Common Council — Minutes

Mayor Berman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following present: Alderpersons Debbie Sievert, Brigitte Schmidt, Keith Klimek, Robert Warren, Joel Ahrens, and Tony O’Neill; Attorney David Spangenberg and Clerk-Treasurer Tammy Kasal. Attending: Public Works Director Matt Decur, Parks & Recreation Director Lori Tonn, Interim Police Chief Derek Koronkiewicz, Kevin Wagner-Ruekert & Mielke, Inc., Eric Fowle-Cedar Corporation, Craig Lock, Mary Lock, Dennis Lepinski, Michael Ryder, Matt Siegwart, Troy Cording-Quality Truck Care Center, Troy Redfearn-Monroe Truck Equipment, and Gracelyn Giese–Peshtigo Times. Pledge of Allegiance. Motion by Warren and seconded by Sievert to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6/0. Minutes: Motion by O’Neill and seconded by Warren to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2026 Regular Meeting. Motion carried 5/1. O’Neill opposed. Persons desiring to be heard from the floor: None Business and Communications: Crossing Point Workforce Housing Concepts. Eric Fowle from Cedar Corporation gave a presentation on the Crossing Point Workforce Housing Concept plans. Motion by O’Neill and seconded by Schmidt to approve the Crossing Point Workforce Housing Concepts presented by Eric Fowle from Cedar Corporation. Motion carried 6/0. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve a Congressionally Directed Spending Request for infrastructure funding for the proposed Crossing Point Workforce Housing project. Motion carried 6/0. Set date and time of April 2026 Council Meeting. Motion by Sievert and seconded by Warren to set the April Council meeting for Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. due to the election on the first Tuesday. Motion carried 6/0. Reports from Departments, Citizen Boards and Commissions: Monthly Building Inspection Report Monthly Police Report Monthly Fire/EMR Report Committee Reports: Personnel – February 9, 13 & 17, 2026 Recommended Council approve the proposed 2026 – 2027 Peshtigo Professional Police Association WPPA/LEER Local 52 Agreement as discussed in closed session. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to approve the 2026 – 2027 Peshtigo Professional Police Association WPPA/LEER Local 52 Agreement. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve hiring the candidate selected in closed session for the Firefighter/EMS position. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Sievert to approve hiring Christopher Hanus for a Firefighter/EMS position. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve the updated Police Chief job description. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to approve the updated Police Chief job description. Motion carried 6/0. Water & Sewer – February 12, 2026 Recommended Council approve an increase of 13% to the sewer rates instituted in the 2nd Quarter of 2026, effective 4/1/26 to cover operational cost deficits and projects. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve an increase of 13% to the sewer rates instituted in the 2nd Quarter of 2026, effective 4/1/26 to cover operational cost deficits and projects. Public Works Director Decur and Kevin Wagner of Ruekert & Mielke presented information on sewer projects. The Sewer Utility Cash Flow Analysis was available with Ehlers financial forecast of a 12% increase for 2026. Capital project for the clarifier replacement is estimated at $2,200,000. Additional projects are also set for the future. Sewer lining and reconstruction projects throughout the City to reduce inflow and infiltration into the system is planned for 2028 at a cost of $1,800,000. Headworks improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is planned for 2030 at a cost of $1,500,000. Other smaller projects are planned in the 10-year timeframe for street utility projects and sewer reconstruction around the City. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve the application of a $2,500,000.00 Clean Water Fund low interest loan in preparation for the Clarifier Replacement Project. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve the application of a $2,500,000.00 Clean Water Fund low interest loan in preparation for the Clarifier Replacement Project. Motion carried 6/0. Parks & Recreation – February 16, 2026 Recommended Council approve the purchase of a John Deere Gator from Riesterer & Schnell pending information on shipping costs and warranty coverage. Motion by Ahrens and seconded by Sievert to approve the purchase of a John Deere Gator from Riesterer & Schnell for $15,979.99 with a one-year warranty to be funded from the CIP Loan proceeds. Motion carried 6/0. Finance & Claims – February 25, 2026 Recommended Council approve the Letter of Engagement to retain Ehlers to provide assistance with Annual Tax Incremental District Reporting to be funded from the TID. Motion by Sievert and seconded by Warren to approve the Letter of Engagement to retain Ehlers to provide assistance with Annual Tax Incremental District Reporting to be funded from the TID. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve the quote from Camera Corner Connecting Point for $116.00 for two IT YubiKeys for a Break Glass and a quote of $985.00 from Drees Electric for installation of receptacles in the Council Chambers to be funded by the CIP Loan proceeds. Motion by Sievert and seconded by Schmidt to approve the quote from Camera Corner Connecting Point for $116.00 for two IT YubiKeys for a Break Glass and a quote of $985.00 from Drees Electric for installation of receptacles in the Council Chambers to be funded by the CIP Loan proceeds. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve expenditures of up to an additional $1,500 for any additional incidental charges during the IT upgrade project to be funded by the CIP Loan proceeds. Motion by Sievert and seconded by Warren to approve expenditures of up to an additional $1,500 for any additional incidental charges during the IT upgrade project to be funded by the CIP Loan proceeds. Motion carried 6/0. Discuss/consider Non-lapsing Funds. Motion by Sievert and seconded by Warren to approve the 2025 non-lapsing funds of $1,795,379.50. Motion carried 6/0. Fire, Lighting & Building – February 26, 2026 Recommended Council approve advertising for bids for demolition and soil remediation for the Landmark building at 310 Oconto Ave. Motion by Klimek and seconded by Sievert to approve advertising for bids for demolition and soil remediation for the Landmark building at 310 Oconto Ave. The asbestos removal is complete on the Landmark building, and the roof needs to be retarped. The City has received an estimate proposal of $117,640 for removal of the building and basement. Soil contamination would be an additional cost at tonnage based on how many tons needs to be removed. Grants are being explored to cover the expenses. Motion carried 6/0. Discuss/consider contracting for project management of the Landmark building demolition project. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to approve contracting with Ayres Associates to complete the Landmark building bid–package and contract administration hourly up to a maximum of $19,000 and $5,000 for brownfield consulting services to be funded by 10-5680-0820 Urban Development and any remainder from 10-5990-0920 Capital Improvement. Motion carried 6/0. Streets & Drainage – February 26, 2026 Recommended Council approve the low bid of $803,132.50 from Peters Concrete for the West Park Drive Reconstruction (LRIP) Project. Motion by Warren and seconded by Klimek to approve the low bid of $803,132.50 from Peters Concrete for the West Park Drive Reconstruction (LRIP) Project. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve the purchase of one snow plow truck chassis from Quality Truck Care Center for $143,623 and the dump box, plow and spreader from Monroe Truck Equipment for $174,339 for a total of $317,962. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to approve the purchase of one snow plow truck chassis from Quality Truck Care Center for $143,623 and the dump box, plow and spreader from Monroe Truck Equipment for $174,339 for a total of $317,962. Motion carried 6/0. Recommended Council approve the Street Use and Special Event Permit for the 911 ERS Run Fundraiser event on June 6, 2026 with any additional fees to be waived. Motion by Warren and seconded by Seivert to approve the Street Use and Special Event Permit for the 911 ERS Run Fundraiser event on June 6, 2026 with any additional fees to be waived. Motion carried 6/0. Discuss/consider Brightspeed escrow agreement. Public Works Director Decur reported Brightspeed will be installing fiber optic in the City and will need a Street excavation permit. Due to the size of the project Decur proposed to contract with Ruekert & Mielke to monitor the project and escrow agreement with Brightspeed to fund the monitoring fees. Motion by Warren and seconded by Ahrens authorizing the city attorney and Public Works Director to approve and execute the Brightspeed escrow agreement for the fiber optic installation project. Motion carried 6/0. Break Closed Session: Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Warren to move into Closed Session per: WI S.S. 19.85(1)(f) - Considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations and WI S.S. 19.85(1)(g) - Conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. Motion carried 6/0. CLOSED SESSION – 7:44 p.m. – 8:36 p.m. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to move into Open Session. Motion carried 6/0. No action taken as a result of Closed Session. Other Matters: Mayor Berman – letter from building inspector. Motion by Warren and seconded by Schmidt to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. Motion carried 6/0. Tammy Kasal Clerk-Treasurer