City Council Meeting — Minutes

City of Fort Atkinson City Manager's Office 101 N. Main Street Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN PERSON AND VIA ZOOM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026 – 7:00 PM CITY HALL – SECOND FLOOR MINUTES 1. Call meeting to order President Jaeckel called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Roll call Present: Cm. Huckabee, Cm. Johnson, Cm. Lescohier, Cm. Price and President Jaeckel. Also present: City Manager, City Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director, City Attorney, Director of Public Works, Director of Neighborhood and Building Services, Fire Chief, Police Captain, Police Chief, Library Director, Water Superintendent and Wastewater Superintendent. 3. Pledge of Allegiance President Jaeckel led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Consent Agenda Price moved, seconded by Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda items 4.a. through 4.k. Motion carried. a. Review and possible action relating to the minutes of September 1, 2026, Ordinance Committee meeting (Ebbert/Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director b. Review and possible action relating to the minutes of the September 9, 2026 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting (Dayton, Parks and Recreation Director) c. Review and possible action relating to the minutes of the September 10, 2026, Finance Committee meeting (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) d. Review and possible action relating to the minutes of the September 15, 2026, License Committee meeting (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) e. Review and possible action relating to the minutes of the September 15, 2026, City Council meeting (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) f. Review and possible action relating to the minutes of the September 22, 2026, Plan Commission meeting (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) g. Review and possible recommendation relating to Alcohol Beverage License Agent Change DLM Group LLC, dba Jennies Entertainment Center, 1245 Whitewater Avenue (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) h. Review and possible recommendation relating to Alcohol Beverage License Name Change ("DBA" Change) for Creamery 201, LLC dba Vallarta Bar and Grill, LLC at 201 N. Main Street (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) i. Review and possible action relating to the installation of assistive listening technology in Dwight Foster Public Library's FCCU Community Room (Lippert, Library Director) j. Review and possible action relating to Citizen Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees (Houseman, City Manager) k. Review and possible action relating to a Temporary Retailer's License for BASE Common Table Harvest Dinner on October 10, 2026, from 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) 5. Public Hearings None. 6. Public Comment for Matters on the Agenda Brad Wilcox, 508 Frederick Avenue - spoke in regard to Evergreen Cemetery in relation to stormwater utility rates. They are requesting to not be charged for stormwater rates. Curtis Abendroth, 1000 N. Main Street - spoke in regard to Evergreen Cemetery in relation to stormwater utility rates. They are requesting to not be charged for stormwater rates. He also referenced potholes. 7. Petitions, Requests, and Communications a. Referendum presentation (Fort Atkinson School District representatives) School Board members provided a presentation on the school district referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 8. Resolutions and Ordinances a. Review and possible action relating to a Resolution Adopting the 2027 Stormwater Utility Rate (Navin, Director of Public Works) Director Navin stated that in 2024, the City contracted with Trilogy Consulting, LLC to evaluate the financial condition of the City’s utilities and develop long-term projections for revenues, expenses, capital needs, debt obligations, and reserve levels. The analysis identified the need for a series of rate increases to ensure the Stormwater Utility could continue funding routine operations, infrastructure maintenance and replacement, debt service associated with the Public Works and Parks Facility, future Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) projects, and the rebuilding of adequate financial reserves. The Stormwater Utility is currently able to meet its operating and capital obligations; however, maintaining that position requires continued attention to both annual revenues and long-term infrastructure needs. Stormwater expenditures can vary significantly from year to year. Emergency repairs, unforeseen project conditions, and the need to investigate or replace aging infrastructure can create substantial expenses that were not anticipated when the original financial projections were prepared. Recent examples include the South Main Street project change order and the South Fourth Street storm sewer investigation. Lescohier moved, seconded by Price to approve the Resolution adopting the 2027 Stormwater Utility Rate. Motion carried. b. Review and possible action relating to a Resolution Adopting the 2027 Wastewater Utility Rates (Navin, Director of Public Works) Director Navin noted that in 2024, the City Council authorized staff to work with Trilogy Inc. to aid in evaluating the current financial picture of the City's three utilities as well as look at forecasting future expenses and revenues. The last full rate study was completed in 2020 • Overall increases of 6% per year were implemented in 2021, 2022, and 2023 • 2020 rate study projected 3% per year increases for 2024 and future years • Recommended to continue with moderate annual rate increases based on updated revenues and expenses • Rates were increased 3% in 2026 • Recommend another 3% increase for 2027 • Utility is projected to draw down reserves over the next few years through capital spending, but maintain a healthy fund balance Price moved, seconded by Lescohier to approve the Resolution adopting the 2027 Wastewater Utility Rate. Motion carried. c. First reading of a proposed Annexation Ordinance relating to the annexation of the property located at N1807 South Main Street (parcel number 016-0514-0941-030) to the City of Fort Atkinson from the Town of Koshkonong (PFA-2026-02) (Draeger, Director of Neighborhood and Building Services) Director Draeger provided the subject property is currently located in the Town of Koshkonong, and the applicant is requesting annexation into the City. In conjunction with the proposed annexation, the applicant is requesting an SR-5 Single-Family Residential zoning designation. Upon approval of the annexation, the 1.28-acre parcel is proposed to be divided through a Certified Survey Map (CSM) into four individual residential lots, each meeting the minimum dimensional and area requirements of the proposed SR-5 zoning district. The proposed zoning is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan, which identifies the property for Single-Family Residential future land use. Lescohier moved, seconded by Johnson to perform the first reading of the ordinance and direct the City Manager to prepare the Ordinance for a second and possible third/final reading at the meeting on October 20, 2026. Motion carried. d. Second and possible third/final reading of an Ordinance to Amend Section 18-256 of the City of Fort Atkinson Code of General Ordinances relating to Camping Units (Draeger, Director of Neighborhood and Building Services) Director Draeger shared that the City is delegated by the State of Wisconsin to administer and enforce the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) within the City. As part of this delegation, the City is responsible for issuing building permits, conducting inspections, and enforcing applicable state building standards for one- and two-family dwellings and certain related structures. The Ordinance Committee reviewed the proposed Ordinance Amendment to Section 18-256 at a meeting on July 21, 2026, and recommended the City Council adopt the proposed Amendment. The first reading was held by the City Council on September 15, 2026. Huckabee moved, seconded by Johnson to suspend the rules and offer a third/final reading of this Ordinance. Motion carried. Lescohier moved, seconded by Johnson to adopt Ordinance to amend section 18-256 of the City of Fort Atkinson Code of General Ordinances relating to camping units. Motion carried. e. Second and possible third/final reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 94, Article VIII, Division 6 Stopping, Standing and Parking (Lindsey, Police Captain) Captain Lindsey shared the proposed ordinance revision removes specific parking forfeiture and penalty amounts from the parking ordinance and instead establishes those amounts within the City's annual fee schedule. Under the current ordinance, penalty amounts are specified within the ordinance itself, requiring a formal ordinance amendment whenever a fee adjustment is necessary. Under the proposed structure, the parking ordinance will continue to establish parking regulations, restrictions, and enforcement authority, while the associated forfeiture amounts will be adopted separately through the City's fee schedule. Any future adjustments to parking penalties would be considered by the City Council as part of the fee schedule review and adoption process, eliminating the need to amend the ordinance solely to modify penalty amounts. The Ordinance Committee reviewed this ordinance amendment at the meeting on September 1, 2026, and recommended that the City Council review and approve it. The first reading was held by the City Council on September 15, 2026. Price moved, seconded by Johnson to suspend the rules and offer a third/final reading of this Ordinance. Motion carried. Huckabee moved, seconded by Price to adopt the Ordinance amending chapter 94, Article VIII, Division 6 stopping, standing and parking. Motion carried. f. Second reading of an Ordinance to amend Section 98-603 and create Section 98-610 of Article V of the City of Fort Atkinson Code of General Ordinances relating to the Stormwater Utility (Navin, Director of Public Works) Director Navin noted that on July 21, 2026, the Ordinance Committee requested that staff evaluate an amendment to the City's Stormwater Utility Ordinance relating to stormwater utility charges assessed to cemetery properties. The City Council performed the first reading of the ordinance on September 15, 2026. During that discussion, the City Council directed staff to modify the ordinance amendment to add a sunset. Qualifying cemetery properties would be exempt from ERU-based stormwater utility charges for a two-year period, with the ordinance containing a sunset provision that would automatically terminate the exemption at the conclusion of that period unless the City Council takes additional action. The ordinance presented for second reading has been revised to reflect that direction. Based on current charges, the three cemetery properties generate approximately $5,599.08 annually in stormwater utility revenue. Stormwater ERU rates are proposed to increase by 15% in 2027 and an additional 5% in 2028. Assuming those rate increases are adopted, the temporary cemetery exemption would result in approximately $6,438.94 in foregone revenue in 2027 and $6,760.89 in 2028, for a total estimated two-year financial impact of $13,199.83. The actual financial impact may vary depending on final rate approvals or changes to ERU assignments during the exemption period. Lescohier moved, seconded by Johnson to direct the City Manager to prepare the ordinance for a third and final reading at the October 20, 2026, City Council meeting. Motion carried. Motion carries 3-2 - Lescohier and Price opposed Huckabee moved, seconded by Johnson to amend Article V, Sec. 98-610 by striking the words “and Sunset” from the title and amending the description to read “Cemetery properties, as defined in Section 98-603, are exempt from stormwater utility charges on the effective date of the ordinance amendment. Motion carries 3-2 - Lescohier and Price opposed 9. Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees a. City Manager’s Report (Houseman, City Manager) No action was taken. 10. Unfinished Business None. 11. New Business a. Review and possible action relating to a Water and Wastewater Capacity Evaluation by Donohue & Associates, Inc. (Navin, Director of Public Works) Director Navin shared that staff recently received an economic development inquiry from a food and beverage manufacturer evaluating potential sites for a new manufacturing facility. The proposed operation would require water and sanitary sewer capacity substantially greater than any existing individual user in the City, along with significant fire-flow and other utility needs. As staff reviewed the inquiry, it became clear that additional technical analysis would be helpful to better define available capacity, identify potential system constraints, and understand what improvements may be necessary to serve a project of this magnitude. For purposes of the study, Donohue will evaluate a hypothetical manufacturing user in the Klement Business Park requiring approximately 660,000 gallons per day of water, 2,500 gallons per minute of fire flow, and 845,000 gallons per day of wastewater discharge. These assumptions are based on the recent food and beverage manufacturing inquiry and provide a useful benchmark for evaluating the City's infrastructure. Donohue has proposed completing the Water and Wastewater Capacity Evaluation for a lump sum fee of $38,100. Price moved, seconded by Johnson to approve the professional services agreement with Donohue & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $38,100 for completion of the Water and Wastewater Capacity Evaluation. Motion carried. b. Review and possible action relating to a proposal for preparation and implementation of a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Site Assessment grant application for the former Loeb-Lorman Scrapyard (Navin, Director of Public Works) Director Navin stated the City owns the former Loeb-Lorman scrapyard property, commonly referred to as the Lorman Site, consisting of multiple parcels at 115 Lorman Street, 205 Hake Street, and 600 Oak Street. The approximately 12-acre brownfield site has a long history of environmental investigation and remediation efforts associated with its former industrial use. Previous environmental investigation and remediation work was completed at the site; however, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) determined that the prior Site Investigation Report was not sufficient for approval. As a result, the City contracted with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in 2025 to review the previous environmental work, coordinate with WDNR, and develop a new Supplemental Site Investigation Workplan that would provide a clear path forward for the property. Lescohier moved, seconded by Johnson to approve Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.'s proposal in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for preparation and submission of a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Site Assessment Grant application for the Lorman Site and authorize staff to execute the necessary agreement. Motion carried. c. Review and possible action relating to Banker Road Redesign Temporary Limited Easements (Navin, Director of Public Works) Director Navin noted that with the Banker Road relocation and redesign project is supported by a $1.4 million Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) grant. As part of the project, the City is required to obtain several Temporary Limited Easements (TLEs) from adjacent property owners to provide temporary access necessary for activities including grading and tree removal. Recall that the $23,680 donation from the owner of Parcel 7 was negotiated as part of an agreement that included payment of earth moving invoices in the Ridge View Estates Subdivision. Huckabee moved, seconded by Price to approve the negotiated Temporary Limited Easement payments for the Banker Road Redesign Project in the amounts presented for each affected parcel and authorize staff to execute the necessary acquisition documents and issue payment to the respective property owners. Motion carried. d. Review and possible action relating to the replacement of an Aeration G5 Plus 100 HP Turbo Blower at the Wastewater Treatment Facility (Sweeney, Wastewater Superintendent) Superintendent Sweeney noted that the aeration blowers provide oxygen to the aerobic treatment process, supporting biological nutrient removal and activated sludge treatment for the removal of organic pollutants, phosphorus, and nitrogen from wastewater. Aeration G5 Plus 100 HP Turbo Blower was purchased in December 2021 as part of a major plant upgrade. The G5 Plus 100 HP turbo blower motor assembly suffered a catastrophic failure and requires immediate replacement. Lescohier moved, seconded by Huckabee to approve the replacement of an Aeration G5 Plus 100 HP Turbo Blower at a cost not to exceed $32,302.22 using Wastewater Utility funds. Motion carried. e. Review and possible action relating to the purchase of ambulance capital equipment (Peterson, Fire Chief) Chief Peterson noted that on September 17, 2024, the City Council approved the purchase of a new Foster Coach ambulance for the Fort Atkinson Fire Department. At that time, staff noted that certain capital equipment would be purchased separately later, allowing the City to purchase equipment at the most advantageous time. The Department has been advised of an upcoming price increase. Approving the purchases at this time will allow the City to issue purchase orders for all three items and secure current pricing before the increase takes effect. The new ambulance is scheduled for delivery in October 2027. The LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitor/defibrillator, Stryker Stair Chair Pro, and Stryker Power-LOAD system with Power-PRO 2 patient cot have been identified in previous and current Capital Improvement Plans as equipment for the replacement ambulance. Price moved, seconded by Johnson to approve the purchase of one LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitor/defibrillator, one Stair Chair Pro, and one Power-LOAD system with Power-PRO 2 patient cot from Stryker for a total amount not to exceed $119,959.58, using borrowed funds as budgeted in the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan. Motion carried. f. Review and possible action relating to the purchase of two Mobile Data Terminals for the Fire Department CAD System using donated funds (Peterson, Fire Chief) Chief Peterson stated that on August 4, 2026, the City Council approved the purchase and implementation of a new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system for the Fort Atkinson Fire Department. The project included the installation of Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) in Fire Department response vehicles to provide crews with direct access to CAD information while responding to and operating at emergency incidents. The MDT's are an integral component of the new CAD system and provide responding personnel with real-time access to dispatch and incident information. The units will allow crews to receive updated call information, mapping and routing, premise and hazard information, preplans, hydrant information, and other data directly in response vehicles. Huckabee moved, seconded by Johnson to approve the purchase of two Mobile Data Terminals for the Fire Department CAD System at a net cost of $5,971.86, using donated funds. Motion carried. g. Review and possible action on CIP Back-up Generator Replacement Project for Police Department (Bump, Police Chief) Chief Bump provided that the Police Department is seeking replacement of the emergency generator located at the station. The current generator is outdated and has surpassed its end of life. Funds were established in the 2026-2027 CIP Budget in the amount of $84,000 for this planned replacement project. In addition to the replacement, this project will also involve moving the generator outside the building. The current generator is inside the squad bay. Because of this transition to outdoors, a concrete pad will be installed next to the building adjacent to the current generator location. DPW will be used to complete this project and will result in a cost saving to the City by using their own equipment and in- house staff members to complete the concrete work. Lescohier moved, seconded by Huckabee to approve the replacement of the Police Department back-up generator from Home Backup Systems along with a concrete pad, glass block windows and screening at a total cost of $79,675 using borrowed funds. Motion carried. h. Review and possible action relating to the Small Animal Collection Contract with the Humane Society of Jefferson County for 2027 (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) Clerk Ebbert stated that the city has partnered with the Humane Society of Jefferson County to maintain collection of small animals within the city limits. The contract has been approved annually (calendar year) by the City Council and the Humane Society Board. The Humane Society has served the City by furnishing and maintaining facilities and equipment adequate for the housing, shelter and care of all dogs and cats unlawfully at large or surrendered to the Humane Society. The Humane Society contract cost uses the City's population estimate generated from the Department of Administration (12,471) times a rate of $2.91 per resident, totaling $36,290.61 for 2027. Annually, a 1.5% discount is provided should we pay the annual rate in full in January. With the discount, the 2027 fee is $35,746.25, providing a savings of $544.36. The 2027 budget account (01-53-5343-000), will reflect the discounted payment. Huckabee moved, seconded by Johnson to approve and authorize the City Manager to sign the 2027 Small Animal Collection Contract with the Humane Society of Jefferson County in the amount of $35,746.25 for the term of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027. Motion carried. 12. Miscellaneous None. 13. Public Comment for Matters Not on the Agenda None. 14. Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments a. Review and possible action relating to the Verified Claims presented by the Director of Finance and authorization of payment (Ebbert, Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director) Price moved, seconded by Huckabee to approve the list of Verified Claims and authorize payment. Motion carried. 15. Adjournment Huckabee moved, seconded by Johnson to adjourn at 8:23 pm. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Ebbert City Clerk/Treasurer/Finance Director