Common Council Meeting

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM 303 Mansion Street Mauston, WI 1. Call to Order/Roll Call: The Common Council Meeting was called to order on October 14, 2025, by Mayor Teske at 6:33 p.m. Members present were Jim Allaby, Leanna Hagen, Kayla Thomas, Barb Hoilien, and Mary Bender. Absent was Vivian Gabower. Also present were Mayor Darryl Teske, City Administrator Daron Haugh, Police Chief Mike Zilisch, and Deputy Clerk Carole Wolff. 2. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Teske led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Minutes: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Allaby, to approve the September 23, 2025 regular meeting minutes, and the September 30, 2025 special Council meeting minutes. Motion carried by voice vote. 4. Citizens Address to the Council: None 5. Reports from Committees, Boards, and Commissions Alderperson Hagen shared an update from the Greater Mauston Tourism Association (GMTA) regarding the “Spruce up Mauston” community initiative. Local businesses, families, and organizations are invited to purchase wooden cutout trees to decorate and return for display at Riverside Park beginning in early November. GMTA is exploring options for providing lighting and possibly hosting a lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season. It was also noted that the annual Holiday Light Parade is scheduled for December 13. 6. Personnel and Negotiating Committee Report a. 2026 Wage Step Scale Increase: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Thomas, to approve the increase, as presented. Motion carried by voice vote. b. Certifying CPI at 2.7%: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Allaby, to approve the CPI at 2.7%. Motion carried by voice vote. 7. Public Works Committee Report a. Change Order #3: Motion by Thomas, seconded by Bender, to approve Change Order #3 to Olympic Builders for a decrease in the amount of ($315,128.98). Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. b. Pay App #17: Motion by Thomas, seconded by Bender, to approve Pay App #17 (revised) to Olympic Builders in the amount of $256,234.14. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.  c. Pay App #3: Motion by Thomas, seconded by Allaby, to approve the final Pay App #3 to A-1 Excavating in the amount of $18,175.65. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 8. Finance and Purchasing Committee Report a. Vouchers: Motion by Hoilien, seconded by Hagen, to approve the vouchers in the amount of $436,884.4. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. b. Pay App #2: Motion by Hoilien, seconded by Hagen, to approve Pay App #2 to Market and Johnson in the amount of $210,047.83. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 9. Fire Chief's Report Captain Allaby provided an update on September calls, noting that calls are down. He reported that the recent “Share Night” event had a good turnout. He also addressed an inquiry regarding why both the ambulance and fire department respond to calls. It was explained that, under established protocol, both departments are dispatched in the event of an accident or fire emergency. This approach ensures that appropriate personnel and equipment are available when needed, with responders being called off if their services are not required once the situation is assessed on site. 10. City Council Report Alderperson Bender noted that the splash pad remained open longer this season due to the extended warm weather and thanked City staff for their flexibility in accommodating the community’s continued use. 11. Mayor's Report Mayor Teske shared that an email was received from Canadian Pacific Kansas (CPKC) confirming that the Holiday Train will be making a stop in Mauston on December 11. The arrival time has not been announced. a. Mayoral Appointment: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Allaby, to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Casey Radcliff to the Aldermanic District of Ward 6. Motion carried by voice vote. 12. City Administrator's Report a. Developer Agreement (DA) Amendment - Sawyer Ridge, LLC: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Thomas, to approve the Developer Agreement (DA) Amendment with Sawyer Ridge. Motion carried by voice vote. b. Collateral Assignment of the Developer Agreement (DA): It was noted that if the West Side Apartments are sold, the property would not transfer to secondary owners, without the collateral assignment. This document ensures if the property is sold, any existing mortgage or  related documents would remain with the land. Motion by Hagen, seconded by Allaby, to approve the Collateral Assignment of the Developer Agreement (DA) with City consent. Motion carried by voice vote. c. Developer Agreement (DA) with M80 to Perspective Buyer: The Council discussed allowing the City to proceed with obtaining the necessary signatures to transfer the current Developer Agreement to the prospective buyer, including any associated credits. Motion by Hagen, seconded by Thomas, to authorize the transfer of the Developer Agreement to the new buyer. Motion carried by voice vote. d. Current Rules and Regulations Around Hunting Within City Limits: The Council discussed the current ordinance prohibiting hunting and the discharge of firearms within City limits. Discussion included potential amendments to allow waterfowl hunting with duck blinds as well as updating the camping ordinance to allow their placement. Requirements such as posting name and address on duck blinds were also noted. No formal ordinance amendment was proposed at this time. 13. Closed Session: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Thomas, to go into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85(1)(c). Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote at 7:14 p.m. a. 2026 Wage Increase 14. Reconvene in Open Session: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Thomas, to reconvene in open session. Motion carried at 7:58 p.m. 15. Discussion and Action as a Result of Closed Session Matters: Motion by Hagen, seconded by Hoilien, to have Administrator Haugh proceed as discussed in closed session. Motion carried by voice vote. 16. Adjourn: Motion by Hoilien, seconded by Hagen, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. _____________________________________ ___________________________ Chair Date