OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Fitchburg, Wisconsin/Common Council & City Boards
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fitchburg Community and Economic Development Authority Meeting - January 22, 2026

Common Council & City Boards — Thursday, January 22, 2026
BodyFitchburg, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & City Boards
DateThursday, January 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:33:37

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 Fitchburg.

Speaker 2

0:06

Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Fitchburg.

Speaker 1

0:12

Find Talking Fitchburg 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 2

0:23

This is your city.

0:24

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

Speaker 3

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 Fitchburg government.

Unassigned speaker

1:34

Yeah,

Speaker 4

1:35

Angela.

Unassigned speaker

1:36

Maybe she's second.

Speaker 5

1:37

Okay, good morning.

Unassigned speaker

1:39

My

Speaker 5

1:39

name is Mark Hamilton.

1:41

I'm gonna call the January 22nd, 2025 uh meeting of the community and economic development authority to order.

1:49

And the first thing we're gonna do after that is we will do the roll call.

1:53

So Joyce, if you would do the honors, please.

Speaker 4

1:58

Sure.

1:58

Uh Sierra Gar Garcia Sierra Hamilton.

2:03

Here.

2:03

Hardy.

2:04

Leper.

Unassigned speaker

2:05

Here.

Speaker 4

2:07

Mall Donato.

Speaker 6

2:09

Here.

Speaker 4

2:10

Potts.

Speaker 6

2:10

Here.

Speaker 4

2:11

Sanders.

2:12

Here.

2:12

We have a quorum.

Speaker 5

2:14

Thank you.

2:15

All right.

2:15

Next item in the minutes in the agenda is the approval of the minutes from December 4th, 2025.

2:21

Did everybody get a chance to take a look at those minutes?

2:28

Hearing no comments, is there a motion to approve the minutes?

Speaker 7

2:32

I'll move to approve.

Speaker 5

2:34

Okay.

2:34

I'll second.

2:35

Moved and seconded.

2:36

Who is that?

2:37

Joe, I think Joe moved it and Jenny seconded

Unassigned speaker

2:39

it.

Speaker 5

2:40

Is there any further discussion on the motion?

2:44

Hearing none.

2:45

All those in favor signify by saying aye, please.

Speaker 7

2:48

Aye.

Speaker 5

2:49

Opposed, same sign.

2:52

Okay, moving on.

2:54

We have a new member.

2:55

Oh, do we have any public appearances for non-agenda items?

2:59

Jeremy or Mike or Joyce?

Unassigned speaker

3:01

Nope.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████████████35%
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Affordable Housing████████████████16%
Procedural████████8%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Public Works███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Personnel Matters██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Fitchburg Community and Economic Development Authority Meeting - January 22, 2026

(Note on Date Discrepancy: The transcript identifies this as the January 22, 2025 meeting, while the provided context specifically dates it as 2026-01-22. The latter date is used in this summary as instructed.)

The Community and Economic Development Authority (CEDA) of Fitchburg convened on January 22, 2026, with a quorum present. Key actions included welcoming new member Alder Jake Lapper, approving the Venture Fund Participation Agreement, authorizing the Efficiency Navigator Program contract, receiving the annual tourism report from the Fitchburg Chamber and Business Bureau, and hearing extensive development project updates from economic development staff.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Minutes from the December 4, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • None were offered for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items & Presentations

New Member Welcome (Alder Jake Lapper)

  • Alder Lapper introduced himself as District 4's new representative, a police sergeant with EMS and National Guard experience. Committee members introduced their backgrounds and roles.

Resolution 1626: Venture Fund Participation Agreement

  • Dan Hardy provided background on the 20-year-old Venture Debt Fund, a partnership of banks, MGE, Middleton, and Fitchburg providing mezzanine debt to tech start-ups vetted by a UW committee.
  • Hardy stated the renewed contract was a "cleanup" with no substantive changes.
  • Position: Hardy expressed his satisfaction with the program's performance and efficiency.
  • Outcome: Motion by Hardy, seconded by Andy Potts. Passed unanimously.

Resolution 2526: Efficiency Navigator Program (Sustained Dane)

  • Claire from Sustained Dane presented the first-year results of the program, which upgrades efficiency in naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) units in Fitchburg's healthy neighborhoods (units at/below 80% AMI).
  • Year 1 Impact: 102 residents (16 seniors, 13 children) served. Ten-year energy savings exceeding $80,000 projected. CO2 reductions of 40,000 kg (equivalent to 99,000 miles driven).
  • Program Requirements: Owners must keep rents at or below HUD Fair Market Value for five years. Leveraged $100,000 in owner funding and $15,000 in Focus on Energy rebates.
  • Completed Work: Nine weatherization projects, eight air-source heat pumps, 17 refrigerators, and 116 windows replaced in six buildings. Five gas leaks and two mold issues were identified and addressed.
  • Discussion:
    • Jenny Sanders asked about alignment with the new Housing Plan. Staff confirmed it remains a top priority.
    • Joe asked about the Fish Hatchery Road area. Claire noted buildings there were already in good condition.
    • Dan Hardy questioned the program's long-term scale and overall capacity. Lorene Gage explained the finite $10 million housing fund. Staff discussed a potential building stock analysis to assess overall need.
  • Position: Hardy and the committee expressed strong support for the program and its direct benefit to low-income residents.
  • Outcome: Motion by Mario Garcia, seconded by Jake Lapper. Passed unanimously.

Hotel Room Tax Report

  • The fourth-quarter report is pending. Joyce Fry confirmed the room tax rate increased to 8% on January 1.

Annual Tourism Report (Angela Kinderman – Fitchburg Chamber & Business Bureau)

  • Angela presented 2025 tourism results. Regional data: 9.2 million visitors to Dane County in 2024, spending $1.5 billion.
  • Fitchburg Campaigns: Bike the Burg (registrations up 39%), the new Gamer's Guide targeting conventiongoers, and the Holiday Lights Tour (map viewed 60,000 times).
  • New Events: The Fitchburg Brewery Ride was a success and will be expanded (cap 100 riders).
  • 2026 Plans: Launching a standalone VisitFitchburg.com website and expanded drone video content.
  • Position: Committee members thanked Angela and her team for their partnership and success in growing community events.

Economic Development Director & Staff Reports (Mike, Joyce, Lorene)

  • Housing Plan: Draft being finalized. Developer roundtables planned.
  • Syncopation (Hwy 14/MM): Partnership facilitated with Trilogy Health for 119-unit continuum of care facility. 320 apartments, 35 lots, 40 townhomes also planned.
  • JT Klein (Nesbitt Road): 180 units proposed (80 affordable senior, 100 market rate). Mayor requested workforce housing component.
  • Uptown Fitchburg: First phase of No Oaks plat moving forward. Development expected to accelerate, bringing amenities like a grocery store.
  • Post Office: Joyce continues addressing delivery issues. No progress on a traditional post office due to USPS staffing shortages.
  • Other: Fitchburg history wall planned with Zeberdog. Latino Chamber interested in selling building. Meeting scheduled with MMSD on effluent use. Gorman & Co. proposing 146 units on Index Road.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 1626 (Venture Fund): Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2526 (Efficiency Navigator): Approved unanimously.
  • Directive: Staff to research program capacity (building stock analysis) and streamline Efficiency Navigator processes.
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Adjournment: Motion made and carried.

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 Fitchburg. Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Fitchburg. Find Talking Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg government. Yeah, Angela. Maybe she's second. Okay, good morning. My name is Mark Hamilton. I'm gonna call the January 22nd, 2025 uh meeting of the community and economic development authority to order. And the first thing we're gonna do after that is we will do the roll call. So Joyce, if you would do the honors, please. Sure. Uh Sierra Gar Garcia Sierra Hamilton. Here. Hardy. Leper. Here. Mall Donato. Here. Potts. Here. Sanders. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. All right. Next item in the minutes in the agenda is the approval of the minutes from December 4th, 2025. Did everybody get a chance to take a look at those minutes? Hearing no comments, is there a motion to approve the minutes? I'll move to approve. Okay. I'll second. Moved and seconded. Who is that? Joe, I think Joe moved it and Jenny seconded it.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com