Waukesha Common Council Meeting Summary - January 20, 2026

The Waukesha Common Council convened on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Council unanimously approved a consent agenda containing routine items, disallowed two claims for damages, and held three uncontested public hearings followed by unanimous approvals for zoning changes and a planned unit development (PUD) amendment. Reports from various boards and commissions highlighted city operations, including snow removal efforts, a $10,000 library grant, and housing authority statistics. The meeting concluded with the approval of Abigail Schoessow as City Treasurer, the adoption of resolutions honoring former Mayor Paul Vrakas and Judge Steve Wimmer, and several council referrals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the December 16, 2025, meeting.
• AI Acceptable Use Policy.
• Master Service Agreement and Statement of Work with TDI Vertical for cybersecurity support.
• Proposed pricing changes for 2026 at city cemeteries.
• Certified Survey Map (CSM) for a 2-lot redivision at 135 and 137 Wisconsin Avenue.
• Final Subdivision Plat for the Olde Farm Subdivision at 3424 Madison Street.
• Extraterritorial CSM for a lot line adjustment at S11W28264 Summit Avenue (Town of Delafield).
• Removal of school zone signs on Milwaukee Avenue and Hyde Park Avenue.
• Seasonal "No Parking" sign installation on Fourth Street (Nov 1 to April 1).
• Solar-powered speed sign installation on Moreland Boulevard and No Engine Braking sign.
• Removal and conversion of school zone signs, beacons, and crosswalk enhancements on East College Avenue and South Charles Street.
• Approval of invited bartender and other license applications.
• Contract Change Order No. 1 with Sure-Fire, Inc. for Municipal Garage HVAC Replacement.
• Contract Amendment #1 with MSA Professional Services, Inc. for Private Development Review Services.
• Contract Change Order No. 1 with Ross and White Company for the Badger Drive Bus Wash.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the designated general public comment period.
• No members of the public spoke during the three public hearings for the Dolphin Drive rezoning, the Fox Run PUD amendment, or the River Road Villas rezoning.

Discussion Items

• Claims Disallowance: City Attorney Brian presented two claims. The first was a personal injury claim from Brandon Coffey involving an incident on a city bus. The city attorney stated the bus system is operated by an independent contractor (Transdev subsidiary) and the claim was filed against the wrong party. The second was a property damage claim from Ideal Auto Sales for damage allegedly caused by snow or ice from a city plow, which lacked evidence of negligence. Both claims were disallowed.
• Dolphin Drive/Coral Drive Rezoning (STOR-IT Right): City staff presented a request to rezone 4.27 acres of vacant land from M-3 (Limited Business and Industrial Park) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing) to allow for a self-storage facility. Ald. Anderson, representing the district, voiced support, noting the development would clean up an area that has attracted illegal dumping. Ald. R. Lemke asked about a sidewalk requirement; staff stated it was not needed in the industrial area under the current sidewalk plan but could be ordered in the future.
• Fox Run Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment: City staff detailed a request to amend the PUD for Lot 4 of the Fox Run development to allow residential uses (a proposed three-story, 63-unit multifamily building) in addition to the current commercial-only restriction. Staff noted difficulty finding commercial tenants for the landlocked parcel.
• River Road Villas Rezoning (Bielinski Homes): City staff presented a request to rezone 4.87 acres from B-5 (Community Business District) to Rd-2 PUD (Two Family Residential) for a 24-unit duplex condominium project. Ald. Halvensleben asked about pricing, which the applicant stated was approximately $425,000. Ald. Payne inquired about potential traffic impacts, referencing past neighborhood concerns. Staff confirmed notification was sent and no opposition was received, noting the project is less dense than prior proposals. Ald. Anderson confirmed residents in the district were in favor of residential over commercial use.
• Reports from Boards and Commissions: The Parks and Recreation Board reported several Jamboree events were canceled or moved indoors due to an extreme cold forecast (minus 20 degrees). The Library Board announced a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Housing Authority reported 100% occupancy in public housing and a waitlist of over 3,000 individuals for a one-bedroom unit at Saratoga Heights. The Human Resources Committee announced plans to finalize the City Administrator's performance survey. The Board of Public Works detailed the city's extensive snow removal operations over the weekend.
• Mayor's Report and Referrals: The Mayor presented resolutions honoring the lives of Municipal Judge Steve Wimmer (who served since 2018) and Former Mayor Paul Vrakas (who served 16 years). The resolutions were provided to their families. Council members made several referrals: Ald. Payne requested a guardrail extension on Madison Street to the Board of Public Works; Ald. Anderson requested parking regulation reviews on Wilmont Drive, Corporate Drive, and South Grand Avenue to the Building & Grounds Committee; and Ald. Van Trieste requested street lighting on Marshview Street to the Building & Grounds Committee.
• Closed Session: The Council convened in closed session at 6:47 PM under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c) to discuss the appointment of Abigail Schoessow as City Treasurer. The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:03 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Claims Disallowed: The Council unanimously (15-0) voted to disallow the personal injury claim from Brandon Coffey (ID#26-02865) and the property damage claim from Ideal Auto Sales (ID#25-02716).
• Dolphin Drive/Coral Drive Rezoning: Approved unanimously (15-0) to rezone 4.27 acres from M-3 to M-1 for a self-storage facility.
• Fox Run PUD Amendment: Approved unanimously (15-0) to amend the PUD to allow residential and commercial uses on Lot 4.
• River Road Villas Rezoning: Approved unanimously (15-0) to rezone 4.87 acres from B-5 to Rd-2 PUD for a 24-unit duplex development.
• Board Reappointment: Approved unanimously (15-0) the reappointment of Brandon Kostolni to the Information Technology Board.
• Resolutions to Honor: Adopted resolutions to honor the lives of Municipal Judge Steve Wimmer and Former Mayor Paul Vrakas.
• City Treasurer Appointment: Following a closed session, the Council unanimously (15-0) appointed Abigail Schoessow as Treasurer of the City of Waukesha.
• Council Referrals: Three referrals were sent to the Building & Grounds Committee and one to the Board of Public Works.