1/13/2026

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS January 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Trempealeau County Times – Andrew Dannehy Drew Morelan, Administrator; Randy Jensen, Interim Chief of Police; Karen Witte, Clerk-Treasurer The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Public Comment Period Interim Chief of Police, Randy Jensen presented reports for the years 2024 and 2025 showing incidents and call statistics for the Whitehall Police Department. Minutes of Previous Meetings Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Common Council Meeting of December 9th, 2025. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Agenda Items An update on the status of the property located at 18529 Blair Street with a parcel number of 291-00206-0000 was received from the owner showing that asbestos work would begin the week of January 26th, 2026. Clerk Witte was directed to notify the property owner that the Council is requiring a written document from the contractor on the timeline for completion of the repairs at the February 10th, 2026, Council Meeting. The Clerk was also directed to include possible action on the February 10th, 2026, Council Agenda for proceeding with the property being considered a public nuisance should the required documentation from the contractor not be provided to the Council. The consideration of a Supplemental Agreement with SEH, Inc. for permit assistance with the Water Treatment Plant E. Coli Optimization Report was taken off the agenda as it will be prepared under a previous Supplemental Agreement with SEH, Inc. at no additional cost to the City of Whitehall. Consider a Notice of Disallowance to Convergent Claims Service for their claim TP25667. Our insurance carrier sees no liability on behalf of the City of Whitehall and is recommending the claim be denied. Council Member Johnson moved to deny claim TP25667 to Convergent Claims Service. 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 his priorities, and a summary of his last 30 days and what the next 30 days look like. Upon unanimous consent the agenda was amended to take item number 11 (Closed session to review applicants for the Chief of Police position) prior to item number 9 (Closed session for the appointment of a lead lineman). Council Member Solsrud made a motion at 6:25 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 19.85(1) (c), “Considering employment, promotion, compensation and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility…”, specifically for the purpose of filling vacancies within the Whitehall Police Department including the review of applicants for the Chief of Police position. 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 7:29 p.m. by unanimous consent. The Chief of Police position will continue to be posted and advertised. Council Member Solsrud made a motion at 7:30 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 19.85(1) (c), “Considering employment, promotion, compensation and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility…”, specifically for the purpose of appointing a lead lineman and determining a wage per hour. 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 7:42 p.m. and by unanimous consent the lead lineman position was tabled. Approval of Vouchers and Treasurer’s Report January vouchers for the following amounts have been reviewed by the Finance Committee and were presented to the Council for their consideration: General City $245,022.94; Electric Utility $206,968.91; Water Utility $42,028.90; Sewer Utility $68,130.59; TID #2 and TID #3 $4,000.00; and Library $9,683.70. 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 Sendelbach and seconded by Council Member Morris, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 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