7/14/2026

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS July 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Andrew Dannehy, Trempealeau County Times; Gareth Shambeau, Ayres Associates; Scott Schmitt; Jill and Jerry Perk; Kenny and Brandi Berg; Linda Mossman; Jessica Schue; Leni Nilsestuen; Wayne Dahl; Administrator Morelan; Police Chief Hernandez; and Clerk-Treasurer Witte Absent: Sunday The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Public Comment Period Jill Perk and Brandi Berg spoke about drainage problems in the alley behind their buildings on Main Street; Jessica Schue, Leni Nilsestuen and Wayne Dahl, all candidates on the August 11th, 2026, primary ballot gave an overview of their qualifications for the office that they are seeking. Minutes of Previous Meetings Council Member Mathson moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Common Council Meeting of June 9th, 2026, and the Special Council Meeting of June 18th, 2026. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the minutes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 8th, 2026, and the Whitehall Blair Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting of June 29th, 2026. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Agenda Items Consider/Approve Pay Request #1 from Stout Construction in the amount of $87,026.70 for the 2026 Street Projects. Council Member Johnson moved to approve the pay request. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Consider/Approve Pay Request #1 from R J Jurowski Construction, Inc. in the amount of $28,167.50 for the Water Treatment Plant Project. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the pay request. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Consider/Approve removal and replacement of the Welcome to Whitehall Sign. Chamber President Brandi Berg presented plans and drawings for a new Welcome to Whitehall sign. The first sign would be placed at the Highway 53 and North River Road location with additional signs being placed at the other two entrances to Whitehall as Chamber funding permits. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the replacement and installation of new signage at all three locations as the Whitehall Chamber has funds available to do so. Council Member Solsrud seconded and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Current sewer rates are based upon 82% of the water meter and water usage charges. Clerk-Treasurer Witte presented sewer rate comparisons using the current 82% and various usage amounts taking into account the new water rates. If left at 82% a resident using 3,000 gallons of water would see a $20.01 per month increase in sewer charges while a resident using 4,000 gallons would see a $24.75 per month increase. Comparisons were also given for sewer charges based upon 80%, 75% and 70%. The item will be placed on the August 2026 Council Agenda for discussion and possible action. Consider appointment by Mayor to the Library Board. Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the appointment of William Nemer as a citizen member of the Library Board, to fill the term of Wallace Swenson who has resigned (2027). Council Member Sendelbach seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Consider/Approve Application of Whitehall Beef and Dairy Days, Inc. for a Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License for Beef and Dairy Days, Entertainment Tent on Abrams Street and adjacent parking lot, August 13th through August 16th, 2026. Council Member Morris moved to approve the Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s license for the Entertainment Tent. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Consider/Approve Application of Whitehall Beef and Dairy Days, Inc. for a Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License for Beef and Dairy Days, Food Stand, Bingo Area and Kelley Street, August 13th through August 16th, 2026. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s license for the Food Stand, Bingo Area and Kelley Street. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Consider/Approve Application of Whitehall Beef and Dairy Days, Inc. for a Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License for Beef and Dairy Days, Softball and Volleyball Tournaments at Larson Park, August 13th through August 16th, 2026. Council Member Morris moved to approve the Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s license. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Scott Schmitt gave an update on his property at 18529 Blair Street. A new roof has been placed on the building with a project manager hired to continue work on the building. He is currently planning for one side of the building to contain a laundromat and the other a repair center. The Council expects to see continued progress and monthly updates. Consider/Approve change of time for the August 13th, 2026, Council Meeting. With the Primary Election on August 11th, 2026, the Council had previously approved moving the meeting to Thursday, August 13th, 2026. With Beef & Dairy Days and the Miss Whitehall Pageant beginning at 7:00 p.m. Council Member Mathson moved to change the start time to 5:00 p.m. Council Member Morris seconded and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 The Police Report was given by Chief Hernandez. He noted items of interest including the successful completion of the physical, drug testing, and psychological evaluation of Gavin Voves for the City’s fourth police officer upon completion of the academy in October 2026; positive feedback on Officer Olmos; the donation of $500.00 for a tire deflation device; property nuisance and speeding enforcement; and the use of K-9 Luke when possible. Administrator Morelan gave the Administrator’s Report noting items that he has been working on during the last month including the installation of security cameras in the parks; computer updates for the office; a capital improvement plan; and changes to the interior of the Depot. Council Member Solsrud made a motion at 7:07 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1) (c), “Considering employment, promotion, compensation and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility…”, specifically for the purpose of reviewing applicants for the second Deputy Clerk/Treasurer position. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Mayor Hauser brought the meeting back into open session at 7:43 p.m. by unanimous consent. Interviews with applicants will be held on August 6th, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. Approval of Vouchers and Treasurer’s Report July vouchers for the following amounts have been reviewed by the Finance Committee and were presented to the Council for their consideration: General City $218,990.23; Electric Utility $257,617.16; Water Utility $72,489.49; Sewer Utility $75,511.26; TID #2 and #3 $200.00; and Library $2,306.24. Council Member Morris moved to approve the vouchers and Treasurer’s Report. Council Member Sendelbach seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud Nays – 0 Council Comment Period and Schedule Committee Meetings Upon motion by Council Member Sendelbach and seconded by Council Member Solsrud, the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. The foregoing reports, resolutions, motions, ordinances, etc. contained in this are These minutes are the true and correct herewith approved by the undersigned. original and consist of three pages. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Jeff Hauser, Mayor Karen Witte, City Clerk-Treasurer