Ordinance & License Committee Meeting - August 10, 2026

On August 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the City of Waukesha Ordinance & License Committee convened in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM. Four members were present (Wigderson, Manion, Evert, Wuteska); Erik Helgestad was absent. The committee reviewed updates to the snow and ice removal ordinance, determined a centralized polling place for a special election, and approved a special event beer license.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (ID#26-04052 and ID#26-04045): The draft minutes from June 22, 2026 and July 13, 2026 were approved by unanimous consent.
• Other License Applications (ID#26-04089): A motion by Alderman Manion, seconded by Alderman Wuteska, approved the following licenses unanimously: CVS Pharmacy #8947 (Class A Beer & Liquor), Club 400 (Extension of Premises), Joy's Resale (Secondhand Article Dealer), and Wings & Wheels 2026 (Temporary Class B License).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public speakers were present.

Discussion Items

• Update to Municipal Code 6.12 (Snow and Ice Removal) (ID#26-04063): Engineering Technician Emma Hastings presented the changes. The ordinance consolidates separate sections (sidewalks, curb ramps, bus pads, fire hydrants) into one, extends the clearing timeline from 12 to 24 hours to align with enforcement feasibility, adds a definition for formal sidewalks, and clarifies that properties with a grass strip between the private property and the sidewalk are still required to clear the sidewalk. Committee members discussed enforcement based on resident complaints, the city’s practice of billing property owners if the city contracts the work, and the lack of special provisions for elderly residents. No concerns were raised about the proposed changes.
• Polling Place for November 17, 2026 Primary and December 15, 2026 Special Election (ID#26-04083): City staff explained that due to the vacancy in the Waukesha County Executive office following the passing of Paul Farrow, a special election is required. Many current polling locations are unavailable on the necessary dates. The recommendation is to use City Hall as a single centralized location for both the primary and general election. County Clerk estimated a 15% voter turnout (~6,500 voters). Discussion included distributing flyers at the November 3, 2026 general election and during early voting to inform the public.
• AB-105 for Fiesta Del Rio (ID#26-04102): North Pillar Brewing Company applied for a temporary Class B beer license for the event on September 6, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Frame Park Amphitheater. No concerns were raised.

Key Outcomes

• Snow and Ice Ordinance Update: A motion by Alderperson Wigderson, seconded by Alderman Evert, to recommend the updated code to the City Council for second reading (due back 8/18/2026) passed 4–0 (1 absent).
• Polling Place Determination Ordinance: A motion by Alderperson Wigderson, seconded by Alderman Manion, to recommend the ordinance to the City Council for second reading (due back 8/18/2026) passed 4–0 (1 absent).
• Fiesta Del Rio License: A motion by Alderman Wuteska, seconded by Alderman Evert, to approve AB-105 passed 4–0 (1 absent).
• Bartender Application: Chelsea Gorsuch's bartender license application (ID#26-04095) was not acted on because the applicant was not present and had not been invited. The committee decided to invite her to the next meeting.

Note: All votes were 4–0 in favor, with Erik Helgestad absent.