Menasha Common Council Meeting – February 16, 2026

The Menasha Common Council convened on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hammond and adjourned at 6:27 PM. No public comments were offered. The council addressed routine approvals, land use actions, and policy updates.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Received: The council approved minutes from the Library Board, Board of Health, Parks & Recreation Board, Personnel Committee, Water and Light Commission, Plan Commission, Redevelopment Authority, and Special Police Commission.
• Communications Filed: The council acknowledged communications including the Bike Friendly Community Silver Award, the High Cliff Connection newsletter, the City of Menasha Comprehensive Plan Update, and a temporary parking suspension memorandum for East Broad Street (February 11 – March 20, 2026).
• Common Council Minutes (2/2/26): Approved via voice vote.
• Certified Survey Map – Province Terrace Lots 3-7: The council approved the certified survey map as recommended by the Plan Commission. On the floor, Alderperson Eisenach added Parcel No. 7-00001-05 to the motion. The motion carried on an 8-0 roll call vote.

Discussion Items

• E-Bike Regulations on City Trails: Alderperson Lewis asked whether e-bikes and assisted pedal bikes are allowed on new city trails connecting to High Cliff. Parks and Recreation Director Sackett confirmed the current ordinance does not restrict e-bikes, though internal discussions are ongoing. Alderperson Ropella followed up with Police Chief Thorne on the multi-community effort to create a unified ordinance. Chief Thorne reported that regular meetings are taking place with representatives from Menasha, Neenah, and Fox Crossing Police Departments, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation to develop recommendations for e-bikes and scooters. An update is expected within the next one to two months.
• Comprehensive Plan Update – Infill Development Concepts: Community Development Director Andrew Dane presented a series of conceptual infill visions for the city's Comprehensive Plan. The concepts included a neighborhood center at Oneida Street and Province Link (walkable retail, trail plaza), owner-occupied housing on Plank Road, a mixed-use office and retail corridor on Lake Park Road, townhomes on Water Street, a mixed-use redevelopment of the Taiko Street site, and a mixed-use development in the City Hall district incorporating the senior center. Director Dane stated these are illustrative tools to encourage investment and that they will be refined before the plan's formal adoption in late spring or summer 2026. Alderperson Ropella noted difficulty reading the small text on the provided maps.
• Ordinance O-3-26 – Alcoholic Beverages in Shepard Park: The council reviewed an ordinance to permanently amend city code to allow alcohol consumption and sales in Shepard Park. Parks and Recreation Director Sackett explained the amendment is needed to host a tri-city (Menasha, Neenah, Fox Crossing) event on the Loop the Lake Trail, featuring music, food trucks, and beverages. It also enables general rentals in Shepard Park to purchase a beer permit, consistent with other listed parks. Alderperson Ropella asked if the amendment applied to all city parks; Director Sackett clarified the ordinance lists specific parks (Jefferson Park, Casel Park, Barker Farm Park, Shepard Park, and Curtis Ridge Square).

Key Outcomes

• Accounts Payable Approved: Accounts payable and payroll for January 30 – February 12, 2026, in the amount of $2,940,481.58, were approved (8-0).
• Ordinance Adopted: O-3-26, amending code for alcohol consumption in Shepard Park, was adopted (8-0).
• Subdivision Approved: The Certified Survey Map for Province Terrace Lots 3-7 (with Parcel No. 7-00001-05) was approved (8-0).
• E-Bike Regulations: A unified, inter-community ordinance is in development, with further updates expected in the coming months before summer.
• Comprehensive Plan: The infill concepts will continue to be developed, with formal adoption targeted for late spring or summer 2026.