Fitchburg Common Council Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Fitchburg Common Council met on August 25, 2026, for a regular meeting that included a mayoral proclamation, a contentious rezoning decision, multiple fire department resolutions, adoption of a traffic impact analysis ordinance, and various committee reports. The meeting lasted approximately two hours and twelve minutes.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved by voice vote. (Individual items not specified in the transcript.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rezoning (RZ 2661-26): David Hay (Fitchburg resident) spoke in opposition, stating the project was “not baked yet” and raised concerns about process inconsistencies and consistency with the comprehensive plan. He noted the Plan Commission’s split 4-3 vote as evidence of uncertainty.
• Fire Department Resolutions: A resident (identified as David) criticized the city’s communication on major capital projects, citing a $40 million police facility and a $12 million city hall remodeling, and urged better outreach to constituents.
• Traffic Impact Analysis Ordinance: David Hay registered in opposition but left before speaking; his opposition was noted for the record.

Discussion Items

• Mayoral Proclamation: Mayor Julia Ratafrata proclaimed September 2026 as Hunger Action Month, stating that more than 72,000 people in Dane County, including nearly 19,000 children, experience food insecurity. A representative from Second Harvest Food Bank expressed gratitude and highlighted mobile pantries in Fitchburg.
• Administrator’s Report: Upcoming events were announced: Gigi’s Playhouse ribbon cutting (Aug 26), County MM bike/pedestrian underpass public meeting (Aug 27, 5:30–6:30 PM at Fire Station 3), Redeemer City Church neighborhood festival (Aug 29, 4–7 PM), deadline for comprehensive plan update work group applications (Aug 30), movie night at Southdale Park (Aug 31, community meal at 5:30 PM, movie at 7 PM), Fitrona Road reconstruction utility work through November, splash pad closing after Labor Day, and primary election results (approximately 6,400 in-person votes, 2,600 absentee, 47% turnout).
• Mayor’s Report: Community listening sessions continue; the 2027 budget process began; the 2027 budget survey received about 500 responses (open until Aug 31). The mayor attended a chief executive workshop covering housing, data centers, e-bikes, and municipal funding. She also congratulated the police department for Community Night Out and the clerk’s office for the primary.
• Rezoning (RZ 2661-26 / Ordinance 2026-025): The council considered a request to rezone property on Traceway Drive from PDD SIP to PDD GIP to allow a 140-unit affordable housing development (30–80% AMI) in two 4-story buildings (70 units each). An amendment corrected the density from 29 to 26 units per acre. The Plan Commission recommended approval with a 4-3 vote. Developer David Givers (EJ Plesco & Associates) explained the project is time-sensitive due to a WEDA tax credit deadline of November 30, 2026. Discussion focused on surface versus underground parking, density concerns, a potential TIF request (>$2 million), and design. Several alders expressed concerns about density and parking, but others emphasized the need for affordable housing. The amended ordinance was approved 7-1 (Alder Jetzer opposed).
• Fire Department Resolutions (six items):
  • R16626: Authorized immediate hiring of two additional firefighters using one-time funds from the police facility operating surplus. Supported as a short-term staffing solution; approved unanimously on roll call.
  • R16926: Ratified the 2025–2027 collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 311, including a paid time off bank, a new step on the wage schedule, and 3% cost-of-living adjustments for each year. Approved by voice vote.
  • R17326: Approved multiple memoranda of understanding on minimum career staffing, mandatory overtime, bilingual incentive pay, and acting officer compensation. Approved by voice vote.
  • R16326: Amended the 2026 general fund budget to account for transferring defibrillator pads from the fire department to EMS. Approved unanimously on roll call.
  • R16426: Amended the budget to fund physical and psychological background checks for paid-on-call firefighters. Approved by voice vote.
• Urban Service Area Amendment (R16826): Authorized a request to the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission to expand the urban service area by 75 acres for a Wisconsin Department of Corrections juvenile facility (southwest of US 14 and north of County M). Utilities will be provided by the Village of Oregon; stormwater management remains with Fitchburg. Approved by voice vote.
• Traffic Impact Analysis Ordinance (2026-021): Amended city code to create clear requirements for traffic impact analyses (TIAs) based on development size (small, medium, large). Staff will maintain flexible guidelines that can be updated without council action. Approved by voice vote.
• Subdivision Improvements – Jamestown Quarry:
  • R16126: First amendment to the subdivision improvement agreement delaying signage installation until December 1, 2026, due to material lead times. Approved by voice vote.
  • R16226: Acceptance of public improvements for phase two (retail center and second Texas RAP building). Approved by voice vote.
  • R17626: Approval of assignment and assumption of the subdivision improvements agreement from Wingra Real Estate LLC to Fitchburg Partners LLC. Approved by voice vote.
• Well Facility #12 (R1712): Accepted the low bid of $3,725,000 from J.H. Hassinger for construction of the well house. The well is already drilled to 1,033 feet. Approved unanimously on roll call.
• Farmland Preservation Map (R16026): Approved an update to the farmland preservation plan map to reflect current agricultural zoning, including two properties retained in ag zoning. Approved by voice vote.
• Committee Reports:
  • Plan Commission: Also handled a conditional use for an additional farm residence on Hate Farm Road (moving a house for an elderly parent), a minor PDD amendment for Inspiration at Swan Creek, a presentation on data center zoning guidance, and an intern’s analysis on taxes per square foot (showing higher density yields more tax revenue per acre).
  • Transportation & Transit Commission (TTC): Reported on Schumann Drive traffic calming (paint installed), a Metro Transit mid-year budget update (3% cost increase for 2027 due to prior underpayment), the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (proposals due Aug 31), and a speed limit pilot on Research Park Drive (average speed dropped 0.9 mph, 85th percentile dropped 2 mph).
  • Board of Public Works: Provided updates on County MM underpass meeting (Aug 27), Adams Road closure, 2026 resurfacing (Tower Hill pending utility work), sidewalk replacement, Wheel and Road Shoulders project, and Fitrona Road construction.
  • Library Board: Approved annual policy reviews and first draft of 2027 budget (includes increased utility and repair budgets).
  • Commission on Aging: Thanked participants for the Senior Center celebration.
  • Resource Conservation Commission: Announced Green Thursday movie (Sept 3, “Poisoned”), fall shredding/e-recycling event (Sept 19), and Stormwater Awareness Week (Sept 19–27).
  • Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission: Fitchburg ranked first among cities for bicycle-friendly businesses.
  • EMS Commission: Recognized retiring paramedic Tom Bates (35 years), approved purchase of a replacement support vehicle (partially funded by $85,000 from Epic), and discussed the status of a permanent part-time paramedic MOU (sent back to union due to disagreement over weekly hour cap).
  • Healthy Neighborhood Advisory Committee: No new updates.
  • Housing Advisory Committee: Reported on the Ali senior affordable housing renovation (41 units, $6 million, 100% resident return) and a tour of Bayview Community Center (passive house) on Sept 30.
  • Finance Committee: Received positive Moody’s statistics, approved PSC water rate case (effective with September bills), noted budget meetings underway, confirmed payroll software transition, and reported removal of beavers from McKee Farms stormwater ponds.

Key Outcomes

• Rezoning (RZ 2661-26) approved (7-1 roll call; Alder Jetzer opposed).
• Firefighter hiring (R16626) approved (unanimous roll call, 8-0). Hiring process to start immediately.
• Collective bargaining agreement (R16926) approved (voice vote).
• MOUs (R17326) approved (voice vote).
• Medical supplies budget amendment (R16326) approved (unanimous roll call).
• POC background checks budget amendment (R16426) approved (voice vote).
• Urban service area amendment (R16826) approved (voice vote).
• Traffic impact analysis ordinance (2026-021) approved (voice vote).
• First amendment to Jamestown Quarry SIA (R16126) approved (voice vote).
• Acceptance of Jamestown Quarry phase two improvements (R16226) approved (voice vote).
• Well facility #12 bid (R1712) approved (unanimous roll call).
• Farmland preservation map (R16026) approved (voice vote).
• Assignment of SIA for Jamestown Quarry (R17626) approved (voice vote).
• Next Committee of the Whole meeting: August 26, 2026, at 6:30 PM (topic: municipal budgeting).
• Next regular Common Council meeting: September 8, 2026.