Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES June 29, 2026 5:00 PM Mount Pleasant Village Hall, Community Room 1 8811 Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, WI 53406 Staff Present: Village Administrator Tami Simons, Deputy Administrator Patrick Brever, Attorney Chris Smith, Public Works Deputy Director Linsey Weber, Communications Director Sean Ryan, Finance Director Kathy Kasper, Director of Human Resources Mary Cole, Mount Pleasant Police Chief Robert Botsch, South Shore Fire Chief Dustin Ellis, Village Treasurer Brandi Baker, and Village Clerk Jill Firkus. A. CALL TO ORDER President DeGroot called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. B. ROLL CALL Present: Village President David DeGroot, Trustee David Karas, Trustee Nancy Washburn, Trustee Ram Bhatia, Trustee Jim Venturini and Trustee Gina Cefalu Paulick. Excused: Trustee Denise Anastasio C. CLOSED SESSION C.1 Discussion and possible motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of 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 and Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility specifically; To discuss negotiation strategies and the bargaining process with the South Shore Professional Firefighters, Local 2939 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO and the Mount Pleasant Police Officers Association, Wisconsin Professional Police Association Motion by Trustee Washburn to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of 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 and Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility specifically; To discuss negotiation strategies and the bargaining process with the South Shore Professional Firefighters, Local 2939 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO and the Mount Pleasant Police Officers Association, Wisconsin Professional Police Association Motion seconded by Trustee Venturini. On a roll call vote, motion Carried with Village President DeGroot, Trustee Karas, Trustee Washburn, Trustee Bhatia, Trustee Venturini, and Trustee Paulick voting aye. C.2 Reconvene into open session to consider any motions on any of the matters discussed under the closed session listed above 1  President DeGroot had nothing to report from closed session. Motion by Trustee Washburn to reconvene into open session to consider any motions on any of the matters discussed under the closed session listed above. Motion seconded by Trustee Gina Cefalu Paulick. On voice vote, motion Carried. D. HUMAN RESOURCES D.1 Discussion regarding a contract with McMahon Associates, Inc. to conduct an Organization Structure Assessment and Future Needs Analysis for the Village of Mount Pleasant Police Department Human Resources director Mary Cole reviewed a proposed contact with McMahon Associates, Inc. to conduct an organization structure assessment and a future needs analysis for the Mount Pleasant Police Department noting McMahon Associates, Inc. completed a similar organizational study for the South Shore Fire Department in the previous year. Six proposals were received and narrowed to two firms for interviews. Following the interview process, McMahon Associates, Inc. was selected as the preferred consultant and submitted the lowest proposal, in the amount of approximately $37,000. This item will move to the Village Board on July 13, 2026 for final consideration. E. FINANCE/CLERK-TREASURER E.1 Discussion regarding proposed 2026 Budget amendments related to post-retirement benefits Finance Director Kathy Kasper reviewed a proposed budget amendment related to funding post-retirement benefits. Finance Director Kapser explained that during preparation of the 2024 budget in 2023, the Village had planned to fund an Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) trust. Following discussions regarding the Village's fund balance and the complexities associated with trust, the Village Board elected to defer funding the OPEB Trust at that time. Kasper reported the Village's fiscal performance in 2025 exceeded expectations, allowing the Village to increase its existing fund balance. Given the stronger- than-anticipated financial position, staff is proposing to transfer funds from the General Fund unrestricted balance to fund the known liability associated with post-retirement sick leave payouts. Staff also intends to continue funding these future obligations through the annual budget process. This will fund about one-third of the $4.3 million calculated future retiree benefits. This item will move to the Village Board on July 13, 2026 for final consideration. F. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT F.1 Discussion regarding the assignment of Municipal Revenue Obligation Bonds pursuant to Tax Incremental District #2 Development Agreements The applicant has requested a hold on discussions regarding the assignment of Municipal Revenue Obligations. The applicant will resubmit a request in the future. G. PUBLIC WORKS H. PUBLIC SAFETY H.1 Discussion regarding an Intent to Purchase a MED Unit for Delivery in 2028 South Shore Fire Chief Dustin Ellis reviewed the proposed purchase of a 2028 Ford F-550 MED Unit from Foster Coach Inc. Chief explained that approval is requested at this time due to extended manufacturing lead time. The new EMD unit will replace an aging reserve ambulance that is approaching or has exceeded its recommended service life. The estimated project cost is $450,000, which includes the ambulance chassis, patient care module, and all necessary Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment required to place the unit into frontline service upon delivery. This item will move to the Village Board on July 13, 2026 for final consideration. I. TOURISM 2 J. ADMINISTRATION J.1 Update regarding donation from the Prochazka Trust Deputy Administrator Patrick Brever provided an update regarding the generous donation from the Prochazka family. The family was pleased to hear that their donation was going to be used to fund improvements at Drozd Park and to replace broken or aging playground equipment in other parks throughout the Village. In the future staff will be back with a recommendation to formally name the playground for the family. J.2 Discussion regarding E-Plan Exam Contract Renewal Deputy Director Patrick Brever reported that the Village has contracted with E-Plan Exam since 2022 to perform plan review services for building and HAVC projects. The contract renewal has been reviewed by the Village Attorney, Community Development Director and the Chief Building Inspector and staff is recommending approval to renew. This item will move to the Village Board on July 13, 2026 for final consideration. J.3 Discussion regarding the Small Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program Deputy Administrator Patrick Brever explained a new program targeting small business retention and expansion in the Village of Mount Pleasant. A number of staff have been working on developing this program and the Tourism Commission has approved a $5,000 budget. The program is expected to lunch in Mid-July with a survey to gather data. This program will focus engaging local business owners, expressing appreciation for their investment in Mount Pleasant and listening to their concerns. K. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS K.1 Approval of the June 8, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes Trustee Bhatia and Trustee Paulick stated that the minutes should not reflect a consensus was reached regarding discussions pertaining to tax relief and affordable housing funding. After discussions it was agreed that staff was directed to provide more information regarding both options at a future meeting. Motion by Trustee Bhatia to approve the June 8, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes Motion seconded by Trustee Venturini. On voice vote, motion Carried. L. ADJOURN President DeGroot adjourned the meeting at 5:57 PM. 3