Common Council Meeting Summary – November 2, 2026

The Menasha Common Council met on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a public hearing on a special use permit for an electronic sign, approval of a consent agenda with a correction to a payment amount, action on a new alcohol license, a debated and postponed vote on the appointment of a city attorney, and the passage of several resolutions related to post-tornado recovery, the fire department budget, and housing program suspensions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved for the Joint Common Council and Water and Light Commission and the Common Council meeting of October 19, 2026.
• Administration Committee Recommendations: Approved the 2027 renewal for storage tank pollution liability insurance (ACE American Insurance Company) and the 2027 health insurance change for vision and dental continuation. (8-0 votes)
• Board of Public Works Recommendations:
  • Approved Change Order No. 1 & Final for the Midway Place Resurfacing contract (Northeast Asphalt, Inc.), adding $4,070.15. (8-0)
  • Approved Final Payment No. 2 for the same Midway Place project ($4,070.15). (8-0)
  • Approved Payment No. 5 for the 2026 Utility Construction contract (Donald Hietpas & Sons, Inc.). Note: The original agenda amount of $72,052.50 was amended to $68,347.50 after Director Merton identified a billing error for work billed directly to Menasha Utilities. The motion was amended and approved. (8-0)
  • Approved Payment No. 1 for the Clovis Park Tennis Courts Reconstruction (Northeast Asphalt, Inc.), totaling $120,900.32. (8-0)
• Plan Commission Recommendation: Approved the Special Use Permit for an electronic message center as part of a monument sign for Unison Credit Union (1133 Province Terrace), finding that it meets the five criteria in Section 13-1-11(b). (8-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing (D1): No members of the public spoke on the Unison Credit Union special use permit.
• Public Comments on Any Matter (E): No members of the public addressed the council.
• Public Comments on Agenda Items (N): Jordan Delvo (address 509 to Pier) spoke regarding a duplex rezoning. Director Dane offered to discuss the matter with him after the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Action Item: New Alcohol License (I1): Alderman Hale moved to approve the new "Class B" intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverage license for Cabos Mexican Kitchen (209 Racine Street). The motion carried unanimously. (8-0)
• Action Item: Accounts Payable (I2): Alderman Hale moved to approve accounts payable and payroll for the period of October 16–29, 2026, in the amount of $2,822,124.85. The motion carried unanimously. (8-0)
• Action Item: City Attorney Appointment (I3): Council President Gradi moved to appoint David Rashid as City Attorney for the term of December 7, 2026, to April 20, 2027. Alderman Rand moved to postpone the vote to the next regular council meeting. He cited concerns over Mr. Rashid’s past work in Neenah, including the city’s sign code being found unconstitutional in 2024 and a road repair fee revised after an outside legal challenge. Alderman Rand also questioned how the committee evaluated Mr. Rashid’s experience with the ordinance codification project. Attorney Walsh provided an update on the code project, noting the fee schedule was being finalized. Human Resources Manager Cardozo stated the hiring process was fair. Council President Gradi noted the short term would allow the council to reevaluate. Alderman Rand expressed general support for Mr. Rashid but declared that his motion to postpone carried by a vote of 5-3. Note: The transcript does not include an explicit formal roll call for this vote, but this outcome was stated on the floor. The appointment was effectively postponed to the next meeting.
• Resolution: Levy Limit for Fire Rescue (R-45-26): Alderman Gradi moved to approve a resolution authorizing signatory municipalities to exceed the levy limit for Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue for FY 2027. Director Sassman explained this is an annual, non-obligating resolution required for budget flexibility. Approved. (8-0)
• Resolution: Tornado Stormwater Mitigation (R-46-26): Alderman Marshall moved to approve a $300,000 resolution authorizing expenditures to mitigate stormwater inflow into the sanitary sewer system caused by the July 27, 2026 tornado. Director Merton outlined the plan to address laterals taking on rainwater, including property owner notifications and potential capping of laterals as a last resort. Approved. (8-0)
• Resolution: Suspension of Strong Neighborhoods Sub-Programs (R-47-26): Council President Gradi moved to approve a one-year suspension of the Curb Appeal and Major Renovations sub-programs to redirect staff time to tornado recovery. Director Dane confirmed the pilot partnership with Habitat for Humanity would continue. Aldermen sought and received assurance that the program funds would remain available for the suspended programs. Approved. (7-1)

Key Outcomes

• Special Use Permit Approved: Unison Credit Union electronic message center sign. (8-0)
• City Attorney Appointment Postponed: The vote to appoint David Rashid was postponed by a stated 5-3 vote on a motion by Alderman Rand.
• Alcohol License Approved: Cabos Mexican Kitchen received a Class B liquor and beer license. (8-0)
• Ordinances and Resolutions Approved:
  • R-41-26 (Alexander & Bishop bonds) – 8-0
  • R-45-26 (Fire Rescue levy limit authorization) – 8-0
  • R-46-26 (Tornado stormwater mitigation expenditures) – 8-0
  • R-47-26 (Suspension of Strong Neighborhoods sub-programs) – 7-1
  • R-48-26 (Power supply contract amendment) – 8-0
• Sewerage Commission Appointment: The council accepted the resignation of Corey Gordon and appointed James Merten to the Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission for the term ending December 31, 2026.