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Record of Proceedings

Fitchburg Common Council Meeting Summary - November 11, 2025

Common Council & City Boards — Tuesday, November 11, 2025
BodyFitchburg, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & City Boards
DateTuesday, November 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:53:59

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

Hi, I'm Jeremy Crosby.

0:01

And I'm Nick Boucher.

0:02

We're your host for the program that's all about your city, Talking Pittsburgh.

Speaker 2

0:06

Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and

Speaker 3

0:09

information

Speaker 2

0:09

you need

Speaker 3

0:09

to stay on top of what's happening in the city of

Speaker 1

0:11

Pittsburgh.

0:12

Find Talking Fitzburg on Cable TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and our live stream on the web.

0:18

Plus, you can find all our headlines and stories on Facebook, YouTube, and our video on demand service.

Speaker 3

0:23

This is your city.

0:24

Keep up with Talking Fitzburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors.

Speaker 4

0:30

Want to know what's happening in your city?

0:32

Get notify me messages from the city of Fitchburg.

0:35

Visit Fitchburg WI.gov on your computer or mobile device and select the big notify me button on the left.

0:41

Enter your email and or phone number, whichever is best for you to get notifications.

0:46

Scroll down the list and select all the topics you're interested in to receive email or text messages about.

0:51

You'll be notified every time one of your topics is updated.

0:54

Sign up for Notify Me.

0:56

One more way to keep up with your Fitzburg government.

Speaker 5

1:20

Good evening, everyone to the November 11, 2025 Common Council meeting.

1:25

The first thing is to call to the order to the meeting, and please stand up for the place of allegiance.

Speaker 6

1:46

Thank you.

1:47

Next is Roll Call, please.

1:49

Thank you, Mayor.

1:49

Mayor Radafrata.

1:50

Here.

1:51

Alder Dancer Jr.

1:52

Here.

1:52

Alder Gerhardt.

Speaker 7

1:53

Here.

Speaker 6

1:54

Alder Herbs.

1:54

Here.

1:55

Alder Jetzer.

1:56

Here.

1:56

All their ladders say.

1:57

Here.

1:57

Alder Maldonado.

Speaker 8

1:58

Here.

Speaker 6

1:59

Alder Reichstag.

2:00

Here.

2:00

You have a

Speaker 5

2:00

court, mayor.

2:01

Thank you.

2:02

So next we move to item four is public appearances for non agenda items.

2:08

So I the first thing is I will open the public hearing on resolution dash 177-25.

2:16

Is Council proposed amendment to the 2026 operating budget?

2:20

Do we have any one on the audience?

2:24

Dave, do you want to talk in this topic or is it different?

2:29

Okay.

2:30

So this is now about four.

2:31

Okay.

2:32

Okay.

2:33

Um seeing none.

2:35

I am closing the public hearing.

2:38

So next we move to uh the consent agenda.

2:41

Oh, then I am calling David Hayde for uh non-agenda item.

Speaker 9 · Possibly David Hayden

2:56

Good evening.

2:57

Um David Hayden, 5855 Woods Edge Road.

3:00

So this is a topic that I've talked about in the past.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Procedural█████████████13%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████13%
Public Works███████████11%
Stormwater Management██████████10%
Youth Programs███████7%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Transportation████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fitchburg Common Council Meeting Summary - November 11, 2025

The Fitchburg Common Council convened on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for a regular meeting. The primary focus of the evening was the detailed consideration and adoption of the 2026 Annual City Operating Budget, which included several significant amendments debated by the council. The meeting also featured public testimony regarding the Clean Water Act and the Saiyan Road project, and the approval of numerous routine resolutions for city operations and infrastructure.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously without discussion. Several items were subsequently moved up from the agenda for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Hayden (5855 Woods Edge Road): Spoke on two separate occasions. First, during public appearances, he argued that Clean Water Act stormwater permit applications must be signed by the highest elected officer (the Mayor), stating that permits signed by engineers are fraudulent. Second, he spoke against the budget amendment for the Saiyan Road Phase 3 project, alleging the destruction of headwater wetlands for Nine Springs Creek and a conflict of interest regarding a Board of Public Works member's vote. City staff responded that all work was fully permitted and approved by the Wisconsin DOT and DNR, and that the board member did not benefit financially from the vote.

Discussion Items

  • 2026 Operating Budget & Amendments (Resolution R-177-25): The Mayor's proposed budget met levy limits. The council debated and voted on four amendments. Amendment 1 (Remove Communication Funding): Failed (1-6). Amendment 2 (McGaw Park Pickleball Courts): Passed (7-0) with support for pursuing a grant as a primary funding source. Amendment 3 (Fitchburg Youth Commission): Approved with significant discussion. The council amended the proposal to fund member stipends through the city budget while requiring ride-sharing and food costs to be covered by donations. An additional amendment directed staff to assess the feasibility of not recording meetings on Fact TV to protect the privacy of minor members. Amendment 4 (Alder Blogs): Approved after extensive debate regarding city staff capacity, ethical guidelines, and the 50-piece election rule.
  • Budget Adoption Close: Finance Director Misty stated the total property tax levy is $32,726,746. The tax rate on the average single-family home results in an increase of $83 (3.1%) for the city portion. The budget was ultimately adopted. Council members highlighted the fiscal responsibility of the budget (lowest in inflation-adjusted dollars since taking on the library), the impact of the failed referendum, and the prioritization of staff retention and public safety.
  • Saiyan Road Phase 3 (Resolution R-203-25): Approved. The resolution covered additional costs for larger aggregate material to stabilize the road due to "boiling sand" conditions. Staff confirmed all necessary environmental permits were in place and the DNR was consulted.
  • Fire Vehicle Maintenance (Resolution R-202-25): Approved an $18,600 transfer between accounts to cover overages for emergency fire truck repairs for the remainder of the year.
  • Sustain Dane Efficiency Navigator Program (Resolution R-209-25): Approved reimbursing Sustain Dane for work completed under a federal Community Change Grant that was subsequently clawed back. The funding source was shifted to city contingency and window project funds. The program assisted 68 families and 70 units.
  • Brush Chipper Replacement (Resolution R-195-25): Approved the purchase of a new brush chipper for $73,000 to replace a 2013 unit. The old unit will be traded in for a guaranteed value of $22,000.
  • Stormwater Facility Maintenance (Resolution R-201-25): Approved nearly $800,000 for the dredging of the Quarry Hill pond (7,000 cubic yards of material) and the reconstruction of the Techlands infiltration basin. The work included the relocation of approximately 200 frogs and turtles to another pond for the winter.
  • Parks and Cemetery Signage (Resolution R-185-25): Approved a pilot program for updated park signs featuring English and Spanish text and symbols. The vote required a two-thirds majority and passed.
  • Solid Waste Ordinance Update (Ordinance 2025-O-26): Approved to align the city's solid waste and recycling chapter with the state template from the DNR.
  • EMS Levy Limit Adjustment (Resolution R-199-25): Approved a resolution allowing the $231,000 increase in joint EMS expenses to be added to the levy limit, a practice used for the last four years.
  • WIN Contract Renewal (Resolution R-212-25): Approved a 36-month lease with Wisconsin Independent Networks to achieve cost savings on existing services.

Board, Commission, and Staff Reports

  • City Administrator Chad: Announced a joint Fire & EMS district feasibility study with Oregon and Verona, a forthcoming contract with CARPC for shared development with Oregon, and the timeline for the District 4 alder vacancy interviews (November 17) and vote (November 25).
  • Mayor Julia: Reported on the Veterans Day celebration, a productive meeting with the Madison Metropolitan School District, and the upcoming Mayoral Awards ceremony on November 25.
  • Resource Conservation Commission (RCC): Reported on a partnership with Wisconsin Eco Latinos, a new Styrofoam dumpster at the recycling drop-off, and the city's application for a Level 2 EV charger at McKee Farms Park.
  • MPO Policy Board (Alder Ladase): Provided an update on transportation projects, including federal funding for the County MM underpass and Traceway and Leopold Path.
  • Alder Reports: Council members reported on the Lifepoint groundbreaking, the business appreciation luncheon, traffic pattern changes on Lacey Road, and fundraising efforts by Seminole Pool.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted the 2026 Operating Budget (Resolution R-177-25) as amended. Property tax levy set at $32,726,746.
  • Approved Resolutions R-202-25, R-203-25, R-209-25, R-211-25, R-212-25, R-195-25, R-201-25, R-185-25, and R-199-25.
  • Approved Ordinance 2025-O-26 (Solid Waste and Recycling).
  • Postponed Preliminary Plat PP-2618-25 to the November 25th council meeting.
  • The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2025, to interview candidates for the District 4 alder vacancy.

Meeting Transcript

Hi, I'm Jeremy Crosby. And I'm Nick Boucher. We're your host for the program that's all about your city, Talking Pittsburgh. Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Pittsburgh. Find Talking Fitzburg on Cable TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and our live stream on the web. Plus, you can find all our headlines and stories on Facebook, YouTube, and our video on demand service. This is your city. Keep up with Talking Fitzburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors. Want to know what's happening in your city? Get notify me messages from the city of Fitchburg. Visit Fitchburg WI.gov on your computer or mobile device and select the big notify me button on the left. Enter your email and or phone number, whichever is best for you to get notifications. Scroll down the list and select all the topics you're interested in to receive email or text messages about. You'll be notified every time one of your topics is updated. Sign up for Notify Me. One more way to keep up with your Fitzburg government. Good evening, everyone to the November 11, 2025 Common Council meeting. The first thing is to call to the order to the meeting, and please stand up for the place of allegiance. Thank you. Next is Roll Call, please. Thank you, Mayor. Mayor Radafrata. Here. Alder Dancer Jr. Here. Alder Gerhardt. Here. Alder Herbs. Here. Alder Jetzer. Here. All their ladders say. Here. Alder Maldonado. Here. Alder Reichstag. Here. You have a court, mayor. Thank you. So next we move to item four is public appearances for non agenda items. So I the first thing is I will open the public hearing on resolution dash 177-25. Is Council proposed amendment to the 2026 operating budget? Do we have any one on the audience? Dave, do you want to talk in this topic or is it different? Okay.

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