4/14/2026

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Andrew Dannehy, Trempealeau County Times; Isaac Steinmeyer and Jeff Nussbaum, SEH, Inc.; Police Chief Hernandez; Chief Jensen; Administrator Morelan and Clerk-Treasurer Witte The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Public Comment Period There were no members of the public who wished to comment. Minutes of Previous Meetings Council Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Common Council Meeting of March 10th, 2026. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Agenda Items The agenda item regarding the placement of the old city hall bell was not addressed as those working on the project are not ready at this time. The item will be placed on the agenda for the meeting May 12th, 2026. Isaac Steinmeyer presented the bid results for the Water Treatment Plant Project. There were three bids ranging from a low of $2,564,967 to a high of $2,879,000. Council Member Solsrud made a motion to accept the low bid of $2,564,967 from R. J. Jurowski, Inc. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Mathson made a motion to approve having Ayres Associates, Inc. solicit bids for the 2026 Street Projects. (Portions of Sheila Blvd, Sandra Street, and Lee Street.) Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Morris made a motion to approve an agreement with R & R Waste Systems, Inc. The agreement authorizes sludge removal and disposal services between $80,000 and $100,000 per year, for a three- year period beginning May 1st, 2026, at the wastewater treatment plant. Council Member Sendelbach seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to approve an agreement with HD Tree Service, LLC. The agreement authorizes access and use of the City of Whitehall brush site for their business operations in the amount of $1,200 for the period of April 1st, 2026, through March 30th, 2027. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Morris made a motion to approve the Whitehall Police Department K-9 Policy. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Morris made a motion to approve Repealing and Recreating Chapter 13.15 of the City of Whitehall Code of Ordinances – “An Ordinance Regulating the Separation, Recycling and Disposal of Waste”. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Johnson made a motion to approve the filing of a Complaint and Summons in Trempealeau County Circuit Court verses Seth Day regarding the condition of his property located at 18257 Melby Street. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Administrator Morelan discussed having security cameras for the parks, Aquatic Center, Depot and the Police Department evidence storage area. It was the unanimous consent of the Council to have him bring back more detailed information on costs and locations for the May Council Meeting. Administrator Morelan discussed the closure of the City Clerk’s Office to the public one day per month as an organizational day. Upon unanimous consent the Council approved the closure on a trial basis noting that advance notice to the public should be given of the closure dates. An update on the status of the property located at 18529 Blair Street with a parcel number of 291-00206-0000 was emailed to Clerk Witte. The owner noted that work on the roof is scheduled to begin the week of April 13th, 2026. The Council would like the property placed on the Agenda of May 12th, 2026, for the property owner to provide another update thus avoiding the property being considered a public nuisance. Council Member Johnson made a motion to approve the hiring of Larry Alexander as a part-time general laborer at the rate of $20.00 per hour. Council Member Sendelbach seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Police Chief Hernandez and Chief Jensen gave a Police Report including statistical information. The Council thanked Chief Jensen for serving as Interim Chief. Chief Hernandez thanked the Council for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Police for the City of Whitehall. Administrator Morelan gave his Administrator’s Report noting items that he has been working on during the last month. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to approve the following per hour wage rates at the Aquatic Center for the 2026 season: supervisor $20.00; assistant supervisor $18.00; first year lifeguard $14.00; returning lifeguard $15.00; first year WSI $15.00; returning WSI $16.00; concession/slide attendant $9.00. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Solsrud made a motion to approve Aquatic Center fees for 2026 to remain unchanged from 2025. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 By unanimous consent the Council approved amending the agenda to take item 23 (reviewing applicants for the position of Police Officer) next. Council Member Solsrud made a motion at 7:10 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 position of Police Officer. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Mayor Hauser brought the meeting back into open session at 7:36 p.m. by unanimous consent. The first round of interviews for the Police Officer position will be held on April 21st, 2026. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion at 7:36 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 positions of supervisor, assistant supervisor, concession/slide attendant, lifeguards and swimming instructors. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Mayor Hauser brought the meeting back into open session at 7:52 p.m. by unanimous consent. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to hire 2026 Aquatic Center staff as follows: supervisors Aydan Semb, Brynna Schneider; assistant supervisor Harlow Foss; lifeguards Dominic Christianson, Danika Ekern, Hannah Ekern; swimming instructors Aydan Semb, Harlow Foss, Brynna Schneider; concession/slide attendant Iyla Bergerson, Hailey Coenen, Tyler Coenen, Abe Gamroth, Logan Matheny, Eli Moats, Wilson Radatz. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Approval of Vouchers and Treasurer’s Report April vouchers for the following amounts have been reviewed by the Finance Committee and were presented to the Council for their consideration: General City $139,090.26; Electric Utility $517,368.89; Water Utility $149,293.18; Sewer Utility $170,546.51; TID #2 and TID #3 $1,247.25; Library $7,311.36. Council Member Morris moved to approve the vouchers and Treasurer’s Report. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Comment Period and Schedule Committee Meetings Upon motion by Council Member Mathson and seconded by Council Member Morris, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 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 four pages. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Jeff Hauser, Mayor Karen Witte, City Clerk-Treasurer