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Record of Proceedings

New Berlin Common Council Meeting - March 24, 2026

Common Council — Tuesday, March 24, 2026
BodyNew Berlin, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:01

Um we have uh a little announcement before we uh start the meeting that uh Alderman Horenda wants to make.

0:12

We uh uh there is several requests from what I understand of the council president to put the closed session item on the agenda to uh update the council on uh the uh progress or lack thereof of on the uh rescue mission issue.

0:36

So Ken, you want to take this?

Speaker 2

0:39

Yeah, basically uh I had to receive questions, and we were looking for an update to the common council members on ongoing litigation with the city of New Berlin.

0:49

So the intent here was just for an update, no action being taken.

0:53

Um there was in no way was there any intention for this to be public input or uh anything from the public to be involved with this.

1:03

So with respect to some of the um uh emails and uh comments that are received by myself and probably the other all the common council members.

1:13

I I would request that the common council uh look at uh dropping it from the agenda tonight

Unassigned speaker

1:20

if

Speaker 2

1:21

possible.

1:21

That would be my thoughts and comments at this

Unassigned speaker

1:24

point.

Speaker 1

1:27

Okay, so that being said, uh we'll move on to the common council agenda for the city of New Berlin for March 24, 2026.

1:37

It is 650.

1:41

And

Unassigned speaker

1:42

you

Speaker 3

1:42

want me to read the basis first, Mayor?

Speaker 1

1:46

For

Unassigned speaker

1:47

um

Speaker 3

1:47

having electronic meeting.

Speaker 1

1:49

Oh, yes, please.

1:50

I'm

Speaker 3

1:51

thank

Unassigned speaker

1:51

you.

Speaker 3

1:51

So this meeting is being held via electronic means using Zoom.

1:55

This format was approved by the common council on December 9th, 2025 at the request of myself, city clerk, due to in-person absentee voting that is taking place in the council chambers.

2:06

This is to ensure the security and integrity of all the election materials.

2:10

This meeting was properly noticed as being held electronically via Zoom.

2:16

The agenda included a direct link to the meeting and the zoom meeting ID of 8410836-9320.

2:24

Thank

Unassigned speaker

2:24

you.

Speaker 1

2:26

All right, sorry about that.

2:27

Thank you.

2:28

Um the first thing on the agenda is privilege of the floor.

2:33

I will read the rules for privilege of the floor, and uh please pay attention to these if you plan on speaking.

2:40

Uh speakers are limited to three minutes each.

2:44

The total public comment period will not exceed 30 minutes unless extended in 15-minute increments by the mayor or the common council.

2:54

Comments must relate to issues subject to common council action and pertain to the city of New Berlin.

3:01

Comments are not limited to items on the current agenda.

3:05

Personal attacks, inflammatory remarks or disrespect towards council members, city staff, or others are not permitted.

3:14

When multiple individuals wish to speak, the mayor or council may limit speakers to one opportunity per meeting to ensure broad participate participation.

3:26

This is a public comment period, not a debate.

3:29

Comments should not be used to provoke argument or engage in back and forth discussions.

3:35

To foster respectful and welcoming environment, attendees are kindly asked to observe quietly and refrain from audible reactions during public comments and council discussion.

3:47

Applause, cheering, booing, or other disruptions are not permitted.

3:52

We want to ensure that everyone feels comfortable expressing their views in a respectful setting where all voices can be heard without intimidation or interruption.

4:03

In accordance with Robert's rules of order, the city meeting protocol, the mayor or city clerk may intervene as needed to prevent uh preserve uh order and decorum.

4:16

So we appreciate your cooperation in that.

4:18

So I will open up privilege of the floor and city clerk.

4:23

I do believe you have a list or

Speaker 3

4:27

I don't see anyone, um, but you can type your name in the comments or use the raise hand feature if you'd like, please.

4:36

If you'd like to take part in privilege of the floor.

4:47

You can also unmute yourself.

4:57

Again, if you're wanting to speak during privilege of the floor, please either unmute yourself, use the raise hand feature, or type your name in the comments.

5:23

Okay, we have Jeff.

5:24

If you would unmute yourself, please state your name and address for the record, and you will have three minutes to speak.

5:31

Thank

Unassigned speaker

5:32

you.

Unassigned speaker

5:56

And

Speaker 3

5:56

if you are talking, we can add it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Public Engagement███████████████████████████████████████39%
Pending Litigation████████████12%
Public Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

New Berlin Common Council Meeting - March 24, 2026

The New Berlin Common Council met electronically via Zoom on March 24, 2026, at 7:10 PM (following a Privilege of the Floor session that began at 6:50 PM). The meeting was held remotely due to in-person absentee voting occurring in the Council Chambers. Six alderpersons were present (Hopkins, La Fever, Harenda, Stribl, Horbinski, Kroupa); Alderperson Dave Maxey was excused. A quorum was declared, and the meeting was properly noticed. The agenda was amended on March 23, 2026.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved the March 10, 2026 Common Council Meeting Minutes (6-0).
  • Consent Agenda (approved 6-0): Included the following items recommended unanimously by the Committee of the Whole:
    • March 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes.
    • Utility & Finance: Approval of March 25, 2026 claims: Water Utility $15,714.08, Sewer Utility $317,776.83, and General City $679,777.43 (including General City checks dated March 4, 2026 for $284,955.97, tax overpayment checks totaling $12,617.81, and a We Energies EFT payment of $97,672.76).
    • Resolution No. 2026-03: Authorizing Emergency Management Manager Jim Burns to submit an application to the State of Wisconsin Disaster Fund for potential reimbursement of eligible expenses related to the August 2025 flood event.
    • 2026 Roadway Maintenance Joint and Crack Cleaning and Sealing Project: Contract with Thunder Road, LLC and inspection services by Ruekert & Mielke, Inc., contingent upon receipt of signed agreement and insurance.
    • Greenridge Watermain Replacement Project: Agreement with CBS2 for inspection services for the 2026 Roadway Rehabilitation portion, contingent upon receipt of signed agreement and insurance.
    • Live Fire Training Tower Rehabilitation Project: Denial of the base bid and Alternates 1 and 2 from Level Up Construction totaling $847,560, based on best interest of the City.
    • 4th of July fireworks display: Contract with Chrome Fireworks for $40,000.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Six residents spoke during Privilege of the Floor, all in opposition to the proposed Milwaukee Rescue Mission 'New Journey' development. Key concerns included:
    • Jeffrey Paul (20855 West Lawnsdale Road) argued the facility is not beneficial to New Berlin, criticized its use of a church designation as a loophole, and questioned the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.
    • Jeanette Nock (14370 West Maylord Drive) raised concerns about strain on police and fire/paramedic resources, lack of public transportation, tax exemption for churches, and the program's focus on Milwaukee County residents.
    • Aaron Maney (16225 West Heatherly Drive) questioned why the item was on the agenda since the Common Council had already voted against the land division and the matter was before the Board of Appeals; he also asked about a potential council vote to remove the property from a tax incentive district.
    • Tyler Brenner (15101 West Small) argued that the city violated its own use code by defining a residential treatment facility as an accessory use to a church, stating dwellings are not permitted in M1 zoning. He claimed the proper respondent in the pending lawsuit is the Board of Appeals, not the City.
    • Mary Fennig (5090 South Small Road) cited personal experience with a similar facility in West Allis, reporting needles, garbage, and belongings left on her property, and urged denial of the project.
    • Tammy (2085 West Lawnsdale Road) expressed concerns about increased taxes, safety for children, high failure rates of rehab programs, and the lack of public transportation for discharged individuals.

Discussion Items

  • Fourth of July Commission Contracts: Alderperson Stribl noted that all 4th of July festivities are funded through fundraising efforts and do not rely on taxpayer dollars. The Council approved three contracts unanimously (6-0 each):
    • Portable sanitation services with Pat's Services, Inc. for $10,645 (July 1–6, 2026).
    • Drone show with BCI Entertainment, LLC for $25,000 (July 2, 2026).
    • Tent rentals and related services with Area Tent for $22,823.03 (July 3–5, 2026).
  • Closed Session: Council President Harenda, citing public requests, asked to remove the closed session item (litigation update on the New Berlin Citizens United Board of Appeals Case and Petition for Writ of Mandamus by DeMoCat, LLC et al. vs. City of New Berlin) from the agenda. No motion was made to enter closed session; the item was bypassed without discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes on the consent calendar and individual items were unanimous (6-0).
  • The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Um we have uh a little announcement before we uh start the meeting that uh Alderman Horenda wants to make. We uh uh there is several requests from what I understand of the council president to put the closed session item on the agenda to uh update the council on uh the uh progress or lack thereof of on the uh rescue mission issue. So Ken, you want to take this? Yeah, basically uh I had to receive questions, and we were looking for an update to the common council members on ongoing litigation with the city of New Berlin. So the intent here was just for an update, no action being taken. Um there was in no way was there any intention for this to be public input or uh anything from the public to be involved with this. So with respect to some of the um uh emails and uh comments that are received by myself and probably the other all the common council members. I I would request that the common council uh look at uh dropping it from the agenda tonight if possible. That would be my thoughts and comments at this point. Okay, so that being said, uh we'll move on to the common council agenda for the city of New Berlin for March 24, 2026. It is 650. And you want me to read the basis first, Mayor? For um having electronic meeting. Oh, yes, please. I'm thank you. So this meeting is being held via electronic means using Zoom. This format was approved by the common council on December 9th, 2025 at the request of myself, city clerk, due to in-person absentee voting that is taking place in the council chambers. This is to ensure the security and integrity of all the election materials. This meeting was properly noticed as being held electronically via Zoom. The agenda included a direct link to the meeting and the zoom meeting ID of 8410836-9320. Thank you. All right, sorry about that. Thank you. Um the first thing on the agenda is privilege of the floor. I will read the rules for privilege of the floor, and uh please pay attention to these if you plan on speaking. Uh speakers are limited to three minutes each. The total public comment period will not exceed 30 minutes unless extended in 15-minute increments by the mayor or the common council. Comments must relate to issues subject to common council action and pertain to the city of New Berlin. Comments are not limited to items on the current agenda. Personal attacks, inflammatory remarks or disrespect towards council members, city staff, or others are not permitted. When multiple individuals wish to speak, the mayor or council may limit speakers to one opportunity per meeting to ensure broad participate participation. This is a public comment period, not a debate. Comments should not be used to provoke argument or engage in back and forth discussions. To foster respectful and welcoming environment, attendees are kindly asked to observe quietly and refrain from audible reactions during public comments and council discussion. Applause, cheering, booing, or other disruptions are not permitted. We want to ensure that everyone feels comfortable expressing their views in a respectful setting where all voices can be heard without intimidation or interruption. In accordance with Robert's rules of order, the city meeting protocol, the mayor or city clerk may intervene as needed to prevent uh preserve uh order and decorum. So we appreciate your cooperation in that. So I will open up privilege of the floor and city clerk. I do believe you have a list or

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