Common Council

CITY OF DARLINGTON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS AUGUST 5, 2025 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mike McDermott at 7:00 PM. Present at roll call were: Steve Pickett, Kerry Black, Joe Boll, Cindy Corley, Dave Roelli, and John Sonsalla. Absent: None. Also present were: Janet Trout, Jeff McCarthy, Attorney Aaron Stauffacher, and Amy Johnson. Motion by Pickett, seconded by Corley, that the meeting notice and agenda were properly posted. Motion carried. Motion by Pickett, seconded by Roelli, to approve the minutes of previous meetings. Motion carried. Under reports, comments, suggestions, and recommendations of citizens present, Jeff McCarthy updated the Council on the progress of the FEMA demolition project. Macemon & Sons will tentatively begin work next week. Under new business, discussion was held concerning the following recommendation from the Police Committee to reassign Officer Mantsch and Officer Gutierrez. The Police Committee is recommending reassigning Officer Mantsch to Sergeant with a wage of $31.50 per hour, and reassigning Officer Gutierrez to Detective with a wage of $30.94 per hour. After discussion and consideration, motion by Pickett, seconded by Sonsalla, to approve the recommendation as presented. Motion carried. Discussion was then held concerning bids received for a brush mower for the Department of Public Works. Copies of the bids received were included in the agenda packets. Jeff McCarthy attended the meeting to answer questions. McCarthy stated that the department would like to purchase a 72” brush cutter for the skid steer. Three bids were received: Metz Welding for the amount of $6,150.00; Ritchie’s for the amount of $6,300.00; K & L Bobcat’s bid was for a 66” brush cutter for the amount of $7,425.00. Jeff stated that the purchase would be paid out of the Street Machinery Outlay account. After discussion and consideration, motion by Sonsalla, seconded by Pickett, to approve the bid received from Metz Welding for the amount of $6,150.00. Motion carried. Discussion was held concerning the following recommendations for appointment to the Library Board. Mayor McDermott is recommending to the City Council to appoint John Knellwolf to replace Shawn Roelli O’Brien, who stepped down from the Library Board, and Matt Walter to replace Lawrence Hardyman, whose term has expired; Walter previously filled the remaining term for Lawrence when he stepped down, so this will be Walter’s first 3-year term. After discussion and consideration, motion by Roelli, seconded by Boll, to accept the recommendations from Mayor McDermott, and appoint John Knellwolf and Matt Walter to the Library Board. Motion carried. Discussion was also held concerning a Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License application from Wiegel Strong Foundation for a designated area in the Festival Grounds from 3:00 PM, August 23, 2025, through 1:00 AM, August 24, 2025. A copy of the license application was included in the agenda packet. After review and consideration, motion by Pickett, seconded by Black, to approve the Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License application from Wiegel Strong Foundation as presented. Motion carried. Motion by Pickett, seconded by Roelli, to approve June 30, 2025, financial statements for the City, Water Department, and Sewer Department as presented. Motion carried.  Motion by Corley, seconded by Pickett, to approve payment of the following July 2025 vouchers: City ACH Vouchers #292 through #305 in the amount of $94,455.67; City vouchers #46772 through #46869 in the amount of $227,235.63; Direct Deposit Payroll vouchers #15419 through #15528 in the amount of $100,316.96; Library ACH Vouchers #15 in the amount of $2,628.19; Library vouchers #6513 through #6517 in the amount of $1,437.51; Sewer Dept. ACH voucher #28 in the amount of $1,268.51; Sewer Dept. vouchers #8256 through #8270 in the amount of $23,606.61; Water Dept. ACH voucher #45 in the amount of $1,268.49; Water Dept. vouchers #7655 through #7675 in the amount of $132,822.35. Alderperson Cindy Corley reported on the Library Board meeting held on Monday, July 28, 2025. Alderperson Joe Boll reported on the Park and Recreation meeting held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Mayor McDermott reported that the Fire Board will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Alderperson Steve Pickett reported on the Chamber committee's progress. Motion by Pickett, seconded by Roelli, to go into closed session in accordance with Section 19.85 (1)(e) for deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Roll call vote: all ayes. Motion by Roelli, seconded by Corley, to reconvene to regular session in accordance with Section 19.85 (2) Wis. Stats. to take possible action regarding the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, and to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote: all ayes. Motion carried. After discussion and consideration, motion by Pickett, seconded by Roelli, approve the real estate purchase agreement as presented with Bahr Country Land, LLC and DM Bahr Family, LLC and the City of Darlington authorizing the City to purchase .36 acres for the purchase price of $9,740.98, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all documents for the transaction. Motion carried. There being no further business for this meeting, motion by Pickett, seconded by Corley, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 PM. Motion carried. CITY OF DARLINGTON Amy L. Johnson, Clerk-Treasurer