Waukesha City Council Meeting – August 18, 2026

The Waukesha City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:36 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included a presentation of awards, public comment, approval of minutes, a consent agenda (with one item removed for separate discussion), several property damage claims, reports from boards and commissions, and a key vote on engineering consultant selection for the RAISE grant bike and pedestrian bridges. A tornado warning caused a recess from 6:36 PM to 6:59 PM. Fifteen alderpersons were present (ald. Wells absent; Ald. Camacho left at6:45 PM after recess).

Consent Calendar

• ID#26-04158 – Approved concept plan for a boulevard cremation garden (Cemetery Commission approval).
• ID#26-04102 – Approved AB-105 (Fiesta Del Rio) for September6, 2026 at Frame Park Amphitheater.
• ID#26-04089 – Approved other license applications.
• ID#26-04101 – Approved Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement for Davidson Rd. project (Town/City of Brookfield and Waukesha).

Note: ID#26-04087 (RAISE grant consultant selection) was removed from consent by Ald. Matthews and discussed separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Reece (505 Rawlins Drive) expressed strong opposition to e-bikes and e-cycles riding through city parks, stating they are damaging baseball diamonds by digging trenches and making fields unplayable. He described a specific U8 field north of Bethesda Elementary as "atrocious," and claimed police officers do not take the issue seriously. He also raised safety concerns about unlicensed12-year-olds riding moped-like e-cyles on roads, referencing a child severely injured in Sussex (near two years ago). He urged the council to address the problem.

Discussion Items

• Municipal Court Bond Schedule Revisions (ID#26-04162): Presented by City Attorney Brian. The schedule updates bond amounts for new offenses (dumping, unlawful assembly, prostitution-related) created in earlier ordinance. The municipal judge approved. Passed14-0.
• Property Damage Claims (6 items): All presented by City Attorney Brian.
  • Kevin Peterson ($1,767.29): Tree limb fell on wires, pulling off siding. No record of tree hazard. Disallowed13-1 (Ald. Van Trieste dissented, arguing city should address ongoing tree issues).
  • Daniel and Paula Michlig ($875.27): Baseball hit car near Buckner Park. No city negligence. Disallowed14-0.
  • Kathy Rempe ($1,300): Sewer backup caused by city water utility work; city mistakenly marked lateral. Negligence found. Allowed14-0.
  • Tyler Paddock ($6,200): Manhole cover popped off during heavy rain; car damaged. Insufficient proof of damage and foreseeability. Disallowed14-0.
  • Kenneth Ward ($3,598): Sewer backup from city tree roots. Not foreseeable. Disallowed14-0.
• RAISE Grant Engineering Consultant Selection (ID#26-04087): Brandon from Public Works presented the process – an RFP with7 proposals, scored by committee, top-ranked AECOM selected. Board of Public Works recommended approval. Discussion included concerns from Ald. Matthews about $279,200 city cost share and future construction costs (estimated $8-9M per bridge). Ald. Lemke supported for data gathering; Ald. Wigderson noted high usage in her district; Ald. Chrisien opposed repeatedly; Ald. Van Trieste questioned maintenance costs and graffiti. Ald. Piper reminded council the funding was already allocated in CIP. Motion by Ald. Wigderson, seconded by Ald. Moltzan. Passed9-4.
• Ordinance for Polling Place – Special Elections (ID#26-04083): To consolidate polling at City Hall for Nov.17, 2026 primary and Dec.15, 2026 special election for County Executive (due to vacancy). Clerk's office noted some regular locations unavailable. Discussion: Ald. Van Trieste asked about turnout (~6,500 voters,15% estimated) and curbside voting. Ald. Chrisien voted against waiver of third reading (10-3) then supported ordinance (13-0). Motion by Ald. Wuteska, seconded by Ald. Manion.
• Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance Update (ID#26-04063): Second reading; presented by Engineering Technician Emma Hastings. Major changes: combined sidewalk, curb ramp, bus pad, fire hydrant sections; added definitions; increased admin fee for repeated violations within same snow season (Oct-Apr). Clarified fine increase from $25 to $50 (as per Ald. Matthews’ question; language to be refined). No action needed, just second reading.
• Other Reports:
  • Library Board: Summer reading program saw14% increase in registration; 4,600 participants logged ~2.7 million minutes. Added passes to Wisconsin Discovery Center.
  • Cemetery Commission: Tombstone Trot5K on Oct.18.
  • City Administrator’s Report: Budget kickoff (Aug.25 CIP show & tell), operating budget start Sept.29, council workshop Sept.16. Clarified no discussion about plowing only center of streets (responding to earlier comment).
  • City Attorney: Chicken ordinance litigation finally concluded – Supreme Court denied review.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous consent except as noted): Cremation garden concept, Fiesta Del Rio license, other licenses, Davidson Rd. agreement.
• Approved (14-0): Minutes from Aug.4; Municipal Court Bond Schedule revisions.
• Approved (13-0): Polling place ordinance for special elections (Nov.17 & Dec.15,2026).
• Approved (9-4): Selection of AECOM as engineering consultant for RAISE grant bike/pedestrian bridges.
• Allowed (14-0): Claim for Kathy Rempe ($1,300).
• Disallowed (13-1 or14-0): Claims for Peterson, Michlig, Paddock, Ward.
• Referrals: Ald. Micklitz – remove caution sign on Cody Court; Ald. Van Trieste – Meadowbrook Park fencing/buckthorn removal and sidewalk repair (specific address to be submitted).
• Adjourned at7:36 PM.