City Council — Minutes

PUBLIC HEARING – RE-ZONE PROPERTY - JUNE 10, 2025 6:50 P.M. Notice pursuant to section 62.23(7)(d), Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter 9 Augusta City Hall of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of Augusta, WI. Notice is hereby given that, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:50 p.m., the Augusta City Council will meet at Augusta City Hall, 145 W. Lincoln Street, Augusta, WI 54722 for a public hearing to consider the request by Brian Schulz to rezone the following described parcel from A-Agricultural to R2-TH Twin Home for the purpose of constructing a twin home at the following described property: Address of property: Witte Rd, Augusta, WI PART OF OUTLOT 158 OF CITY OF AUGUSTA , LOCATED IN PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER, SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 25 NORTH, TRANGE 6 WEST, CITY OF AUGUSTA LOTS 1 AND 2 COMMENCING AT THE NORTH QUARTER CORNER OF SAID SECTION; Thence S89⁰ 21’15”E, on the north line o the Northeast Quarter of said section, 99.99 feet to the point of beginning; Thence S89⁰ 21’15”E, on said line, 200.00 feet; Thence S02⁰ 11’48”W, 250.00 feet; Thence N89⁰ 21’15”W, 200.00 feet; Thence N02⁰ 11’48”E, 250.00 feet to the point of beginning. Public Notice for this public hearing was published in the Ad-Delite newspaper on June 3 and June 10, 2025. Public Notice was also posted at City Hall, Lance’s Fresch Market, and the post office. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Public Hearing to order at 6:50 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Lisa Fugett, Brian Leslin, Robert Chaffee (by phone), and Brian Leslin. Also present: Cynthia Anderegg. PUBLIC COMMENT Jerry Boettcher inquired if the building would be built on the cement slab or a basement. That would be determined by the property owner and contractor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to close the Public Hearing on re-zoning the described parcel from A- Agricultural to R2-TH Twin Home. Motion carried 5-0. Cynthia Anderegg, Clerk-Treasurer CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY JUNE 10, 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 (by phone), and Brian Leslin. Also present were Scott Williamson and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Kasandra Thompson, Leslie LaRose, and Gordon O’Brien 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 Troxel to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Troxel seconded by Fugett to approve the minutes for the following meetings: May 13, 2025 City Council meeting, May 22, 2025 Board of Review. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT • Linda Buckley inquired about the sirens that are sounded during the night and commented that she has heard them several times recently in the middle of the night. It was explained that the sirens are sounded for emergency purposes for both weather alerts and fire calls. The waning sound is for fire calls and the steady sound is for sever weather. • Jerry Boettcher brought to the council’s attention that the property at 155 Witte Rd is not mowing their lawn. APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Abley to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Leslin seconded by Fugett to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. The Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department submitted the Minutes from the April 09, 2025 meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committees Meeting – 5-28-25 & 6-4-25 Robert Chaffee reported on the grand opening of the Scott Rugotzke Disc Golf Course and the newly refinished basketball court at Millstone Park located on N. Stone St. Plan Commission –5/14/25 The board reviewed and discussed the application to re-zone a parcel on Witte Rd from A-Agricultural to R2-TH Twin Home for the purpose of constructing a twin home. Capital Improvement Plan Committee Meeting – 5-29-25 A quorum was not present. City staff who were present used the opportunity as a work night to continue compiling lists of equipment and infrastructure that will be included in the plan. Strategic Plan Committee – 6/5/25 meeting The committee continued discussions on the strategic plan. Augusta Industrial Development Corp –5/27/25 meetings The committee discussed marketing strategies to promote the city and reviewed potential areas for residential housing. CONSIDER APPROVING REQUEST TO CLOSE ONE BLOCK OF BUCKMAN STREET FROM N. STONE STREET TO THE WESTMOST ENTRANCE OF THE BUCKMAN STREET MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT BEFORE N. SPRING STREET ON JULY 4, 2025, FROM 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM FOR THE BURNOUT COMPETITION – THUNDER ROADS CAR CLUB. Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to approve closing Buckman Street from Stone Street to the western most driveway into the Buckman Street parking lot for the burnout contest during Bean & Bacon Days. Access will remain open to police and other emergency vehicles. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND REVIEW 2025 PARADE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS Motion by Troxel seconded by Fugett to discuss with the Lion’s Club about providing volunteers to cover the intersections along the parade route during the 2025 parades. Motion carried. Brian Abley will discuss this at the next lion’s meeting. CONSIDER APPOINTING A MEMBER TO THE LIBRARY BOARD TO FILL THE VACANCY Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to appoint the following nominated member to the Augusta Library Board: Patricia Wessel. Motion carried. Polina Kudelina resigned. ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER BRYCE ELVAKER Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to accept the resignation of Officer Bryce Elvaker. Motion carried. DISCUSS & CONSIDER PLAN COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION TO REZONE PARCEL FROM A-AGRICULTURAL TO R2-TH TWIN HOME Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to approve the recommendation of the Plan Commission and to re-zone the following described parcel from A-Agricultural to R2-TH Twin Home: Address of property: Witte Rd, Augusta, WI PART OF OUTLOT 158 OF CITY OF AUGUSTA , LOCATED IN PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER, SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 25 NORTH, TRANGE 6 WEST, CITY OF AUGUSTA LOTS 1 AND 2 COMMENCING AT THE NORTH QUARTER CORNER OF SAID SECTION; Thence S89⁰ 21’15”E, on the north line o the Northeast Quarter of said section, 99.99 feet to the point of beginning; Thence S89⁰ 21’15”E, on said line, 200.00 feet; Thence S02⁰ 11’48”W, 250.00 feet; Thence N89⁰ 21’15”W, 200.00 feet; Thence N02⁰ 11’48”E, 250.00 feet to the point of beginning. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER EAU CLAIRE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY’S NOTICE CANCELLING THE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF AUGUSTA FOR ADMINISTERING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT REVOLVING LOAN FUND PROGRAM AND ENTERING INTO A NEW AGREEMENT Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to enter into a new agreement with Eau Claire County Housing Authority to administer the Community Development Block Grant Revolving Loan Fund Program for the City of Augusta and to cancel the previous agreement with the Eau Claire County Housing Authority. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-0610 CMAR REPORT Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffee to approve Resolution #2025-0610 CMAR Report. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CHIP SEALING CITY STREETS FOR 2025 Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to move forward with the streets chip sealing projects for 2025 as presented for an estimates cost of $75,000. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER SUBMITTING SIMPLIFIED RATE CASE (SCR) APPLICATION WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC) FOR A WATER UTILITY RATE INCREASE Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to approve submitting Simplified Rate Case (SCR) application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) for a water utility rate increase with the effective date of 8-15-2025. Motion carried. The first bill with rate change will bill 9-20-2025. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER REVISING THE REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Motion by Troxel seconded by Fugett to refer this matter to the Personnel Committee. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION FOR UPDATES TO THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK POLICY Motion by Abley seconded by Troxel to refer 9. C Fire/EMS Calls changes back to the Personnel Committee. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Abley to approve other updates as recommended by the Personnel Committee. Motion carried. • Section 3. K. 7. Improper or unauthorized use of City equipment, careless operation of this equipment, or inability to comply with all job requirements. This includes but is not limited to personal use of vehicles per City Ordinance 2.14 (5) (a). • Section 5. J. 1. Increase the police department newly hired full-time officer safety boot allowance from $100 to $125 and to increase the annual uniform allowance from $425 to $450. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2025-2029 CITY OF AUGUSTA STRATEGIC PLAN Motion by Fugett seconded by Leslin to approve the recommendation and the implementation of the 2025-2029 City of Augusta Strategic Plan. 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 THE RENEWAL OF LIQUOR AND BEER LICENSE APPLICATIONS • Motion by Leslin seconded by Abley to approve the Class “B” fermented malt beverage and “Class B” Intoxicating Liquor License for: o Augusta Lions Club, Inc. o The Real One, LLC, d/b/a Mulligan’s. o Shatt Country LLC, dba The Bearded Panther Pub Motion carried. • Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve the Class “A” fermented malt beverage license and “Class A” Intoxicating Liquor license for: o J&S Sales of Chippewa Falls, d/b/a Express Mart. o Lance’s Fresh Market, LLC. o Family Dollar Stores of Wisconsin, LLC. o ProVision Partners Cooperative, d/b/a Augusta Cenex Convenience Store Motion carried. APPROVE AGENTS ON LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve the following liquor license agents: Christine Beenken as agent for Augusta Lions Club Shawn Welter as agent for The Real One, LLC, dba Mulligan’s Shawn Welter as agent for Shatt Country LLC, dba The Bearded Panther Pub Amanda Pettis as agent for J&S Sales of Chippewa d/b/a Express Mart Lance Modl as agent for Lance’s Fresh Market, LLC Steve Lowery as agent for Family Dollar Stores of WI, LLC April Eisberner for ProVision Partners Cooperative, d/b/a Augusta Cenex Convenience Store Motion carried. APPROVE CIGARETTE LICENSE APPLICATIONS Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve cigarette license applications for Express Mart, Lance’s Fresh Market LLC, Family Dollar, and Augusta Cenex Convenience Store. Motion carried. APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Augusta Baseball Association. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Augusta Lion’s Club. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve the bartender license applications for Mulligan’s. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Bearded Panther. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Express Mart. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Lance’s Fresh Market, LLC. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Family Dollar Stores of WI, LLC. Motion carried. • Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve all the bartender license applications for Augusta Cenex Convenience. Motion carried. APPROVE PICNIC LICENSE APPLICATION FOR AUGUSTA LIONS CLUB – BEAN AND BACON DAYS Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve picnic license application for Augusta Lions Club Bean and Bacon Days events. Motion carried. WAIVE OPEN CONTAINER ORDINANCE FOR SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2025 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. Motion by Leslin seconded by Chaffee to waive the open container ordinance on July 6, 2025 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Motion carried. ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committee – June 25th at 5:30 pm b. Capital Improvement Plan Committee – June 26th at 6:15 pm c. Augusta Industrial Development Corp. – July 8th at 5:30 pm ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk