Fitchburg Common Council Meeting – October 28, 2025

The Fitchburg Common Council met on October 28, 2025, at 6:31 p.m. with all members present except one excused absence. The meeting included a mayor appointment, consent agenda, administrator and mayor reports, and numerous resolutions covering economic development (TIFF agreement for LIDO Apartments), zoning changes, public works projects, software upgrades, and committee updates. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered. The public appearance item was a mayor appointment (see Discussion Items).

Discussion Items

Mayor Appointment: Colleen Butler to Community and Equity Advisory Committee

• Colleen Butler, former race and gender equity director at YWCA Madison and current consultant at the Nina Collective, was nominated by the Mayor to serve on the committee with a term expiring April 18, 2028. The appointment was approved unanimously.

Resolution R‑194‑25: TIFF Development Agreement for LIDO Apartments

• The council considered a tax increment financing (TIF) development agreement for the LIDO Apartments, a 114‑unit project in Uptown Fitchburg by Avante Properties. The project includes a workforce housing pilot with 10% of units reserved for households earning ≤60% area median income. The agreement provides a pay‑as‑you‑go municipal revenue obligation note of $2.05 million for extraordinary infrastructure costs and an additional workforce housing offset of approximately $877,000 over 15 years. Financial advisor Keith Dahl (Ellers) confirmed a due diligence review found the assistance reasonable, with two‑thirds of tax increment returned to the developer. Attorney Robert Proctor (Axley) explained that pay‑go financing protects the city by only paying incentives after increment is generated. Alder Logan provided specific rent and income thresholds: e.g., a studio at 60% AMI would max at $1,363/month, and a one‑bedroom at $1,461/month. Several alders expressed support for the partnership and the affordable housing component. The resolution carried unanimously.

Plan Commission Items

• Certified Survey Map (R‑204‑25) and Rezone (Ordinance 2025‑029) for 2160 Fitchburg Road: Approved a farm consolidation to separate a residential parcel from farmland. Both map and rezone passed unanimously.
• Comprehensive Development Plan Amendment (R‑205‑25) and Rezone (Ordinance 2025‑027) for Orchard Point Lot 11 (JT Klein): Approved an amendment allowing multifamily residential development. The project features two buildings: 80 units of senior affordable housing (55+; 30‑80% AMI; includes 16 supportive units and green building certification) and a 100‑unit market‑rate building. The council discussed green building features, energy efficiency, and senior amenities. Both CDP and rezone passed unanimously.
• Comprehensive Development Plan Amendment (R‑206‑25) and Rezone (Ordinance 2025‑028) for Jamestown Quarry (Fitchburg Partners LLC): The CDP update was administrative (timeline and ownership changes, adding previously approved architectural designs). The rezone addressed signage for a planned fast‑food restaurant with two drive‑thru lanes, allowing two freestanding menu signs instead of one. Both items passed unanimously.
• Plan Commission Report: Commissioner Gabriela noted approval of minor comprehensive plan amendments (medium‑high density category and Jamestown Quarry density change), and an erosion control permit for a ThermoFisher fill site on Spoke Drive (approved by Plan Commission with expanded buffer and operating hours; the Mayor expressed concern over tree removal and questioned the land‑use justification).

Board of Public Works Resolutions

• Rejection of bids for well #12 facility (redesign without open‑air shelter to reduce cost). Approved.
• Final assessment resolution for 2024 sidewalk replacement (completed within cost estimate). Approved.
• Amendment for well #12 and Tower D engineering services (design change and time extension). Approved.
• Authorization to purchase plow truck equipment (vendor storage maintains warranty). Approved.
• Conditional approval of a holding tank for a property at 2309 Lier Street (failed septic system, no alternative). Approved.
• Approval of subdivision improvement agreement for the Gusto development certified survey map. Approved.
• Acceptance of a public traffic signal easement in Jamestown Quarry Outlot 3. Approved.

Library Board Update

• The library board reported a budget amendment for utility overages expected soon. The RFP for children’s library redesign is open through the end of the week. About one‑third of the library’s solar array is not functioning because a newly installed Huawei inverter failed; the original installer is no longer in the U.S., and repairs may not be funded until the 2026 budget. The council discussed the funding constraints and the library board’s discretion over spending.

Agricultural and Rural Affairs: Farmland Preservation Plan Map Amendment (R‑187‑25)

• The council approved an update to the city’s farmland preservation map to maintain eligibility for state tax credits. Planner Deanna explained the differentiation between medium‑term (20+ years, within Future Urban Development Areas) and long‑term (30+ years) preservation areas. Parcels were removed if not zoned AX or slated for near‑term development. The amendment passed unanimously.

MPO Policy Board Updates

• Alder Bill reported on the September MPO meeting: approval of a $3.67 billion I‑39/90 highway expansion (67 miles, six‑lane plus auxiliary/collector‑distributor lanes, construction 2030‑2045); resolution for a project funding work group; and completion of a transportation systems management and operations plan inventory. He also noted the November MPO agenda will include Fitchburg projects (Irish Lane surface transportation block grant, Traceway/Leopold multi‑use path). Bill also reported meeting with state legislators about potentially changing state law to allow parkland dedication fees to be used for equipment replacement.

MPO Fall Forum

• Alder Logan attended the Greater Madison MPO Fall Forum. Key takeaways: regional transit authorities (3‑5 year process), electric vehicle charging cost comparisons (home: 5¢/mile; level‑3 public: 20¢/mile; level‑2: 6¢/mile), road salt damage ($3,000 damage per ton applied vs. $100/ton cost), Madison reducing salt use from 15,000 to 8,000 tons. The forum emphasized the need for transit‑oriented zoning overlays near planned development corridors.

Finance Committee Resolutions

• Resolution R‑181‑25: Approved an HR payroll timekeeping software agreement with UKG, replacing Paylocity and Telestaff. The base cost is $385,906, with a total projected five‑year cost of $423,406. The implementation will streamline police scheduling and reduce manual data entry, going live in October 2026. Approved.
• Resolution R‑186‑25: Amended the 2025 general fund budget for additional election equipment (new polling location at 2202 Traceway Drive for District 2) and clerk software upgrades. Costs were not absorbable in the 2026 budget. Approved.

Public Safety and Human Services: Special Response Team Equipment (R‑184‑25)

• The council approved a budget amendment to purchase protective equipment (ceramic plate carriers and communication headsets) for two new members of the police department’s special response team. The amendment required a two‑thirds vote and passed unanimously on a roll call.

Housing Advisory Committee

• Reminder of the "Forum on Housing and Smart Growth" on November 13 from 1:30–3:00 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, focusing on down payment assistance for first‑time homebuyers.

District Reports

• District 1 (Alder Dancer Jr.): Expressed need for speed control on King James Way and Anton Drive due to anticipated traffic from new developments. Reported on a successful neighborhood pumpkin carving event and noted a resignation on the Parks Committee.
• District 2 (Alder Jets are): Attended the EMS annual meeting and encouraged colleagues to view the recording. Reported that the Tower Hill Park shelter renovation is complete.
• District 3 (Alder Ladase and Alder Herbs): Celebrated completion of Southdale and Rim Rock Park playgrounds, progress on Castle Bar Park and Highfield Reserve. Attended the Nine Bark at the Moon Halloween block party in Swan Creek and a Terravesa neighborhood HOA kick‑off meeting. The food scrap drop‑off program launched at Swan Creek Park. Hattie Farm Road reopened after a utilities closure. Alder Herbs encouraged attendance at a meet‑and‑greet at Madison College’s Truax campus on Thursday.
• District 4 (Alder Reg): Asked for patience with farm equipment during harvest season.

Key Outcomes

• Mayor Appointment: Colleen Butler appointed to Community and Equity Advisory Committee (unanimous).
• LIDO Apartments TIFF Agreement: Approved (unanimous), with a $2.05 million pay‑as‑you‑go TIF and $877,000 workforce housing offset over 15 years.
• Farm Consolidation: Certified survey map and rezone approved (unanimous).
• Orchard Point Senior Housing: CDP amendment and rezone approved (unanimous).
• Jamestown Quarry Signage: CDP update and rezone approved (unanimous).
• Public Works Resolutions: All seven resolutions approved (unanimous).
• Farmland Preservation Map: Updated and approved (unanimous).
• HR Software Agreement: UKG system approved (unanimous).
• Budget Amendment: 2025 general fund amended for election and clerk software costs (unanimous).
• Special Response Team Equipment: Budget amendment approved (unanimous on roll call, 2/3 vote).
• Fire Union Contract: The city will proceed to arbitration with the firefighters’ union; the arbitration hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2026.
• District 4 Vacancy: Applications for the vacant council seat are due November 4, 2025; interviews will be held at a special Committee of the Whole meeting on November 17, 2025.
• Next Meetings: Committee of the Whole on October 29 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss budget amendments; next Common Council meeting on November 11, 2025 (special schedule).