Public Meetings - Antigo, Wisconsin

The Antigo Common Council met Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 Edison Street. Roll call was completed with one member excused on vacation. The council approved minutes and the consent agenda, then handled licenses, Ordinance 1390B, appointments, bill payments, and committee referrals before voting 8-0 to enter closed session. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from the September 9, 2026 Common Council meeting and the August 26 and September 9, 2026 Committee of the Whole meetings, excluding the September 30, 2026 Committee of the Whole minutes. The agenda had listed the September 30 minutes as contingent upon completion, but the transcript records them as excluded from the motion. - Approved the consent agenda resolutions: 63-26 (Ayres Associates contract amendment for additional Hudson Street/Pearl Avenue CDBG work), 64-26 (unused vacation rollover for a police officer), 65-26 (adoption of the Langlade County All Hazards Mitigation Plan update), 66-26 (replacement of water plant boilers), 67-26 (repair of two Fifth Avenue lift station pumps), and 68-26 (publication of Common Council minutes). - Accepted department manager reports and the Arbor Day Proclamation. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak; the presiding officer noted there were no citizen commenters. New Business and Licenses - Fifth Ave Diner LLC dba Fifth Ave Cafe, 714-716 Fifth Avenue: Council approved changing the agent on the Class B beer/fermented malt beverage, intoxicating liquor, and cigarette licenses to Jeton Ibraimi. The LLC remains the same, so only the agent change was required. - Dolgencorp LLC dba Dollar General Store 31777, 332 Superior Street: Council approved a Class A beer/fermented malt beverage and intoxicating liquor license for agent Amanda M. Myers, contingent upon completion of inspections. Note: one point in the transcript lists the address as 732 Superior Street, while the agenda and the formal motion state 332 Superior Street. Ordinances - Ordinance 1390B: Council approved revisions to Sections 38-302, 38-304, 38-306, and 38-308 regarding bicycles and play vehicles. The ordinance updates definitions and operation rules for bicycles, electric bicycles, electric motorized devices, electric scooters, and personal assisted mobility devices. It removes their operation from sidewalks unless the operator is under age 12 or accompanied by a parent or guardian. A council member noted there are no restrictions on Fifth Avenue roadway use for these devices. The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote. Appointments and Motions - Appointments to the Public Arts Committee: Council approved the appointments. One council member noted a previous member was no longer on the committee, and said the committee was being revitalized because of upcoming public art projects. Payment of Bills - Approved direct deposits for the September 11 and September 25, 2026 payrolls; BMO Bank accounts payable checks 86972-87161; and Self-Funding Health Insurance checks 2204-2206. Committee Referrals - A council member referred to the Public Works Committee a concern about weathered, insect-damaged electrical/utility poles, including one leaning in front of the member's building. The council member had contacted WPS with the pole number. WPS was described as active in pole inspection and replacement and obtains necessary permits; the council member asked for a report back to determine whether replacement is needed. - A council member relayed a constituent's concern about a barricaded, pothole-like damaged area near the dam. Staff responded that the repair is budgeted; next year the damaged surface/pavers will be removed and concrete will be placed. Closed Session - Council voted 8-0 to convene into closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of public employees regarding the Antigo Fire Department collective bargaining agreement, Building Inspector, and Public Works Superintendent. The transcript ends with that vote; no subsequent open-session action on matters discussed was captured. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes and consent agenda as described above. - Approved the Fifth Ave Cafe agent change and the Dollar General Class A license (contingent on inspections). - Passed Ordinance 1390B. - Approved Public Arts Committee appointments. - Approved all bill payments. - Referred utility/electrical pole review to the Public Works Committee and discussed the scheduled dam-area repair. - Voted 8-0 to enter closed session.

The Antigo Common Council met on September 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 Edison Street. Agenda items included a public hearing and rezoning for 950 Pine Street, consent agenda approvals, a $45,000 budget transfer, three ordinance amendments, appointments, scheduling changes, and payment of bills. The council approved most routine items, but tabled the bicycle and play-vehicle ordinance for further study and community input. Note: the raw transcription opens by saying December 9th, but the agenda and meeting materials identify the meeting as September 9, 2026; this summary uses the agenda date. Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the August 12, 2026 meeting were approved without correction. Public Hearing - The public hearing for the zoning amendment application for 950 Pine Street, Parcel 201-2128, was opened and closed with no public testimony. The application sought to reclassify the property from B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District to R-3 Two-Family Residence District so it could be sold as a residence instead of a business. Public Comments & Testimony - A prepared statement from Paul Grindy was read by a friend. Grindy said he has traveled downtown Fifth Avenue several times per week since 1995, opposed the proposed downtown bicycle restrictions, and questioned whether crossing at Seventh and Superior near flashing lights is safer than crossing at the Fifth Avenue stoplights. He said three-wheeled bikes are difficult to walk, that he has been a Geezers member for nearly 15 years without feeling unsafe, and that requiring helmets would improve safety more than banning downtown biking. - Becky Frisch, a non-resident city property owner, taxpayer, and avid bicyclist, expressed support for quick council action on motorized scooters and e-bikes because riders are running through intersections and creating safety problems. She described electric-assist bike classes, said class two throttle bikes are causing many of the problems, and urged the council to balance enforcement and education so responsible riders are not unfairly targeted. She also noted the Antigo Bike and Ski Club has maintained area trails for more than 30 years. Discussion Items - Grease trap ordinance, Ordinance 1388B: Staff described the revision to Section 42-167 as a step toward reducing grease, fats, and oils entering the wastewater treatment system. The ordinance had been deferred from the previous month while a list of grease trap owners and notice materials were prepared. Council approved it by a 9-0 roll call vote. - 950 Pine Street rezoning, Ordinance 1389B: Following the public hearing, council approved the zoning amendment application to classify the property as R-3, Two-Family Residence District. Approval was by voice vote. - Bicycle, electric bicycle, scooter, and personal assisted mobility device ordinance, Ordinance 1390B: This ordinance would revise Sections 38-302, 38-304, 38-306, and 38-308 concerning definitions and operation of bicycles, electric bicycles, electric motorized devices, electric scooters, and personal assisted mobility devices. A council member leading the discussion said the goal was not to punish cyclists but to create a foundation for enforcement, address pedestrian safety on sidewalks, and encourage future bike infrastructure. Police Chief Joe Busnik said the ordinance was a starting point, that enforcement would use discretion, and that education efforts were already underway, including school outreach and the bike safety rodeo. - Public and council concerns included: the lack of community input before adoption; insufficient downtown bike lanes, especially near the library and the Fifth Avenue and Claremont intersection; impacts on adults who rely on bicycles for transportation; the view that children and teens are the main offenders while responsible adults should not be restricted; the absence of a helmet mandate; and an inconsistency between provisions allowing riders to ride two abreast and another requiring single-file riding. - A motion to approve the ordinance was made and seconded. Alderperson Mary Hayes then moved to table the ordinance for further study. The tabling motion included referral to the Public Works Committee and community input, with a report back at the next council meeting. The motion to table carried on a roll call vote of 6-3. Key Outcomes - Approved the August 12, 2026 meeting minutes. - Adopted the consent agenda except Resolution 57-26 by a 9-0 roll call. Approved consent agenda items included Resolution 56-26, the contract with My Uncle's Fireworks for 2027; Resolution 58-26, repair of the wastewater treatment plant influent pump; Resolution 59-26, repair of the water plant booster pump; Resolution 60-26, replacement of wastewater treatment plant blower number 5; Resolution 61-26, inspection of the wastewater treatment plant UV disinfection system; Resolution 62-26, lime slurry hauling request for bids; and the department manager reports. - Approved Resolution 57-26, transferring up to $45,000 from the roof account to heavy trucks for the purchase of a tandem truck. Staff explained that money previously set aside for roof repairs was no longer needed for that purpose because an HVAC engineer recommended operational changes that resolved the moisture problem. - Adopted Ordinance 1388B, the grease trap revisions, by a 9-0 roll call vote. - Adopted Ordinance 1389B, the 950 Pine Street zoning amendment, by voice vote. - Tabled Ordinance 1390B, the bicycle and play-vehicle ordinance, by a 6-3 roll call vote, referring it to Public Works for community input and a future report. - Appointed Sarah Repp as the city representative to the City Plan Commission, replacing Charlie Reckle. - Moved the November 2026 City Council meeting from November 11 to November 10 in recognition of Veterans Day. - Approved the payment of bills, including direct deposits for August 14 and August 28, 2026 payrolls; BMO Bank accounts payable checks; and self-funded health insurance checks, by a 9-0 roll call vote. - Voted to recess to accommodate the start time of the committee-level meeting. The remainder of the open session, including the closed session agenda item, was not shown in the transcript after the recess.

The Common Council of the City of Antigo met in regular session at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 Edison Street, with Mayor Thomas C. Bauknecht presiding. The meeting included recognition of a lifesaving act, a presentation of the 2025 audited financial statement, approval of the consent agenda, and authorization for an Opportunity Zone application. Presentations and Reports Recognition of Adam Darr Fire Chief Corey Smith presented Adam Darr with a certificate and letter of recognition. On May 6, 2026, Adam Darr called 911 and activated an emergency response for his mother, Dawn Darr, who was experiencing stroke-like symptoms in a Walmart parking lot. Her condition worsened during transport, requiring a helicopter transfer to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Chief Smith commended Darr for his heroic actions, which ensured his mother was at the exact place she needed to be when her condition deteriorated, and encouraged the public to learn the signs and symptoms of strokes. 2025 Audited Financial Statement Scott Sternhagen of CliftonLarsenAllen presented the 2025 audited financial statement. He reported the City received a clean (unmodified) audit opinion, the highest possible. A required Federal single audit resulted in no findings. Two standard findings were noted for the regular audit: that the auditors prepared the financial statements and the year-end adjusting journal entries. Sternhagen stated these are very normal for a municipality of Antigo's size. Key financial highlights from the presentation included: - General Fund (Page 15): Total revenues of $7.3 million, total expenses of $7.6 million ($600,000 under budget), a net positive change in fund balance of $13,000, and a total fund balance of $4,507,658. Sternhagen stated the City's General Fund is "in a very good spot." Alderperson Hayes questioned the source of $365,686 in "other financing sources"; Sternhagen explained the main portion comes from mandated utility payments in lieu of tax ($220,000 total), along with ARPA closeouts and room tax. - Major Funds (Pages 12-13): The Ambulance Fund is in a good spot with $1.8 million in revenues and $1.7 million in expenses. The Capital/Equipment Replacement Fund has $6 million remaining for future projects. - Utilities (Pages 20-24): Water and Sewer utilities were described as being in a good or strong spot. Regarding Storm Water, Sternhagen noted an operating loss of $183,000 (largely due to depreciation) and a lower cash position of $300,000, and advised the City might consider a potential rate structure increase for Storm Water. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public provided comment on subjects on or not on the agenda. Consent Calendar The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda: - Resolution 49-26: Approval of the new Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Policy for the Police Department, effective July 15, 2026. - Resolution 50-26: Authorization for a budget transfer from the Severance Reserve Account to the Police Department for a retirement payout. Note: A discrepancy exists in the official documentation between the stated payout need in the "Whereas" clause ($42,044.92) and the authorized transfer amount in the "Resolved" clause ($49,044.92). - Department Manager Reports were received. Discussion Items Opportunity Zone Application (Resolution 51-26) City Administrator Michael Wetzel presented the resolution to apply for a ten-year Opportunity Zone designation under the 2.0 program created by the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBBA). He explained the program is not a grant but a private equity incentive (Qualified Opportunity Fund) for private developers. Wetzel noted that in the 1.0 program, 93-95% of funds went to distressed metro areas, but the 2.0 program specifically targets rural areas like Antigo with higher incentives. The Council approved the resolution, authorizing the City Administration to apply to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) by the July 31, 2026 deadline, with the option to apply jointly with the County. HomeField, LLC Liquor License The Council approved a "Class B" Beer/Fermented Malt Beverage and Intoxicating Liquor License for HomeField, LLC, located at 527 Field Street, contingent upon completion of inspections. Committee Referrals and Future Meetings Mayor Bauknecht announced a Committee of the Whole meeting on July 29, 2026, to kick off the budget season and address the departure of Land Surveyor/Project Manager Charley Brinkmeier. City Administrator Wetzel noted a Special Finance, Personnel and Legislative Committee meeting on July 15, 2026, will specifically address the future of that position. New Personnel Introduction Alderperson Hayes initiated an introduction for Luke Schmidtke, the new Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator. Schmidtke introduced himself and expressed excitement to be on board. Fireworks Event Congratulatory Remarks Alderperson Edwards congratulated Sarah Repp, Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Director, and the involved departments (Street, Police, Fire, County, Chamber of Commerce) on a successful 4th of July community fireworks event. The event was praised for positive community feedback and excellent coordination. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: The minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting were approved. - Consent Agenda Approved: Resolutions 49-26 and 50-26 were approved. - Presentation Received: The 2025 Audited Financial Statement was formally received. - Opportunity Zone Application Authorized: Resolution 51-26 was approved. - Liquor License Approved: The "Class B" license for HomeField, LLC was approved (contingent on inspection). - Bills Approved: Direct deposits, bank account payables, and health insurance checks were approved. - Future Meetings Scheduled: Special FPL Committee meeting on July 15; Committee of the Whole kickoff for budget on July 29.