OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Waukesha City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026: Reckless Driving Ordinance and Historic Easement Approved

Public Meetings — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyWaukesha, Wisconsin
SessionPublic Meetings
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:50:04

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

All right, it is six o'clock, so we will call this meeting uh Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 meeting to order.

0:12

We will start with roll call.

0:16

Christine.

0:18

Here.

0:18

Payne.

0:19

Here.

0:20

Wigderson.

0:21

Here.

0:21

Piper.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Van Trieste.

0:24

Wells is absent.

0:29

Manion?

0:30

Here.

0:30

Moltsen.

0:33

Oh, here, sorry.

0:34

Wu Tesca.

0:35

Anderson.

0:36

Here.

0:37

Halvin Slavin.

0:38

Here non-voting.

0:40

Matthews?

0:40

Here.

0:41

Dean Lemke?

0:42

Here.

0:43

Rick Lemke?

0:44

Here.

0:44

Camacho.

0:45

Here.

0:48

All right.

0:49

So other than Jack Wells, we do have a quorum.

0:52

He is out of town, so he did have an excuse.

0:54

Absence.

0:54

We'll move on to the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:57

And this will be led by Maxwell Oberman from Troop 159.

1:02

You can come on up.

1:14

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:17

One nation under God, indivisible, put in liberty and justice for all.

1:25

Thank you, Maxwell.

1:29

All right.

1:30

Next up is public comment.

1:32

We have several public comments.

1:34

We're going to start with Monica Paws.

1:38

And if you can come up to the microphone, you'll have three minutes.

1:41

Please state your name and your address.

1:43

My name is Monica Pause, and I reside at 905 Oxford Road in the City of Waukesha.

1:48

I just wanted to express my appreciation for seeing the funding for the raising of the property located at 137 and 139 East Park Avenue included in tonight's agenda.

1:59

I first brought concerns about this property which uh to my father's alderman back in June of 2022.

2:06

After numerous emails over the years, I eventually reached out to the city attorney's office in January of 25 seeking some assistance.

2:13

I was very glad to see that on March 10th of this year, Judge Melvin signed an order enforcing the city of Waukesha's orders to raise the building.

2:22

While this process has taken nearly four years to, I'm hopeful that the funding will be approved so that the property can finally be removed.

2:30

My father lives directly next door to this property, so I'd like to be able to have him enjoy his retirement sitting outside without seeing this I Sorber property, which had multiple times had anywhere up to 10 vehicles parked that were non-moving, um, windows broken, doors it was just an awful mess.

2:52

So I'm hopeful that the funding will be approved so that the property can be removed.

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

Thank you.

2:59

Uh next up, John Thomas.

3:10

Good evening, all John Thomas, 134 Douglas Avenue.

3:14

This is a subject I brought up last fall, and I was told no, it's too late, it can't be done, and it's too expensive.

3:23

Bike lanes.

3:24

And I'm hoping that the funding will be made available, that the faded out disgusting, almost gone bike lanes can be repainted this spring so they can actually function and do some good.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Transportation Safety███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation█████████████13%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Historic Preservation███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Zoning Regulations███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Waukesha City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026: Reckless Driving Ordinance and Historic Easement Approved

On March 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Waukesha City Council met in Council Chambers at City Hall with Ald. Alicia Halvensleben serving as chair. Fourteen aldermen were present; Jack Wells was absent. The council approved a new ordinance authorizing impoundment of vehicles used in reckless driving, authorized a historic preservation conservation easement for 130 Delafield Street, and approved the Spring 2026 Public Street Tree Planting Program assessment at $397 per tree. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Consent Calendar

All items approved unanimously without debate or removal:

  • Contract for technical rescue services with the Village of Lisbon.
  • Funding to raze the property at 137/139 E. Park Avenue.
  • Mental Health Crisis Response Unit agreement with HHSA.
  • Extension of the no-parking area on Wilmont Drive to include 301 Wilmont Drive.
  • Alcohol beverage license (AB-105) for Raised Grain for Tribute Tuesday (June 9, July 14, August 11, September 1) and for GuitarTown Music Festival (June 13).
  • Invited bartender licenses and other license applications (March 9, 2026).
  • 2026 Drop-Off Center fee adjustments.
  • Contract with Compost Crusaders for composting residential food waste.
  • Installation of guardrail in front of 524 Madison Street.
  • Storm Water Management Practice Maintenance Agreement with Bielinski Homes for Olde Farm Subdivision.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Monica Paz (905 Oxford Road) expressed full support for the funding to raze 137/139 E. Park Avenue, citing a nearly four-year effort and a recent court order. She described the property as an eyesore with broken windows and numerous non-moving vehicles.
  • John Thomas (134 Douglass Avenue) urged the city to repaint faded bike lanes, warning that faded markings create safety hazards for cyclists.
  • Lisa Salb (434 Madison Street) opposed the Historic Preservation Conservation Easement for 130 Delafield Street, arguing that city staff misled the council by claiming the parcel lacks historic integrity. She stated the easement protects only one view and fails to consider other historically significant properties.
  • Melyssa Gonzalez (161 Randall Street) also opposed the easement, stating it should preserve the broader historic context of the Madison Street Historic District, not just a single sight line.

Discussion Items

Vacation of West Avenue Right-of-Way (ID#26-02899)

  • City Attorney Brian Running explained the resolution vacates a portion of West Avenue right-of-way to allow the sale of city surplus property at 223 S. West Ave to a local artist. The building slightly overlaps the right-of-way; the vacation enables parcel consolidation. The resolution met statutory publication requirements.
  • Vote: Approved 12-1 (Ald. Rick Lemke voted no).

Authorization for Historic Preservation Conservation Easement (ID#26-03142)

  • Brian Running stated the easement is required by Wis. Stat. §66.1111(3)(b) before the city can sell the property at 130 Delafield Street, located within the National Register boundary of the Senator William Blair House. After the city failed to remove the southern parking lot from the Register, negotiations with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) resulted in an easement restricting construction height to 845 feet above sea level (preserving a view from the Blair House). The easement allows exceptions for utility poles, flagpoles, landscaping, and temporary structures.
  • Ald. Payne objected, citing pending litigation and resident concerns about loss of downtown views. Ald. Van Trieste clarified the easement preserves the view. Ald. R. Lemke supported the easement as necessary for the property sale, which benefits the city.
  • Vote: Approved 9-4. Nays: Ald. Payne, Ald. Van Trieste, Ald. Matthews, Ald. Camacho.

Adoption of Reckless Driving Vehicle Impounding Ordinance (ID#26-03071)

  • Brian Running presented the ordinance adopting Wis. Stat. §349.115, which allows police to impound vehicles used in reckless driving at their discretion, even on a first offense. State law previously required the vehicle owner to be the driver and a second offense. The ordinance gives officers discretion based on circumstances.
  • Ald. Van Trieste moved to suspend the third reading. Passed 12-1 (Ald. Moltzan voted no).
  • Ald. R. Lemke proposed an amendment to waive impound fees for anyone found not guilty. After debate about who would pay and whether police could store vehicles, the amendment failed 6-7. Ayes: Chrisien, Payne, Van Trieste, Dean Lemke, Rick Lemke, Camacho. Nays: Wigderson, Pieper, Manion, Moltzan, Wuteska, Anderson, Matthews.
  • Ald. Wuteska moved to adopt the ordinance as presented. Approved 10-3. Nays: Ald. Payne, Ald. Dean Lemke, Ald. Camacho.
  • Discussion included officer discretion, potential hardship for innocent owners, and the police department's support for the tool.

Communications and Engagement Team Year-End Review (ID#26-03089)

  • Rebecca presented the 2025 report, highlighting: website redesign for ADA compliance, consolidation of city publications into "Waukesha Current" saving approximately $30,000, strategic plan communications, new employee photo directory, SOAR workshops, 3,533 AI chatbot chats, 114 new videos, increased email subscribers, and expanded police communication partnership. No vote was taken.

Public Hearing & Action: Spring 2026 Tree Planting Assessment (ID#26-03056)

  • City Forester Aaron Laneert presented the program: 158 trees to be planted (18 new, 15 chargeable; 140 replacements). Assessment is $397 per tree, based on average tree price and estimated contractor labor. The city is contracting planting to focus staff on maintenance. Laneert also reviewed 2025 forestry activities and announced the April 25 Arbor Day celebration at Rivers Crossing Park.
  • Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no public testimony.
  • Ald. Matthews raised concerns about sidewalk conflicts and requested a map of replacement locations. Ald. Wuteska argued the full cost should be passed to residents requesting new trees. Ald. Payne opposed contracting out. Ald. R. Lemke supported the $397 fee as reasonable. Ald. Anderson noted the difference between $397 and the estimated $428 total cost.
  • Motion by Ald. R. Lemke, seconded by Ald. Wigderson, to approve the assessment at $397 per tree. Approved 9-4. Nays: Ald. Wuteska, Ald. Anderson, Ald. Matthews, Ald. Camacho.

Other Reports and Votes

  • Board of Public Works Bid Awards:
    • N. Moreland Blvd. & Michigan Ave. Traffic Signal Improvements: Low base bid and Alternate #1 from LaLonde Contractors, Inc. for $433,976.02. Approved unanimously.
    • Concrete Pavement Patching and Concrete Sawing (City Wide): Low bid from State Contractors, Inc. for $595,190.00. Approved unanimously.
  • Reports were given by representatives of the Transit Commission, Water Utility Commission, Information Technology Board, Landmarks Commission, Redevelopment Authority, Library Board, Cemetery Commission, Housing Authority, and Public Art Committee. No actions were taken.
  • Referral: Ald. Van Trieste referred a request to rescind odd/even parking regulations to the Ordinance & License Committee.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (12-1): Vacation of West Avenue right-of-way to facilitate surplus property sale.
  • Approved (9-4): Recording of Historic Preservation Conservation Easement against 130 Delafield Street.
  • Approved (10-3): Adoption of reckless driving vehicle impounding ordinance.
  • Rejected (6-7): Amendment to waive impound fees for those found not guilty of reckless driving.
  • Approved (9-4): Spring 2026 Public Street Tree Planting Program assessment at $397 per tree.
  • Approved (unanimous): Consent agenda items; two Board of Public Works bid awards.
  • Referred to Ordinance & License Committee: Ald. Van Trieste's request to rescind odd/even parking regulations.

Meeting Transcript

All right, it is six o'clock, so we will call this meeting uh Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 meeting to order. We will start with roll call. Christine. Here. Payne. Here. Wigderson. Here. Piper. Here. Van Trieste. Wells is absent. Manion? Here. Moltsen. Oh, here, sorry. Wu Tesca. Anderson. Here. Halvin Slavin. Here non-voting. Matthews? Here. Dean Lemke? Here. Rick Lemke? Here. Camacho. Here. All right. So other than Jack Wells, we do have a quorum. He is out of town, so he did have an excuse. Absence. We'll move on to the Pledge of Allegiance. And this will be led by Maxwell Oberman from Troop 159. You can come on up. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, put in liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Maxwell. All right. Next up is public comment. We have several public comments. We're going to start with Monica Paws. And if you can come up to the microphone, you'll have three minutes. Please state your name and your address. My name is Monica Pause, and I reside at 905 Oxford Road in the City of Waukesha. I just wanted to express my appreciation for seeing the funding for the raising of the property located at 137 and 139 East Park Avenue included in tonight's agenda. I first brought concerns about this property which uh to my father's alderman back in June of 2022. After numerous emails over the years, I eventually reached out to the city attorney's office in January of 25 seeking some assistance. I was very glad to see that on March 10th of this year, Judge Melvin signed an order enforcing the city of Waukesha's orders to raise the building.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com