Monroe Common Council Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Common Council of the City of Monroe met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All members were present except Alder Dave Mosher. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public hearings, and unanimous approvals on a range of items including housing programs, police contract extension, zoning changes for daycare and historic signs, and special event permits.

Presentations of Petitions and Communication

• Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) Presentation: Director Olivia Otte provided an overview of GCDC’s programs and priorities. She reported that in 2025, for every dollar spent on staff and operations, $16 was returned to the community through grants, loans, and fundraising. Key housing initiatives included: the Home Construction Cooperative (now in its fourth year, with 62% of 65 student participants entering skilled trades), the Housing Development Fund (raised $3M, deployed $2M toward approximately 300 new units), and the new Welcome Home Green County program (raised $700,000 for $10,000 first-time homebuyer grants requiring 100 hours of volunteer service; 15 applications already received). Workforce development efforts include Green County Leaders (36 participants, over 500 graduates) and hands-on learning partnerships with school districts. Business support included $500,000 in loans to Monroe businesses over two years, a micro-loan program, a student business plan competition ($20,000 in grants), and over $5M in grant writing awards in three years. Mayor Miller added that multiple construction projects are underway, including houses, a duplex, YMCA renovations, jail expansion, and commercial expansions, stating “Monroe is booming.”

Business by Mayor

• Retirement Recognition – Officer Kimberly Quinn: A resolution honoring Officer Quinn for 19 years of service, including her role as the department’s first and only school resource officer, was approved 8-0. Police Chief Folts presented a plaque and noted her significant impact.
• Stormwater Week Proclamation: Mayor Miller proclaimed September 19–27, 2026, as Stormwater Week in Monroe, encouraging residents to reduce stormwater pollution.
• Constitution Week Proclamation: Mayor Miller proclaimed September 17–23, 2026, as Constitution Week, marking the 239th anniversary of the Constitution.

Consent Agenda

• Miscellaneous Licenses and Claims List were approved unanimously (8-0) without discussion.

License Committee

• Baumgartner Cheese Store Inc. – Class B Premise Extension: Approved 8-0 to include a leased dining room in the Eugene Hotel property, expanding the licensed premises.
• Suisse Haus – Temporary Outdoor Beer Garden for Cheese Days: Approved 8-0 to allow a temporary beer garden tent in conjunction with the Cheese Days event, subject to fire inspector inspection and compliance with city guidelines.

Public Safety Committee

• Monroe High School Homecoming Parade: Approved 8-0 for October 2, 2026, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM, with the parade beginning at 2:00 PM. The police department will provide traffic control, and the west side of the square will be closed as needed.

Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee

• Public Hearing – Ordinance Repealing and Recreating In-Home Daycare Zoning Code (Section 5-2): Attorney Bartholf explained the change aligns with state statute, increasing maximum children from 8 to 12 and making in-home daycare a by-right use in all districts except central mixed-use, where it was previously conditional. No public comments were received. The ordinance was approved 8-0.
• Public Hearing – Zoning Text Amendment for Signs in Historic Preservation Overlay (HP-O): Attorney Bartholf described a new section allowing recreation of historic signs (existing at least 50 years) on the same property, subject to a Conditional Use Permit from the Plan Commission and a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. No public comments. The ordinance was approved 8-0.
• Set Public Hearing for Comprehensive Plan Amendment: A public hearing was set for September 21, 2026, to consider amending the Future Land Use Map to designate parcel 23251-2346.1000 at 1915 State Hwy 69 as Industrial.

Salary and Personnel Committee

• Closed Session (7:09 PM – 7:27 PM): The council entered closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(e) to discuss a one-year extension of the 2024-2026 WPPA (Wisconsin Professional Police Association) contract with a wage increase. Motion passed 8-0.
• Open Session – Resolution Approving WPPA Contract Extension: Following closed session, the council approved the resolution extending the police contract through 2027 with a wage increase. The motion passed 8-0.

Business by Alderpersons

• Alder Richard Thoman reported that ATV traffic at a local hotel has decreased and expressed interest in finding ways to improve ATV traffic in the area.

Business by Department Heads

• City Administrator Rindy noted a recent article indicating that net new construction is losing ground to inflation.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (8-0), with Alder Mosher absent.
• The council approved: retirement recognition, two proclamations, consent agenda, premise extensions for Baumgartner and Suisse Haus, homecoming parade permit, zoning amendments for in-home daycare and historic signs, and a police contract extension.
• A public hearing was scheduled for September 21, 2026, on a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.