Menasha Common Council Meeting – January 19, 2026

Mayor Hammond called the Menasha Common Council meeting to order at 6:00 PM on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the First Floor Conference Rooms, 100 Main Street, Menasha, WI. Six alderpersons were present (Rand, Eisenach, Hale, Marshall, Grade, Ropella); Alds. Perkins and Lewis were absent. The Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance, observed a moment of silence honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and acted on consent items, an alcohol license denial, accounts payable, and a board appointment. The meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kristl Laux (388 Nassau Street, Menasha; Winnebago County Supervisor, District 2) spoke about the brownfield site at 204 Railroad Street. She stated Winnebago County owns the property, which was acquired through foreclosure and is contaminated with lead and other chemicals, including contaminated groundwater. She reported that the County Board would vote on January 20, 2026, on a resolution to apply for and accept an EPA brownfields cleanup grant of up to $4 million for the site, requiring no county match. She encouraged Menasha community members to speak in favor of the resolution before the County Board, including remotely through Teams, because expediting acceptance of the grant would allow the cleanup to proceed faster.

Discussion Items

• Deputy Director Gordon presented the Sewer Plant Phosphorus Filter Project Update communication. He explained that the Wisconsin DNR requires the Neenah Menasha Sewerage Commission to remove phosphorus from the treatment plant’s effluent, that the project had already received one extension with no further extension available, and that water quality trading credits did not appear sufficient as a short-term solution.
• Gordon outlined two financing options: revenue bonds at roughly 4.25% interest, or a Clean Water Fund loan at 2.6% interest taken out by each municipality and managed by the commission. He noted Menasha could qualify for approximately 10% principal forgiveness and stated that, from his perspective, the Clean Water Fund loan appeared to be the best option.
• Alderman Rand asked whether the memo’s numbers accounted for recent state clean water legislation passed around January 8, involving $400–500 million for clean water and related programs. Gordon replied that the memo was prepared before that legislation and that staff would look into the new funding. Rand also asked about UV disinfection; Gordon said the commission was leaning against installing UV disinfection and toward retaining chlorine contact because of the additional $11 million cost, and the DNR had not indicated UV would become a future requirement.
• Alderman Ropella asked about the Clean Water Fund loan schedule. Gordon explained that existing loans end in 2027, 2031, 2032, and 2033, with no debt falling off in 2028–2030. The Mayor also noted that Buy America provisions could add about 6% to project costs.
• The Council approved receipt of the listed minutes from the Board of Public Works (1/5/26), Board of Health (12/10/25), Committee on Aging (11/14/25), and Plan Commission (1/6/26), plus the Sewer Plant Phosphorus Filter Project Update communication; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Consent Agenda

• Approved the Common Council minutes of January 5, 2026 (motion by Grade, second by Hale; voice vote).
• Approved Board of Public Works recommendation: Change Order No. 1 with Northeast Asphalt, Inc. for Contract No. 2025-03, Jefferson Park Boat Launch, adding $19,370.97 (motion by Ropella, second by Marshall; carried 6-0 on roll call).
• Approved Board of Public Works recommendation: Payment No. 5 to Northeast Asphalt, Inc. in the amount of $67,228.46 for the Jefferson Park Boat Launch project (motion by Ropella, second by Marshall; carried 6-0 on roll call). Staff advised that approximately two payments likely remain for the project.
• Approved Plan Commission recommendation: Certified Survey Map lot line adjustment for 355 Lake Road (Parcel No. 7-0007-00) and 359 Lake Road (Parcel No. 7-0007-01) (motion by Rand, second by Eisenach; carried 6-0 on roll call).

Key Outcomes

• Alcohol Operator’s License Application denied: The Council voted 5-0, with Alderman Eisenach abstaining due to personal ownership of an alcohol license, to deny the 2025–2027 alcohol operator’s license application. Staff explained the applicant did not meet the first guideline in the City of Menasha Policy Guidelines for Operator Licenses because prior felonies on her record were directly related to the license application.
• Accounts Payable approved: The Council approved accounts payable and payroll for January 1–15, 2026, in the amount of $12,079,449.08 (motion by Eisenach, second by Hale; carried 6-0 on roll call).
• Board of Appeals reappointment approved: The Council approved Mayor Hammond’s reappointment of Tim Jacobson to the Board of Appeals for the term February 1, 2026 through February 1, 2029 (motion by Grade, second by Hale; voice vote).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM on a motion by Hale, seconded by Marshall.