Village Board — Minutes

MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE BOARD DATE & TIME: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM LOCATION: Germantown Village Hall Board Room N112 W17001 Mequon Road MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action. Village President Soderberg called the Village Board meeting to order at 7:11 PM. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Trustee Robert Warren, Trustee Meg Cutts, Trustee Patrick Kaiser, Trustee Jan Miller, Trustee Scott Hefle, Trustee Jolene Pieper (via WebEx), Trustee Jim Stout, Trustee Terri Kaminski, Village President Bob Soderberg Also Present: Village Administrator Matt Trebatoski, Village Clerk Donna Ott, Attorney Matthew Dregne standing in for Village Attorney Brian Sajdak, Police Chief Pat Merten III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / MOMENT OF SILENCE: IV. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Village President Soderberg spoke regarding the 25-year anniversary of September 11th, construction updates on various projects throughout the Village, the Holy Hill Gateway District Community Vision Session, the $2,000 that the Fire Department received from We Energies, and items on this Village Board agenda. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST / COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Trustee Kaminski announced the upcoming Public Works & Highways Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Trustee Cutts announced the upcoming General Government & Finance Committee meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM, and the upcoming Public Safety Committee meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Page 2 Trustee Hefle announced the upcoming Economic Development Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Trustee Miller announced the upcoming Mid-Moraine Municipal Association meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the 2026 Leadership Germantown class, and a District 4 Community Meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Village Clerk Ott announced the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM. VI. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed. Lynne Schauer Bednarz (W156N10121 Pawnee Ct) spoke regarding New Business Item B (Lease of Former Recycling Center Site). Brian Sparrow (W143N10660 Magnolia Dr) spoke regarding New Business Item B (Lease of Former Recycling Center Site). Melanie Smythe (N140W17938 Cedar Ln) spoke regarding New Business Item C (Project Validation on New Police Department) and New Business Item D (Washington County Countywide EMS Funding Initiative Update). Written comments were not read aloud but are included with these minutes. VII. CONSENT AGENDA: Motion: Approve as presented Motioned By: Meg Cutts Seconded By: Robert Warren Yes: Robert Warren, Meg Cutts, Patrick Kaiser, Jan Miller, Scott Hefle, Jim Stout, Terri Kaminski, Bob Soderberg No: Jolene Pieper Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 8, No 1, Abstained 0) A. August 17, 2026, Meeting Minutes (ACTION) B. Fire Department Purchase of Multi-Purpose Pick-up Truck (ACTION) Page 3 C. Agreement for Owner Representation Services for Fire Department Renovation and Expansion Project (ACTION) D. 2026 Squad Changeover Amendments (ACTION) VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS: X. NEW BUSINESS: A. One-Time Temporary Outdoor Entertainment Permit for Buzdum's Pub & Grill, W188N10515 Maple Rd, on 9/11/26-9/12/26 for the US Kubb Club Championship Event (ACTION) Motion : Approve as presented Motioned By: Terri Kaminski Seconded By: Scott Hefle Yes: Robert Warren, Meg Cutts, Patrick Kaiser, Jan Miller, Scott Hefle, Jolene Pieper, Jim Stout, Terri Kaminski, Bob Soderberg No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 9, No 0, Abstained 0) B. Lease of Former Recycling Center Site (ACTION) Motion: Postpone until Village Center Community Engagement data is finalized Motioned By: Jan Miller Seconded By: Patrick Kaiser Yes: Patrick Kaiser, Jan Miller No: Robert Warren, Meg Cutts, Patrick Kaiser, Scott Hefle, Jolene Pieper, Jim Stout, Terri Kaminski, Bob Soderberg Abstain: None Motion Failed by Voice Vote (Yes 2, No 7, Abstained 0) Motion: Approve as presented Motioned By: Jolene Pieper Seconded By: Bob Soderberg Motion to Amend: Approve as presented, with a lease of $500/month Motioned By: Terri Kaminski Seconded By: Jolene Pieper Page 4 Motion to Amend: Yes: Robert Warren, Meg Cutts, Jolene Pieper, Jim Stout, Terri Kaminski, Bob Soderberg No: Patrick Kaiser, Jan Miller, Scott Hefle Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 6, No 3, Abstained 0) Motion as Amended: Yes: Robert Warren, Meg Cutts, Jolene Pieper, Jim Stout, Terri Kaminski, Bob Soderberg No: Patrick Kaiser, Jan Miller, Scott Hefle Abstain: None Motion Carried by Roll Call Vote (Yes 6, No 3, Abstained 0) C. Project Validation on New Police Department (ACTION) Police Chief Merten, Owner's Representative Ric Miller (MC Group), and Brad Kropp (FGM Architects) provided information on the validation of the project, budget and cost tracking, next steps and timeline. Motion: Continue with the Schematic Design phase of the project based off of the current square footage, not to exceed $34,559,000, to include assessing the two outbuildings on the current site Motioned By: Meg Cutts Seconded By: Robert Warren Yes: Robert Warren, Meg Cutts, Patrick Kaiser, Jan Miller, Scott Hefle, Jim Stout, Terri Kaminski, Bob Soderberg No: Jolene Pieper Abstain: None Motion Carried by Roll Call Vote (Yes 8, No 1, Abstained 0) D. Washington County Countywide EMS Funding Initiative Update (DISCUSSION) Village President Soderberg and Village Administrator Trebatoski shared an update on the discussion regarding the Washington County Countywide EMS Funding Initiative that was had at the most recent Chief Elected Officers meeting and County Public Safety Committee meeting. XI. ADJOURNMENT: Village President Soderberg adjourned the Village Board meeting at 9:59 PM. From: Susan Foley To: Comments Subject: Blackstone Golf Course Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 12:59:44 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello! I am so sorry that I can't make tonight's meeting, especially since the issue of The Blackstone Golf Course is on the agenda. I have been following this with great interest...not only as a member of the Germantown community, but as a homeowner whose backyard is on the golf course. This golf course is a gem for our community! I can attest to how much traffic the course enjoys from all of our community! Currently, I enjoy watching the high school girls golf team practice and host their conference tournaments on Blackstone! All ages come across the course and it is a popular spot for golf outings! I support this lease in an effort to buy you all time to figure out how to make this course a permanent asset for our community. We are currently in the process of community engagement studies to better guide how we all want the village to move forward. It is also my understanding that the Conservation Department for Washington County has received grant money to research the waterways that traverse the county including the Menomonee River which cuts right through our village. I think this may be vital information to look to in deciding the best way to care for our environmental assets. Thank you for your time...and thank you for the hard work that you all put into representing us and working for our village! Sue Foley From: crb crb To: Comments Subject: COMMENTS ON THE VILLAGE BOARD MEETING ON 9-8-26 ON ITEM ABOUT THE EMS Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 2:34:08 PM Importance: High CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello, We have a lot to say on this topic! First, have all of you got caught up on the COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY MEETINGS, that they have been having? If not, you need to watch all the meeting starting with 7-29-26 and going up to now. Just on THE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY MEETINGS They are available on YOUTUBE! Please watch and listen closely. Yes, we have been watching them too! Never thought we would be doing too! JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE- The residents have no PUBLIC INPUT at their meetings. Only the COUNTY SUPERVISORS are allow to speak at the meetings! Sometimes you can tell, if they are asking your questions and or concerns. Otherwise, hard to know, if they are speaking up for the residents! Also, the county supervisors are not easy to get hold of either! Do you realize in this VILLAGE BOARD agenda, it has a list of numbers attached? Also, NOTHING attached in the COUNTY AGENDA for 9-2-26 meeting. At the last 9-2-26 COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIAL MEETING- Nothing was mention on these numbers, that you are seeing attached. It was stated that they need to get "CONCRETE NUMBERS " out to all. Are you aware that WASHINGTON COUNTY has 20 communities= 2 cities, 6 villages and 12 towns. It shows 16 vs 13 communities involved in this EMS. What is correct? Nothing said about that. What is going on with the other 3 community's? This was noted in their agenda in the resolution. How do the 7 PRIVATE FIRE DEPARTMENTS will affect this EMS PROGRAM? Once again, nothing said about that EXAMPLE: SLINGER FIRE DEPT- they are private . They have LIFESTAR as a provider for their EMS services. Yes, their fire department does help out. But mostly falls on LIFESTAR. Then the CO.EX. Says that Slinger gives LIFESTAR "free space" for the Ambulances. That not TRUE! Nothing being said how this will affect LIFESTAR so far! Are you aware they want the "communities" to write up their own resolution to "OPT IN"? This was decided on the 9-2-26 meeting at the county. They are "FLIPPING /FLOPING who will be responsible to write up the resolution! It is coming across they don't know what to put in it! NOTHING SPELLED AGAIN! Also, had listed the WI.LEAGUE STATUTES in the resolution; nothing was spoken about this. I did attach the Municipal League Letter to our comments and send into the COUNTY and you as well. So, they just take thing add it into the resolution. NOTHING SPELLED AGAIN! Then the "THREAT" yes; they both deny this being said. Then the "smirks" on their faces. They LIES! (yes, it is recorded there too) Think back to Jan. 2026 village board meeting when this was said at the meeting. Yes, it was recorded here! Well, it is still there! BUT In the Discussion Points at the presentation at the VILLAGE BOARD, it is listed what happens if the community DOES NOT WANT TO BE IN THE EMS PROGRAM. It was talked about a bit, say the VILLAGE does not agree to do this in the beginning. Yes, we all would still pay BUT NO MONEY BACK! Then in the "FUTURE" you decide that the VILLAGE MADE A MISTAKE! They say the village can join in BUT do not know how much money they would get at the time. Would it be where they are at that time and or you would have started at the beginning. NOTHING SPELLED OUT AGAIN! Confused on what was said about the 23 fire depts that show up at THE NUEMANN'S FAMILY FARM FIRE- It was said this is what this EMS is about . Believe they show up due to "MUTUAL AID" Yes, we really understand about "MUTUAL AID" due to our family history with different fire depts. So, is this "EMS PROGRAM" about "MUTUAL AID"? Not really sure! Which brings up the BIG QUESTION-What exactly does this EMS PROGRAM really stand for? PLEASE SPELL IT OUT , so everyone understand exactly! It was stated a couple of times during the county meetings by DAVE SEAGER, that EMS will also be used for "SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS PROGRAM" When I ask this question of a BOARD MEMBER, they stated in a phone call to me, that will not happen here, don't have the staff for it. Not in the budget. BUT Look at the agenda for tonight, where the FIRE DEPT. Is asking to buy a new vehicle. It states right in the agenda that this vehicle will be used for "THE COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM" which includes the SLIPS,TRIPS AND FALLS inspection in a resident's home. Nothing said if there is a "fee" for this to be done or not! NOTHING SPELLED OUT AGAIN! The COUNTY keeps saying that they DON'T WANT TO BE IN CONTROL! Then why do all the fire departments needs to have their budgets done and turn into DAVE SEAGER to go over? He will make sure they are following the rules! What RULES??? Not sure yet! One big thing that stands out is, if the community "borrows money for the fire department" Once again DIDN'T SPELL OUT WHAT THAT MEANS! But comes across that will affect the money that the village would get. Then the increases for the following years. NOTHING SPELLED OUT ON THIS-only the percents that they would charge! Nothing noted after this year, if the WI. SALES TAXC SURPLUS MONEY, would be used again! This year $600,000. Will be used out of 2026 surplus . The WASHINGTON CO SALES TAX SURPLUS FOR 2026 IS SO FAR- $12.18 million up to August 2026, FROM THE STATE. You all need to go back and look up how much the COUNTY has received back from the STATE OF WI. By the way, what is total surplus that GERMANTOWN has receive so far? Has the village ever gotten the 20% that was voted on by the residents in a referendum to receive to be used on the VILLAGE ROADS? Someone needs to be looking in this ! Our roads are not the best! We would like to know exactly how many of you that was on the board, when Mr. Kreklow went to the CO.EX. And said we need help paying the salaries for the "referendum of the new hires"? Yes, the CO.EX. Through this out at 7-29-26 meeting! Yes, this is on YOUTUBE recording of the COUNTY MEETING! Can't make this up! Another BIG QUESTION: Why the CO.EX. Never spoke to the Rep. Knodel until the day before the meeting that was on 8-19-26 and had breakfast? The STATE OF WI has a BIG SURPLUS TOO! Why not ask for help? NOTHING SAID ON THIS! Another BIG QUESTION-What is exactly this $790,481. That needs to be cut to get down to the 4cents per $1,000. Value on a home. Ex: $400,000 home would be tax at $16.00 a year. ONCE AGAIN NOT SPELLED OUT and or talked about! Are all you aware of Mr. Dave Seager is a former CITY OF MILWAUKEE Firefighter employee, which entitled him to a pension from the city. Maybe another pension from the COUNTY OF WASHINGTON? If he is here long enough. Another thing, no one from the fire department and or the board has brought up. Go look at your WATER AND SEWER BILL-for the resident who pay this PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION FEE, Which is at $5.07now. This started back on the water/sewer bill for the service of 12/9/21 to 3/1/22. The rate was originally at $2.13. Yes, I do have all my water bills, if you need to see this! This was originally brought up when the former board moved it to the water and sewer bill and NOT ALL RSIDENTS PAY THIS FEE, due to not being on water and sewer! Unfair was said at the time! They didn't care, just wanted another way to get money into the village! But if their home/business is on fire, the fire dept. Goes no matter what! This is true! Even if they don't fire hydrants out in their areas. Water needs to be trucked in Ex: STAG BAR FIRE-recently. So, will this fee be removed from the water/sewer bill? OR WILL THE VILLAGE AND COUNTY BE DOUBLE DIPPING AGAIN? Just ask some of the older trustees ,who are on the board, what I'm talking about. So many more UNANSWERED QUESTIONS YET! Think about this, would you personally sign a "CONTRACT" that does not have everything "SPELLED OUT COMPLETELY"? Is this the BEST THING TO DO? NOT SURE! BUT Did this village check out all the options out there? Think not yet! Does this really need to be done, by the time the CO.EX. Spoke? This was at 7/29/26 meeting, at the end of meeting, when he informs them what had to be done. Also, still waiting for the information from the county that was supposed to be put out to all of the residents in the county! Do all of you realize that there are 139,000 residents in the WASHINGTON COUNTY? So much more to say! The Schneider's