_03312026-315

CITY OF PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, 6:15 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 302 CITY HALL, 128 SMITH STREET OFFICIAL MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Pohlman called the meeting to order. On the call of the roll, the following were present: Angie Matzdorf, Diane Gilson, Mike Penkwitz, John Binder, Jeff Tauscheck, Dave Herrmann, Dana Haucke and Kevin Sande. Also present: City Administrator/Utilities Manager Tim Blakeslee, Director of Public Works Cathy Austin, Police Chief Ken Ruggles, Assistant Administrator/Community Development Director Jack Johnston, and City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Anna Voigt. 2. Approve the Minutes from February 24, 2026: Motion was made by Gilson/Tauscheck to approve the minutes for February 24. A unanimous aye vote was cast. Motion carried. 3. DPW Expansion Project Update: Director Austin explained the 2026 budget had allocated dollars for the Department of Public Works expansion and modernization of the City yard to improve operations, enhance resident services, and address increasing demand for disposal and recycling options. The project is expanding the existing yard and introducing new services. The proposed improvements include a new fuel (gas) tank to support City operations, expand DPW storage and add new areas for bulk waste and cardboard drop-off. Yard waste, brush/branch drop-off, used oil, battery, and scrap metal recycling drop-off services will continue. Part of the proposed changes, residents will be required to purchase an annual key card to access the facility. The site will be accessible seven days a week from 6 AM to 8 PM. The committee had a few comments. Mayor asked if there were be an initial and annual fee for the key card? Austin stated that an initial wouldn’t be needed but up to the Council if they would like to have it. Binder asked if gates would be motorized? Austin answered yes, they would be and the exit gate would be a presser point. Binder asked if it was going to be tight to back up trailers. Austin stated you would pull up next to the drop off points. Penkwitz asked if staff had input of this too? Austin stated that most of it came from Matt Magle. Penkwitz asked what percentage of other residents use it in other communities? Johnston stated when he worked in the Town of Cederburg about a third of the residents used it. Penkwitz asked if they get a lot of cardboard? Austin stated they currently don’t take it, but there are a lot of questions about it. Gilson asked if this was something everyone had to do. Austin answered this is something you can do only if you decided you want to use the site. Sande asked why the card renewal can’t be from when you get the card not an annual date? Austin stated other communities don’t do it that way for notification reasons. It’s harder to send out mass notifications if the renewal dates are scattered. Gilson suggested a half year option. Sande asked if the current taxpayer who only goes down to the yard once or twice a year to get rid of yard waste will now have to pay a fee? Austin answered yes, they will need to get a key card to enter the yard. Tauscheck stated he thought it was good idea to make the card renewal once a year at the same time to make it simple. He added the yard expansion and update is overdue. Haucke stated she thought it was a great idea but asked if there could be a one-time fee for people who just want to get rid of something like a mattress. Blakeslee added that if you are getting rid of something like a mattress one time, $30 is probably a good price. Matzdorf stated there are pro and cons, the extended hours are nice and that couldn’t be done without a fab system. The extra cost on residents, there could be some push back. Austin added that Magle has talked with some residents about it and they like the idea of extended hours. Herrmann stated he thinks a great idea to offer bulk drop off and the extended hours. He added to make the fees as simple as possible. Herrmann asked if the budget will cover all the modifications that have been mentioned. Austin confirmed that it was all part of the 2026 budget. Matzdorf asked if residents will be able to sign up at City Hall and Utilities? Austin confirmed it will be offered at both. Sande stated it looks like a lot will increase in paved area. Austin stated it will be under the amount required for storm water management. The committee agreed to move forward. 4. Special Events Ordinance Update: Johnston explained that most special events are currently approved through the consent agenda after applicants provide a completed “event application”. Some additional permits may also be required to be obtained depending on the scale of the event and use of City property. The process is relatively well established; it is not explicitly written out in the city code. As Plymouth continues to grow and the interest in hosting more events in Plymouth grows, staff believes a more formalized process for special events should be codified and established. Matzdorf asked about the “City of Plymouth, its officers, council members, agents, and employees,” listed as additional insured. Blakeslee explained typically if someone is holding an event on city property the City requires them to add the City as an additional insured which means if something goes wrong and there is a claim against the City the event organizer would then cover the City as opposed to the City’s insurance covering it. Blakeslee added this verbiage comes directly from the City’s insurance company. Binder asked about 7-8-1 (f)(1) & (2) regarding Council waiving fees, if the fees would just be for the cost from the City. Johnston stated the fee would just be the permit fee; the event would still be required for additional insurance. It’s intended to provide the Council and applicate some relief for long standing events. Johnston added that the main reason for this Ordinance is to protect the city for newer events and to make sure costs are covered for extra services. Penkwitz asked if the long-standing events have been, okay? Johnston answered they have been, this is more for new events to coming into the City. Mayor added current events provide insurance already this is just getting it into code. Committee agreed to move forward. 5. Winter Parking Ordinance Update: Blakeslee explained that the City code currently prohibits parking on City streets and alleys between December 1 and March 15 of each year. As written, the code does not allow for flexibility to lift this restriction during periods of mild weather. Staff generally applied a common-sense approach to enforcement; it is preferable for the municipal code to reflect how the ordinance is implemented in practice. The proposed ordinance would allow the City Administrator/Utilities Manager to temporarily lift winter parking restrictions when conditions warrant. Herrmann asked how people would be notified? Blakeslee stated the Police Department has notified people on Facebook in the past and the word has been spread pretty quickly. Committee agreed to move forward. 6. Adjourn: Motion was made by Binder/Tauscheck to adjourn the meeting. A unanimous aye vote was cast. Motion carried.