_07282026-2749
City of Oconomowoc · Waukesha County · meeting of Jul 28, 2026 · Minutes
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Committee-Of-The-Whole - July 28, 2026
City of Oconomowoc
Committee-Of-The-Whole Meeting Minutes
July 28, 2026 - 6:00 PM
Aldermen Present: April Welch, Charles Schellpeper, Lou Kowieski, Erik Jungwirth, Zachary Frankowski, Jennifer
Aultman Kloth, Kevin Ellis, Karen Spiegelberg
Also Present: Matt Rosek, Mark Frye, Gina Kozlik, Eric Boettcher, Robert Duffy, Kevin Kaari, Jason Herzog, James
Pfister, Tim Reel, Steve Hatton
Mayor Rosek called the Committee-Of-The-Whole Meeting to order and appropriate meeting notice was confirmed at
6:00 PM.
Committee Business
a. Discussion and Recommendation on Capital Budget Requests
The Mayor gave an introduction on format for the workshop. Finance Director Steve Hatton
provided detail from a PowerPoint and explained the proposed funding sources, adding this year
they would be seeking approval to place 2028 vehicle equipment orders in 2027. Hatton also
provided information on levy funding, capital needs and general fund balance reserves. Ellis
questioned the reserve calculation, impact fees and funding. Hatton explained the impact fees are
only used for non-existing facilities and if expenditures arise as a result of growth. Frye added
explanation on deficiencies and use of levy and fund balance. Jungwirth asked about 5-year plan
and opinion on health of financial debt and Hatton said they have good options and percentages in
comparison to other communities.
Kowieski expressed they would have harder decisions for 2028 increases. Hatton explained there
may be grants, but Wastewater and the bridge could potentially be high expenditures. Reel added
construction would be in 2030, but engineering would occur in 2027 and additional discussion was
had on potential carryover.
Ellis made a motion to adjust the 2027 Wastewater engineering number to $85,000 instead of
$75,000, seconded by Kowieski for discussion.
The motion failed, Aye – Welch and Ellis, Nay Schellpeper, Kowieski, Jungwirth, Frankowski,
Aultman Kloth and Spiegelberg.
Jungwirth asked if the fleet number shown is net from trade values and Hatton confirmed.
Kowieski asked if there were PSC or other issues with looking at rate increase. Reel provided
additional explanation on rate review.
Schellpeper asked about electric debt, Kaari explained for Electric the revenues and rates cover
their expenses. Spiegelberg asked where the bump is from and Kaari said it is the increasing
number of customers. Ellis asked about the underground conversion and Kaari explained their
replacements are with reliability in mind. Schellpeper asked about the Berg development and Marks
Farms area. Kaari explained the Allen Road area for densities, and phased lift station with electric
to pump wastewater and that there is no impact fee for electric. He indicated they would need a
bigger study of sewer and water infrastructure for that area, and he also provided explanation on the
water meter replacement program.
Frankowski asked about well line capacity and Kaari explained Well 9 would be added for Western
Southern area. Ellis thanked the Electric Utility and appreciated no outages and response times.
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Committee-Of-The-Whole - July 28, 2026
Frye went over the Library item and Schellpeper asked for more about satellite library and
donations. Discussion was had about county funding and the Bridges library system and use.
Regarding Tech, Schellpeper asked about the increase for barges and nautical equipment.
Justin Wilde explained the life cycle of the equipment and the repair and replacement plan.
Spiegelberg thanked Justin and the staff for their work on fleet. Kowieski asked if there was
anything else needed and Wilde said he appreciates additional staff to run for or locate parts.
Aultman Kloth added that HR has explained sometimes hiring part-time adds to more turnover and
more hiring and training. Frankowski applauded their low repair costs.
Lt. Wollenhaupt explained the request to move from Motorola to Axiom body cam and squad cams
and seeking a grant writer. Problems they are currently experiencing are battery issues, thermal
concerns, docking and support delays and synching. They also have redaction issues.
Wollenhaupt explained the potential for grants. Discussion was had on various purchase package
options and discounts. Ellis recommended option A for purposes of a grant. Kowieski supported
option A with the translation option. The department will present additional information at the next
meeting.
Eric Boettcher explained the NE Regional Park design and engineering of Phase 1 to be two
baseball fields and parking. Schellpeper asked if the Council had voted on design for the park and
had concerns about no stakeholder feedback. Boettcher said there would be additional discussion
about flex fields and other development of the park. There was discussion about fundraising and
Kowieski and Welch agreed about the need for input. Aultman Kloth said there was public
information since 2022 including images of the fields. The Mayor explained it would go back before
the Park Board and Council and Frye added that there would be informational meetings.
Discussion was had about sports other than baseball, soccer, walking trails, playground and open
space. The Mayor said it would be refined at the Park Board.
The overpass bridge design grant was briefly discussed and Aultman Kloth asked about the Fowler
pathway extension to get the path off the driveway. Spiegelberg was in favor of adding $75,000 for
park equipment back in for Lake Ridge Estates and wanted it added. There was discussion about
Park Board approving and then Council removing it.
Spiegelberg made a motion to send this item back to the Park Board to add $75,000 for playground
equipment, seconded by Schellpeper. There was additional discussion on the motion and the
motion was restated to include either the Lake Ridge or Hawthorne Ridge.
The motion failed, Nays- Kowieski, Jungwirth, Frankowski, Aultman Kloth, Ellis and Ayes-
Schellpeper and Spiegelberg.
DPW Director Herzog introduced the Street Maintenance Program and the 30 yr. replacement cycle.
Discussion was had on Local Road Improvement program and possible grants for accident areas.
City Clerk Kozlik explained the use of Badger Books to replace paper poll books and also the needs
assessment for her office area that was formerly the Police Department area.
The Mayor said they have covered everything except for the camera discussion to be continued
discussion on Tuesday.
Adjourn
Motion to adjourn made by Aultman Kloth and seconded by Spiegelberg.
Motion carried 8-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Minutes taken by Gina Kozlik, City Clerk
Source: City of Oconomowoc website. First collected Oct 7, 2026.