Monroe Common Council Meeting - June 15, 2026: Retirements, Appointments, and Key Contracts
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Monroe Common Council Meeting - June 15, 2026
The Monroe Common Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the retirement recognition of Police Chief Fred Kelley (46 years of service), the swearing-in of new Police Chief Nathan Foltz, mayoral committee appointments, approval of the annual liquor licenses, the July 4th celebration special event, zoning changes, two extraterritorial certified survey maps, setting of four public hearings for July 6, 2026, a contract award for Fire Station #2 roof replacement, a municipal finance presentation, a resolution of intent to reimburse expenditures (amended to $60 million), and awarding the lead service line replacement contract to E&N Hughes Company for $1,022,000. All votes passed 8-0 unless noted, with Alder Dave Mosher absent. Alder Craig Franke abstained on the liquor license resolution.
Consent Calendar
- Miscellaneous Licenses and Claims List: Approved unanimously (8-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public appeared.
Discussion Items
- Retirement Recognition - Chief Fred Kelley: Mayor Miller and Administrator Rindy honored Chief Kelley for 46 years of service. A resolution recognizing his contributions was approved (8-0).
- Swearing-In of Chief Nathan Foltz: Clerk Wahl administered the oath. Chief Foltz thanked Chief Kelley, the police department, his family, and the community.
- Mayoral Appointments: Mayor Miller announced committee assignments following Alder Mosher's appointment. Changes included moving Alder Vestin to the Airport Board and Alder Franke to the Chamber of Commerce, replaced by Alder Mosher. Approved (8-0).
- Annual Liquor & Fermented Malt Beverage Licenses: Resolution granting licenses for the year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. Approved 7-0 (Alder Franke abstained).
- July 4th Celebration Special Event: Parks & Recreation event on July 4, 2026 at Twining Park, including beer sales from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Approved (8-0).
- Zoning Change – Haven Hills Estates: Rezoning Lots 5-12 from MR-15 to TR-10, consistent with the comprehensive plan. Approved (8-0).
- Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map – Evan Lemenager (GL Farm Land LLC): For land 1.5 miles south of city limits in Town of Clarno. Approved (8-0).
- Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map – Mike Lambert (Rust and Timber, LLC): For land 1.5 miles within Town of Monroe. Approved (8-0).
- Public Hearings Set for July 6, 2026: Four ordinances were scheduled for public hearing: Animal noise (Section 9-1-11), Council vacancies/terms (Charter Ordinance 1-5-12), Vaping ordinance, and Landscape Surface Ratio in Light Industrial district.
- Fire Station #2 Roof Replacement: Contract awarded to Fundamental Designs for $173,000, funded by 2026 capital bonds. Discussion noted the roof was over 20 years old. Approved (8-0).
- Municipal Financing 101 Presentation: Eric Davidson of Bauman Associates provided an overview of governmental accounting, fund types, levy limits, shared revenue, and fund balance policies. Council requested historical trends on shared revenue percentages.
- Resolution Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures: Administrator Rindy proposed amending the resolution to increase the expected reimbursement ceiling from $50 million to $60 million to safely cover potential project costs (range $37–60 million). The amendment passed 8-0, then the resolution as amended passed 8-0.
- Lead Service Line Contract Award: Contract awarded to E&N Hughes Company for $1,022,000, funded by a federal grant (Congressional spending grant from Senator Baldwin's office). The grant requires a $200,000 city match. The project will replace both public and private lead services on targeted streets. Mike Kennison noted the city needs a hydro-excavator (~$75,000) to conduct investigations; an update on that equipment is expected within a month. All lead services must be replaced by 2037 per EPA. Approved (8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Retirement Resolution for Chief Fred Kelley: Approved (8-0).
- Appointment of Police Chief Nathan Foltz: Sworn in.
- Mayoral Committee Appointments: Approved (8-0).
- Annual Liquor Licenses: Approved (7-0-1).
- July 4th Special Event Permit: Approved (8-0).
- Zoning Change (Haven Hills): Ordinance adopted, effective upon publication June 16, 2026.
- Two Extraterritorial CSMs: Approved.
- Four Public Hearings Set: July 6, 2026.
- Fire Station #2 Roof Replacement Contract: Awarded to Fundamental Designs, $173,000.
- Reimbursement Resolution: Amended to $60 million and approved.
- Lead Service Line Contract: Awarded to E&N Hughes Company, $1,022,000.
- Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody, and welcome to Monroe City Council meeting at six thirty, and we'll go ahead and start and uh everybody stand for the pledge of allegiance. Here. Alder Wartonweiler. Here. Alder Schaefer. Here. Alder Frankie. Here. Alder McGuire. Here. Alder Vestine. Here. Alder Velkley. Here. No. Oh. An Alder Mosher? Not here. So we do have a quorum. Um, next item's correction minutes from June first, twenty twenty-nine. Are there any corrections? If not, they stand approved as presented. Presentation of petitions and commissions. Communication. None. Next is this one mayor. Resolution recognizing City of Monroe employer for retirement Chief Fred Kelly. Not because he's leaving. And I worked for them on and off for the last 20 years, I think it was, and I learned a lot from worked, uh liked working with him and I hate to see it go. But retirement is great. Just don't do like me, too much work and no pay. So moving on. Resolution recognizing City of Monroe employees of retirement. Be resolved by the common council, the city of Monroe that recognition should be given to the following named employees for their professional achievements while serving the city of Monroe. And here with express its concern gratitude for the invaluable contributions made. Frederick Kelly, retirement date, June 7th, 2026. 46 years of service of the police department. I'll get a motion for this for approval. I'll make a motion. Oh second. Got a motion, second for approval. Any discussion. If not, clerk call roll, please for voting. Alder Tolman. Aye. Alder True Hart. Aye. Alder Whartonweiler. Aye. Alder Schaefer.
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