City Council Meeting — Minutes

City Council Meeting Tuesday August 18, 2026 7:00 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the Regular meeting of the Augusta City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Lisa Fugett, Brian Abley (arrived at 7:05 pm), Dawn Harper, and Brian Leslin. Also present were Gordon O’Brien, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Scott Williamson, and Leslie LaRose. Pledge of Allegiance Acknowledgement of Proper Posting A notice of the meeting and an agenda was posted at the three public places, and the local newspaper was notified. Approval of Agenda Motion by Leslin seconded by Fugett to approve the agenda. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to approve the minutes for the July 17, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting. Motion carried. Public Comment • Robert Chaffee wanted to remind the Council that the WI League of Municipalities will be holding their Annual Fall Conference October 7th – 9th and encourages everyone to attend. Approval of Department reports Motion by Harper seconded by Leslin to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to receive the Police Department Report. Motion carried. Motion by Leslin seconded by Harper to receive the Senior Center Report. Motion carried. Motion by Fugett seconded by Troxel to receive the Library Report. Motion carried. Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to receive the Public Works Department Report. Motion carried. Minutes for Jule and July were submitted by the Augusta Bridge Creek Fire Department. The Fire Department Annual Chicken Feed will be on September 27 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. COMMITTEE REPORTS Joint City Improvement & Recreation Committee –August 12, 2026 The Committee reviewed the Community Night Out Event which had a wonderful turn out. They also discussed ways to improve it for next year. Plan Commission –August 13, 2026 The Commission held a public hearing and approved the Conditional Use Permit application submitted by Northern States Power (dba Xcel Energy). They also review the city ordinances pertaining to chickens in the city limits. The Commission heard request by Carol Peuse to consider taking steps to put regulations and ordinances in place pertaining to data centers. The Commission will meet on September 15th to discuss these issues further. Discuss and consider Property Insurance renewal quote for 2026-2027 Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve the Property Insurance renewal quote for 2026-2027 submitted by Municipal Property Insurance Company (MPIC) for $26,503. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. Discuss and consider Employee Health Insurance renewal quote for 2026-2027 Motion by Troxel seconded by Fugett to approve the health insurance quote with Angle Health – Cigna Insurance Company Network – Plan: ANG HDHP 7000 7000 for plan year 2026-2027. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried Discuss and consider HydroCorp, Inc. contract renewal Motion by Leslin seconded by Abley to approve the contract with HydroCorp, Inc. for the Cross-Connection Control Program for commercial property inspections. 4-yr (48 months) contract total $24,049.40. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. Discuss and consider Augusta Lion’s request pertaining to aluminum bleachers. The Augusta Lion’s Club made a request to the City for permission to rent the 2 city owned aluminum bleachers to local citizens and businesses. The fees they collect would be used to repair the bleachers and make upgrades to their trailer. The Lions currently store the bleachers at the Lion’s Field and use them during Bean & Bacon Days. The Lions are making this same request to the Augusta School District for their 6 bleachers. The Lion’s Club also owns 6 bleachers. Motion by Abley seconded by Fugett to offer the ownership of the two city owned bleachers to the Augusta Lion’s Club. The motion to amend the previous motion was made by Troxel and seconded by Harper to offer the ownership of the two city owned bleachers to the Augusta School District first, then to the Augusta Lion’s Club if the school district does not want them. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. Discuss and consider “Plant a Tree program” recommended by the City Improvement and Recreation Committees. Motion by Leslin seconded by Troxel to approve the “Plant a Tree program” which will be run through the Augusta Area Foundation. Motion carried. INFRASTRUCTURE & UTILITIES Consider approval of Winona Mechanical's Pay Request #2 for the Spring Street Sewage Lift Station Project (Proposal #1). Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to approve Pay Request #2 for Winona Mechanical's for the Spring Street Sewage Lift Station Project (Proposal #1) in the amount of $49,385.75, contingent upon receipt of the updated payroll information from the electrical contractors. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, yes; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. Discuss and review Public Service Commission’s procedures on disconnecting water & sewer utility services at mobile home community due to arrears. Possible action may include directing public works staff to proceed in the disconnection process. Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to instruct the Public Works department to deliver utility service disconnection notice letters to the property owner and each tenant of the Woodland Meadows Mobile Home Park notifying them that the water will be shutoff as outlined in Wisconsin PSC 185.37. The first notice will be delivered on August 21st with a disconnection date of September 9th. The Council will review the payment status at the September 8th Regular City Council meeting to determine if further disconnection actions must be taken. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action regarding mobile home park issues such as but not limited to debris in wards, stray cats, uninhabitable trailers. The mobile home park does not currently hold a mobile home license as the annual fees are in arrears. Wisconsin statute 66.0435 and City Ordinances govern mobile home community operations. Draft and send letter to the mobile home park owner to inform him that he is out of compliance with the city ordinances pertaining to licensing. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS Discussion and possible action on amending Citizen Participation Plan and adopting corresponding Resolution Motion by Fugett seconded by Harper to adopt Resolution #2026-0818A to amend the Citizen Participation Plan in accordance with CDBG requirements by updating the City’s Official Newspaper and public hearing notice requirement. Motion carried Review Sewer Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Consider related Resolution #2026- 0609 Motion by Fugett seconded by Abley to table until September 8, 2026, regular City Council meeting. Motion carried. The Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) is not completed currently. LICENSES & PERMITS Review and Approve “Welcome to Augusta” sign permit application Motion by Harper seconded by Fugett to approve “Welcome to Augusta” sign permit application submitted by the First Baptist Church. Motion carried. Approve Bartender license Applications Motion by Harper seconded by Leslin to approve the operator’s license application for Alexa Herrick (Express Mart). Motion carried. Announce and discuss upcoming meetings and events a. Special City Council meeting – August 25th (6:30 p.m.) b. Augusta Industrial Development – September 1st (6:00 p.m.) c. Capital Improvement Plan Committee – September 2nd (6:15 p.m.) d. City Council Meeting – September 8th (7:00 p.m.) e. Set schedule for 2027 budget meetings f. Set schedule for Personnel Committee meetings ADJOURNMENT Motion by Harper seconded by Troxel to adjourn the meeting. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk-Treasurer