Common Council Meeting - Via Zoom — Minutes

Common Council MEETING MINUTES March 24, 2026 - 6:20 PM Zoom Meeting ID: 841 0836 9320 Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84108369320 MINUTES 1. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes. The Privilege of the Floor session shall not exceed a total of thirty (30) minutes, unless extended by the Common Council. Mayor Ament stated that the Council President had received requests to include the Milwaukee Rescue Mission item in closed session, so the Council could receive an update on the status of litigation. Council President Harenda clarified that the intent was solely to provide an informational update to the Council and that no action was anticipated. He further stated that he requests the removal of the closed session item from the agenda at the Council's and constituents' request. The Mayor read the rules governing Privilege of the Floor and invited any members of the public wishing to speak to come forward. Multiple residents spoke during Privilege of the Floor in opposition to the proposed Milwaukee Rescue Mission ‘New Journey’ development. 2. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Clerk stated that the Common Council approved, at her request, holding the meeting via electronic means (Zoom) on December 9, 2025, due to in-person absentee voting being conducted in the Council Chambers and to ensure the security of election materials. The agenda included a direct link to the Zoom meeting and the meeting ID: 841 0836 9320. Mayor Ament called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL; DECLARATION OF QUORUM; PUBLIC NOTICE City Clerk Rubina R. Medina took the roll call as follows: Present: Alderperson Hopkins, Alderperson La Fever, Alderperson Harenda, Alderperson Stribl, Alderperson Horbinski, Alderperson Kroupa Excused: Alderperson Dave Maxey Staff Present: Mayor Dave Ament, City Attorney Mark Blum, City Clerk Rubina R. Medina The City Clerk confirmed that a quorum was present and that the meeting was properly posted in compliance with the open meetings law. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 10, 2026, Common Council Meeting Minutes MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Alderperson Horbinski Second by: Alderperson La Fever VOTE: Motion Passed 6-0 5. REPORTS A. City Clerk The City Clerk announced that In-Person Absentee Voting began today at City Hall. Voters who prefer to vote on Election Day may do so on April 7, 2026, with polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For additional information, please visit www.myvote.wi.gov B. Council President No Report. C. Mayor The City Clerk announced that In-Person Absentee Voting began today at City Hall. Voters who prefer to vote on Election Day may do so on April 7, 2026, with polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For additional information, please visit www.myvote.wi.govMayor Ament extended his congratulations on behalf of the Common Council and the entire City of New Berlin to a 13-year-old eighth-grade student from Eisenhower Middle School who won the Badger State Spelling Bee in Madison on Saturday and will now advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 6. COMMUNICATIONS No Communications. 7. FOURTH OF JULY COMMISSOIN A. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve a contract with Pat’s Services, Inc., in the amount of $10,645, for portable sanitation services for the 4th of July Festival, to be provided from July 1 through July 6, 2026 Suggested Motion: “I move to approve the contract with Pat's Services, as outlined in the agenda packet and approved unanimously by the Fourth of July Commission on October 22, 2025. MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Alderperson Stribl Second by: Alderperson Harenda VOTE: Motion Passed 6-0 B. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve a contract with BCI Entertainment, LLC, in the amount of $25,000, for the 4th of July Festival drone show to be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Suggested Motion: “I move to approve the contract with BCI Entertainment, LLC, as outlined in the agenda packet and approved unanimously by the Fourth of July Commission on January 28, 2026. Ald. Stribl stated that all 4th of July festivities are funded through fundraising efforts and are not supported by taxpayer dollars. MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Alderperson Stribl Second by: Alderperson Hopkins VOTE: Motion Passed 6-0 C. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve a contract with Area Tent, in the amount of $22,823.03, for rentals and related services for the 4th of July Festival, to be provided from July 3 through July 5, 2026. Suggested Motion: “I move to approve the contract with Area Tent, as outlined in the agenda packet and approved unanimously by the Fourth of July Commission on October 22, 2025. MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Alderperson Stribl Second by: Alderperson Horbinski VOTE: Motion Passed 6-0 8. DEFERRED, REFERRED & TABLED ITEMS No items. 9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA, if any No items. 10. CONSENT AGENDA------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Items under the Consent Agenda have passed unanimously by the Committee of the Whole. Items not passed by a unanimous vote will be removed from consent agenda and will be considered separately. MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Alderperson Kroupa Second by: Alderperson Horbinski VOTE: Motion Passed 6-0 11. MINUTES A. March 10, 2026, Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes 12. UTILITY & FINANCE A. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve the March 25, 2026, Water Utility claims in the amount of $15,714.08, Sewer Utility claims in the amount of $317,776.83, and General City claims in the amount of $679,777.43, including General City claims checks dated March 4, 2026, in the amount of $284,955.97, tax overpayment checks totaling $12,617.81, and a We Energies EFT payment of $97,672.76. 13. MISCELLANEOUS A. Department of Community Development Update B. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve Resolution No. 2026-03 authorizing the Emergency Management Manager, Jim Burns, Department of Community Development, to submit an application and supporting worksheets to the State of Wisconsin Disaster Fund (WDF) for potential reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred by the City during response and recovery efforts related to the August 2025 flood event. C. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve the 2026 Roadway Maintenance Joint and Crack Cleaning and Sealing Project contract with Thunder Road, LLC, and inspection services by Ruekert & Mielke, Inc., contingent upon receipt of a signed agreement and certificate of insurance. D. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve an agreement with CBS2 for inspection services associated with the 2026 Roadway Rehabilitation portion of the Greenridge Watermain Replacement Project, contingent upon receipt of a signed agreement and certificate of insurance. E. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to deny the base bid and Alternates 1 and 2, for a total of $847,560, from Level Up Construction for the Live Fire Training Tower Rehabilitation Project, based on a determination that it is in the best interest of the City. F. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Common Council to approve a contract with Chrome Fireworks, in the amount of $40,000, for the 4th of July fireworks display. 14. END CONSENT AGENDA----------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. CLOSED SESSION The Common Council did not convene in closed session. A. The Common Council may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted with respect to pending or threatened litigation in which the City is or is likely to become involved: B. New Berlin Citizens United Board of Appeals Case and Petition for Writ of Mandamus by DeMoCat, LLC. et al. vs. City of New Berlin 16. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION 17. ADJOURN MOTION: Motion to Adjourn at 7:19 PM Motion by: Alderperson Stribl Second by: Alderperson La Fever VOTE: Motion Passed 6-0 Respectfully Submitted, Rubina R. Medina, City Clerk