City Council — Minutes

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025 6:30 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 6:30 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 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to approve the agenda. Motion carried. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION #2025-1007 EAU CLAIRE COUNTY ALL MULTI- HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2025-2030, FOR THE CITY OF AUGUSTA Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to adopt Resolution No. 2025-1007, approving the Eau Claire County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (2025–2030). Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, Yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. This plan identifies strategies to reduce risks to people, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards. The City of Augusta participated in the plan update and adoption of the plan makes the City eligible to apply for FEMA hazard mitigation funding. Future updates to the plan will require separate Council adoption. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER MUNICIPAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE (LOCAL WHEEL TAX) DRAFT ORDINANCE Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to waive the first reading. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, Yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. BUDGET DISCUSSION ON 2026 GENERAL FUND, SEWER FUND AND WATER FUND BUDGETS The City Council reviewed the proposed General Fund, Sewer Fund and Water Fund budgets for 2026 a. Review estimated revenues The anticipated General Fund Revenues for the 2026 Budget. Shared Revenue: $542.133.28; Levy Limit: $469,980; Personal Property Tax Aid: $2762.20. General Transportation aid estimate will be posted in October. Exempt Computer aids (General Fund) $1,543. The Senior Center aid requests from Eau Claire County are as follows: ADRC Title III-C: $7,758.00. County Senior Center aid: $32,000 (these numbers have not been awarded by the county at this time). b. Discuss needs of departments The Capital Improvement Plan Committee is working on a Capital Equipment Plan that will help guide equipment replacement, street repairs, and building repairs. c. Discuss Sewer Rate increase Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to Table until the October 14th regular city council meeting. Motion carried. MOVE TO CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO WISCONSIN 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. THE PURPOSE IS TO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE AUGUSTA SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MEMORIAL PARK AND PRIOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY. AT THE END OF THE CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD WILL BE GOING INTO OPEN SESSION Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to go into closed session. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, Yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. MOVE TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to return into open session. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, Yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. ACTION, IF ANY, OF MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to approve the following motion and draft a resolution to be considered at the October 14th city council meeting: The Common Council of the City of Augusta supports the Augusta Area School District in pursuing the development of the parcels commonly known as Memorial Park for the purposes of constructing residential housing and/or industrial development. The Council finds this goal to be consistent with the public interest and the future growth of the community. With the exception of the parcels containing the Jan Krueger Memorial Diamond (ballfield) and the portions of other parcels that include the ballfield, the School District is authorized to pursue development. The School District shall retain ownership of the ballfield, and if sold in the future, the District shall retain 100% of the proceeds from the ballfield sale due to its financial investments in improvements made to the ballfield facilities. In order to proceed with development of the eligible parcels, the existing Quit Claim Deed (Document #1244383) must be amended to reflect an agreement that net proceeds from the sale of all parcels, excluding the ballfield and any ballfield-containing portions, shall be split equally (50/50) between the City and the School District. The Council directs the City Clerk to instruct the City Attorney to prepare a formal resolution and draft deed amendment language that protects the interests of both the City and the School District and reflects this agreement. Confirm the City retains its reversionary interest only in parcels or portions thereof not developed or sold by the District. Furthermore, the Council resolves to begin the legal process of vacating the undeveloped portions of South Madison Street and Klingman Street that are located within the affected parcels. This motion pertains to the following parcels: PIN: 18202-2-250604-320-2046, Alternate # 202-1113-06-000 – Ballfield PIN: 18202-2-250604-230-2120, Alternate # 202-1090-08-000 - Ballfield PIN: 18202-2-250604-230-2119, Alternate # 202-1090-07-000 PIN: 18202-2-250604-230-2117, Alternate # 202-1090-05-000 – portion of ballfield PIN: 18202-2-250604-230-2138, Alternate # 202-1098-08-000 PIN: 18202-2-250605-140-2052, Alternate # 202-1090-01-000 PIN: 18202-2-250605-140-9004, Alternate # 202-1090-04-000 Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, Yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk