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Record of Proceedings

Monroe Common Council Meeting - March 16, 2026

Common Council & Commissions — Monday, March 16, 2026
BodyMonroe, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & Commissions
DateMonday, March 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 44:10

Original source
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0:01

Okay, it is 6 30, and we'll call the City of Monroe Common Council to order.

0:06

And uh we'll stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

0:13

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:20

One nation under God.

0:32

And at this time we'll have roll call and the clerk will call the roll.

0:36

Alder Tolman here.

0:38

Alder Miller?

0:38

Here.

0:39

Alder Cleveland?

0:40

Here.

0:40

Alder True Hart?

0:41

Here.

0:42

Alder Whartonweiler?

0:43

Here.

0:43

Alder Schaefer.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Alder Frankie?

0:46

Here.

0:47

Alder McGuire?

0:48

Here.

0:48

And Alder Vestine.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Okay.

0:52

And we all are present.

0:54

And are there any corrections of the minutes that of March 2nd, 2026 that you've all received?

1:08

Hearing none, then they will stand approved as presented.

1:13

At this time, um I would like to uh recognize um Brad Zimmerman if you'd like to come forward.

1:33

Whoops.

1:35

Be it resolved by the common council of the city of Monroe that recogniz recognition should be given to the following name employee for their professional achievements while serving the city of Monroe and herewith express its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions made.

1:53

Be it further resolved that the common council of the city of Monroe wishes continued success in future endeavors and expresses hope for continued health, happiness, and prosperity.

2:06

And thank you, Fred, for 28.5 years of service.

2:12

So and I'd ask that will you come so they can all uh shake your hand?

2:19

You can start down there.

2:21

All right.

2:22

Don't be bashful time or joy retirement.

2:38

Yeah, you're welcome.

2:41

It's our pleasure.

2:50

Looks like your wife is happy to so we need a motion and a second on that.

3:01

Oh it's a resolution, so make a motion to recognize the resolution.

3:06

I'll say it.

3:07

Okay, all in favor say aye.

3:10

Opposed, no.

3:12

All right.

3:13

And so that resolution is recognized.

3:19

And are there any appearances by the citizens of Monroe?

3:26

And any property owners or business owners.

3:31

Hearing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

3:37

And we'll make a motion to accept the consent agenda.

3:40

Do I have a second?

3:41

I'll second.

3:42

Okay.

3:42

Is there any further discussion?

3:47

Okay.

3:47

All in favor say aye.

3:49

Opposed, no, and the clerk will call the roll.

3:52

Alder Tolman.

3:53

Aye.

3:53

Alder Miller.

3:54

Aye.

3:54

Alder Cleveland?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████69%
Procedural██████████████22%
Zoning And Land Use███5%
Technology and Innovation█2%
Election Procedures█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Monroe Common Council Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Common Council of the City of Monroe met on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All nine alderpersons were present. The meeting featured annual reports from the Fire and Police Departments, approval of a retirement resolution, committee updates, and a closed session for the City Administrator's performance evaluation. All votes were unanimous (9-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 9-0: Misc Licenses and Claims List.

Discussion Items

  • Fire Department Annual Report (Chief Rufer): The department has 20 active members (net positive). Call volume was 365 calls, down 3.5–4% from 2024, with 59% EMS-related. Of 150 fire incidents, only three required water flow. Public education hours increased 56% over 2024, and total training hours exceeded 1,600. The department completed SCBA flow testing and transitioned to electronic inspection software. Firefighter/EMR Cheryl Gasman was recognized as Wisconsin EMR of the Year. The strategic plan is a 10-year marathon; recruitment and retention remain ongoing priorities.
  • Police Department Annual Report (Chief Kelley): This was Chief Kelley's final annual report after 31 years. The department handles approximately 13,000 calls for service annually, with the busiest shift being 3–11 PM. Crimes against persons and property both decreased slightly. Specific increases: aggravated assaults and simple assaults; decreases: sexual assaults, no human trafficking, less simple thefts. Motor vehicle thefts increased. Staffing is determined by a mathematical formula based on call volume, not per capita ratios.
  • Special Committee Reports: Alder Sheaffer reported the Plan Commission is working on zoning code simplification and has discussed drive-throughs in the historic district; Park & Rec Board will discuss dogs in parks. Alder Miller complimented the Monroe Theatre Guild's recent performance. Alder McGuire reported the RDA discussed extending the grant program to non-owner-occupied properties but decided to explore revolving loans instead due to limited funds. Alder Thoman noted St. Patrick's Day events and the GCDC annual meeting.
  • Department Heads: Chief Rufer announced that fire vehicles (Engine 3, Car 12) have been sold for a total of $12,000–$13,000, with proceeds going to the general fund. He introduced new Deputy Fire Chief Dan Perdue, who has 20 years of fire service experience and 10 years in EMS. Clerk Wahl reminded that the election is April 7, in-person absentee voting starts March 24, and there will be no meeting on March 30 (fifth Monday).

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution Recognizing Brad Zimmerman: Approved 9-0, honoring his 28.5 years of service.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved 9-0.
  • Treasurer's Report: Accepted as presented.
  • Closed Session: Motion to enter closed session at 7:16 PM under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) for the City Administrator's performance evaluation passed 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM with no further business.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public appeared.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, it is 6 30, and we'll call the City of Monroe Common Council to order. And uh we'll stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. And at this time we'll have roll call and the clerk will call the roll. Alder Tolman here. Alder Miller? Here. Alder Cleveland? Here. Alder True Hart? Here. Alder Whartonweiler? Here. Alder Schaefer. Here. Alder Frankie? Here. Alder McGuire? Here. And Alder Vestine. Here. Okay. And we all are present. And are there any corrections of the minutes that of March 2nd, 2026 that you've all received? Hearing none, then they will stand approved as presented. At this time, um I would like to uh recognize um Brad Zimmerman if you'd like to come forward. Whoops. Be it resolved by the common council of the city of Monroe that recogniz recognition should be given to the following name employee for their professional achievements while serving the city of Monroe and herewith express its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions made. Be it further resolved that the common council of the city of Monroe wishes continued success in future endeavors and expresses hope for continued health, happiness, and prosperity. And thank you, Fred, for 28.5 years of service. So and I'd ask that will you come so they can all uh shake your hand? You can start down there. All right. Don't be bashful time or joy retirement. Yeah, you're welcome. It's our pleasure. Looks like your wife is happy to so we need a motion and a second on that. Oh it's a resolution, so make a motion to recognize the resolution. I'll say it. Okay, all in favor say aye. Opposed, no. All right. And so that resolution is recognized. And are there any appearances by the citizens of Monroe? And any property owners or business owners. Hearing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. And we'll make a motion to accept the consent agenda. Do I have a second? I'll second.

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