Waukesha City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Waukesha Common Council met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a closed session to discuss negotiation strategies for the Water Utility building, several public hearings, and votes on rezoning, surplus land declarations, and a plumbing code update. All votes were recorded electronically.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the July 21, 2026 meeting (passed 12-0).
• Approval of Consent Agenda items (passed unanimously by general consent), including:
  • Mass Transit Operating Aid Agreement with WisDOT for 2026 (Transit Commission recommendation).
  • Certified Survey Map at Dolphin Drive/Coral Drive (Plan Commission approval with conditions).
  • Certified Survey Map at 809 Philip Drive (Plan Commission approval with conditions).
  • Two-Party State Municipal Agreement with WisDOT for Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) for reconstruction of E. North Street, St. Paul Avenue, and W. Moreland Boulevard (Board of Public Works recommendation).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered or submitted.

Discussion Items

• Plumbing Code Update (Second Reading): Doug presented amendments to sections 16.031, 19.12, and 19.17 to align the city's plumbing code with state requirements, including limiting homeowner work to placing fixtures without relocating plumbing. Ald. Lemke expressed opposition to the stricter state restrictions on homeowners, stating he would vote no. The item will return for a final vote at the next meeting.
• Surplus Land – Big Bend Road Parcel: The 1.986-acre parcel owned by the Water Utility was declared surplus (passed 12-0). The land, purchased in the 1970s for anticipated growth, is no longer needed.
• Sale of Two Unused Water Utility Sites: The Council voted (12-0) to engage a commercial realtor to market both properties. One site is a residential lot zoned R1 (likely for single-family), and the other is a 2-acre parcel zoned M3 manufacturing along Center Road.

Public Hearings

• Rezoning 600 Maple Avenue – Family Promise: A public hearing was held for the rezoning from Rm-3 to Rm-3 PUD to allow a 10-unit residential building (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units) for families experiencing homelessness. The building design includes gable roofs and porches to match the neighborhood. The Plan Commission recommended approval with conditions, including relief from area requirements (lot size 26,340 sq. ft. vs. required 30,500 sq. ft.) and light intensity. No public testimony was offered.
• Land Use Plan Amendment – 223 S West Avenue: A public hearing was held to amend the land use from Civic/Institutional (CIV) to Commercial (C) for a 0.12-acre former Water Utility building, to accommodate an artist studio. No public testimony.
• Rezoning – 223 S West Avenue: A public hearing was held to rezone the same property from Rm-1 Multi-Family Residential to B-1 Neighborhood Business District. No public testimony.

Key Outcomes

• Family Promise PUD Rezoning (600 Maple Avenue): Motion to approve passed 12-0. The project is funded through fundraising (approx. $4 million total; $1.5 million raised), with a target groundbreaking in spring/summer 2027 and opening in 2028.
• Land Use Plan Amendment (223 S West Avenue): Motion to amend the land use from CIV to Commercial passed 10-2 (Ald. Lemke voted no; all others except two absent? Record shows votes: Wells aye, Rick Lemke no; total 10-2. Ald. Camacho? Not recorded but assumed aye).
• Rezoning (223 S West Avenue): Motion to rezone to B-1 passed 12-0.
• Board of Public Works Bid Award: Awarded the low bid of $2,081,600 from Mid City Corporation for the Ruben Drive Pump Station Replacement project (passed 12-0).
• Closed Session: The Council went into closed session (Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e)) to discuss negotiation strategies for the Water Utility building. Upon reconvening, no official action was taken.

Reports

• Transit Commission report summarized a tour of the new bus wash and a discussion on bus sizes.
• Several boards and commissions reported no meetings or no items (Water Utility, IT, Landmarks, Redevelopment Authority, Parks, Library, Cemetery, Housing Authority, CDBG, Public Art).
• Finance Committee reminded of the 2027 Budget Kickoff on August 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the City Garage.
• City Administrator reported that the Water Utility general manager search committee identified a preferred candidate, to be interviewed by the Water Utility Commission on August 20.
• Ald. Matthews referred a request to Mr. Brown to investigate stop signs at Fox Ridge Drive and Campfire Crossing.