Common Council Meeting — Minutes

Mayor Berman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following present: Alderpersons, Brigitte Schmidt, Keith Klimek, Robert Warren, Joel Ahrens, and Tony O’Neill; Attorney David Spangenberg and Clerk-Treasurer Tammy Kasal. Members excused: Debbie Sievert. Attending: Public Works Director Matt Decur, Parks & Recreation Director Lori Tonn, Police Chief Derek Koronkiewicz, Carl Malke, and Gracelyn Giese-Peshtigo Times. Pledge of Allegiance. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5/0. Minutes: Motion by Warren and seconded by Klimek to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2026, Regular Meeting. Motion carried 5/0. Mayor Berman opened the Public Hearing at 6:02 p.m. Public Hearing: Certified Survey Maps for: Don C. Richter and Mary Lou Richter for property located at 611 Dishaw Ave., described as Lot 4 of CSM No. 3388, and part of Outlot 13A in Assessor’s Plat #2 being part of Government Lot 6 in Section 18, Township 30 North, Range 23 East, Parcel No. 271-01006.017. Mayor Berman called three times for anyone to speak “for” or “against” the above referenced proposed Certified Survey Map. Public Hearing comments: None Mayor Berman declared the Public Hearing closed at 6:03 p.m. Persons desiring to be heard from the floor: None Business and Communications: Peshtigo School District Open House Invite. The Peshtigo School District is holding an Open House on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Peshtigo Middle/High School for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the recent renovations. Reports from Departments, Citizen Boards and Commissions: Monthly Building Inspection Report Monthly Police Report Monthly Fire/EMR Report Committee Reports: Water & Sewer – July 14, 2026 Recommended Council approve the bid from Sabel Mechanical, LLC for the WWTF Secondary Clarifier Sludge and Scum Collector Replacement Project in the amount of $1,811,100.00, consisting of the base bid plus the mandatory alternate, to be funded with the Clean Water Loan Fund. The stainless-steel upgrade was chosen for easier maintenance and no required painting. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve the bid from Sabel Mechanical, LLC for the WWTF Secondary Clarifier Sludge and Scum Collector Replacement Project in the amount of $1,811,100.00, consisting of the base bid plus the mandatory alternate, to be funded with the Clean Water Loan Fund. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve the revised Sewer User Charges Ordinance being drafted by Attorney David Spangenberg, including the latest approved rate schedule. A Public Hearing and action will be taken at the next monthly meeting . Discuss/consider Wastewater Treatment Facility PFOS Minimization Plan. Motion by Warren and seconded by O’Neill to approve Task Order No. 2026-05 from Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. for Wastewater Treatment Facility PFOS Minimization Plan at a cost of $7,500 - $12,500 based on time and expense. Motion carried 5/0. RLF/UDAG Loan Fund Committee – July 14, 2026 No recommendation. Plan Commission – July 16, 2026 Recommended Council approve the Certified Survey Map for Don C. and Mary Lou Richter for property located at 611 Dishaw Ave., described as Lot 4 of CSM No. 3388, and part of Outlot 13A in Assessor’s Plat #2 being part of Government Lot 6 in Section 18, Township 30 North, Range 23 East, Parcel No. 271-01006.017 as presented. Consideration was postponed and the newly submitted updated CSM for Don C. and Mary Lou Richter was referred back to the Plan Commission Committee. It was noted the date on the CSM was incorrect and the CSM failed to show the well location. Future consideration will be given up the Plan Commission Committee’s review of an updated CSM. Plan Commission – May 14, 2026 / Public Hearing – July 7, 2026 Recommended Council approve the Certified Survey Map for Joy Properties LLC for property located on the west side of Brown Avenue at the intersection of Faucett St. described as Lots 47-51 of Block 44 of the Peshtigo Lumber Company’s Subdivision, Parcel No. 271-02026.000 as presented. Motion by Warren and seconded by Ahrens to approve the Certified Survey Map for Joy Properties LLC for property located on the west side of Brown Avenue at the intersection of Faucett St. described as Lots 47-51 of Block 44 of the Peshtigo Lumber Company’s Subdivision, Parcel No. 271-02026.000 as presented. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve the zoning change request from Joy Properties LLC for property located on the west side of Brown Avenue at the intersection of Faucett St. described as Lots 50-51 of Block 44 of the Peshtigo Lumber Company’s Subdivision, Parcel No. 271-02026.000, I-1 General Industrial to R-2 Single-Family Residential. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve the zoning change request from Joy Properties LLC for property located on the west side of Brown Avenue at the intersection of Faucett St. described as Lots 50-51 of Block 44 of the Peshtigo Lumber Company’s Subdivision, Parcel No. 271-02026.000, I-1 General Industrial to R-2 Single-Family Residential. Motion carried 5/0. License & Police – July 16, 2026 Recommended Council approve the quote of $20,709.27 from N.E.W. Vehicle Solutions, LLC for outfitting the new 2026 Dodge Durango police vehicle to be funded from the CIP. Motion by Warren and seconded by Klimek to approve the quote of $20,709.27 from N.E.W. Vehicle Solutions, LLC for outfitting the new 2026 Dodge Durango police vehicle to be funded from the CIP. Motion carried 5/0. Personnel – July 20, 2026 Recommended Council approve the Employee Handbook job descriptions addendum. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to approve the Employee Handbook job descriptions addendum. Motion carried 5/0. Discuss/consider the resignation of Department of Public Works Director Matt Decur. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to accept the resignation of Department of Public Works Director Matt Decur. Motion carried 5/0. The Mayor thanked Decur for his service to the City. Discuss/consider hiring candidate(s) for part-time Police Officer position. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to hire Mackenzie Teske and David Oginski as part-time Police Officers. Motion carried 4/1. O’Neill opposed. Fire, Lighting & Building – July 21, 2026 Recommended Council approve the purchase of a 2026 Silverado 1500 Fire/EMS incident command vehicle from Tim Witt Chevrolet for $50,719 to be funded by the CIP. Motion by Klimek and seconded by Ahrens to approve the purchase of a 2026 Silverado 1500 Fire/EMS incident command vehicle from Tim Witt Chevrolet for $50,719 to be funded by the CIP. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve the 5-year TOP Dog Park Lease for 2027 through 2031. Motion Klimek and seconded by Warren to approve the 5-year TOP Dog Park Lease for 2027 through 2031. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve pay application #4 for $12,603.00 from Balestrieri Environmental & Development, Inc. for asbestos abatement of the Landmark building at 310 Oconto Ave. contingent on completion of the final closeout documents. Motion by Klimek and seconded by Warren to approve pay application #4 for $12,603.00 from Balestrieri Environmental & Development, Inc. for asbestos abatement of the Landmark building at 310 Oconto Ave. contingent on completion of the final closeout documents. Motion carried 5/0. Streets & Drainage – July 21, 2026 Recommended Council approve the Street Use/Special Event Permit for Kaempfs Tire & Auto, LLC’s Century Celebration event on August 15, 2026 with a waiver for the maximum closure hours. Motion by Warren and seconded by Klimek to approve the Street Use/Special Event Permit for Kaempfs Tire & Auto, LLC’s Century Celebration event on August 15, 2026 with a waiver for the maximum closure hours. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve the Street Use/Special Event Permit for Zion Lutheran Church’s Touch-a-Truck event on August 15, 2026 with any additional fees to be waived. Motion by Warren and seconded by Klimek to approve the Street Use/Special Event Permit for Zion Lutheran Church’s Touch-a-Truck event on August 15, 2026 with any additional fees to be waived. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve the Street Use/Special Event Permit for Tojoa, Inc’s River Pub Dog Days Block Party event on August 15, 2026 with a waiver for the maximum closure hours limit. Motion by Warren and seconded by Klimek to approve the Street Use/Special Event Permit for Tojoa, Inc’s River Pub Dog Days Block Party event on August 15, 2026 with a waiver for the maximum closure hours limit. Motion carried 5/0. Discuss/consider Pay Application #2 for West Park Drive Reconstruction Project. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve Pay Application #2 for West Park Drive Reconstruction Project in the amount of $275,010.09 to Peters Concrete Company. Recommended Council approve Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Task Order No. 2026-02 for $5,500.00 for an East Side Drone Survey of the City and Task order No. 2026-03 for $21,500.00 for an East Side Storm Water Study to be funded from the CIP fund. Motion by Warren and seconded and seconded by Schmidt to approve Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. Task Order No. 2026-02 for $5,500.00 for an East Side Drone Survey of the City and Task order No. 2026-03 for $21,500.00 for an East Side Storm Water Study to be funded from the CIP fund. Motion carried 5/0. Finance & Claims -July 22, 2026 Recommended Council approve a transfer of $12,500 from account 10-5210-00242 Equipment Maintenance to account 10-5210-0241 Motor Vehicle Maintenance to fund the 2022 police vehicle transmission replacement. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to approve a transfer of $12,500 from account 10-5210-00242 Equipment Maintenance to account 10-5210-0241 Motor Vehicle Maintenance to fund the 2022 police vehicle transmission replacement. Motion carried 5/0. Recommended Council approve the payment of $25,602.50 to Motorola for invoices from 12/21/22 – 4/17/26 and payment of $44,405.25 to Axon for invoices from 1/23/24 – 7/1/26 to be funded from account 10-5990-0920 Capital Improvement Fund. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to approve the payment of $25,602.50 to Motorola for invoices from 12/21/22 – 4/17/26 and payment of $44,405.25 to Axon for invoices from 1/23/24 – 7/1/26 to be funded from account 10-5990-0920 Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried 5/0. Parks and Recreation Discuss/consider weed harvester funding. Mayor Berman reported her and Parks & Recreation Director Tonn attended a DNR grant meeting to present the City’s need for a weed harvester. Berman reviewed the DNR process and scoring rules. The City of Peshtigo was not selected to receive any funding for a weed harvester. The current weed harvester is presently inoperable. Repairs to the hydraulic pump are estimated to be $4,600. Closed Session: Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to move into Closed Session per: WI S.S. 19.85(1 (g) - Conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. Motion carried 5/0. CLOSED SESSION – 7:03 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to move into Open Session. Motion carried 5/0. No action taken as a result of Closed Session. Other Matters: None Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to adjourn at 7:26 p.m. Motion carried 5/0. Tammy Kasal Clerk-Treasurer