City Council — Minutes

PUBLIC HEARING – CREATE AND ADOPT ORDINANCE - MAY 13, 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, May 13, 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 adoption of R2- TH Twin Home District and adoption of related definitions for the City of Augusta. These ordinances, if adopted, will be part of Chapter 9, Section 3 Zoning Districts and Chapter 9, Section 12 Definitions of the city code for the City of Augusta., respectively. All interested parties should attend. Public Notice for this public hearing was published in the Ad-Delite newspaper on April 22 and April 29, 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, and Brian Leslin. Also present: Gordon O’Brien and Cynthia Anderegg. PUBLIC COMMENT Barb Pritzl asked for clarification on the R2-TH Twin Home District and the definitions. Clerk Anderegg summarized the ordinance and its purpose. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Abley to close the Public Hearing on the creation and adoption of Chapter 9, Section 3, R2-TH Twin Home Zoning District and Chapter 9, Section 12, Definitions. Motion carried 5-0. Cynthia Anderegg, Clerk-Treasurer CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY MAY 13, 2025 7:00 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:07 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Lisa Fugett, Brian Abley, Bob Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were Scott Williamson, Leslie LaRose, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Gordon O’Brien and Kasandra Thompson. Pledge of Allegiance ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PROPER POSTING A notice of the meeting and an agenda were posted at the three public places, and the local newspaper was notified. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Abley seconded by Chaffee to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wessel seconded by Leslin to approve the minutes for the April 15, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None APPROVAL OF DEPARMENT REPORTS Motion by Leslin seconded by Abley to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel 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 Troxel to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. The Minutes for the March 12, 2025 Augusta-Bridge Creek Fire Department meeting were available for review. COMMITTEE REPORTS Capital Improvement Plan Committee Meeting – 4-23-25 Overview of municipal finance, created a 5-year list of capital needs and equipment Personnel Committee–4-30-25 and 5-13-25 The committee reviewed the draft Employee CDL Licensure Tuition Assistance Program Policy and CDL Licensure Educational Expense Agreement. They also reviewed the Employee Handbook to consider policy updates. Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committees –4-9-25 Robert Chaffee undated the council on the plans for the grand opening event on 6/4/25 for the disc golf course and basketball court. Plan Commission –4/15/25 The board reviewed the draft Twin Home district for Chapter 9: Zoning Ordinance Strategic Plan Committee – 5/1/25 meeting The committee continued discussions on the strategic plan. Augusta Industrial Development Corp –3/12/25, 3/25/25, and 4/7/25 meetings The committee met with Luke Hanson from the Eau Claire Area Development Corporation to gather insights on promoting the city to draw more commercial and industrial businesses, and residential housing to the area. UPDATE CITY COUNCIL ON THE VETERANS PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND DEDICATION OF MONUMENT - AUGUSTA VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE Carol Peuse informed the council on the rededication of the monument stone that was destroyed during the May 2024 tornado. The new stone will be placed before Memorial Day and the rededication will be at 11:00am on May 26, 2025 DISCUSS & CONSIDER ADOPTING ORDINANCE #0513-2025, CHAPTER 9, SECTION 3 ZONING DISTRICTS R2-TH TWIN HOME DISTRICT, AND CHAPTER 9, SECTION 12 DEFINITIONS TO THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF AUGUSTA Motion by Chaffee seconded by Fugett to adopt an ordinance to create Section 3.4 and to amend Section 12 of Chapter 9 of the City’s Municipal Code. This ordinance establishes the R2-TH Twin Home Zoning District and definitions pertaining to the ordinance. The changes will be effective upon passage and publication. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. Key Provisions of the R2-TH Twin Home District Include: • Allows twin home dwelling units with similar characteristics to existing R2 districts. • Requires individual or joint driveways with recorded maintenance covenants. • Requires vertical firewall separation and separate utility services for each unit. • Imposes requirements for joint maintenance agreements and architectural consistency. • Sets minimum lot size, building setbacks, and building dimensions. The ordinance also introduces definitions for: • Twin Home Dwelling Unit: A single-family home attached to another by a shared wall and situated on individually owned lots. • Twin Lot: A lot designed for a zero-lot line twin home unit, allowing for separate ownership of each side. The ordinance further stipulates that all required agreements and easements be recorded with the Eau Claire County Register of Deeds. CONSIDER ADOPTING UPDATES & AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 11 LICENSES AND PERMITS- SECOND READING Motion by Chaffee seconded by Abley to waive the Second Reading to the updates and amendments to the Chapter 11 Licenses and Permits Ordinance. Motion carried. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to adopt the updates and amendments to the Chapter 11 Licenses and Permits Ordinance. The changes will be effective upon passage and publication. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. The ordinance makes non-substantive technical and clarification changes to Chapter 11 by referencing fees throughout Chapter 11 to Section 11.10 “Fee Schedule for services, permits, franchises, and licenses issued by the City of Augusta”. The fees and fee structure have also been updated. REMOVE FROM TABLE AND CONSIDER COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS THAT WERE TABLED AT THE CITY REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING ON APRIL 15TH Zoning Board of Appeals: Motion by Abley seconded by Fugett to appoint Tim Wells and Alternate #2 Carla Stabenow to the Zoning Board of Appeals contingent upon their agreement to serve on the board. Motion carried. Library Board: Motion by Troxel seconded by Leslin to approve appointing Polina Kudelina and Beth Anderson to the Library Board. Motion carried. (Robert Chaffee abstained from the vote) . Personnel committee: Motion by Troxel seconded by Abley to confirm the committee appointments for Personnel committee. Chairperson-Sue Troxel, Robert Chaffee, Patricia Wessel. Motion carried. Motion by Troxel seconded by Abley to approve the appointing Clarice Sieg to fill vacancy on the City Improvement committee. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER PERSONNEL COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO EMPLOYEE CDL LICENSURE TUITION POLICY AND CDL LICENSURE EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE AGREEMENT Motion by Abley seconded by Fugett to adopt the Employee CDL Licensure Tuition Policy and CDL Licensure Educational Expense Agreement as presented by the Personnel Committee. 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 Chaffee seconded by Troxel to Table until the next council meeting in order to gather more information. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER SEMI-TRUCK PARKING LOT ISSUES Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to terminate the Real Estate Lease dated April 8, 2014, with MVG Properties, LLC, for the premises located on Industrial Drive, commonly referred to as the semi-truck parking lot. The city clerk will draft the letter and send it return receipt to MVG Properties. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. APPROVE PICNIC LICENSE APPLICATIONS No new applications APPROVE BARTENDER LICENSE APPLICATIONS None ANNOUNCE AND DISCUSS UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS a. Plan Commission – May 14th at 6:00 pm b. Open Book – Bowmar Appraisal – May 15, 2025 Virtual meeting c. Board of Review – May 22nd at 1:00 pm d. Augusta Industrial Development Corp. – May 27th at 6:00 pm e. City Improvement & Recreation Committee – May 28th at 6:15 pm f. Capital Improvement Plan Committee – May 29th at 6:15 pm g. Strategic Plan Committee – June 5th at 6:00 pm ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk-Treasurer