Special Common Council — Minutes

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES Monday, August 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM Company E Room – Elisha D. Smith Public Library 440 First 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: DPW Merten, CDD Dane, PRD Sackett, PHD Hutter, PC Albrecht, FC Teesch, LD Kopetsky, CA Struve, Mayor Hammond, Clerk Janet D. PUBLIC HEARING E. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE CITY Laura Derocher (387 Lopas Street, Menasha) spoke regarding the reopening of Smith Park and having a place for the Doty Island community to gather. Derocher additionally spoke on the planning process for the reconstruction of Smith Park. Rev. Amy Engebose (1033 Melissa Street, Menasha), Pastor of St. Paul, spoke in support of the Rally for the Valley event idea. Engebose noted a concern with holding a fundraiser when there are community members in tough financial situations and suggested the creation of a voucher program for the event. Chris Evenson (523 Broad Street, Menasha) spoke on the Jefferson Park neighborhood's annual PorchaPalooza event. Due to this event's cancellation, community members have been organizing a free concert at Heckrodt Wetland Reserve on September 27th from 10am-12pm. F. REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OFFICERS/DEPARTMENT HEADS/STAFF/CONSULTANTS Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to receive. Motion carried on voice vote. 1. Presentations: a. Rally for the Valley Tornado Recovery Community Event Adrienne Palm, Founder of Bazaar After Dark, presented on the Rally of the Valley event to be held on Saturday, October 3 from 2-10pm. This event's purpose is to transform downtown Menasha into a free social space and fundraiser, with over 25,000 attendees. The event will include entertainment opportunities including comedy and music, resources from non-profits, artisanal booths, food trucks, and other vendors; an exciting opportunity for downtown Menasha and the community as a whole. The event organizers are asking for street closures and an exemption from the food truck restrictions in the downtown area in order to facilitate the event and ensure the safety of attendees. Various artists, performers, and celebrities have pledged their time and talent to create a successful event. The event also hopes to include livestream capabilities and receive national news coverage to create opportunities for more individuals to enjoy the event and facilitate opportunities for those interested in donating to have the opportunity to support recovery efforts. Palm also shared statistics on Bazaar After Dark attendance and the website for this event that will respond to FAQs and parking questions. Event organizers are also planning to use the funds to support various trusted community partners such as Habitat for Humanity and Pillars. Other non-profit organizations will be able to fundraise at this event as well. A non-profit must be partnered with to ensure tax exemption for donations; however, allocation of donated funds will be vetted in order to ensure efforts are helping victims of the tornado. Additionally, the event will notify those impacted by street closures and will provide parking options. Staff advised on the partnership with Habitat for Humanity for the Strong Neighborhoods program. Staff also advised that a recent event (Twisted Pistons) was successfully hosted in the same location as this planned event. Discussion considered attendance of Bazaar After Dark and parking considerations. Discussion also considered concerns regarding fundraising for non-profits. Discussion additionally considered Menasha Forward as a beneficiary. Discussion also considered access concerns for those living in Marina Place and if the City has recovered sufficiently to host a large event. 2. Minutes to Receive: 3. Communications: G. CONSENT AGENDA H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA I. ACTION ITEMS 1. Rally for the Valley Tornado Recovery Community Event, Saturday, October 3 in Downtown Menasha Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 4 Alderperson Perkins to formally support the Rally for the Valley event. Motion carried 7-1 on roll call. District 2 Alderperson Eisenach voted no. Motion by District 2 Alderperson Eisenach to amend the motion by striking the words raise funds from the event. Motion died due to lack of a second. Discussion considered concerns regarding fundraising for non-profit organizations. Staff advised this is a unique scenario, and that this event was presented to council ahead of normal procedure. Future items, including road closures and fundraising, will be considered during the planning process, with planning to be done during the standard special event timeline. Adrienne Palm clarified that having the non-profit beneficiary allows donations to be tax-exempt and that fundraising helps to pay for equipment and safety personnel. J. HELD OVER BUSINESS K. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS L. APPOINTMENTS M. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY N. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY MATTER LISTED ON THE AGENDA Laura Derocher (387 Lopas Street, Menasha) spoke regarding the road closure affecting Marina Place residents. Tina Varth (420 Racine Street, Menasha) spoke regarding the vacancy of 412 Appleton Street. O. ADJOURNMENT Motion by District 6 Alderperson Marshall seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to adjourn the Common Council meeting at 7:08pm. Motion carried on voice vote. Minutes submitted by City Clerk Evan Janet.