City of Monroe Common Council Meeting - March 2, 2026
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City of Monroe Common Council Meeting - March 2, 2026
The Monroe Common Council met in regular session on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1110 18th Avenue, Monroe, WI. Mayor Donna Douglas presided. Eight alderpersons were present; Alder Craig Franke was absent. The Council approved routine items, several permits and resolutions, received presentations on lead service line replacement and wastewater treatment plant safety upgrades, and took action on a developer agreement related to TID 7.
Consent Calendar
- Accepted the February 17, 2026 meeting minutes as presented.
- Approved the consent agenda including Miscellaneous Licenses and the Claims List (8-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No citizens or property/business owners appeared under public appearances.
Business by Mayor
- Retirement recognition – Mike Mortimer: The Mayor recognized Mike Mortimer's retirement; Chief Kelley spoke and presented Mortimer with a clock. A resolution of recognition passed 8-0.
License Committee
- Suisse Haus temporary beer garden: Approved the resolution approving Suisse Haus' temporary beer garden application (8-0).
Public Safety Committee
- St. Patrick's Day Parade: Approved the special event permit for Main Street Monroe's St. Patrick's Day Parade (8-0).
Plan Commission
- Certified Survey Map – James & Jeffrey Larson: Approved the CSM for properties at 2715 & 2717 6th Avenue, Parcel 23251 3723.0000 (8-0).
Board of Public Works: Lead Service Line Replacement Funding
- Jesse from Fehr-Graham presented on the federal mandate for lead service line replacement and reviewed three funding options. Bridgette provided details on loan structures, including the possibility of a 0% interest ITA loan with a 20-year term.
- Council members expressed interest in minimizing financial impact to residents and avoiding placing the burden on homeowners.
- Mike Kennison discussed next steps for using the approximately $1 million federal grant, such as replacing public-side lines first or combining funds with loans/grants for both public and private sides.
- Action: Motion passed 8-0 to utilize approximately $1 million from a federal grant to fund both public and private lead service line replacements.
Council of the Whole
- WWTP Design Alterations: Darrel Carstensen (Fehr-Graham) explained anaerobic digestion hazards, methane gas explosion risks, and current fire code/life safety non-compliance. Options were: (1) a new electrical/boiler room building, estimated at about $6.7 million, or (2) interim safety equipment while planning a compliant building. Council consensus supported the new building addition plus interim safety equipment; a motion passed 8-0 to incorporate the new building addition into the WWTP design and install necessary safety equipment.
- Monroe Cheesemakers Booster Club temporary license: Approved a temporary "Class B" fermented malt beverage and wine license (8-0).
- 2027 Capital Project List: Approved the list of projects to submit for Congressionally Directed Spending grant requests (8-0). Administrator Rindy's list included the Wastewater Treatment Plant, street/water/sewer projects, lead service line replacements, and the Public Works facility.
Finance and Taxation Committee: TID 7 Developer Agreement
- The Council entered closed session at 8:24 PM under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(E) to consider a request for TID 7 funding for residential and short-term rental development, and returned to open session at 8:34 PM. Both motions passed 8-0.
- In open session, the Council approved a resolution authorizing a development agreement with Joshua and Myron Ellingson for property at 1004 17th Avenue within Tax Incremental District No. 7. The municipal revenue obligation is limited to available tax increments from TID 7 and is not a general obligation of the City. The motion passed 8-0.
Business Presented by Alderpersons
- Alder Wartenweiler reported on Green County Historical Society events: participation in the April 24 wine walk and a June 20 archaeological exhibit featuring a mammoth tooth and a kids' dig (on Father's Day).
- Alder Miller reported from the Airport Board: board member Tom Kelly had passed away and a replacement would be recommended; Reconstruction Project 2-20 will begin once weather improves; the airport receives $130,000 annually from FAA fuel tax and, due to traffic counts, received an additional $290,000 that will be used for a required airport layout plan.
Key Outcomes
- All substantive motions passed 8-0, with Craig Franke absent.
- The Council approved funding for public/private lead service line replacements using approximately $1 million in federal grant money.
- The Council directed that the new electrical/boiler room addition be incorporated into the WWTP design along with interim safety equipment.
- The Council approved the 2027 Congressional directed spending capital project list.
- The Council authorized the TID 7 developer agreement with the Ellingsons.
- Adjourned at 8:41 PM. Note: minutes show Franke as absent throughout, but the adjournment roll call lists a "No" vote from Franke—an apparent inconsistency in the written minutes.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. And we are in open session. Open session now. Okay. Um, and this is possible action from the closed session regarding the developers agreement for residential and short-term rental development. And that's requested by the finance and taxation committee. We have a resolution authorizing the city of Monroe to enter into development agreement with Joshua Ellingson and Myron Ellingson for property located at 1,004 17th Avenue within tax incremental district number seven. Now therefore be it resolved by the common council of the city of Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin, as follows. The developer agreement between the City of Monroe and Joshua Ellingsson and Myron Ellingson for the redevelopment of property located at 10,000 floor 17th Avenue is hereby approved. The city administrators, city clerk are authorized to execute the development agreement and any related documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. The municipal revenue obligation authorized here and shall be limited obligation payable solely from the available tax increment generated within TID number seven and shall not constitute a general obligation of the city. This is offered by the finance and taxation committee dated second day of March 2026, and I move for its approval. I'll second. Okay. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Opposed no, and the clerk will call the roll. Alder Miller. Aye. Alder Cleveland? Aye. Alder True Hart? Aye. Alder Wartweiler? Aye. Alder Schaefer. Hi. Alder McGuire. Aye. Alder Vestine. Aye. And Alder Tolman. Aye. And that is approved. And thank you for moving forward and making my role. Right. You fall asleep, Myron. I just want to say thank you to everybody on the board. Yeah. And specifically the people that uh live around the specific board boards. I do appreciate it. We will not disappoint. No, we've you've already proved that. Thank you for coming. Okay, we are down to the business presented by Alder Persons. I do have a committee report out on the Green County Historical Society Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 30 p.m. The Green County Historical Society is planning a bunch of good things for the season there. Participating in the wine walk on April 24th. They're planning an exciting archaeological exhibit on June 20th that will include exhibits and presentations, including a mammoth tooth from another historical society and an opportunity for kids to participate in a dig to dig for treasures.
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