Monroe Common Council Meeting - April 20, 2026
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Monroe Common Council Meeting - April 20, 2026
The Monroe Common Council met on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Donna Douglas presided, with 9 alderpersons present. The meeting covered approvals for special events, a temporary liquor license, a zoning map amendment, a road reconstruction contract, a public hearing and ordinance on alcohol sales in parks, a closed session for property negotiation, and an open session to accept an offer to purchase city land. Several committee reports were also given, and outgoing Alder Lynne Kleven was honored.
Consent Calendar
- Approved miscellaneous licenses and the claims list (motion passed 9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dave Mosher (2428 5th Street) addressed the Council during citizen appearances.
- During the public hearing on the ordinance for fermented malt beverage sales in parks, four residents spoke: Robert Carlson (N4801 Dutch Hollow Rd), Sonja Gilbertson (2121 4th St, Apt 19), Dennis Nelson (1403 17th Ave), and Anna Anderson (N3168 Forest Prairie Park). Their specific positions were not recorded in the minutes, but they participated in the hearing.
Business by Mayor
- Mayor Douglas read a proclamation designating April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the City of Monroe.
- Mayor Douglas also expressed gratitude and pride in the city, thanking the community and staff.
Discussion Items
- Special Event Permits: Approved resolution for Main Street Monroe’s Outdoor Farmer’s Market and the City’s Night Market and Pocket Park Opening Ceremony (motion passed 9-0).
- Temporary Liquor License: Approved a temporary Class B fermented malt beverage and wine license and beer garden application for GCDC in conjunction with the Pocket Park Opening Ceremony & Night Market event on May 16, 2026 (motion passed 8-1; Alder Wartenweiler voted no).
- Zoning Map Amendment: Approved an ordinance changing zoning for vacant lots 7-11, 13-14, 18-38, and 49-56 (Bader-Spidahl parcel) from Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) to One and Two Family Residential (TR-10) (motion passed 9-0).
- Road Reconstruction Contract: Approved a contract with Rock Road Companies, Inc. for reconstruction of the 13th Street and 31st Avenue intersection at a cost of $1,533,213.97 (motion passed 9-0).
- Ordinance on Alcohol Sales in City Parks: Following a public hearing, the Council debated the pros and cons of allowing alcohol sales in parks to potentially boost concert attendance at the Bandshell. An amendment to limit the sale of fermented beverages to Twining Park only was approved 7-2 (Thoman and Wartenweiler opposed). The amended ordinance was then approved 7-2 (Miller and Wartenweiler opposed). The ordinance repeals and recreates sections 3-4-1 and 3-4-9, and creates section 3-4-10 of the Monroe City Code.
- Closed Session: The Council entered closed session at 7:33 PM under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(e) to consider a letter of interest to purchase a 5-acre parcel in the North Industrial Park. They returned at 7:45 PM.
- Property Sale Resolution: Approved an offer to purchase a 5.71-acre parcel (parcel 504.0323) in the North Industrial Park to La Vaquita Incorporated for $80,000 cash, and authorized negotiation of a formal purchase agreement (motion passed 9-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Special Event Permits: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Temporary Liquor License: Approved 8-1 (Wartenweiler opposed).
- Zoning Map Amendment: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Road Construction Contract: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Ordinance on Alcohol in Parks: Amendment to limit to Twining Park approved 7-2; final amended ordinance approved 7-2.
- Closed Session Motion: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Property Sale Resolution: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Adjournment: 7:58 PM, motion passed 9-0.
Other Reports
- Alder Kleven requested an update to the city’s non-smoking ordinances to include e-cigarettes and vaping, and referred the matter to the Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee.
- Alder Thoman reported that the GCDC contribution has not changed but may be reviewed in future budget considerations.
- Alder Franke reported record attendance at the Senior Center Wellness Center (fees mostly covered by insurance) and that Tuesday line dancing (9-11 AM) is very popular.
- Administrator Rindy presented Alder Kleven with a Key to the City in recognition of her four years of service on the council.
Note on Minutes Discrepancy
- The approved minutes state they were for April 20, 2026, but the agenda indicated correction of minutes from April 6, 2026. This appears to be a typographical error in the minutes; the intention was likely to approve the April 6, 2026 minutes.
Meeting Transcript
We are in open session and we need a resolution approving the offer to purchase city of property five acre parcel in the North Industrial Park. And that's requested by the Finance and Taxation Committee. Your Honorable Mayor, I have a resolution accepting a letter for the sales of city owned property to La Vaquita Incorporated. Whereas the City of Monroe owns certain real property described as parcel number 504.0323, consisting of approximately 5.71 acres, located in section 25 T2NR7E, and whereas the city has received a letter of intent dated March 25th, 2026 from La Vaquita Incorporated, expressing its interest in acquiring said property. And whereas the proposed purchase price of the property is $80,000 to be paid in cash or certified funds at closing. And whereas the letter of intent outlines general terms and conditions, including but not limited to earnest money, due diligence period, closing timeline, and other standard provisions. And whereas the common council finds that accepting the letter of intent is in the best interest of the city and will allow the parties to proceed with negotiation of a formal purchase and sale agreement. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the common council of the city of Monroe, Wisconsin, as follows. The city hereby accepts the letter of intent dated March 25th, 2026 from La Vacita Incorporated for the purchase of the above described property, subject to terms and conditions contained therein. The city administrator and city clerk are hereby authorized to execute the letter of intent on the behalf of the city. And three, the city administrator and city attorney are authorized to take all necessary steps to negotiate and prepare a formal purchase and sale agreement consistent with the terms of the letter of intent for future consideration and approval by the common council. This is offered by the finance and taxation committee dated this 20th day of April 2026, and I move for its approval. A second okay. So is there any further discussion? Oh go ahead. Hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed no, and the clerk will call the roll. Alder McGuire. Aye. Alder Vestine? Aye. Alder Tolman. Alder Miller. Aye. Alder Cleveland. Aye. Alder Truehart. Aye. Alder Whartonweather. Aye. Alder Schaefer. Aye. And Alder Frankie. Aye. And that passes unanimously. Moving on to business presented by Alder Persons. Special committee report out. Anybody? A resident come to me a couple weeks ago and ask if we could update our city ordinances for the non-smoking to include e-cigarettes and vaping since other communities have you know updated theirs, and it is a thing. So I said I would bring it, and if J and O could maybe take a look at that and see if they want to put that on the agenda, that would be awesome. Are you opening? Um Green County Development Corporation. The contribution from the city has not changed in many years. Well, not just ours, all the other municipalities. So I don't know, Brittany will have conversations with Olivia, but I think they'll be looking maybe for a little increase because everything goes up. Obviously, we all know that. So cost go up. That's it. Thank you. Alder Tolman.
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