Common Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES Common Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 5:30PM City Hall, 410 E Leffler Street, Dodgeville, WI I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Mayor Barry Hottmann. Members present: Shaun Sersch, Roxanne Reynolds-Lair, Tom DeVoss, Jeff “Potsie” Weber, Mike Olson, Jerry Johnson, Julie Johnson-Solberg, Larry Tremelling. Others present: Megan James (Recreation Director), Carrie Portz (Library Director), Wendy Nipple (Dodgeville resident), Brandon Wilhelm (Police Chief). II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of minutes from March 3, 2026 2. Approval of minutes from Special Council Meeting on March 11, 2026 3. Approval of Claims from March 17, 2026 4. Approval of a Special Event license for the following events: Rabbit Show hosted by the Wisconsin Polish Rabbit Club on Friday, April 17 th, Saturday, April 18th, and Sunday, April 19th, 2026 at the Ley Pavilion ; Ride Safe Event hosted by Iowa County Emergency Management on Tuesday, May 12th and Wednesday, May 13th ; Dodgeville Lions Antique Sale and Flea Market hosted by Dodgeville Lions Club August 21st thru August 23rd ; Dodgeville Lions Antique Sale and Flea Market hosted by Dodgeville Lions Club June 12th thru June 14th 5. Approval of Temporary Alcohol Beverage License for the following events: 2026 Dodgeville Diamond Club Youth Tournament hosted by Dodgeville Diamond Club on July 10, 2026 thru July 12, 2026 ; 2026 Dodgeville Diamond Club Youth Tournament hosted by Dodgeville Diamond Club on May 22, 2026 thru May 24, 2026. Motion by DeVoss, second by Johnson. Voice vote 8-0. Motion carried IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Citizen or delegation presentations, requests or comments and discussion of same, pursuant to Wis. Stat. Sec. 19.83 (2) and Sec. 19.84 (2). Ten minute limit except by consent of council. No action will be taken on any item that is not specifically listed on the agenda. During public comment, Dodgeville resident Wendy Nipple expressed her concerns with the recent fireworks that were set off for both the welcoming home of the Dodgeville wrestlers who attended the state tournament as well as the welcoming home of the Dodgeville/Iowa-Grant/Highland/Mineral Point gymnastics team who attended the state tournament. Nipple states that in February 2024 a similar situation occurred, and states that the Dodgeville Police Department was not aware that these fireworks were going to be set off. Nipple expressed concern of the time of night that these were being set off, as well as expressed concern for those who suffer with PTSD, have small children, pets, etc. In response to Nipple’s concerns,  Mayor Hottmann stated that the use of fireworks within the City of Dodgeville will be reviewed at the next Ordinance Committee meeting, scheduled for April 2 nd, 2026. V. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS 6. 2025 Dodgeville Police Department Annual Report During the Police Department Report, Chief Brandon Wilhelm reviewed the 2025 Dodgeville Police Department Annual Report with members of council. During this report, Wilhelm stated that calls for service increased by 14% from 2024 to 2025. Wilhelm also stated that disturbance calls increased by 70% from 2024 to 2025. During this report, Chief Wilhelm also pointed out staffing challenges that he is seeing all across the law enforcement industry. He stated that at this time, they have two very good candidates for open officer positions, that the Dodgeville Police Department will help fund to put through the police academy, in hopes of them both becoming full time staff later in 2026. A full report of the 2025 Dodgeville Police Department Annual report was included in the packet for the March 17 th, 2026 council meeting for council members to review prior to the meeting. 7. Recreation Update During the Recreation Update, Recreation Director Megan James first gave a shout out to Danielle Reddell, who assisted with all of the Recreation workload while James was out on maternity leave. James then presented to the council a summary of 2025, and how the year finished out. James stated that there was 1700+ participants in rec programs for the 2025 year. James also states that there are many events planned for the month of March, including a flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, planned for Friday, March 20th at Harris Park. Also during this report, James states that the summer activity guide will be released on March 31 st. Lastly, James spoke about a few new programs that Park & Recreation Commission has approved to implement in 2026, including a sponsorship program, fence sign program, and financial assistance program. 8. Library Update During the Library update, Library Director Carrie Portz stated that the total cost of the building project is 8.95 million, in which 3.7 million is being contributed to by the City of Dodgeville. At this time, Portz states that 39% of the total $8.95 million has been paid out in expenses, and at this time, 2.3 million has been received in funding from the library grant that was awarded. Lastly, Portz stated that as of the 3/17/26 council meeting, $181,442 had been approved in change orders for the library, which brings the total spend of the contingency fund for the library project to 62%, which is already calculated into the total cost of the library project ($8.95 million). 9. Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Report During the Deputy Clerk/Treasurer report, Wolfe stated that absentee ballots for the Spring 2026 election were delivered to the post office on March 12 th, 2026. Wolfe also reminded council and those in attendance that early voting for the April 7th election begins on Tuesday, March 24th and will be held at City Hall NOT the Iowa County Law Enforcement Center. In this report, Wolfe also stated that the auditors  were onsite this week. Lastly, Wolfe reminded council members that the next council meeting will be on Wednesday, April 8 th due to the Spring Election being held on Tuesday, April 7th, and reminded those in attendance that voting on the election day (April 7th) would be held at the Iowa County Law Enforcement Center. 10. Mayor Report There was no mayor report VI. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business VII. NEW BUSINESS 11. Discussion and possible action to approve the renewal contract for text marking with American Marketing & Publishing LLC Motion by DeVoss, second by Weber to approve the renewal contract for text marketing with American Marketing & Publishing LLC. Roll call vote 8-0. Motion carried. 12. Discussion and possible action to approve the Iowa County Soccer League Spring Contract for 2026. Motion by Olson, second by Johnson-Solberg to approve the Iowa County Soccer League Spring Contract for 2026. Roll call vote 8-0. Motion carried. 13. Discussion and possible action to approve full time officer position for the Dodgeville Police Department Motion by Olson, second by Reynolds-Lair to approve additional FT officer position, which would bring the total to 10 patrol, 1 lieutenant, and 1 chief. Roll call vote 8-0. Motion carried. VIII. ADJOURN 1. Motion to adjourn Motion by Weber, second by Johnson to adjourn. Voice vote 8-0. Motion carried. Time: 6:32pm