City Council — Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY AUGUST 12, 2025 7:00 P.M. Council President, 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 Leslin, Robert Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were, Gordon O’Brien, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Jason TePaske, Scott Williamson, 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 Leslin seconded by Chaffee to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Troxel seconded by Fugett to approve the minutes for the following meetings: July 8, 2025 City Council meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT • School Board President, Gordon O’Brien addressed the council about the Memorial Park property on Colfax St. The City transferred ownership of the Memorial Park to the Augusta School District in June 2023. As a condition of the transfer, the City retains a reversionary interest in the property if the School District no longer needs the property. The School Board members would like to discuss developing lots on Colfax St for residential housing. This topic will be addressed at the regular September City Council meeting. APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Leslin seconded by Abley to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Chaffee to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Leslin to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Abley to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. The Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department submitted the Minutes from the June 11, 2025 meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committees Meeting – 8/5/25 Discussed the Community Night Out event that was held on August 5th at the Augusta Senior and Community Center. Augusta Industrial Development Corp –8/12/25 The committee discussed the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Breakfast that some of the members attended. They made some good contacts that they will follow up with concerning assessing conditions of city buildings They continued discussions on marketing strategies and increasing residential housing. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CDBG-PF ACCEPTANCE OF AWARD FOR SPRING STREET LIFT STATION PROJECT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to accept the Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) Award from the Wisconsin Department of Administration for the Spring Street Lift Station sanitary sewer system improvement project. The amount of the award in $383,600. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WEST CENTRAL REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE CDBG-PF GRANT - SPRING STREET LIFT STATION PROJECT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to accept the Administrative Services Agreement with West Central Regional Planning Commission for the CDBG-PF Grant - Spring Street Lift Station Project. The grant administration services are not to exceed $40,000. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER INFORMAL OFFER TO PURCHASE UNDEVELOPED PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE CITIZEN Motion by Fugett seconded by Chaffee to decline offer at this time and may revisit if other adjacent property owners are not interested in purchasing the property. Motion carried. DISCUSS FIRE INSPECTION REPORT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 130 W. BROWN ST. Fire Inspector Dave Rosman informed the council of an issue he discovered while doing a fire inspection at 130 W. Brown St. He informed the property owner of a 1 ½” crack that is separating the South wall which is also bowing out approximately 2”. The owner had the wall mud jacked. Mr. Rosman is still concerned that the wall may fail and cause injuries and further property damage. The council recommended that Mr. Rosman refer the matter to Tate Zurbuchen with the Eau Claire County Health Department for a building inspection. REVIEW AND CONSIDER UPDATES AND AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 11: LICENSES AND PERMITS a. SECTION11.03: TRAILERS, TRAILER PARKS AND MOBILE HOMES b. SECTION 11.05: REGULATION OF LICENSING OF DOGS AND CATS Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to refer the above matters to the Finance Committee for further review and discussion. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER DOG KENNEL APPLICATION Salvador and Mindee Fuentes of 518 S. Spring St requested to exceed the maximum dog limit from 3 dogs to 5 dogs in order to train their 2 new dogs as service dogs to replace their current, aging service dogs. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to approve a temporary extension for the current 5 dogs for 12 months and not to replace the 2 dogs that exceed the limit of 3 dogs. All the dogs must comply with the licensing requirements through December 2026. The matter will be revisited in 2027. APPROVE HIRING OFFICER TAYLOR COMEAU AS FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER Motion by Chaffee seconded by Abley to approve hiring Officer Taylor Comeau to fill the full-time police officer position. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL QUOTE FOR 2025-2026 Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to approve the health insurance quote with Angle Health – Aetna Life Insurance Company Network – Plan: ANG HDHP 7000 7000 for plan year 2025-2026. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried APPROVE ANNUAL GARBAGE HAULER’S PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025, TO JUNE 30, 2026 Table as permit application has not been received. The current contract will expire on June 30, 2027. Contract services began July 1, 2020. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to approve the following bartenders’ application for Mulligan’s: Kyla Przybylski. Motion carried. ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Capital Improvement Plan Committee – August 14th at 6:15 pm b. Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committee – September 9th at 5:30 pm c. City Council Meeting – September 9th at 7:00 pm ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk