Committee of the Whole Minutes 11042025

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Tuesday, November 4, 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 , and Paula Oakley . Also present, City Administrator Scott Depies, Fire Chief Craig Carey, Police Chief Eric Fisher, Police Captain Chuck Schroeder, Public Works Director Jason Meyer , and Emergency Management Director Russ Thiel. GUESTS: None APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by Oakley, seconded by Watson, and carried to approve the agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Schroeder, seconded by Mosier, and carried to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. CITIZEN COMMENT: None. FINANCE AND PURCHASING : City Administrator Scott Depies provided updates on the development of the 2026 budget and estimates for the remaining 2025 Budget. Administrator Depies highlighted that to date—the majority of Departments are on track to finish the year just below budget projections. PROTECTIONS OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY: a. Chief Fisher reported for the month of October, there were 266 incidents, Notable incidents include on October 15, an individual was arrested for OWI after reports the person was making animal noises. On October 18, a driver was arrested for OWI after hitting a parked vehicle. Occurring on October 27, a suspect was placed on a probation hold and charged with disorderly conduct after reports of an individual threating a neighbor. On October 28th, an individual was almost a victim of fraud before they decided to check with police before depositing $13,000 in a Bit Coin Machine. For community engagement, on October 18, officers volunteered at Trunk or Treat with strong community turnout; the decorated squad car and candy distribution were well received. The Department participated in Police Lights of Christmas, which converts donations into local Scrip -purchased gift cards for holiday distribution. The program’s Photo Competition fundraiser raised $1,000 locally; approximately $60,000 was raised across all participating departments. b. Chief Carey reported the department had five calls for the month of October. Calls included a possible gas leak at a residence. Smoke detectors activated at a residence that was detected by the individual while at work from their phone alarm. There was a fire alarm at a local business that the FD responded to. Along with the DP the FD participated in Trunk or Treat. Committee of the Whole November 4, 2025 2 c. Emergency Management Director Thiel informed the Committee that on November 3 rd Calumet County sent of the 2026-2028 Integrated Preparedness Plan. CITY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: a. Director Meyer reported that the sanitary bypass on Hickory is complete; asphalt paving has begun and is expected to be finished soon. He noted winterization of park buildings and leaf collection are ongoing. He also expressed concern about the City’s compost/burn sites: after restricting out -of-town contractors, utilization dropped by approximately half; however, following the City of Chilton’s recent access restrictions, he has noticed usage has increased over the last two weeks, suggesting some users may be violating the Municipal Code, which limits contractor use to businesses residing in New Holstein. PERSONNEL: Administrator Depies informed the council that the part-time custodian position has been filled. OLD BUSINESS: a. An estimate was received by Travis Turf and Landscaping to remove and replace the collapsing retaining wall at Optimist Park. With the estimate below the $25,000 threshold a motion was made by Mosier, 2 nd by Schroeder, and carried to move approval of the rebuild to special council. NEW BUSINESS: a. The 2026 Wage Schedule for positions within City departments was reviewed; under the schedule, most full-time positions would receive a 3% increase. A motion was made by Mosier and seconded by Watson to move approval to council. b. The Committee discussed a letter proposing to honor Hildegarde Loretta Sell in advance of her 120th birthday (February 2026); options will be explored. c. Administrator Depies informed the Committee that an anonymous donation was received providing funding to the Library’s Summer Lunch Program, Life Jackets for the Aquatics Center, and family passes for the Aquatic Center to be managed as part of the Library’s Experience Passes. MISCELLANEOUS: None FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Scott Depies City Administrator