Waukesha City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Waukesha City Council met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting opened with a Police and Fire Honor Guard presentation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the swearing-in of the Mayor, Aldermen for Districts 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, the City Attorney, and the Municipal Judge. A council group photo followed. The agenda included public comments, a presentation on the Wisconsin Policy Forum's Cleared for Construction report, approval of minutes, a consent agenda, several new business items (election of Council President, replacement process for District 11, TID #27 amendment, surplus land transfer, well abandonments, water main replacement), public hearings on a rezoning petition and a zoning code update, and numerous committee reports.

Consent Calendar

• Certified Survey Map for Smart Trust (west of Meadowbrook Road and north of Summit Avenue) – approved with conditions.
• AB-105 permit for North Pillar Brewing Company at the Waukesha Farmer's Market for 14 dates in 2026.
• Other invited applications, bartender applications, and other applications – all approved.
• Proposed Street Opening Prices for 2026 – approved.
• Purchase of sewer castings for manholes and inlets for 2026 projects – approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tyler Stetson (417 Dunbar Avenue) spoke in support of his request to acquire surplus city-owned land adjacent to his property. He noted that previous neighbors received such land for no purchase price and that he has already incurred about $2,000 in cleanup costs. He requested the same terms as prior recipients.
• Lisa Salb (434 Madison Street) raised concerns about potential loss of public transparency regarding the Cleared for Construction report and the new zoning code. She specifically questioned the RN4 district, which she said would allow 60-foot buildings near single-family homes in her district, and asked why public notices no longer indicate the reading number. She also requested clarification on the mayor's statement that the new code provides less potential liability for the city.

Discussion Items

• Election of Council President: Ald. Pieper nominated Ald. Manion; the motion carried unanimously. Ald. Manion became Council President.
• Process for Replacing Alder for District 11: The initial motion to appoint Aaron Spencer (the other candidate in the previous election) for the remainder of the term failed (4 aye, 10 nay). A subsequent motion to fill the vacancy by appointment with applications due by Thursday, May 14, and selection at the May 19 council meeting passed unanimously.
• Amendment to TID #27 Development Agreement: The proposed amendment allows a $2 million pay-as-you-go TIF incentive for a new 63-unit multifamily building (estimated $12 million value) on the Fox Run site. The developer, Baird, must perform before receiving assistance. Ald. Lemke supported the project as a better use than a car wash or dollar store. Ald. Chrisien noted the site's location in a growing corridor. Ald. Manion queried why the guaranteed assessed value increase was $9 million rather than $12.5 million; staff explained the redlined consolidation of values. The motion passed 13-1 (Ald. Van Trieste opposed).
• Surplus City Land Request (Tyler Stetson): Staff presented a 4,700-square-foot parcel behind 417 Dunbar Avenue, previously part of a strip of city surplus land. Most neighbors acquired their portions in 2018; the request follows that precedent. A storm sewer easement will be required. The motion to approve passed 14-0.
• Abandonment of Wells No. 11, 12, and 13: Contract with Midwest Well Services for $62,320. Passed 14-0.
• Abandonment of Wells No. 5 and 6: Contract with Midwest Well Services for $175,071.50. Passed 14-0.
• Prairie Avenue Water Main Replacement: Contract with UPI Construction ($199,820) and purchase of pipe/fittings from Ferguson Waterworks (not to exceed $125,000). Passed 14-0.
• Presentation on Cleared for Construction Report: Jennifer Andrews, Director of Community Development, summarized the Wisconsin Policy Forum study on building permit timelines. Waukesha ranked second among six communities, averaging 222 days from application to permit (overall) and 87 days net (excluding developer revision time). Pre-application meetings were found to reduce delays. The report is available in full.
• Public Hearing: Rezoning Petition – Smart Trust: No speakers. The proposal would rezone 9.78 acres from T-1 to I-1 Institutional (7.76 acres) and RS-3 Single Family Residential (2.02 acres) to facilitate a medical campus for ProHealth and future residential development. The motion to approve passed 14-0.
• Public Hearing: Zoning Code Update: The second reading of a comprehensive replacement of Chapters 22 (Zoning) and 27 (Signs). Staff presented the two-year process, key changes (consolidating residential districts from 9 to 4, adding design standards, allowing administrative approval for minor projects), and the goal of aligning with the Comprehensive Plan. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comments. Due to an agenda omission, the council did not take action; final approval is scheduled for May 5, 2026.
• Revisions to Municipal Code Chapter 11: Second reading of an ordinance adopting certain state crimes into city code, increasing penalties for drug possession, creating a dumping ordinance (for refuse >5 lbs or >1 cubic foot), adding vaping to the smoking definition, prohibiting smoking on school property, restricting vaping devices for under-21s, and penalizing unlawful 911 calls. No action taken; third reading at next meeting.
• Update to Chapter 13.055 (Residential Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection): Third reading; aligns ordinance with the special charge and the city's cart ownership contract, plus administrative cleanups. Motion to approve passed 14-0.
• Board of Public Works Items: Resolution for demolition of 137-139 East Park Avenue, utility improvements on Luke Avenue, Walton Avenue, and Born Place, and Parade Memorial Irrigation – approved 14-0. Award of 2026 Alley Reconstruction low bid to Milwaukee General Construction ($391,150.50) – approved 14-0. Award of 2026 Asphalt Street Utility Repairs low bid to All-Ways Contractors, Inc. ($192,690) – approved 14-0.
• Committee Reports: Reports from Transit Commission, Water Utility Commission (well closures discussed), IT Board, Landmarks Commission (three grant winners to be announced), Redevelopment Authority (three affordable housing loans approved), Parks & Forestry Board (new playground equipment at Greenway Terrace Park), Library Board (children's area expansion), Cemetery Commission, Housing Authority (Section 8 voucher progress), CDBG Committee, Public Art Committee, Plan Commission, Finance Committee, Building & Grounds Committee, and Human Resources Committee – various updates and no actions.
• Mayor’s Report and Referrals: Committee assignments for 2026‑2027 approved 11-3 (Ald. Van Trieste, Lemke, Chrisien opposed). Council seating chart approved by mayor. Proclamation declaring April 19–25, 2026 as National Library Week was read: the Waukesha Public Library had 311,246 visits, issued 3,844 new cards, and patrons checked out 1,013,917 items saving $15,254,390.

Key Outcomes

• Council President: Ald. Daniel Manion elected (unanimous).
• District 11 Vacancy: Application deadline set for Thursday, May 14, with council selection at the May 19 meeting (passed 14-0).
• TID #27 Amendment: Approved (13-1; Ald. Van Trieste dissented).
• Surplus Land Transfer to Tyler Stetson: Approved (14-0).
• Well Abandonments: Both contracts approved (14-0 each).
• Prairie Ave Water Main: Contract and pipe purchase approved (14-0).
• Rezoning (Smart Trust): Approved (14-0).
• Chapter 13.055 Update: Approved (14-0).
• Board of Public Works Resolutions: Demolition/utility improvements, alley reconstruction, and asphalt repairs all approved (14-0 each).
• Committee Assignments: Approved (11-3).
• National Library Week Proclamation: Read and adopted.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.