Fugett seconded by Chaffee to Table for further review. Motion carried. e. Section 15.20: Public Records Retention Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to schedule First Reading of the Ordnance at the October 21st Special City Council meeting. Motion carried. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS None BUDGET DISCUSSION ON 2026 CITY BUDGETS a. Review Fire Department budget as submitted The Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Dept 2026 budget has an overall increase of 3%. b. Discuss Sewer Rate increase Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to instruct the Clerk to draft a resolution reflecting sewer rate increase with a 15-year rate increase plan to be reviewed and considered at the October 21st city budget meeting. c. Discuss Fund Budgets (General, Water, Sewer, CER) The City Council reviewed the draft General Fund and Capital Equipment Repair Fund budgets. The Eau Claire County budget is expected to be approved by the county board in the 2nd week of November. The county budget includes funding for the Augusta Senior Center and the Memorial Public Library. ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Capital Improvement Plan Committee – October 16th at 6:15 pm b. Special City Council Meeting - Budget – October 21st at 6:30 pm c. Augusta Senior Center Advisory Board – October 28th at 11:15 am d. Augusta Industrial Development Corp – October 28th at 6:00 pm e. City Council Meeting – November 11th at 7:00 pm f. Special City Council Meeting – Bid Award & Budget – November 13th at 7:00 pm ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk-Treasurer