2/10/2026

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS February 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Andrew Dannehy, Trempealeau County Times; Brian Roemer, Ehlers, Inc. (virtual); Derek Bushman and other representatives of Hi-Crush Whitehall LLC; Gareth Shambeau, Ayres Associates; Isaac Steinmeyer, SEH, Inc.; Scott Schmitt; Drew Morelan, Administrator; Mark Johsnon, Public Works Director; Mark Dehnke, Assistant Public Works Director; and Karen Witte, Clerk-Treasurer The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Public Comment Period There were no members of the public present who wished to comment. Minutes of Previous Meetings Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Common Council Meeting of January 13th, 2026. Council Member Sunday seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Agenda Items Brian Roemer of Ehlers, Inc. presented information on Phase 1: Long-Range Cash Flow Analysis for the 2026 Water Rate Study as part of the Water Treatment Plant Project. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to move forward with Phase 2: Conventional Rate Case Application as required for the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Hi-Crush Whitehall, LLC requested a reduction in their required Financial Assurance Plan for mine reclamation. Gareth Shambeau of Ayres Associates summarized the request, reviewed work already completed, changes to the reclamation approach and provided conclusions and recommendations. Council Member Johnson made a motion to update the Financial Assurance Plan reducing the Letter of Credit held by the City of Whitehall to four million dollars. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 An Agreement for Professional Services with Ayres Associates for the 2026 Street Projects was reviewed by Gareth Shambeau. The projects include Sheila Boulevard (Hobson Street to Dewey Street); Lee Street (end of payment to end of the right of way); and Sandra Street (corner of Sandra Street and Sheila Boulevard to end of the right of way) with engineering costs of $42,600. Council Member Solsrud made a motion to approve the agreement. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 An update on the Water Treatment Project was given by Isaac Steinmeyer of SEH, Inc. Project approvals have been received from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission. Work is continuing with documents for bidding. A Supplemental Agreement with SEH, Inc. for the Booster Station Chemical Feed Replacement Project in the amount of $3,600.00 was reviewed. Council Member Morris made a motion to approve the Supplemental Agreement. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 A public hearing on a zoning change from Non-Metallic Mining (NM) to Agriculture (A) on parcels 291-00796-0000 and 291-00797-0000 owned by The Mine View, LLC was held prior to the council meeting. No members of the public were present to make comments. The Plan Commission met on January 20th, 2026, and has recommended approval. Council Member Morris made a motion to approve the zoning change. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 An update on the status of the property located at 18529 Blair Street with a parcel number of 291-00206-0000 was given by owner Scott Schmitt. Of note was that the asbestos had been removed and work on the roof would begin in March 2026. The property owner was directed to continue moving forward with repairs to the property and monthly updates to avoid the property being considered a public nuisance. A State/Municipal Financial Agreement for a Department of Transportation State-Let-Highway Project to State Road 121, planned for 2031 was reviewed. The agreement calls for the City of Whitehall to have the Wisconsin DOT contract for parking lane resurfacing on its behalf as part of the overall project. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion to approve the agreement. 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 presented his Administrator’s Report noting a summary of tasks undertaken in the last month. Although unable to be present, Interim Chief of Police, Randy Jensen, had a Police Report for the Council to review including a summary of incidents; statistical activity and information by officer; and call count by jurisdictions in the area. Council Member Morris made a motion at 7:13 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wis. Statute 19.85(1)(b), “Considering dismissal, demotion, licensing or discipline of any public employee or person licensed by a board or commission or the investigation of charges against such person, or considering the grant or denial of tenure for a university faculty member”, and the taking of formal action on any such matter regarding termination of probationary police personnel. Council Member Sendelbach 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 8:05 p.m. by unanimous consent. There was no action taken regarding the closed session. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion at 8:06 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 and consideration of applicants for part-time police officers and the Chief of Police position within the Whitehall Police Department. 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 8:22 p.m. by unanimous consent. Interviews for the Chief of Police position will be held on February 19th, 2026. Lucas Lindquist and Josh Pettis were hired as part-time police officers for the City of Whitehall. Approval of Vouchers and Treasurer’s Report February vouchers for the following amounts have been reviewed by the Finance Committee and were presented to the Council for their consideration: General City $601,449.37; Electric Utility $227,252.56; Water Utility $49,215.98; Sewer Utility $121,420.79; and Library $6,325.06. Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the vouchers and Treasurer’s Report. Council Member Mathson 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 8:36 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