Committee of the Whole Minutes 12022025

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM New Holstein City Hall, 2110 Washington Street, New Holstein, WI 53061 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Council President Woelfel. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Depies. Present were Gene Woelfel, Becca Mosier, Richard Snelson (virtually), Dan Watson, Kathy Schroeder , Paula Oakley , Norm Propson, Brad Hess, and Steve Abrams . Also present, City Administrator Scott Depies, City Attorney Steve Sorenson, Fire Chief Craig Carey, Police Chief Eric Fisher, Police Captain Chuck Schroeder, Public Works Director Jason Meyer , and Emergency Management Director Russ Thiel. GUESTS: Brandon Methu from Northernstar Companies, and Dane Checolinski from NAI Pfefferle APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by Schroeder, seconded by Watson, and carried to approve the agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Oakley, seconded by Hess, and carried to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. CITIZEN COMMENT: None. FINANCE AND PURCHASING: None PROTECTIONS OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY: a. Chief Fisher reported for the month of November, there were 249 incidents, Notable incidents included an event on November 2, when an officer responded to a report of an individual being run over by a vehicle following an argument between occupants; the driver was taken into custody and charged with aggravated battery, second -degree recklessly endangering safety, and disorderly conduct, all with a repeater modifier. On November 8, officers responded to a report of an alleged domestic abuse incident, with charges of simple battery and disorderly conduct referred to the District Attorney’s Office. On November 9, an officer investigated a reckless driving complaint that resulted in a citation for disorderly conduct after the suspect followed and verbally threatened another driver. On November 19, a vehicle struck a school crosswalk sign during crossing hours; no children were present, and a citation for inattentive driving was issued. For community engagement, the Department hosted its 3rd Annual Stuff the Squad event on November 14 at Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly, collecting over 1,400 items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Additionally, staffing changes were reported for the crossing guard position, with Lisa Jacobson returning to cover both morning and afternoon duties. Winter parking enforcement began on December 1, with citations issued due to current weather and snow conditions. b. Chief Carey reported that the Fire Department responded to eight calls for the month of November, including three motor vehicle accidents, three smoke complaints (with only one incident reported in Committee of the Whole December 2, 2025 2 advance to County Dispatch), one fire alarm activation at a local business, and one response to a reported diesel exhaust odor at a residence, where no issues were found following an interior and exterior inspection. The Department also reported on the Thanksgiving Day Express program, conducted in partnership with First Responders and the Chilton Fire Department. Within New Holstein, 95 meals were delivered across 38 stops, more than double the number delivered last year. The program was described as well- organized and successful. c. Emergency Management Director Thiel had no updates. d. Prior to the meeting, Judge Kelly Sippel submitted a court report including activity from September through November. The report noted 113 adult initial appearances, with 68 resulting in no contest or guilty pleas, 33 guilty by default for failure to pay or appear, four not guilty pleas set for pretrial (one set for trial), and eight cases dismissed in conjunction with pleas on other citations. No cases were vacated by the City. For juvenile matters, five initial appearances were reported, including one rescheduled case, two guilty by default findings, and two cases deferred for six months with completion of a tobacco course. Pretrial activity during this period included 11 adult cases, with two resolved by agreement, one held open per the City Attorney, and eight guilty by default cases related to animal ordinance violations. One juvenile pretrial case was reported. CITY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: a. Director Meyer provided the Public Works Department update for the month of November. The sanitary bypass on Hickory Street was completed, and leaf collection concluded with additional citywide pickup on November 24 and 25. Seasonal decorations were changed, with American flag banners removed and snowflake holiday decorations installed. The Department replaced four stop signs and approximately 30 street signs. Three snow events occurred during the month. During the most recent event, crews were deployed Saturday evening to maintain road access, followed by additional staffing early Sunday morning. To limit overtime, snow removal was completed at the airport, City Hall, library, community center, and sidewalks were cleared on Monday. PERSONNEL: None OLD BUSINESS: a. Administrator Depies provided a follow -up regarding the $300 monthly limit for employees who opt out of the City’s health insurance plan. He noted that while the origin of the $300 cap could not be determined, it has been in place since 2015 and had not been reached until this year, when the cost of a family policy exceeded the limit. Administrator Depies recommended removing the dollar cap, as the opt-out payment remains constrained by the existing 19 percent policy limit, and noted that the cap creates additional administrative burden due to annual form updates. As an alternative, should the Council wish to retain a cap, he suggested increasing the limit to $500, which would align with an approximate 15 percent annual increase over the next three years. Following discussion, a motion was made by Mosier, seconded by Schroeder, and carried to forward to the Common Council a revised opt- Committee of the Whole December 2, 2025 3 out form removing the dollar limit, with the policy to be reviewed annually as part of the budget process. NEW BUSINESS: a. None Closed Session: a. A motion was made by Abrams, seconded by Snelson with, through roll call vote, Woelfel, Watson, Propson, Oakley, Hess, Mosier, Abrams, Schroeder, and Snelson voting Aye to go into closed session Pursuant to Wis. Stats. Sec 19.85 (1)(e) to deliberate under one or more exemptions provided in the statue. In this case specifically for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel and action that may be taken on land and future development of the area of TIF District #6. b. b. A motion was made by Mosier, seconded by Snelson, and carried to adjourn the closed session and reconvene in open session. c. c. A motion was made by Mosier, seconded by Schroeder, and carried to forward to Council the proposal received by Northernstar Companies for Parcel 18465, the northwest portion of the Tecumseh site. MISCELLANEOUS: None FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Scott Depies City Administrator