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City of Prescott · Pierce County · meeting of Jun 8, 2026 · Minutes
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June 8, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council Meeting of the Prescott City Council was
held on Monday, June 8, 2026, in the Prescott Municipal Building, 800 Borner St. , Prescott, WI
54021.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gerke called the regular City Council meeting to order on June 8, 2026, at 6 :0 0 p.m .
2. ROLL CALL
Members present for the roll call were Maureen Otwell , Adam Granquist, Dar Hintz, Ben
Bettis, and Lindsey Sorenson . Bailey Ruona was excused . Also present were City
Administrator Matt Wolf, C ity Clerk Rashel Temmers , and Bryson McGrath's family and
friends.
3 . PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were no public comments.
4. PROCLAMATION
1. Proclaiming June 18 th as Bryson “ Silly Goose ” McGrath Day.
Mayor Gerke read the Proclamation.
5 . CONSENT AGENDA
1. Personnel Committee Minutes – May 6, 2026
2. Health and Safety Committee Minutes – May 11, 2026
3. City Council Minutes – May 11, 2026
4. Fire & EMS Commission Minutes – May 20, 2026
5. City Council Workshop Minutes – May 27, 2026
6. Police Commission Minutes – May 28, 2026
7. Plan Commission Minutes – June 1, 2026
8. General Fund Balances – May 2026
9. Cash Balances – May 2026
10. Paid Invoices Report - May 2026
11. Special Event Permit – June 27, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM for Hauser Baby
Shower at Freedom Park
12. Special Event Permit – July 24, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM for Summer Party
at 331 Lake Street
13. Approval of Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center - Archaeology Literature Review
for the Well #4 Treatment Project at $350
14. Approval of Closure of the City of Prescott K9 Fund and Donation of Funds to the
Prescott K9 Project in the Amount of $9,316.89
15. Notice of Nomination of Luke Peterson to the Cable Advisory Committee
Otwell/ Granquist motioned to approve the consent agenda items 1 through 15 . There
was no further discussion on the motion. The motion passed without a negative voice
vote.
6 . REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
B. PLANNING COMMISSION – Next meeting – Wednesday, July 8 , 2026 ,
at 6:00 PM
Mayor Gerke and City Administrator Matt Wolf provided an overview of the
minutes from the Plan Commission meeting of June 1 , 2026.
C. PARKS & PUBLIC WORKS – Next meeting – Monday, June 15 ,
202 6 , at 5:00 PM
City Administrator Matt Wolf provided an overview of the minutes from the
Parks and Public Works meeting of May 18, 2026.
D. HEALTH & SAFETY – Next meeting – July 13 , 2026, at 5:00 PM
E. PERSONNEL - Next Meeting – To Be Determined
7 . COMMUNICATIONS AND NEW BUSINESS
1 . PUBLIC COMMENTS – The City Council will receive public comments on any
issue(s) not related to agenda items . Limited discussion by the City Council may take
place; however, no action will be taken on any items. This includes receiving written
requests or documentation and possible action at a future meeting.
There were no public comments.
2 Consideration of Ordinance 04-26, An Ordinance Adopting the “ City of Prescott
Comprehensive Plan 2026-2046 ”
City Administrator Matt Wolf presented the proposed City of Prescott
Comprehensive Plan 2026-2046 . Since February 2025, the Plan Commission has
review ed and updated each chapter of the City ’s Comprehensive Plan in accordance
with Wisconsin Statutes § 66.1001(2). The review include d the following: Issues and
Opportunities ; Housing ; Transportation ; Utilities and Community Facilities ;
Agricultural , Natural, and Cultural Resources ; Economic Development ;
Intergovernmental Cooperation ; Land Use ; and Implementation. The Plan
Commission incorporated feedback received from residents through the 2025
community survey. A public hearing was held on June 1, 2026, as per WI State
Statute § 66.1001(4)(d). No comments or feedback were received during the hearing .
Therefore , the final step in the adoption process is approval by the City Council.
Otwell /Hintz motioned to approve Ordinance 04-26, An Ordinance Adopting the
“ City of Prescott Comprehensive Plan 2026-2046 .” Alderperson Otwell noted an
interesting shift in the plan's direction , moving from preserving agricultural
land toward supporting a farm-to-table approach. She asked whether there was
any discussion during the planning process about the city acquiring additional
agricultural land. She noted that, aside from Borner Farms, there are limited
agricultural resources within the city . While farms located near residential
areas can sometimes generate concerns from residents , she expressed support
for expanding agricultural initiatives , such as community gardens. There was
no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice
vote .
3. Resolution 2 7-26 Approving the Change Order No. 2 for the Magee Park
Improvements Project
City Administrator Matt Wolf presented Change Order No. 2 for the Magee Park
Improvement Project . The change order includes: locating and excavating
undocumented storm sewer line and outfall; remove and replace portions of existing
12-inch and 18-inch reinforced concrete storm sewer pipe; adjusting an existing storm
sewer manhole, including installation of extension rings and a new concrete base;
excavating and restoring the existing storm sewer outfall pipe leading to the
stormwater pond; and flush and clean the storm sewer system and install additional
riprap protection at the outfall. Cedar Corporation reviewed the change order and
determined that the cost is reasonable and necessary to complete the project. The
change order increases the overall construction contract from $509,569.66 to
$515,696.14. Because the additional work was directly related to the installation of
the new water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, staff recommend ed funding the
change order equally between the W ater U tility F und and the S ewer U tility F und. If
approved, the final payment w ill be made to Total Excavating LLC, and the Magee
Park improvements project will be considered substantially complete. Following the
project closeout and final review by the WI DNR, the city will be eligible to receive
the remaining reimbursement of $140,181.25 from the WI DNR Knowles-Nelson
Stewardship Program. Mayor Gerke asked whether the grant reimbursement would
be used to pay off the city ’s loan for the project. Wolf explained that Capital Funds
were used to pay for the project and that any reimbursement would be returned to
Capital Funds. Hintz/Sorenson motioned to approve Resolution 2 7 -26 Approving
Change Order No. 2 for the Magee Park Improvements Project . Motion passed
without a negative voice vote.
4. Resolution 2 8-26 Adopting Amendments to the City of Prescott Employee Handbook
City Administrator Matt Wolf reviewed proposed amendments to the City of Prescott
Employee Handbook. On May 6, 2026, the Personnel Committee voted to
recommend three amendments to the city ’s employee handbook for the City
Council ’s consideration. 1 . Compensatory Time, 2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use
Policy, and 3. Compensation Plan, Performance Evaluations, and Wage Scale. The
proposed amendments formally incorporate annual wage scale adoption into the
budget process and provide employees with a clear understanding of the city ’s
compensation philosophy. Alderperson Sorenson asked which AI applications staff
currently use . Wolf stated that staff primarily use ChatGPT to assist with drafting
memos and resolutions to improve accuracy an d avoid grammatical errors.
Hintz /Otwell motioned to approve Resolution 2 8 -26 Adopting Amendments to
the City of Prescott Employee Handbook . There was no further discussion.
Motion passed without a negative voice vote.
5. Approval of the Mercord Mill Parking Lot to an Overnight Lot and Replacement of
Signs
City Administrator Matt Wolf provided an overview of the city ’s municipal parking
lots. The city operates three municipal parking lots in the downtown area for public
use, excluding the boat launch parking lot and on-street parking stalls. These lots are
located on Orange Street, Cherry Street, and Mercord Mill. Currently, overnight
parking is permitted in the Orange Street and Cherry Street lots, while the Mercord
Mill lot is posted as no overnight parking. As part of the Riverfront Phase 2 project,
the city repaved and restriped the Mercord Mill parking lot, installed new signage,
and added signs prohibiting overnight parking. Since the installation of the new
signs, several individuals have contacted the city stating that they ha d previously
parked overnight in the lot without issue and requested that overnight parking be
permitted. In discussions with Chief Michaels, staff determined th at the overnight
parking restriction has generally not been enforced because enforcement would
require officers to document vehicles parked overnight and verify their continued
presence the following morning, making enforcement difficult and resource-
intensive . Allowing overnight parking at the Mercord Mill lot would create
consistency a mong all three municipal parking lots. Regardless of whether overnight
parking is permitted, all municipal parking lots w ill remain subject to City Code §
545-13.A, regarding parking r estrictions and p osted limitations. Hintz/ Bettis
motioned to approve the Approval of the Mercord Mill Parking Lot to an
Overnight Lot and Replacement of Signs . There was no discussion on the
motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote.
6. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for Use and Cost Sharing Between
the City of Prescott and the Prescott Library Board
City Administrator Matt Wolf presented a proposed Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the City of Prescott and the Prescott Public Library. Since the city
and the library share the municipal facility located at 800 Borner Street,
responsibilities for building operation s and maintenance have historically been
shared; however, no formal written agreement has existed outlining each party ’s
obligations . The proposed MOU establishes a framework for the ownership,
operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and cost-sharing responsibilities
associated with the building and grounds. Key provisions of the agreement include:
The city retains ownership of the building and grounds; The Library Board maintains
responsibility and control for the Library portion of the building; Utility costs,
custodial services, and HVAC maintenance will be shared based on the agreed-upon
allocation; The city will be responsible for exterior building maintenance, grounds
maintenance, parking lots, sidewalks, security systems, fire alarm systems, and future
building additions or expansions; and The Library will be responsible for equipment,
furnishings, and interior maintenance within the Library portion of the building;
Shared spaces will generally be maintained through a 50/50 cost-sharing
arrangement; Capital Improvement requests exceeding $10,000 with a useful life
greater than five years will continue to be submitted through the City ’s Capital
Improvement Plan process; and the agreement establishes procedures for handling
unexpected repairs and replacements that may impact library operations of public
safety. The MOU provides a framework that will assist both the city and the Library
Board with future budgeting, capital planning, and facility management.
Hintz/Granquist motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Use
and Cost Sharing Between the City of Prescott and the Prescott Public Library
Board. There was no discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a
negative voice vote.
8 . OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
9 . CLOSED SESSION
1. Closed session per Wisconsin State Statute 19.85 (1)(c) “ Considering employment,
promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee
over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. ” –
Public Works Workers Holman and Kinneman
Granquist/Otwell motioned to go into closed session at 6:33 p.m. There was no
discussion on the motion. Mayor Gerke called for a roll-call vote; Sorenson –
yes, Bettis – yes, Hintz – yes, Granquist – yes, and Otwell – yes. Motion passed
without a negative voice vote.
Sorenson/Hintz motioned to come out of closed session at 6:53 p.m. There was
no discussion on the motion. Mayor Gerke called for a roll-call vote; Sorenson –
yes, Bettis – yes, Hintz – yes, Granquist – yes, and Otwell – yes. Motion passed
without a negative voice vote.
Otwell/Granquist motioned to approve a 1-year probationary period between
the City of Prescott and Matt Holman as the Utilities Foreman and Jeremy
Kinneman as the Streets and Parks Foreman. There was no further discussion
on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote.
10 . ADJOURNMENT
Granquist/Sorenson motioned to adjourn the Council meeting at 6:5 4 p.m. There was n o
discussion on the m otion . Motion passed without a negative voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rashel Temmers
Rashel Temmers
Clerk
Source: City of Prescott website. First collected Oct 9, 2026.