Antigo Common Council Meeting – September 9, 2026

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.