City Council Meeting Summary - September 15, 2026

The Waukesha City Council met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. The agenda included a closed session to discuss real estate and intergovernmental agreements, a presentation on the City Hall Art Gallery, public comment, approval of minutes, a consent agenda, new business items, and reports from various boards and commissions.

Presentation

• City Hall Art Gallery (ID#26-04255): A presentation was given regarding the City Hall Art Gallery.

Public Comment

• City residents and taxpayers were provided up to three minutes to speak, with the comment period ending at 6:30 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (ID#26-04291): The minutes from the September 1st meeting were approved.
• Finance Committee - Property Tax Listing (ID#26-04210): Approval of contracting with Waukesha County to take over property tax listing responsibilities.
• Building & Grounds Committee:
  • Rescind the 2019 resolution for a Deaf Child Area sign on Cody Court (ID#26-04215).
  • Update the committee's name to Traffic & Parking Regulations Committee (ID#26-04218).
  • Install a northbound "No Left Turn" sign with a "When Line is Formed" plaque on Sentry Drive (ID#26-04217).
  • Rescind the 1994 resolution for a "No Turn on Red 6:00am to 8:00pm" restriction on southbound N. Grandview Blvd. at Silvernail Rd (ID#26-04216).
• Ordinance & License Committee: License items were considered.
• Human Resources Committee: A report was given by Ald. Anderson.
• Board of Public Works: A report was given by Alex Damien.

New Business

• 2027-2031 Community Investment Program (ID#26-04269): A review and possible action on the 2027-2031 Community Investment Program was discussed. This item had previously been approved by the Finance Committee on September 8, 2026.
• 2027 Municipal Exemption from Waukesha County Library Tax (ID#26-04311): A review and possible action on the 2027 municipal exemption from the Waukesha County Library Tax was discussed.

Reports from Other Boards and Commissions

• Transit Commission Report: Alex Damien provided the report.
• Water Utility Commission: Ald. Matthews reported.
• Information Technology Board: Ald. Manion provided the report.
• Landmarks Commission: Ald. Chrisien reported.
• Redevelopment Authority: Ald. Lemke reported.
• Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board: Ald. Wells reported.
• Library Board: Ald. Helgestad reported.
• Cemetery Commission: Ald. Chrisien reported.
• Waukesha Housing Authority: Ald. Pieper reported.
• Community Development Block Grant Committee: Jennifer Andrews reported.
• Public Art Committee: Ald. Moltzan reported.

Standing Committees

• Finance Committee Report: Ald. Pieper provided the report.
• Building & Grounds Committee Report: Ald. Moltzan provided the report.
• Ordinance & License Committee Report: Ald. Wuteska reported, and a third reading of an ordinance regarding snow and ice removal from sidewalks, curb ramps, bus pads, and fire hydrants (ID#26-04063) was considered.
• Human Resources Committee Report: Ald. Anderson provided the report.
• Board of Public Works Report: Alex Damien provided the report.

Communications and Referrals

• Traffic Study Request (ID#26-04222): An alderperson request for a traffic study form was discussed.

Director of Public Works Report

• A report was given by the Director of Public Works.

City Attorney's Report

• A report was given by the City Attorney.

City Administrator's Report

• A report was presented (ID#26-04295).

Mayor's Report & Referrals

• Proclamations (ID#26-04299): Proclamations were issued, including one for the E&R 160th Anniversary Proclamation and Family Promise Week 2026 Proclamation.

Closed Session

• The council convened into closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e) to discuss negotiation strategies for the acquisition and disposal of real property, including the Water Utility building, and potential intermunicipal agreements related to fire and rescue services.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: The consent agenda items were approved, including the minutes, the property tax listing contract with the county, the rescission of the Cody Court sign resolution, the committee name change, the Sentry Drive sign installation, the rescission of the Grandview Blvd restriction, and license items.
• Closed Session Items: The council discussed strategies for the Water Utility building acquisition/disposal and potential intermunicipal fire/rescue agreements in closed session. No action was taken on these matters in open session.
• Next Steps: The council will continue with the discussions from the closed session at a future meeting. The 2027-2031 Community Investment Program and the library tax exemption were reviewed and will be subject to further action.