Menasha Common Council Meeting - November 17, 2025: Pool Design Services, Consent Agenda, and Landmarks Appointment

The Menasha Common Council met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the First Floor Conference Rooms at 100 Main Street, Menasha, Wisconsin. Mayor Hammond presided; all eight aldermen were present, and City Clerk Snyder and department heads and staff attended. The meeting included public comment, approval of consent agenda items, accounts payable, an appointment, and adjournment at 7:07 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Selle (1 Main Street) commented on youth behavior and suggested using vacant downtown properties as programming sites, with an emphasis on activities for teens.
• Aidee Hoffman, principal of Banta Bilingual School, expressed support for the proposed Pleasants Park playground renovation and its benefits for Banta students.
• Chad Bruechert (2329 South 23rd Street, Manitowoc), a former Menasha pool manager and teacher, spoke in support of the Jefferson Park Swimming Pool and the selection of MSA Professional Services, Inc.
• Peter Allen (226 North Avenue, Neenah) spoke in support of the pool, citing water safety; he referenced USA Swimming Foundation data that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for children under 14, and that one month of formal swimming lessons reduces drowning risk by 88 percent.
• Jean McKnight (704 Tayco Street) supported both the Pleasants Park playground and the Jefferson Park Swimming Pool conceptual design, describing ways to promote a viable, future-oriented pool.
• Jessica Ketchum (816 Sixth Street) questioned the financing for a pool replacement, noting there was no savings, design, or donations; she questioned the benefit of spending $10 million on a new pool if renovation could be done for $5 million, and warned of possible property loss, fixed-income burdens, and rent increases.
• Amy Nelson (703 Wildview Drive, Hortonville), a Banta educator and former Menasha community member, supported the Pleasants Park playground, citing safety improvements and the Menasha Joint School District's interest.
• Dick Sturm (1203 Greenwood Court), Parks and Recreation Board chairperson, supported the conceptual design agreement and urged the Council to select MSA, speaking to generational opportunity and responsibility.
• Lynn Sauby (339 Broad Street) supported the pool design services agreement as a step forward for the community.
• Carla Cruz, a Banta Bilingual School educator, supported the Pleasants Park playground, describing children crossing the street, frequent flooding, ice, drainage problems, and concussions at the current play space.
• Kari Mulder (192 Main Street), owner of Rusted Roost, introduced herself and described her interest in serving on the Landmarks Commission to support historic preservation and balanced growth.
• Eli Wickman (700 Tenth Street), a Parks and Recreation Board member, urged approval of MSA, noted the goal of opening in 2027, and said the project had been discussed since about 2008.
• Dani Rand (336 Lopas Street), a Parks and Recreation Board member, supported the new pool concept plan, described the pool as 66 years old and needing replacement for about 20 years, and praised the MSA proposal's inclusivity, grant-writing scope, timeline awareness, and local experience.
• Tim Jacobson (732 Paris Street) said the existing pool was unsafe and should have been closed years ago, opposed spending tax dollars to repair it, raised safety risks for workers and the public, and agreed a new pool is needed.
• Madison Springhetti (901 East Capital Drive, Appleton), a Menasha teacher and summer swim lesson coordinator, supported the new pool concept plan.
• Marissa Lukaszewski (92 Locke Street) supported the pool design plan and the Jefferson Park revitalization, citing affordable swim lessons, central location, programming, accessibility features, and teen jobs.
• Amy O'Day (960 Third Street) supported the new aquatic center and urged the Council to finish the project by approving the design services step.
• After the votes, Dick Sturm thanked the Council for supporting the aquatic center; Melissa Grade (201 Elm Street), a Parks and Recreation Board member, thanked them for moving Jefferson Park forward and described the pool's impact on her family; and Tim Jacobson suggested asking neighboring communities, such as Fox Crossing and Harrison, for financial contributions.

Report of Department Officers

• By voice vote, the Council approved the minutes to receive and communications as recommended by Clerk Snyder. Minutes received included Board of Public Works (11/3/25), Personnel Committee (11/3/25), Budget Review Session (11/5/25 and 11/6/25), Library Board of Trustees (9/23/25), Plan Commission (11/4/25), Board of Health (10/1/25 and 10/22/25), and Parks and Recreation Board (11/11/25). Communications included a Shure microphone failures update, a Little Lake Butte Des Morts Lake Association founding meeting invitation, and Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) grant funding for Earl Street.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Common Council minutes from 11/3/25 by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved Board of Public Works recommendation for a street use application for Gather 'Round on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., sponsored by City of Menasha Parks and Recreation, by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved payment No. 3 to Northeast Asphalt, Inc., Contract Unit No. 2025-03, for the Jefferson Park Boat Launch in the amount of $145,307.15, by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved the Personnel Committee recommendation for an amendment to the 2025 Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the Menasha Professional Police Association WPPA/LEER Local 603, by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved the 2026 Memorandum of Agreement with the Menasha Professional Police Association effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved the Plan Commission recommendation for a Certified Survey Map dividing 1320 Earl Street (Parcel No. 4-00791-00), conditioned on proper recording of the cross-access agreement between lots 1-3, by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved the Parks and Recreation Board recommendation to select MSA Professional Services, Inc. to provide conceptual design services for the Jefferson Park Aquatic Facility not to exceed $78,000, by 8-0 roll call.

Discussion Items

• Parks and Recreation Director Megan Sackett explained that the MSA contract is the first phase for the new aquatic facility. Funds were approved in the 2025 budget in November 2024; an RFP was issued in early October 2025 and received five responses. The conceptual design phase is expected to last about three months (minutes) or three to four months (transcript), include community and stakeholder input, and return to the Park Board and then Common Council for final concept approval. The goal is to open a new facility in 2027.
• Alderman Marshall said the old pool cannot be patched and is unsafe for workers. Alderman Eisenach asked whether enough money was budgeted; Director Sackett confirmed 2025 budget funds plus additional allocations were available. Mayor Hammond said there were no more band-aid fixes, safety was a priority, and completing Jefferson Park would make it a gem for the Fox Cities.
• During the accounts payable discussion, Alderman Hale asked for more detail on line items labeled library materials; Finance Director Sassman explained the monthly library payments follow account-name descriptions, and specific invoices were available on request.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items were approved unanimously on 8-0 roll call votes.
• Approved accounts payable and payroll for the period 10/31/25 through 11/13/25 in the amount of $1,802,820.93 by 8-0 roll call.
• Approved the Mayor's appointment of Kari Mulder to the Landmarks Commission for the term 11/18/25 through 3/1/28 by voice vote.
• No items were removed from the consent agenda.
• No ordinances, resolutions, held-over business, or claims against the city were considered.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m. by voice vote.