Waukesha City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Waukesha Common Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting lasted approximately 28 minutes, adjourning at 6:28 PM. Thirteen of fifteen alderpersons were present; Ald. Steve Van Trieste and Ald. Jack Wells were absent. The council approved significant financial instruments, a plumbing code update, contracts for well demolition and pond rehabilitation, and disallowed a property damage claim. Public comments addressed e-bike regulations and Flock camera policies.

Consent Calendar

• Well Demolition Contracts (ID#26-04184, ID#26-04185): Approved contracts with Collyard Demolition for Well No. 6 ($299,000.00) and Well No. 5 ($270,000.00) structure demolition.
• Lien Claim Payment (ID#26-04212): Approved payment of $257,026.37 to Arrow-Crete Construction, LLC, and authorized execution of a Release Agreement.
• Crossing Guard Contract Renewal (ID#26-04211): Approved renewal of crossing guard services.
• Stormwater Vegetation Management (ID#26-04183): Approved consultant contract for 2026 vegetation management services.
• Horeb Springs Retaining Wall Change Order (ID#26-04187): Approved Contract Change Order No. 1 with All-Ways, Inc. All consent agenda items were passed unanimously by general consent with no items removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Thomas (134 Douglass Ave.): Expressed support for e-bike regulations, urging the city to repaint bike lanes, set a minimum age for motorized bikes and scooters, involve parents, and require license plates and registration for riders over 16. Noted no progress on budget for lane repainting.
• Tariq Akmut (308 South St., #303): Commented positively on the city’s audit policies for Flock cameras but raised concerns about Flock’s 30-day image retention policy and the ability for any user to download images. Also asked about separate accounting systems for the city versus the transit system for parking structure fees.

Discussion Items

• City Hall Art Gallery Presentation (ID#26-04255): Held due to technical issues; no presentation was given. New art is displayed in the hallway; a future presentation is planned.
• Approval of Minutes (ID#26-04253): Minutes from August 18, 2026, were approved 13–0.
• Resolution for General Obligation Promissory Notes (ID#26-04220): Ald. Joe Pieper presented a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $20,735,000 in Series 2026A GO Promissory Notes. Of this, $18,395,000 funds fiscal 2026 capital projects and $2.3 million covers TID road improvements. The 10-year notes carry an estimated rate of 3.78%, with the city’s AA2 bond rating. The resolution also establishes parameters allowing staff and Baird to negotiate favorable sale timing. Approved 13–0.
• Property Damage Claim – Renee Rossa (ID#26-04265): The city attorney explained the claim for $542.40 to replace glasses damaged when Rossa tripped on an uneven sidewalk joint. He recommended disallowance because there was no showing of city negligence or prior notice of the hazard. The motion to disallow passed 10–3 (Ald. Evert, Matthews, and Lemke voting nay).
• Reports from Boards and Commissions:
  • Transit Commission: No meeting, no report.
  • Water Utility Commission: Search for a new general manager underway.
  • Information Technology Board: Meeting scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the training room to review CIP technology items.
  • Landmarks Commission: Meeting September 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers.
  • Redevelopment Authority: No meeting, no report.
  • Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board: Reviewed CIP budget; the Mindyola complex project looks promising.
  • Library Board: Next meeting September 10, 2026, at 4:45 PM; Waukesha Reads brochure releases on September 8.
  • Cemetery Commission: No meeting this month.
  • Waukesha Housing Authority: Approved a $523,988 bid from MEI to replace two aging elevators at the Saratoga complex. Funding from remaining ARPA dollars (~$51,000), sale proceeds from two properties (~$400,000), and $61,000 in capital funds. Council thanked for the ARPA allocation.
  • Community Development Block Grant Committee: No report.
  • Public Art Committee: Skipped due to technical issues; art now on display.
• Plumbing Code Update (ID#26-03959, Third Reading): The update aligns city code with state requirements for delegated municipal plumbing plan review, clarifying permitting for commercial construction and homeowner allowances. Approved 11–2 (Ald. Evert and Camacho voting nay).
• Club 400 Bar & Grill Extension of Premises (ID#26-04238): Approved 13–0 to extend premises; application arrived late for committee review but no concerns noted.
• City Hall Monument Sign Rehabilitation Resolution (ID#26-04182): Approved 13–0 to direct the Board of Public Works to prepare plans and specifications for rehabilitating the sign damaged by a vehicle.
• Patrick Ponds and Summit Woods Pond Rehabilitation Bid Award (ID#26-04189): Approved 13–0 to award the low bid of $2,529,160 to C.W. Purpero, Inc. for the project.
• City Attorney’s Report: Requested feedback on e-bike memo from 11 days prior; new zoning code (except section 8 on subdivision) took effect September 1, 2026. Noted the Court of Appeals is scheduled to release its decision on the Blair House lawsuit (Solves v. City) on September 2, 2026.
• City Administrator’s Report: Encouraged council members to submit questions or amendment suggestions for the capital budget by Friday, September 4, for discussion at the September 8 Finance Committee meeting.
• Mayor’s Report & Referrals: Encouraged e-bike feedback to the city attorney; reminded of the September 16 council workshop. Ald. Moltzan referred to Ordinance & License Committee for revision of Section 6.17 regarding public lot closures.

Key Outcomes

• $20,735,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes (Series 2026A): Approved 13–0. Parameters set for market timing to achieve best rates.
• Property Damage Claim – Renee Rossa: Disallowed 10–3 based on lack of city negligence.
• Plumbing Code Update: Adopted 11–2, effective upon passage.
• Club 400 Premises Extension: Approved 13–0.
• City Hall Monument Sign Rehabilitation: Resolution approved 13–0, initiating the project planning phase.
• Pond Rehabilitation Contracts: Low bid of $2,529,160 awarded to C.W. Purpero, Inc. (13–0).
• Referrals: O&L to review Section 6.17 on public lot closures.