Waukesha City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Waukesha City Council met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, with 14 members present (Rico Camacho absent). The meeting included a consent agenda, public comments, new business, a public hearing on a zoning code update, reports from boards and commissions, and a closed session to discuss a lawsuit settlement. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from June 16, 2026 were approved (14-0).
• All consent agenda items passed unanimously without removal, including:
  • Change order for 2027 bus purchase from Gillig, LLC.
  • Paratransit Aid Agreement with WisDOT for 2026.
  • Certified Survey Map (CSM) for 223 S West Avenue (Water Utility Building, 0.12 acres).
  • CSM for 1101 W St. Paul Avenue (INNIO, combining three parcels into 38.7775 acres).
  • CSM for east of Jills Drive (Hawks Landing, 3.69 acres).
  • Invited bartender applications and other license applications.
  • Contract Change Order No. 1 for Frame Park Formal Gardens improvements.
  • Developer’s Agreement and Storm Water Management Agreement for Winterberry Reserve Phase 2.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Doreen Wigderson (1100 Anoka Avenue) spoke in support of the Revitalize program for seniors, encouraging referrals. She also praised a June 23 team-building workshop with Ted Knightsky and suggested routing referrals through the city administrator for efficiency.
• Lisa Salb (434 Madison Street) opposed aspects of the new zoning code, stating that the R-4 zone between Albert Street and Barstow would allow six-story buildings (60 feet), which she called "ridiculous" for a neighborhood of one- and two-story homes. She requested changing the zone to RM3 or reducing the height to 40 feet. She also argued that the historic preservation overlay added to 139 East North Street (the Waukesha Manufacturing Company building, built 1866) was improperly handled, citing an open records request showing that information given to the State Historic Preservation Office about views from the Blair House was incorrect.

Discussion Items

• Proposed Revisions to Municipal Code Chapter 9 (Act 73 compliance): Miles explained the changes align city liquor licensing with new state law, also removing prohibitions on liquor sales at gas stations and off-premise alcohol sales by restaurants. Ald. Wuteska noted the item had been before council multiple times. The council voted 14-0 to suspend rules and then 14-0 to approve the revisions. Ald. Wigderson clarified that a provision allowing the clerk to issue renewal operator licenses without committee approval applies only to renewals.
• Budget Amendment for City Hall Security Improvements ($319,000): The amendment funds ballistic glass for the clerk’s office and upstairs planning/public works, bollards for utility connections, and numbered doors for panic-alarm identification. Funded by interest on city funds (no tax increase). Ald. Lemke noted police chief support and employee retention concerns. Ald. Chrisien initially opposed but changed his mind due to employee retention. Approved 13-1 (Ald. Chrisien voted nay). Discussion included Madison’s $12 million security investment and the need to incorporate such costs into future building designs.
• Zoning Code Update – Public Hearing and Action: The public hearing opened and closed at 6:25 PM with no speakers. Charlie presented the final draft, noting city attorney wording improvements and corrected map errors (PUD overlays and district names). The council voted 13-0 (Van Trieste abstained) to suspend rules and then 13-1 (Van Trieste nay) to approve the new zoning code (replacing Chapters 22 and 27), effective September 1, 2026. Ald. Van Trieste questioned new provisions allowing inspections on private property (22.07) and warrants for code enforcement; staff clarified that landscaping inspections are only for approved projects with bonds, and warrant authority was not new. Ald. Manion expressed concern about administrative review transparency; Ald. Wells noted that developments adjacent to residential automatically require Plan Commission review. Ald. Piper confirmed that dumpster enclosures may use composite materials. Ald. Lemke noted that even where six-story buildings are allowed, they still require Plan Commission site-plan approval. Ald. Pieper emphasized council responsibility to monitor developments in their districts.
• Transit Service Levels Update: Brian Engelking presented a detailed update. Pre-COVID service was 883 hours per week; after June 2023 route restructure (9% reduction) and 2025 consolidation (14% reduction), service will drop to about 600 hours by August 2026 (lowest since 1990). City financial contribution is the lowest since 2011. Passenger efficiency rose from 6.4 passengers per hour (2022) to 9.3 (May 2026, a 45% increase). MetroLift ridership exceeded 14,000 rides projected for 2026 (highest in over a decade). Cost per fixed-route ride is about $10; MetroLift costs nearly $40 per ride. The city is reducing its fixed fleet by six buses (26%) to save $4.2 million in replacement costs. Discussion included the essential nature of transit (Ald. Anderson), feasibility of smaller buses (Ald. Van Trieste), and Ald. Piper noting bus manufacturers produce only certain sizes.
• Habitat for Humanity Impact Fee Waiver: Request to waive impact fees for two single-family homes (128 & 134 Caldwell) and one duplex (909 Madison) in the Tower Hill neighborhood. Habitat families typically earn 40-80% of county median income. All three lots previously had homes (torn down by the hospital). Ald. Lemke supported because those lots had already paid impact fees, so new homes would generate double fees. Approved 14-0.
• Ordinance & License Committee Report: Second reading of an amendment to Mun Code 9.115 to allow temporary extension of licensed premises onto Municipal Lot 13 (for Mattie’s Bar). Ald. Evert argued for fairness, noting existing extensions for House of Guinness. Ald. Wuteska supported, stating the only fair options are to allow all or none. Ald. Wells asked if it allows year-round use; Ald. Manion noted a 90-day aggregate limit under the code. The amendment does not authorize specific use; a separate permit process applies. No action taken (second reading).
• Reports: Water Utility Commission (Ald. Matthews reported on new facility tour and cost savings). IT Board (Ald. Manion: July meeting canceled). Landmarks Commission (Ald. Chrisien: three applicants for historic property funds; water utility property may come to council). Redevelopment Authority (no meeting). Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board (Ald. Wells thanked staff for July 4th events; new flag at Lowell Park). Library Board (Ald. Helgestad: summer reading program; Waukesha Reads book announced: "33 Places" by Alice Austin, available September 8). Cemetery Commission (Ald. Chrisien: Waukesha Unlocked event includes cemetery; next meeting August 10). Housing Authority (no report). CDBG (no report). Public Art Committee (no report). City Administrator (budget review calendar; security upgrades; many capital project requests pushing thresholds; thanked staff for zoning code and transit work). Mayor (clean water plant tour invitation, RSVP by July 17).

Key Outcomes

• Approved revisions to Municipal Code Chapter 9 (14-0).
• Approved budget amendment for city hall security improvements (13-1).
• Approved new zoning code ordinance replacing Chapters 22 and 27 (13-1).
• Approved Habitat for Humanity impact fee waiver (14-0).
• Approved settlement of excessive-assessment lawsuit SBV Fox River LLC v. City of Waukesha as discussed in closed session (14-0).
• Consent agenda items all approved unanimously.
• Referral from Ald. Lemke to city administrator to investigate block party application process.
• Closed session convened at 7:32 PM and reconvened at 7:56 PM; action on lawsuit settlement taken.