Monroe Common Council Meeting - May 18, 2026
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Monroe Common Council Meeting - May 18, 2026
The Monroe Common Council met on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM at City Hall Council Chambers. All eight alderpersons were present. The meeting covered a wide range of items including proclamations, special event approvals, zoning text amendments, public works contracts, personnel matters, and a closed session for property and compensation discussions. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Miscellaneous Licenses and Claims List: Approved unanimously (8-0) as part of the consent agenda. The Treasurer's Report was also accepted as presented.
Proclamations & Appointments
- Mayor Miller proclaimed May 22, 2026, as Poppy Day.
- Cassie Miller was appointed to a 3-year term on the Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners (8-0).
Special Events & Alcohol Licenses
- Public Safety Committee: Resolution approving three special events (Main Street Monroe's Cars on the Square, Concerts on the Square, and the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post Memorial Day Parade) passed unanimously (8-0).
- License Committee: Two resolutions approved temporary "Class B" fermented malt beverage and beer garden licenses for the Concerts on the Square and Cars on the Square events. Alderperson Wartenweiler opposed both, citing concerns about open alcohol containers around families. Both resolutions passed 7-1.
Plan Commission
- Certified Survey Map for 1423 & 1425 21st Street: Approved unanimously (8-0).
Public Hearings & Zoning Text Amendments (Judiciary & Ordinance Review Committee)
Four public hearings were held, with no public testimony. All four ordinances were approved unanimously (8-0):
- Revision of minimum lot area requirements in the TR-10 (One and Two Family Residential) district.
- Revision of minimum lot area requirements in the NMU (Neighborhood Mixed Use) district.
- Relaxation of restrictions on the number of units per multi-family building in the MR-15 district.
- Amendments to parking requirements in the NMU, MR-15, and MR-30 zoning districts.
Board of Public Works
All four resolutions were approved unanimously (8-0):
- Hiring Fischer Brothers for pool slide and start tower repairs at the aquatic center.
- Purchase of a Chevrolet pickup truck for the Water Department from Badger Chevrolet for $43,462 (after Ruda Chevrolet was unable to supply a 2026 model).
- Update to the Roadway Functional Classification for the City of Monroe.
- Awarding the contract for 2026 curb, gutter, and sidewalk construction.
Salary & Personnel Committee
- Resolution approving 2026 Compensation Pay Scale: Added an Account Technician - Utility Account Tech position and removed the Utility Staff Accountant position. Passed 8-0.
- Closed Session (7:09 PM - 7:24 PM): The council entered closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) to discuss the City Treasurer's pay grade and step in relation to adjusted responsibilities.
- Resolution Approving Pay Grade Step Increase for City Treasurer: Following closed session, the council approved a step increase to Step 4 at Pay Grade 145 for Kristen Ladwig, effective June 25, 2026. Passed 8-0.
Finance & Taxation Committee
- Closed Session (7:09 PM - 7:24 PM): The council entered closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(e) to discuss an extension of an option to purchase land in Tax Incremental District (TID) 9.
- Resolution Approving Extension of Option to Purchase Land in TID 9: The council approved an agreement with Haven Homes Development LLC to extend the option for one additional year, with a $4,333 option payment credited toward the purchase price at closing. Passed 8-0.
Council of the Whole
- Fireworks Permit: Resolution approving the Parks & Recreation Department's request for a fireworks permit for the July 4th celebration. Passed 8-0.
- 2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR): The report for the wastewater treatment facility was reviewed and approved for submittal to the Wisconsin DNR. City Administrator Mike Kennison noted the plant received all A's in all areas of the permit, crediting the operators for their dedication. Passed 8-0.
Business Presented by Department Heads
- Clerk Wahl announced that committee meetings scheduled for the following Monday (Memorial Day) would be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the regular 4:45 PM start time.
- The next council tour will be at the wastewater treatment plant on June 1, 2026, at 4:30 PM.
Key Outcomes
- All eight alderpersons were present for votes; all resolutions passed with at least 7-0 (one member abstained on two alcohol licenses).
- No public comments were made during the citizen appearance period.
- The council completed its business in approximately one hour, including two closed sessions.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Uh now we're in back and open uh resolution approving pay grade pay step resolution approving pay grade step increase for the city treasurer your honorable mayor. We have a resolution approving a step increase for the city treasurer, whereas the salary and personnel committee has reviewed the duties and responsibilities associated with the position of the city treasurer, and whereas following a review of the city treasure job responsibilities and descriptions with the assistance of McGrath Human Resources Group. Additional duties and responsibilities were identified as being performed by the city treasurer Kristen Ladwig. Um therefore be it resolved by this common council of the city of Monroe. Um one to city council or the common council hereby approves a step increase to step four at pay grade 145 on the city of Monroe pay scale for Kristen Ladwig said step increase shall become effective on June 25th, 2026. And this is offered by the salary and personnel committee dated the 18th day of May 2026, and a motion for approval. Second second okay, got a motion second to approve the pay increase for city treasurer. Any discussion? Yeah, should it just be the position of the person or is that I don't know, just maybe that's a technicality, but yeah, I think it's specific to her in that position right now, so I think it's okay. So if someone if she would leave, we'd have to redo it. I mean that person would a new person would just be hired within that pay grade based on their experience and what step they would fall at. They would start new. So it's specific to her for the more discussion. If not, clerk call a roll for voting, please. Holder Tolman. Aye. Alder True Hart? Aye. Aye. Holder Whartonweiler. Aye. Alder Schaefer. Aye. Alder Frankie. Aye. Alder McGuire. Aye. Alder Vestine. Aye. And Alder Velkley. Aye. And that gets approved. Okay. Uh Finance of Taxation Committee. Resolution approving extension to option of option to purchase land in TID 9. Connor Mayor, we have a resolution approving agreement approving agreement to extend option to purchase real estate. Whereas the this agreement to extend option to purchase real estate is entered into on May 18th, 2026 by and between the City of Monroe and Haven Homes Development LLC. Whereas the parties entered into an option purchase real estate dated December 4th, 2023, uh and recorded in the Green County Register D's on December 20th, 2023. Whereas the original option to purchase is set to expire at 1159 p.m. on December 31st, 2026. Whereas the parties desire to extend the option to purchase for one additional year. Now therefore, the parties agree to as follows. The purchaser hereby agrees to make an additional $4,333 option payment to extend the option period for an additional year with the additional option payment being credited at the closing towards the purchase price, as would the option payment in the original option to purchase as stated in section 7B. Uh upon execution of this agreement, the purchaser shall pay to the seller the sum of $4,000 $333, which payment shall purchase an extension to their original option to purchase term. All other terms and conditions of the original option to purchase, not revised herein shall be incorporated by reference and shall continue to be the agreement of the parties offered by the finance and taxation committee dated this 18th day of May 2026. And I move for its approval. I'll second. Second to approve the extension of option to purchase land in TID 9. Any discussion.
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