OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026

Public Meetings — Tuesday, May 5, 2026
BodyWaukesha, Wisconsin
SessionPublic Meetings
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 57:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

All right, good evening.

0:08

We will call the Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 City Council meeting to order.

0:14

We will start with roll call.

0:16

Mike Anderson and Jack Wells have indicated that they cannot attend tonight.

0:21

Christine.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Everett?

0:25

Here.

0:25

Wigderson.

0:26

Here.

0:28

Piper.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Ban Trieste.

0:30

Here.

0:31

Wells is absent.

0:32

Molton?

0:33

Here.

0:35

Matthews.

0:36

Here.

0:37

Miklitz.

0:38

Here.

0:38

Camacho.

0:39

Yep.

0:40

Manion.

0:41

Here.

0:43

Matthews.

0:45

Here.

0:47

My computer withesca.

0:49

Yes, I'm here too.

0:50

My computer's not uploaded.

0:55

All right.

0:56

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:01

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:05

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God.

1:17

Moving on, we have public comment.

1:20

I have one submission for Lisa Salb.

1:28

Good evening, Lisa Salb 434 Madison Street.

1:36

My first comment is that when the Plan Commission approved it, it had a zoning map that was dated March 25th, 2026.

1:45

And what you are voting, well, hopefully not voting on tonight is a map that's dated for 1726.

1:52

So apparently it's not the same map.

1:54

And when you go to look up that file, it says that this record is no longer available, so you can't even compare what the two are.

2:01

I did notice on the map that was presented on the agenda that there is a historic overlay, which is missing, and that is the one that is on the historic Blair property.

2:14

It's missing off of the lower half that was put on the Madison Street Historic District on the National Register in 1990.

2:22

In 1994, the city council uh put a special district H on it, which is a historic overlay.

2:31

Um it does say that the description is the legal description, which is on the second page, and that does describe the property going from Randall Street all the way down to Delafield Street, and now that is missing.

2:45

Um part of this is what is uh in court right now, but I wanted to make that um aware, make you aware of that.

2:54

And then also um there's a there's an issue.

2:58

I have spoke with six people from District 11, and they're concerned that they haven't had representation to talk with their elder person about this new zoning code since the last meeting.

3:11

Um they are on Pleasant Street, Main Street, College, Maple, um, and uh and a couple others.

3:18

If you want their names, I can ask them if they're they're willing to give that, but they have not had representation.

3:24

Um they have not spoken with Alicia prior to that about the new zoning code, and I feel that they really should be represented on something that is this important.

3:36

It's a drastic change.

3:37

So I would ask that you would hold off on voting for it so that we can clarify so that the public can see the clarifications on what's going on with this zoning map.

3:48

Um, I don't believe any of that went to landmarks.

3:50

I don't know if that's required to go to landmarks, uh, but for that clarification, um, and and uh would appreciate your cooperation and I thank you for your time.

4:02

Thank you.

4:03

Are there any other members of the public that wish to speak during public comment?

4:08

All right.

4:09

Uh moving on, we have a presentation of the graduates of the 2026 leading Waukesha class.

4:16

Tony.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Historic Preservation███████████████████████████27%
Economic Development███████████████15%
Workforce Development█████████9%
Zoning Regulations███████7%
Property Tax Assessment█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Licensing Regulation███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Waukesha City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The meeting included public comment, presentations on employee leadership graduates and historic preservation awards, a presentation from the Waukesha County Center for Growth, approval of several resolutions and ordinances, budget amendments, bid awards, proclamations, and referrals. The meeting began with roll call, noting absences for Mike Anderson and Jack Wells. All actions were taken with the council having 14 seated members.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the April 21, 2026, meeting unanimously.
  • Approved the consent agenda without any items removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lisa Salb (434 Madison Street) raised concerns about the proposed zoning map update. She noted a discrepancy between the map approved by the Plan Commission (dated March 25, 2026) and the map presented for the council vote (dated 1726). She reported that the file for the earlier map is no longer accessible. She also pointed out a missing historic overlay on the Blair property and the Madison Street Historic District. Salb stated that six residents from District 11 expressed concerns about not having representation from their alderperson during discussions on the new zoning code. She requested that the council postpone the vote to allow for public clarification.

Discussion Items

  • Leading Waukesha Class of 2026 Graduates: Tony Brown introduced the 11 graduating employees who completed a 10-session leadership program. The class undertook a service project for the Waukesha Food Pantry. Graduates included Megan Ballard (Fire Department), Charlie Carreros (Public Library), Katie Kojanaki (Police Dispatch), Emma Hastings (Engineering), Samuel Ahainad (Clean Water Plant), Logan Hynan (Parks, Recreation & Forestry), Peter Lenty (Community Development), Jose Rodriguez (PRF), Mark Shram (PRF), Terra Scott (PRF), and Michael Radovich (City Attorney's Office, absent).
  • Landmarks Commission Awards: Carmen De La Paz presented two Certificate of Merit awards and one John Shankinick Spirit of Preservation Award. The 242 North Hartwell Avenue (Michael and Jane McCoy House) received a Certificate of Merit for repairing gutters with copper lining. Julie Stockinger (132-134 West Laughlin Avenue) received a Certificate of Merit for window replacements and porch reconstruction. Darren and Mary Lou Lillian (323 McCall Street) received the John Shankinick Spirit of Preservation Award for consistent maintenance, willingness to forgo grant funds, and collaborative work with the commission.
  • Waukesha County Center for Growth Presentation: Executive Director Therese Hill provided an overview of the nonprofit's work in business retention, expansion, and attraction. She reported seven active expansion projects in the pipeline, three within the city. Two recent expansions (Superior Crane, KDV Label) were announced. The Center manages a $12 million Grow Fund revolving loan program, with $6 million available. Five of 22 active loans are in Waukesha. The Fund has supported workforce housing (e.g., Habitat for Humanity's Dominica Park project) and has two additional workforce housing developments and one commercial project in the pipeline in Waukesha. Hill also discussed the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub designation and access to $49 million in federal funding.
  • Resolution on Transportation Funding: Council discussed and adopted a resolution urging the Governor and State Legislature to enact a comprehensive and sustainable transportation funding solution. The resolution notes that without such funding, many communities have been forced to impose local vehicle registration wheel taxes. Alderperson Van Trieste asked if the city was considering a wheel tax; the mayor read a clause from the resolution addressing that concern.
  • Zoning Code Update (Second Reading): The council heard the second reading of the zoning code update. Alderperson Matthews suggested postponing the vote until the vacant District 11 seat is filled, to ensure proper representation. Several alderpersons concurred. Jennifer from Community Development noted no time sensitivity that would prevent postponement. No action was taken.
  • Municipal Code Chapter 11 Changes (Third Reading): The council approved amendments to the municipal code adopting certain crimes of municipal code.
  • Budget Amendment for Library Door Replacement: The council approved a $50,000 budget amendment (from capital fund cash on hand) to replace the broken revolving door at the public library. Alderperson Piper explained that this was the most cost-effective option. The vote required a two-thirds majority (10 votes) and passed unanimously.
  • 2025 to 2026 Budget Carryovers: The council approved a $119,454 carryover of unspent 2025 operating budget items (including recruitment, body armor, library books, zoning code study, and street signs). This also required a two-thirds vote and passed unanimously. The previous year's carryover was $77,406.
  • Bid Awards:
    • Fire Station #5 improvements: Helm Mechanical, $42,107 (unanimous).
    • West Sunset Drive and Barcel Street bridge sealing and rehabilitation: NORCON Corporation, $255,585.50 (base bid plus alternates 1 and 2). Budgeted at $300,000. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution on Transportation Funding: Adopted 11-1.
  • Municipal Code Chapter 11 Amendment: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
  • Library Door Budget Amendment: Approved unanimously (required 10 votes; all 14 present approved).
  • Budget Carryovers: Approved unanimously (required 10 votes; all 14 present approved).
  • Fire Station Bid: Approved unanimously.
  • Bridge Project Bid: Approved unanimously.
  • Board and Committee Appointments: Approved unanimously.
  • Referrals: Alderperson Wigderson referred a request to study e-bike regulations to the Ordinance and Licensing Committee. Alderperson Manion referred a request to improve the crosswalk on Hoover Avenue connecting the Miniola parking lot to the play fields to the Building and Grounds Committee.
  • Proclamations: The mayor proclaimed Municipal Clerks Week (May 3-9), EMS Week (May 17-23), National Police Week (May 10-16) with Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, and National Public Works Week (May 17-23).
  • Next Steps: The zoning code update will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting for potential approval, possibly postponed to allow for representation from District 11.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. We will call the Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 City Council meeting to order. We will start with roll call. Mike Anderson and Jack Wells have indicated that they cannot attend tonight. Christine. Here. Everett? Here. Wigderson. Here. Piper. Here. Ban Trieste. Here. Wells is absent. Molton? Here. Matthews. Here. Miklitz. Here. Camacho. Yep. Manion. Here. Matthews. Here. My computer withesca. Yes, I'm here too. My computer's not uploaded. All right. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Moving on, we have public comment. I have one submission for Lisa Salb. Good evening, Lisa Salb 434 Madison Street. My first comment is that when the Plan Commission approved it, it had a zoning map that was dated March 25th, 2026. And what you are voting, well, hopefully not voting on tonight is a map that's dated for 1726. So apparently it's not the same map. And when you go to look up that file, it says that this record is no longer available, so you can't even compare what the two are. I did notice on the map that was presented on the agenda that there is a historic overlay, which is missing, and that is the one that is on the historic Blair property. It's missing off of the lower half that was put on the Madison Street Historic District on the National Register in 1990. In 1994, the city council uh put a special district H on it, which is a historic overlay. Um it does say that the description is the legal description, which is on the second page, and that does describe the property going from Randall Street all the way down to Delafield Street, and now that is missing. Um part of this is what is uh in court right now, but I wanted to make that um aware, make you aware of that. And then also um there's a there's an issue. I have spoke with six people from District 11, and they're concerned that they haven't had representation to talk with their elder person about this new zoning code since the last meeting. Um they are on Pleasant Street, Main Street, College, Maple, um, and uh and a couple others. If you want their names, I can ask them if they're they're willing to give that, but they have not had representation.

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