Monroe Common Council Meeting - May 18, 2026
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Monroe Common Council Meeting - May 18, 2026
The City of Monroe Common Council convened on May 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM at City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered proclamations, appointments, special event approvals, temporary alcohol licenses, zoning text amendments for housing development, infrastructure contracts, personnel adjustments, and closed sessions. The council also recognized EMS Week and reflected on a recent downtown fire and the community's response.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda, including miscellaneous licenses and the claims list, by a unanimous vote of 8-0.
Business by Mayor
- Mayor Miller proclaimed May 22, 2026, as Poppy Day and recognized EMS Week. He also remarked on the recent downtown fire, the community's support, and the dedication of the Pocket Park.
- The council approved (8-0) the appointment of Cassie Miller to the Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners for a three-year term.
Public Safety Committee
- Approved a resolution (8-0) authorizing three special events: Main Street Monroe's Cars on the Square (June 5, 2026), Concerts on the Square (multiple dates in 2026), and the Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post Memorial Day Parade (May 25, 2026). The resolution included temporary street closures and designated event areas.
License Committee
- Resolution for Concerts on the Square: Approved (7-1) a temporary Class B fermented malt beverage and beer garden license for Main Street Monroe for six concert dates. Alder Wartenweiler voted no, expressing opposition to open containers in areas where families and children gather. Council clarified that the license allows open containers within the entire special event area, including Pocket Park and Opportunity Park, and that state law prohibits carrying alcohol from other establishments into the beer garden.
- Resolution for Cars on the Square: Approved (7-1) a similar temporary license for the car show event on June 5, 2026. Alder Wartenweiler again voted no. The license area includes the entire downtown square.
Plan Commission
- Approved (8-0) a certified survey map for properties at 1423 and 1425 21st Street.
Judiciary and Ordinance Committee
The council held four public hearings, each with no public testimony, and then approved the following zoning text amendments by unanimous 8-0 votes:
- TR-10 District: Amended minimum lot area requirements for two-family dwellings.
- NMU District: Amended minimum lot area requirements for twin house modifications.
- MR-15 District: Relaxed restrictions on the number of units per multi-family building, increasing from 4 to 8 units by right and adjusting conditional use criteria.
- Parking Requirements: Amended parking requirements in NMU, MR-15, and MR-30 districts, removing the half-space requirement for units with more than two bedrooms and setting a standard of two spaces per unit.
Board of Public Works
- Pool Slide Repairs: Approved (8-0) hiring Fischer Brothers LLC for pool slide and start tower restoration at a cost of $58,200, funded by 2026 capital bonds.
- Water Department Pickup Truck: Approved (8-0) the purchase of a single cab Chevrolet half-ton pickup from Badger Chevrolet of Lake Mills for $43,362, after the original vendor (Ruda Chevrolet) could no longer supply a 2026 model. Funding comes from 2026 capital bonds; the existing 2008 Ford Ranger will be sold at auction.
- Roadway Functional Classification: Approved (8-0) updates to the city's roadway functional classifications as depicted on an attached map and spreadsheet.
- Curb & Gutter and Sidewalk: Approved (8-0) awarding the 2026 construction contract to Patrichus Construction LLC for a base cost of $493,510.74.
Salary and Personnel Committee
- Approved (8-0) an amendment to the 2026 compensation pay scale, adding the position of Account Technician (Utility Account Tech) at pay grade 125 and removing the Utility Staff Accountant position (pay grade 140). This resulted from a resignation and a re-evaluation of positions.
- The council then entered closed session at 7:09 PM under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) (personnel) and 19.85(e) (property negotiation) to discuss the city treasurer's pay grade and an extension of an option to purchase land in TID 9. The motion to enter closed session passed 8-0.
- After returning from closed session at 7:24 PM, the council approved (8-0) a resolution for a pay grade step increase for the City Treasurer.
Finance and Taxation Committee
- Following the closed session, the council approved (8-0) a resolution approving an extension of the option to purchase land in TID 9.
Council of the Whole
- Fireworks Permit: Approved (8-0) a permit for the Parks & Recreation Department to possess and use fireworks for the July 4th celebration.
- 2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report: Approved (8-0) after City Administrator Mike Kennison provided a brief overview and credited the operators.
Business by Department Heads
- City Clerk Wahl reminded the council that next week's committee meetings will be held on Tuesday due to the City Hall closure for Memorial Day, and that a tour of the wastewater treatment plant is scheduled for June 1.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions were approved. The only dissenting votes were from Alder Wartenweiler on the two temporary alcohol license resolutions (7-1 each).
- The council entered closed session for personnel and property negotiations and subsequently approved the related open resolutions.
- The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we'll go ahead and start the City of Monroe Common Council to order at 6 30 and stand for the pledge. Okay, the clerk call a roll, please. Alder Tolman here. Alder True Hart? Here. Alder Wartonweiler? Here. Alder Schaefer? Here. Alder Frankie? Here. Alder McGuire? Here. Alder Vestine? Here. And Alder Velkley. Here. And we are all here. Thank you. Correction minutes from May 4th, 2026. If none, stand approved as presented. Okay. Let's see a poppy day proclamation. Whereas America is the land of freedom, preserved and protected, willing and freely by citizen soldiers. And whereas millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle. And whereas a nation at peace must be reminded of the pride of joy of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war. And whereas the red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars. And whereas American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of its debt through the distribution of the memorial flower. Now therefore, I Tom Miller, mayor of City of Monroe, Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim the 22nd day of May 2026 as Poppy Day and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the memorial poppy on this day. In witness hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed the official seal of the city of Monroe, Wisconsin, the 18th day of May 2026. And this week is celebrating EMS Week, and we recognize the dedicated EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, drivers, supervisors, support teams who work around the clock to provide safe, reliable, and compassionate care across the nation. This past week has been very emotional here in Monroe. Lost some businesses and some people lost their living quarters. And along with that, Chief Kelly and the works department for all that they did for it. And all the different people that donated food and drinks and all the fire departments that came into town to help out. I mean it was it could have been a lot worse disaster than what it is. I mean it's bad enough the way it is, but then after that, we end up having dedication of the pocket park. And that was a little bit brighter side, and all the way the town is pulled together, GoFundMe's, and then that raffle down to the uh dedication of the pocket park just shows how great Monroe is, how everybody pulls together in order to help someone else out. So I mean Pocket Park was a good example. People that went together in order to donate money for that. The city and main street work together in order to get that going. And it's just a great town. So uh appreciate all everybody has done, and uh I know we're gonna keep working with the people that have lost stuff last week, but uh hopefully they'll be able to get back together. So thank you all for doing what you did. Okay, next uh special appointment. We have yeah, okay. Um like to appoint to the park and rec commissioner for three-year term, Cassie Miller. Could I get someone to uh make a motion to approve this and second? I'll make a motion to approve this. Second, got a motion and second to approve Cassie Miller to the park and rec board for three-year term.
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