Common Council Meeting — Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM First Floor Conference Rooms 100 Main Street, Menasha, WI A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Hammond at 6:00pm. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. C. ROLL CALL Present: Alds. Rand, Eisenach, Hale, Perkins, Lewis, Marshall, Grade, School Also Present: FD Sassman, DPW Merten, CDD Dane, PRD Sackett, PHD Hutter, PC Albrecht, FC Teesch, HRM Cardoza, CA Struve, Mayor Hammond, Clerk Janet, PRESS D. PUBLIC HEARING E. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE CITY Rachel Dowling (642 Depere Street, Menasha), Winnebago County Supervisor District 1, spoke on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and safeguards to protect citizens, including record retention, the collection of data, and audits. Additionally, Dowling spoke on the Menasha Strong Recovery Plan, and expressed the desire that the process includes all Menasha residents. Kristl Laux (388 Nassau Street, Menasha), Winnebago County Supervisor District 2, thanked the Mayor and Chief of Police for withdrawing support for the Flock company, and shared concerns regarding other ALPR companies. Laux recommended an in-house solution to allow the Police Department to have a similar service. Tim Jacobson (732 Paris Street, Menasha) spoke on his experience with the City of Menasha Department of Public Works, and commented on the incredible work done by the current City of Menasha Department of Public Works. Jacobson additionally recommended a plaque commending the work of the crew and to honor their commitment to the City during the recovery phase following the tornado. F. REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OFFICERS/DEPARTMENT HEADS/STAFF/CONSULTANTS Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 1. Presentations: a. Hindu Temple of North East Wisconsin (Dr. Richa Aggarwal) - Donation for Tornado Relief Dr. Richa Aggarwal and Shakti Shukla, Hindu Temple of North East Wisconsin, shared information about their fundraiser and presented the City of Menasha with a check to be used for tornado recovery efforts. b. Menasha Strong Recovery Plan Community Development Director Dane presented on the City's plan for recovery. Dane presented on issues facing residents such as neighborhood identity and trajectory, floodplain and zoning considerations, and construction costs and other financial burdens. Goals for the recovery plan include ensuring residents can stay in the area, establishing clear direction for neighborhoods, and streamlining permitting. The Redevelopment Authority would lead this effort with two Ad-Hoc advisory groups to guide planning; a Business Advisory Group and a Neighborhood Advisory Group, including representatives directly from impacted neighborhood residents. Preserving and rebuilding tree canopies and cleaning waterways also a priority of this plan. The plan aims to have community involvement through open meetings, online surveys, and focus groups to guide efforts. A potential storyboard website could also be used for planning and historical purposes. A tentative timeline for this project is as follows: pre-planning with a consultant, project kickoff, damage assessment, community engagement, and plan development. Staff advised that aldermanic nominations could serve as a way to involve residents from neighborhoods. Staff advised that this plan could help individuals find resources, and that those looking to rebuild may still build the same footprint. Discussion considered how residents could join the advisory groups. Discussion also considered the timeline for this plan and if properties are still considered "grandfathered in" to certain zoning laws from when homes were originally constructed. 2. Minutes to Receive: a. Committee on Aging, 7/10/26 b. Board of Public Works, 8/17/26 c. Special Water and Light Commission, 8/11/26 d. Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission, 8/4/26 e. Library Board of Trustees, 8/5/26 f. Redevelopment Authority, 8/25/26 g. Police Commission, 3/19/26, 5/21/26 h. Special Police Commission, 3/23/26, 3/24/26, 4/1/26, 4/21/26, 5/26/26, 6/2/26, 6/24/26, 6/24/26 i. Board of Health, 6/3/26 3. Communications: a. Menasha Strong Recovery Plan b. Floodplain Impacted Properties Update c. Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Technology d. Community Development Department Update e. Sale Day Report — General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A G. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Common Council Minutes, 8/17/26 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 5 Alderperson Lewis to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 2. Special Common Council Minutes, 8/24/26 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 3. Special Common Council Minutes, 8/31/26 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 4. Board of Public Works, 8/17/26, Recommends Approval of: a. Payment — Donald Hietpas & Sons Inc; Contract No. M0002-09-26- 00105; 2026 Utility Reconstruction; $327,042.36 (Payment No. 3) Motion by District 6 Alderperson Marshall, seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA I. ACTION ITEMS 1. Temporary Expansion of Licensed Premises Permit Application - Stone Toad (1109 Oneida Street), September 13, 2026 Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 7 Alderperson Grade to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 2. Transfer Alcohol License Application from Steven Szymanski, DBA Club Tavern to Club Cat, LLC, DBA Club Tavern (56 Racine Street, Menasha) - "Class B" (Intoxicating Liquor) and Class "B" (Fermented Malt Beverages); Kelly Bartelme, Agent Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 7 Alderperson Grade to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 3. Accounts Payable and payroll for the term of 8/14/26-9/3/26 in the amount of $5,124,749.89 Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 2 Alderperson Eisenach to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 4. Menasha Strong Recovery Plan Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 5. Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Cities of Neenah and Menasha and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 275 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 4 Alderperson Perkins to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. Mayor Hammond asked for unanimous consent to suspend Common Council rules for committee recommendations for this item to proceed directly to the Common Council. The Common Council agreed. 6. Flock Safety Agreement with the City of Menasha Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to authorize the Office of the City Attorney to terminate the relationship between the City of Menasha and Flock Safety. Motion carried 7-1 on roll call. District 6 Alderperson Marshall voted no. Discussion considered concerns with all ALPR technology, surveillance, and safeguards necessary to protect resident information in all aspects of City operations. Discussion also considered the financial implications of leaving this contract. Discussion additionally considered sharing of information through the Flock system. Discussion also considered the necessary balancing act facing the council. Staff advised that this item is vendor specific, and this technology is useful for law enforcement. However, staff advised there is a need to evaluate practices going forward to prevent further incidents. Staff advised that cameras would be removed by the Flock company, after a 30-day notice given by the City. Staff additionally advised that there are no instances the City knows of in which City of Menasha data was downloaded and improperly spread. Search requirements and auditing of the system have continued to be useful safeguards. J. HELD OVER BUSINESS K. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 1. R-31-26 - A Resolution to Waive Building Permit Fees, Zoning Permit Fees, and Demolition Permit Fees for Storm-Related Repairs in the City of Menasha (Introduced by Mayor Hammond) Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 4 Alderperson Perkins to approve as amended. Motion as amended carried 8-0 on roll call. Motion by District 1 Alderperson Rand, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to amend line 3 to read, "The fee waiver shall remain in effect through the end of January, 2027, officially expiring on January 30, 2027; and." Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 2. R-33-26 - A Resolution Authorizing the Financing for Costs Incurred Associated with the July 2026 Tornado Event in the Amount of $5,000,000 (Introduced by Mayor Hammond) Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 7 Alderperson Grade to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. Discussion considered reimbursement of expenses and a timeline of a potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declaration. Staff advised on a proposed loan of up to $5,000,000 with an 18-month term at 0% interest to be repaid using reimbursements from FEMA. Staff also advised that Menasha Utilities might also need help with financing which will be considered in the future. Staff advised that expenses thus far have historically been eligible for FEMA funding. Should funding not be made available by FEMA, this loan would then roll into long-term financing with more discussion to be had. 3. R-34-26 - A Resolution Extending the Distribution Date of the 2027 Proposed Budget (Pursuant to Section 3-1-3(c) of the City Code) (Introduced by Mayor Hammond) Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 4 Alderperson Perkins to approve as amended. Motion as amended carried 8-0 on roll call. Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 5 Alderperson Lewis to amend R-34-26 by adding: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2027 Budget Review Sessions currently scheduled for November 5, November 6, November 12, and November 13, 2026, be rescheduled to November 12, November 13, November 19, and November 20, 2026, in order to provide the Common Council and members of the public adequate time to review the 2027 Proposed Budget and Capital Improvements Plan following its distribution on October 26, 2026." Motion to amend carried 6-2 on roll call. District 4 Alderperson Perkins and District 7 Alderperson Grade voted no. Discussion considered extension of the timeline for budget review purposes. Staff advised that this resolution allows staff more time to present the budget to council due to delays caused by the tornado. Staff shared the desire to pass the budget at the second council meeting in November. L. APPOINTMENTS 1. Appointment of Interim City Attorney James Walsh, effective 9/21/2026 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 4 Alderperson Perkins to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 2. Resignation of Matt Larsen from the Fox Cities Transit Commission Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 4 Alderperson Perkins to accept. Motion carried on voice vote. 3. Mayor's appointment of Andrew Dane to the Fox Cities Transit Commission for the term of 9/9/2026 - 4/30/2029 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. Discussion considered the time commitment of this organization. M. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY 1. Adjourn into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute § 19.85(1)(g): Conferring with legal counsel for the governing body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved (Concerning the below claims) Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to adjourn into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute § 19.85(1)(g). Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. a. Claims Against the City - Steven G. Burow (April Weather Event) b. Claim Against the City - Jeff and Deanne Strasser (April Weather Event) c. Claim Against the City - Logan and Danielle Meyer (April Weather Event) 2. May reconvene into Open Session to take action on the items discussed in Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute § 19.85(2). Motion by District 2 Alderperson Eisenach, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to reconvene into Open Session. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to deny items M.1.a, M.1.b, and M.1.c. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. N. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY MATTER LISTED ON THE AGENDA KristL Laux (388 Nassau Street, Menasha), Winnebago County Supervisor District 2, encouraged staff to schedule community meetings around other scheduled governmental meetings. Eli Wickman (700 Tenth Street, Menasha) thanked the Common Council for their decision on Flock cameras and noted concerns regarding a third party company taking this data. O. ADJOURNMENT Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale seconded by District 5 Alderperson Lewis to adjourn the Common Council meeting at 7:55pm. Motion carried on voice vote. Minutes submitted by City Clerk Evan Janet.