Monroe Common Council Meeting - March 2, 2026

The Monroe Common Council met on March 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All eight present aldermen voted unanimously on all items except for one absent member. Key actions included approving a retirement recognition, several permits and licenses, directing $1 million in federal grant funding for lead service line replacements, advancing a $6.7 million wastewater treatment plant safety upgrade, approving a 2027 capital project list for federal funding, and taking action on a TID 7 development after closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Miscellaneous Licenses and Claims List were approved unanimously (8-0) on a single consent agenda motion.
• Minutes of February 17, 2026 were accepted as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public appeared to speak.

Discussion Items

• Retirement Recognition – Mike Mortimer (Mayor’s Business): The Mayor and Police Chief Kelley honored Officer Mike Mortimer for 20 years of service (November 2005 – February 2026). Mortimer expressed gratitude to his family. A resolution recognizing his retirement was approved 8-0.
• Suisse Haus Temporary Beer Garden (License Committee): A resolution temporarily amending the licensed premises to include a fenced parking lot for a pub crawl on March 7, 2026 was approved 8-0. The applicant is not seeking a special event permit; the beer garden is part of a multi-tavern event.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade Special Event Permit (Public Safety Committee): Main Street Monroe’s parade on March 17, 2026 from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM was approved 8-0. The route begins and ends at the 1200 block of 16th Avenue, with closures on 13th Street blocks.
• Certified Survey Map – Larson Property (Plan Commission): A resolution approving a certified survey map for James and Jeffrey Larson at 2715 & 2717 6th Avenue (Parcel 23251 3723.0000) was approved 8-0.
• Lead Service Line Replacement Funding Options (Board of Public Works): Fehr-Graham’s Jesse and grant specialist Bridget Stocks presented options. The federal mandate requires all lead service lines replaced by 2034. The city has 14 known private lead lines, 374 galvanized, and 1,290 unknown; an estimated $3.6 million for private side and $2.1 million for public side (total $5.7 million). A $1 million Congressional Directed Spending grant from 2022 is available for both public and private replacements. Three funding approaches were discussed: (1) relying on future grants/loans, (2) adopting a Financial Assistance Program (FAP) through the PSC with up to 50% grant and loans, or (3) requiring homeowners to pay 100%. Council expressed desire to minimize homeowner burden. After discussion, a motion was made and passed 8-0 to use the $1 million grant for both public and private lead service line replacements, prioritizing streets scheduled for reconstruction.
• WWTP Design Alterations – Digester Complex Safety (Council of the Whole): Fehr-Graham engineer Darrel Carstensen explained that the current digester control room contains electrical equipment in a space that should be classified as hazardous (Class I, Division 1) under NFPA 820 due to methane gas. The 2020 AECOM project incorrectly classified the space, creating life safety risks. Two corrective options: (1) Construct a new electrical/boiler room in Building 65 at an estimated cost of $6.7 million (Class 3 estimate range $5.3–$8.7 million), or (2) Install interim safety equipment. Council consensus supported moving forward with the new building addition and installing necessary safety equipment to address hazards. A motion to proceed passed 8-0.
• Temporary Class B License – Monroe Cheesemakers Booster Club (Council of the Whole): A resolution granting a temporary fermented malt beverage and wine license for a tailgate fundraiser at the Green County YMCA on March 13, 2026 was approved 8-0.
• 2027 Capital Project List for Federal Grants (Council of the Whole): Administrator Rindy presented a list of projects for Congressional Directed Spending requests, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant, lead service line replacements, street/water/sewer projects, and a Public Works facility. The resolution was approved 8-0.
• Closed Session – TID 7 Funding (Finance and Taxation Committee): The council entered closed session at 8:24 PM under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(e) to consider a request for TID 7 funding to support residential and short-term rental development. The council returned to open session at 8:34 PM and approved a related resolution (motion passed 8-0). No details of the agreement were disclosed.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 8-0 with Alder Franke absent.
• Lead service line replacements: Directed staff to use the $1 million federal grant for both public and private replacements, aligning with street projects.
• WWTP digester safety: Approved proceeding with design of a new electrical/boiler room (estimated $6.7 million) and installation of interim safety equipment, to be funded via the existing wastewater loan program.
• Capital project list: Approved the 2027 list for Congressional Directed Spending applications.
• Closed session action: Approved a resolution regarding TID 7 funding for residential/short-term rental development (specifics not public).
• Committee reports: Alder Wartenweiler noted upcoming Green County Historical Society events; Alder Miller reported Tom Kelly’s passing and Airport Board updates on Reconstruction Project 2-20 and fuel tax revenues.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.