City Council — Minutes

Common Council Minutes – May 20, 2026 Clerk’s Initials _________ CITY OF SHULLSBURG, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 20, 2026 A regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Shullsburg was held May 20, 2026 in the Community Room of the Shullsburg Community Townsend Center, 190 N. Judgement Street, Shullsburg, Wisconsin. Mayor Dan Morrissey called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Notice of the meeting was posted at the Townsend Center, Shullsburg Post Office and Turpin’s Home Town Grocery. Roll Call- Duane Wedige, Emmett Reilly, Griffin Wiegel, Cheryl Mulcahy – Present; Others present- Joe Bailie, Dave Timmerman, Tony Townsend, Jeff Doyle, Amanda Webster, Manny Bennett, Stan Woodworth, Jen Detra, Laura Weiskircher, Jason Weiskircher, Darrell Morrissey, Dave Leahy, Chase Kruser, Ursala Fecht, Andy Foley, Bart Nies, and Janelle Schumacher. Pledge of Allegiance Approval of Minutes – Motion by Reilly second by Mulcahy to approve the minutes of the April 21 and April 22, 2026 Council Meetings. All aye, motion carried. Committee Reports – Wedige commented that after the Street Committee meeting, he and the Street Department supervisor have a list of projects to discuss. Concrete is poured at the new storage shed; the swimming pool is filled and the necessary purchases for the pool have been made. The target open date for the pool is June 1st. The Police Chief report was emailed and there were no questions. Approve Bills – Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to approve the bills for General, Water, Sewer, Electric, Pool, Museum, Library & TIF Funds. All aye, motion carried. Award of Construction Bids for 2026 Infrastructure Project – Bart Nies of Delta 3 Engineering briefly discussed construction bids for the project, and noted the low bid was received from JI Construction, LLC in the amount of $1,172,371, which includes the use of polyethylene water services which was listed on the bid as Alternate A. Nies noted that due to several grant and low interest loan funding, only about $100,000 of the project will need to be funded by the City. Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to award the bid to JI Construction with Alternate A. All aye, motion carried. Badger Park, Mine & Museum Final Plans – Nies, along with Joe Bailie also from Delta 3 Engineering continued by presenting the final plans for the Badger Park Project. They discussed an entrance sign to the park that will say Badger Park. The Council agreed the date should be left off, based on a possible rendering shown by Delta 3. It was noted that the arch needs to be big enough for emergency vehicles to fit under. The next item discussed what the location of the Freedom Rock, which will be just to the East of the museum building. Some existing items, such as an existing rock in that location may need to be moved but Mayor Dan Morrissey noted that any current memorials in the park may need to be moved but will stay in the park. Nies questioned the council about the hardscape underneath the Freedom Rock. Tony Townsend commented on the size of the rock, estimating it to be 7’x6’. The Council agreed regular concrete would be best. Jason Weiskircher questioned the slope on the East side of the West shelter house, asking if it would be modified to make it more fan friendly. Bailie said they would take a look at it. Bailie continued to discuss the buildings in the park and asked which repairs should be included in the base bid and which should be in an alternate bid. Restroom repairs, including windows and doors would be an alternate bid item. Regarding the first base dugout the base bid will include a partial protective wall; the alternate bid will include a protective wall all the way around. The dugout storage will be 16’x10 and they will add a walk-through door; previously it only had a garage door. The dugouts will have aluminum benches. Adding gutter guards to the buildings will be added as an alternate bid. Further discussion included the general lighting in the museum building and the inclusion of outlets. The museum building will have stained concrete floors, except in the concession stand. They discussed the placement of the 100 EW plaque. Bailie asked if they wanted to include a time capsule in the building, but the group declined due to the fact that there is one already near the swimming pool. The group briefly discussed keyless entry to the buildings and confirmed it should be included. Wiegel questioned the need for a fire alarm service, but the group declined it due to the expense. Bailie confirmed the electrical service to the park will begin at the museum. The group discussed pathway lights, but at a cost of $300,000 the council Common Council Minutes – May 20, 2026 Clerk’s Initials _________ declined. Jason Weiskircher questioned the stadium lights and whether they had intensity control, which was confirmed. Nies estimates the base bids amount to come in between $3.7-$4 million for the park and museum combined. The alternative bid might add an additional $1.5 million. Morrissey commented that fundraising had gone well, and the receipt of the $1 million DOA grant will help fund the museum project, along with insurance proceeds. Nies discussed the timing of the bid notification, warning that having it out around July 4th gets less than desirable results. Based on that and needing to wait for DNR grant award notification, Nies recommends the bid opening be scheduled for July 16, 2026. He asked the Council if they want to schedule a public info meeting about the project and that was confirmed with the date TBD. There was additional brief discussion about insurance; it was noted that the contractor will carry the builders risk insurance. Motion by Reilly second by Wiegel to approve the final plans, specifications and estimates with changes as discussed for Badger Park and Mine & Museum Projects. All aye, motion carried. EMC Insurance Renewal – Chase Kruser with Tricor Insurance discussed the insurance renewal, stating he was able to negotiate a better divided, as long as we can implement a Return-to-Work program. They briefly discussed increasing the cyber liability; Kruser will follow up with more information on that. Motion by Wedige second by Reilly to approve the renewal of general liability and workers comp insurance with EMC Insurance. All aye, motion carried. Electric Rate Change – The Council discussed an electric utility rate increase proposed by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Laura Weiskircher commented that the electric utility rate of return would increase from 1.5% to 5% and that a public hearing would be held June 16th for anyone interested. The hearing is conducted by the PSC. Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to approve the proposed electric rate change. All aye, motion carried. Fourth of July Special Event Applications –The Fourth of July Committee had submitted the following applications: special event permit including temporary closing of portions of W. Water Street, Estey Street and Judgement Street, fireworks permit, and temporary beer permit. Jason Weiskircher was in attendance representing the Committee and stated there are no major changes to the schedule for this year. The rain date will be July 5. Motion by Reilly second by Wiegel to approve the fireworks permit application, the temporary beer permit application and the temporary closing of portions of Estey Street, W. Water Street and Judgement Street for July 3 and 4, 2026 with a rain date of July 5. All aye, motion carried. Fourth of July Donation – Weiskircher approached the Council regarding a possible donation to the Fourth of July celebrations. Mayor Morrissey asked when budgeting for next year if there’s a dollar amount the City should consider since the celebration will be larger due to the bicentennial. There was brief discussion regarding bigger events being planned. Motion by Wedige second by Reilly to approve a $2000 donation to the Fourth of July Committee 2026 Celebrations. All aye, motion carried. Museum Interior Design – Morrissey gave an update on the search for a design firm to consult on the exhibit planning for the museum. The Council had met with McCullough Creative and FEH, and had also received a proposal from Prairieworks Design. Morrissey recommends the Council meet with Edwards Creative, another company who has significant history-focused museum design experience. That special meeting will be setup in the near future. No action taken. Museum Planning Committee – Morrissey presented the Council with a list of people to appoint to a temporary Museum Exhibit Planning Committee and recommended Council approval for them to move forward to help with the exhibit planning. The committee will report back to the Council for final approval. The committee will be as follows: Cheryl Mulcahy as chair, Vicki Foley, Jeremiah Diedrich, Kathy Lacke, Annie Timmerman, Peyton Doyle, Tyson Morrissey, Janelle Schumacher and Jen Detra. Motion by Wedige second by Reilly to approve the Museum Exhibit Planning Committee. All aye, motion carried. Annual Advance Shullsburg Contribution – Morrissey proposed an increase to the annual contribution given to Advance Shullsburg in order for them to start a grant program similar to Launch Lafayette for small businesses. The increase would be from $7500 to $10,000 and the additional $2500 would be used for the grant, which would be matched by $2500 from Advance Shullsburg. Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to approve the additional $2500 contribution to Advance Shullsburg to fund a grant program. All aye, motion carried. Common Council Minutes – May 20, 2026 Clerk’s Initials _________ Ordinance No. 329 – The Council briefly confirmed the details of the ordinance including the tax rate of 6% to be assessed on short term rental fees. Motion by Reilly second by Wiegel to approve Ordinance No. 329 to Create a Tourism Commission and Establish a Room Tax on Transient Lodging. All aye, motion carried. Appointment of Tourism Commission - Morrissey presented the Council with a list of people to appoint to the Tourism Commission and recommended Council approval. The commission will be as follows: Emmett Reilly as chair, Tom Kleiber as representative of the Wisconsin hotel industry, Heidi Grossen, Jamie Roberts and Mariah Booth. Motion by Wedige second by Mulcahy to approve the Tourism Commission appointments. All aye, motion carried. Preliminary Resolution #2026-07 – The Council discussed a resolution to move forward with a sidewalk replacement project in conjunction with the Tie Yard Parking Lot project for sidewalks along South Mineral Street. Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to approve Resolution #2026-07 declaring the intent to levy special assessments for South Mineral Street Sidewalk Improvements. All aye, motion carried. Renewal of Annual Liquor Licenses for the Period Beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027 - Motion by Reilly second by Mulcahy to approve the following Class A Combination Liquor Licenses through June 30, 2027: C & D Properties, Inc., DBA Miner Depot, 206 State RD 11- Jeremy Saunders, Agent, C & D Properties, Inc., DBA Miner Towne Mart, 101 Miner Way-Jeremy Saunders, Agent, Shullsburg Creamery II, LLC- DBA- Shullsburg Cheese Store - 208 W. Water Street- Deborah Mueller, Agent, Turpin’s Hometown Grocery, LLC-DBA- Turpin’s Hometown Grocery, 130 W. Water Street-Macy Turpin, Agent, DolgenCorp LLC- DBA- Dollar General Store -344 State Hwy 11-Jacob Stankowski- Agent; Class B Combination Liquor Licenses through June 30, 2027: BKS Bar LLC, DBA-BK’s Bar, 221 W. Water Street- Brian L. Harwick, Agent, Water Street Saloon, LLC-DBA- Geeves Corner Tap- 251 W. Water Street- Steve Curran, Agent, The Burg LLC- DBA The Burg, 134 W. Water Street-Dale Brandt-Agent, Second Chance Enterprises Inc- DBA Second Chance Coffee & Music- 203 W. Water Street- Patrick D Doyle-Agent, American Legion Post 0105 McCann-Richards - DBA – American Legion -322 State Hwy 11-Daniel Wedige- Agent; Class B Combination Reserve Liquor License Renewal through June 30, 2027 for Grindstone, LLC, DBA Grindstone Pub – 236 W. Water Street, Jennifer Jacobsen, Agent. All aye, motion carried. Cigarette, Tobacco & Vaping Product License Renewal for the Period Beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027 – Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to approve the following Cigarette, Tobacco & Vaping Product Retail Sale Licenses through June 30, 2027: C & D Properties Inc., DBA- Miner Depot, 206 State RD 11, C & D Properties, Inc.,- DBA- Miner Towne Mart, 101 Miner Way, Turpin’s Hometown Grocery LLC-DBA – Turpin’s Hometown Grocery, 130 W. Water Street, DolgenCorp, LLC- DBA – Dollar General Store #218636-344 State Hwy 11. All aye, motion carried. Beer Garden Permits – Motion by Reilly second by Mulcahy to approve the following beer garden permit applications: BKS Bar LLC - DBA-BK’s Bar, 221 W. Water Street- Brian L. Harwick, Agent, The Burg LLC- DBA The Burg, 134 W. Water Street-Dale Brandt-Agent, Grindstone LLC - DBA Kingsley Crossing- 236 W. Water Street, Jennifer Jacobsen, Agent. All aye, motion carried. Coin Machine Permit Renewal for the Period Beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027 – Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to approve coin machine permits for the following: Steven H Curran- DBA Geeves Corner Tap, 251 W. Water Street, BKS Bar LLC – DBA BK’s Bar, 221 W. Water Street, American Legion Post 0105 McCann-Richards - DBA – American Legion -322 State Hwy, Grindstone LLC, DBA Grindstone Pub, 236 W. Water Street. All aye, motion carried. Referring the Sale of City Property to Plan Commission – Mayor Morrissey explained to the Council that the old city dump, approximately ¾ of an acre, located on Big Cut Road is still owned by the city, and he doesn’t see a need for us to keep the property. He is making the recommendation to move forward with the possible sale of the property and would like the Plan Commission to review it. Motion by Reilly second by Wedige to refer the potential sale of Parcel 028.0063.2000 to the Plan Commission. All aye, motion carried. Clerk/Treasurer Report – Reports were emailed prior to the meeting. There were no questions. Public Comment – City resident Dave Leahy addressed the Council and urged them to prioritize maintaining the Downtown Business District as a business district and not to pursue zoning changes to allow residential use in a business district. He stated he is opposed to any zoning changes that would allow residential Common Council Minutes – May 20, 2026 Clerk’s Initials _________ use in the lower level of the three blocks of the Downtown Business District. He understood there was a property owner who was given a conditional use permit to allow residential use within the district, but Leahy states he believes the three blocks of the Downtown Business District should remain used for business on the first floor of properties. He went on to explain that he heard from other people who disagreed with the decision to allow the conditional use permit, but they did not come to the meetings in which it was discussed. He reiterated that an entire block should not be changed to residential; keep commercial business downstairs and residential upstairs. An additional comment was made by Dave Timmerman who stated that allowing residential use would fragment the identify of the downtown. At 9:28 p.m. a motion was made by Reilly second by Wedige to adjourn. All aye, motion carried. Janelle Schumacher Clerk/Treasurer