Lake Geneva Common Council Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Lake Geneva Common Council met on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent agenda items, ordinances, a charter ordinance changing the city attorney position, budget publication, child safety zone regulations, a major donation for Hillmoor Park, and discussion on future public safety facility needs.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Regular Council Minutes from October 12, 2026 and Special Council Minutes from October 15, 2026.
• Accepted pre-paid checks of $492,796.83 and regular checks of $415,705.97.
• Approved a Public Event Permit for Downtown Lake Geneva Inc.'s BID Fall Wine Walk on November 1, 2026 (12 PM – 4 PM).
• Approved Temporary "Class B" Wine Licenses for the Downtown Lake Geneva Wine Walk (November 1, 11 AM – 4 PM, agent Alexandria Binanti) and for the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation Open House (November 13, 5 PM – 7 PM, agent David McConnell).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Landry (2116 Heather Drive, Town of Lyons) spoke on Resolution 26-R59 (budget publication notice). He noted a $27,000 line item (account 11-21-00-57376) for Flock safety license plate readers, stating the 2027 budget covers renewal of two-year contracts that auto-renew unless the city gives notice. He asked the council to discuss Flock on its own agenda before the budget hearing, clarifying he was not asking to delay the vote or debate Flock that night.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26-11 – Televising & Livestreaming Meetings: An ordinance to amend Sec. 2-501 of the Municipal Code to include Personnel Committee and all standing committees. Alderman Hoyland proposed adding the phrase “any standing committees” to cover future reorganizations. The amendment was accepted, and the ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.
• Charter Ordinance No. 195 – City Attorney Appointment: A charter ordinance to change the city attorney from elected to appointed. Alderman Stoodley moved to second reading. During discussion, Alderman Hoyland preferred appointment by the city council rather than by the mayor subject to council confirmation. An amendment to make the council the appointing body passed 8-1 (Stoodley opposed). The main ordinance then passed 8-1 (Stoodley opposed). Attorney Draper noted a 60-day protest petition period; if passed on second reading November 9, publication would be November 18.
• Resolution 26-R59 – Budget Publication Notice: Approving publication of the public hearing notice for the 2027 Operating and Capital Budgets. Comptroller Laura noted an amended resolution reducing expenditures from $2,108,200 to $1,967,200 (realignment of truck pricing). Alderman Hoyland opposed, citing a projected deficit of $630,287 in 2026 and $2,072,576 in 2027, and a fund balance drop from $8.47 million to $5.77 million. Administrator Dave responded that the deficit is a 10% contingency that historically goes unspent. The resolution passed 7-2 (Hoyland and Smith opposed). Public hearing set for November 23.
• Surplus Auction Items (DPW): Approved without discussion.
• Hydrant Relocation (Utility Commission): Approved to relocate an existing hydrant and install a new one on PIN ZYUP00131 (estimated cost $24,000). Utility Commission recommended approval on October 19. The relocation is required due to WisDOT stormwater installation conflicts.
• Joint Public Hearing – Peller Investments: Set a joint public hearing before City Council and Plan Commission for December 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM (cancelling the regular Committee of the Whole) to consider amending the future land use map from Planned Office to Planned Mixed Use for property at 7240 Peller Lane, Town of Lyons (tax keys NLY3000002, NLY310001C, NLY3000011). Alderman Fesenmaier expressed concern about lack of prior Town of Lyons action. Motion to table failed for lack of a second. Motion passed 7-1.
• Child Safety Zones (Article V, Chapter 50): Discussion on proposed maps with varying buffer distances (500–1,000 ft) and housing availability percentages. Administrator Dave presented a chart (Maps A–F). Alderman Stoodley moved to adopt Map D (750 ft buffer, 54.4% available housing). Attorney Draper said a 10% housing availability is too low; 50% is defensible. Chief Peters supported a uniform buffer for both residential and entry restrictions to simplify enforcement. After debate, Map D was adopted 8-1 (Yager opposed). The ordinance will return for first reading.
• Hillmoor Zone 1 Donation – Alta Vista Foundation: Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of intent for a matching grant from Alta Vista Foundation (up to $5 million) for improvements to Zone 1 of Hillmoor Park. The grant is dollar-for-dollar matching, must be completed in five years. Conditions include naming rights for Zone 1, confidentiality, and indemnification. Alderman Hoyland expressed concerns about conditions, budget, and precedent; Alderman Fesenmaier questioned the naming rights and donation policy. Administrator Dave confirmed $613,000 is budgeted for Hillmoor in 2027. The letter of intent passed 7-2 (Hoyland and Fesenmaier opposed).
• Future Land Purchase & Facilities (1103 S Edwards Blvd): Discussion only, no action. Aldermen Smith and Fesenmaier presented a chart evaluating public safety facility needs and potential sites. Alderman Hoyland noted an error in the chart regarding Site 22 (Wells & Bloomfield) vs. Site 12 (120 Bloomfield). Chief Peters clarified that the operational study used Site 22 for GIS modeling only; the preferred site is now the property under negotiation. Several alderpersons expressed frustration over repeated debate and urged focus on the current offer.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-11: Approved on second reading with amendment to include “any standing committees.”
• Charter Ordinance 195: Approved on second reading, amended to make city council the appointing body (8-1).
• Resolution 26-R59: Approved 7-2, authorizing publication of the 2027 budget public hearing.
• Surplus Auction: Approved.
• Hydrant Relocation: Approved.
• Joint Public Hearing Date: Set for December 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM (7-1).
• Child Safety Zone Map: Adopted Map D (750 ft buffer) with 8-1 vote; ordinance to be drafted for first reading.
• Hillmoor Letter of Intent: Approved 7-2.
• Public Safety Facilities Discussion: No action taken; council directed to continue negotiations on the current property offer.