Common Council Meeting — Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES Monday, August 17, 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, CDD Dane, PRD Sackett, PHD Hutter, PC Albrecht, FC Teesch, LD Kopetsky, DFC Krueger, HRM Cardoza, CLO Roe, CA Struve, Mayor Hammond, Clerk Janet, PRESS D. PUBLIC HEARING E. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE CITY Alex Miller (817 Green Street, Fox Crossing) spoke on short-term recovery efforts following the tornado and noted the future consequences that the community may face. Neil Green (836 Broad Street, Menasha) shared concerns regarding redevelopment of residential neighborhoods following the tornado. Dani Rand (336 Lopas Street, Menasha) thanked City of Menasha staff and emergency personnel for the hard work during the tornado recovery. Rand also urged all to verify information before sharing on social media in order to prevent the spread of misinformation. Rand additionally shared comments on the now-lifted curfew in the City and spoke in support of the e-bike ordinances recommended by the Park Board. George Van Schyndel (125 E. Columbian Avenue, Neenah), Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue (NMFR), thanked those who assisted the fire department in searching residences in the areas affected by the tornado and shared information about NMFR's response. Brody Spilski and Christin Magley (731 First Street, Menasha) spoke on protecting neighborhood identity during redevelopment following the tornado. Dick Sturm (1203 Greenwood Court, Menasha) spoke in support of the e-bike and e-scooter ordinances being considered on the agenda. KristL Laux (388 Nassau Street, Menasha), Winnebago County District 2 Supervisor, spoke on the likelihood of future natural disasters, and the opportunity for redevelopment to meet higher quality standards in order to prevent future displacement of residents. 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. Staff advised on the Draft Disaster Recovery Plan. This plan allows the City an opportunity to reevaluate the future of City development. Staff also advised that zoning overlay districts could be used for neighborhood specific zoning rules. Discussion considered an ordinance to ensure R-1 zoned neighborhoods remain R-1 zoned for a certain time, rather than allowing neighborhoods to develop in a different manner. Discussion also considered review of zoning rules soon rather than waiting for full adoption of this plan in January. 1. Presentations: 2. Minutes to Receive: a. Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission, 6/23/26 b. Special Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission, 7/9/26 c. Special Personnel Committee, 7/20/26 d. Administration Committee, 7/20/26 e. Board of Public Works, 7/20/26 f. NMFR Joint Finance and Personnel Committee, 7/21/26 g. Water and Light Commission, 7/22/26 h. Plan Commission, 7/7/26 i. Special Board of Public Works, 8/3/26 j. Parks & Recreation Board, 8/11/26 3. Communications: a. Pleasants Park Playground Opening - Thursday, August 27 b. 9th Neenah-Menasha Intertribal Powwow — Saturday, September 12, 2026 c. Disaster Recovery Planning (Draft) G. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Common Council Minutes, 7/20/26 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 2. Common Council Minutes, 8/3/26 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 3. Special Common Council Minutes, 8/10/26 Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried on voice vote. 4. Board of Public Works, 7/20/26, Recommends Approval of: a. Payment — MCC Inc.; Contract No. 2026-01; Street Construction on Eighth Street, Third Street, and DePere Street; $67,174.65 (Payment No. 1) Motion by District 6 Alderperson Marshall, seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. b. Recommend to Award — Contract No. 2026-03; Clovis Park Tennis Courts Reconstruction; Northeast Asphalt, Inc.; $745,217.74 Motion by District 6 Alderperson Marshall, seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. Staff advised that the Clovis Park Tennis Courts are failing and are the competition courts for the Menasha Joint School District (MJSD). Staff also advised that this project will be funded by MJSD, a USDA Grant, and City of Menasha funds. 5. Plan Commission, 7/7/2026, Recommends Approval of: a. Drum Corps Final Plat as presented, finding that the final plat conforms to the Municipal Ordinance, the City Comprehensive Plan, and surrounding development with the following condition: Motion by District 2 Alderperson Eisenach, seconded by District 7 Alderperson Grade to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. Under the "Notes" section, "Access easement allows general access to Lot 9 and the City of Menasha access to maintain the stormwater pond located on Outlot 1." shall be added to the final plat. 6. Parks & Recreation Board, 8/11/26, Recommends Approval of: a. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Menasha and Fox Cities Greenways, Inc. Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. Staff advised on the project for the Woodlands West segment of the High Cliff Connection. Staff also advised this item is the receipt of a grant from Fox Cities Greenways. City staff hopes to receive more grant funding in the future for this project. H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA I. ACTION ITEMS 1. Accounts payable and payroll for the term of 7/17/26 - 8/13/26 in the amount of $5,834,210.84 Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale, seconded by District 2 Alderperson Eisenach to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 2. The Common Council may convene into closed session, pursuant to Wis. Stat 19.85 Section (1)(e), deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, for the purpose of reviewing the Tentative Bargaining agreement between the Cities of Neenah and Menasha and Local 275. Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to adjourn into Closed Session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e). Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 3. The Common Council may reconvene into open session pursuant to Wis. Stats. §19.85(2) to consider or act on any item (s) discussed in closed session. Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to reconvene into Open Session. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. J. HELD OVER BUSINESS K. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 1. R-26-26 — A Resolution for an Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement to Satisfy Eligibility for the Wisconsin Recycling Consolidation Grant for Calendar Year 2027 (Introduced by Mayor Hammond) Motion by District 6 Alderperson Marshall, seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 2. O-10-26 — An Ordinance Enacting Title 10, Chapter 2, Section 10-2-9 of the Code of Ordinances, Regulating Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycles (Introduced by Mayor Hammond and Alderman Grade) Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 6 Alderperson Marshall to approve as amended. Motion as amended carried 7-1 on roll call. District 8 Alderperson School voted no. Motion by District 1 Alderperson Rand, seconded by District 7 Alderperson Grade to amend O-10-26 by striking the proposed section 10-2-9(e) Riding on Roadway in its entirety. Motion to amend carried 8-0 on roll call. Discussion considered educational components through the Menasha Joint School District or other actors to help address the e-bike/e-scooter problem in the community. Discussion additionally considered age limits and the ability to limit e-bikes during certain events. Discussion also considered the use of e- bikes on the road by 6-and 7-year-old individuals and ordinance enforcement. Staff advised on the various stakeholders included in the drafting of this ordinance. Staff also advised that educational components have been previously discussed and will be worked on. Staff additionally advised on case-by-case enforcement of this ordinance. 3. O-12-26 — An Ordinance Enacting Title 12, Chapter 1, Subsection 12-1- 13(a)(6) Allowing Mobility Aids and Enacting Title 12, Chapter 1, Section 12-1- 13(c)-(h) of the Code of Ordinances, Requiring Helmet Use for Persons Under 16 Years of Age at Menasha Skate Park at Hart Park (Introduced by Mayor Hammond and Alderman Grade) Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried 6-2 on roll call. District 1 Alderperson Rand and District 8 Alderperson School voted no. Discussion considered why this ordinance highlights Hart Park. Staff advised on the encouragement of helmet use in the skate park from a liability standpoint. 4. O-13-26 — An Ordinance Enacting Title 12, Chapter 1, Section 12-1-1(b)(24) of the Code of Ordinances, Restricting E-Bicycles and E-Scooters within Playground, Pavilion, Shelter, and Athletic Facilities of the City of Menasha (Introduced by Mayor Hammond and Alderman Grade) Motion by District 7 Alderperson Grade, seconded by District 3 Alderperson Hale to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. 5. R-28-26 — A Resolution Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures from Proceeds of Borrowing (Introduced by Alderperson Marshall) Motion by District 6 Alderperson Marshall, seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. L. APPOINTMENTS 1. Council Appointment of Evan Janet as City Clerk for the term of 8/17/2026 - 4/20/2027, as recommended by the City Clerk Hiring Committee Motion by District 4 Alderperson Perkins, seconded by District 5 Alderperson Lewis to approve. Motion carried 8-0 on roll call. M. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY N. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY MATTER LISTED ON THE AGENDA George Van Schyndel (125 E. Columbian Avenue, Neenah), Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue, requested an update on the Closed Session item. Dani Rand (336 Lopas Street, Menasha), offered support for Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue and thanked the Council for passing the e-bike related ordinances recommended by Park Board. O. ADJOURNMENT Motion by District 3 Alderperson Hale seconded by District 8 Alderperson School to adjourn the Common Council meeting at 8:56pm. Motion carried on voice vote. Minutes submitted by City Clerk Evan Janet.