3/3/2026

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS March 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Special Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Drew Morelan, Administrator; Karen Witte, Clerk-Treasurer Administrator Morelan provided a presentation of Police Department wage and benefit comparisons with other communities. Council Member Morris made a motion at 5:11 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 wage negotiations for officers within the Whitehall Police Department. 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 5:25 p.m. by unanimous consent. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to approve a wage increase for Officer Nicole Lindquist from $32.20 to $34.00 per hour effective March 2, 2026. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – Morris Council Member Solsrud made a motion at 5:26 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 wage and benefit negotiations with potential Whitehall Police Chief Hernandez. 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 5:56 p.m. by unanimous consent. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to extend an employment offer to potential Police Chief Hernandez pending the psychological evaluation. The offer includes the following: $41.00 per hour; two short sleeve uniform shirts, two long sleeve uniform shirts and two pairs of uniform pants; a $600.00 uniform allowance per calendar year; a one-year probationary period and vacation accrual per the City of Whitehall Employee Handbook; there to be no employment with another law enforcement agency during the probationary period; K9 Luke to be part of the department on a trial basis until September of 2026. Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Upon motion by Council Member Solsrud and seconded by Council Member Sendelbach, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 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 two pages. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Jeff Hauser, Mayor Karen Witte, City Clerk-Treasurer