Common Council Meeting - August 11th, 2026 — Minutes

Common Council Minutes The Common Council met at the City of Nekoosa Office Location: Council Chambers, 951 Market St. Nekoosa, WI 54457 Time: Tuesday, August 11th, 2026, at 6:00 P .M. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Council President, Brad Hamilton. Roll call was conducted by Kallee Ferk, City Clerk. Roll Call Aldermen Present: Larry Krubsack, Adam Buehring, Anthony Carlson, Daniel Downing, Garett Kuhn, and Brad Hamilton. Al Marcoux – Ward 1 Alderman was noted as absent. Also in attendance was Rick Schmidt – Public Works Director, Mike Hartje – Fire Chief, Darla Allen – Library Director, Dennis Fenske, Tim Bowe, Scott Gustin, and Josh Kolo – Assistant Police Chief. Attendance via Zoom: Michael Kumm – Ward 2 Alderman Citizen Comment – Scott Gustin spoke about 2 concerns he had. The first item was questioning if the residents of Fairview Lane that were being told to run their water were going to receive a credit on their upcoming water utility bill. The second item that he questioned was what the city could do to help with dead trees and nuisances with branches when affecting neighboring properties. Rick Schmidt, Director of Public Works said that these items were going to be addressed at the next Public Works meeting as they were already listed agenda items for that committee. Approval of Previous Common Council Minutes – July 14th, 2026 A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous Common Council meeting as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Treasurer’s Report A motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Committee Reports Committee of the Whole A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole report of July 28th, 2026, to be accepted as written. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Discussed presentation provided by Jon Trautman on the city’s current 2026 budget status and the beginning of planning the 2027 budget. 2. Recommend leaving both the police department position and the public works position open and unfilled for 2027. 3. Discussed future decisions regarding long-term disability and ancillary insurances. 4. Discussed documents that were provided by Teamcare to begin transition with participation contracts and census for the 2027 insurance benefits. Motion that Item 2 of the Committee of the Whole Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Personnel A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Personnel Committee report of August 4th, 2026, to be accepted as written. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Recommend cancelling insurance policies with the Hartford for 2027. 2. Recommend insurance eligibility to start on the day of hire for new employees. Motion that Items 1 and 2 of the Personnel Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Public Safety A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Public Safety Committee report of August 4th, 2026, to be accepted as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Recommend 5 officer body armor/carrier replacements for $8,375.00 from the capital projects account. 2. Recommend Ordinance No. 643, amending Chapter 7 of the Municipal Code of the City of Nekoosa to create section 7.12 – “Regulation of Bicycles, E-Bicycles, and E-Scooters, etc.” 3. Recommend amending chapter 7.06, “Regulation of Speed Limits,” with Ordinance No. 644. 4. Recommend hiring 2 new firefighters, Isabel Pagels- Braaten and Samantha Bell. 5. Recommend purchasing new equipment for the new fire engine for approximately $15,000.00. Motion that Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Public Safety Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Property Recreation and Human Affairs A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Property Recreation and Human Affairs report of August 4th, 2026, to be accepted as written. Motion by: Mike Kumm Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Discussed new streetlight banners along Market Street. No action was needed for this item. Public Works The Public Works meeting for August 11th, 2026 at 4:45pm was cancelled. Ways & Means A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Ways & Means Committee report of August 11th, 2026, to be accepted as written. Motion by: Adam Buehring Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Audited the bill list. 2. Recommend the various license applications: • Operator Licenses: o The Basement Bar (318 Market Street): Sandra C. Baumgart, Angelique Gukenberger, and Cory Wayne Olson 3. Recommend implementing Ordinance No. 642, amending Chapter 12.02, “Intoxicating Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverages.” Motion that Items 1, 2, and 3 of the Ways and Means Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Adam Buehring Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business – There was no old business. New Business Discussion and possible action on Resolution 03-2026 “Wood County Library Tax Exemption Resolution”. This resolution allows the city not to have to pay the county a library tax since the city pays the library a certain portion from the city-wide budget. Recommend approving Resolution 03-2026 “Wood County Library Tax Exemption Resolution”. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion and possible action on participation agreements to join Teamcare insurance. The participation agreements provided by Teamcare with the language passed by the council regarding the 8- week onboarding time were ready to be approved to begin the transition to the new insurance for 2027. Recommend approving the participation agreements provided by Teamcare for the 2027 insurance. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Approval of all Department Reports A motion was made to approve the various monthly reports from the Police Chief, Public Works Director, Fire Chief, Community Center, Airport Commission, Charles & JoAnn Lester Library, and Building Inspector. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Audit Bill List / Approval of Bills Pooled Cash: Check #65215-65372 and other voucher payments from 07/15/2026-08/11/2026 Total Expenditure from all Funds = $895,323.11 Payroll: Check #56394-56397 Voucher #V14632-V14704 payments from 07/15/2026– 08/11/2026 Total: $147,981.40 A motion was made to approve the bills for the month. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Adjournment A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:18pm