Village Board
Regular MeetingWaunakee, WI · October 20, 2025
Minutes
VILLAGE OF WAUNAKEE
BOARD MEETING
500 West Main Street
October 20, 2025 6:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The October 20, 2025 Village Board meeting was called to order by the Village President
Kristin Runge at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Erin Moran, Chris Zellner, Joe Zitzelsberger, Kristin Runge, Nila Frye, Jack
Heinemann and Sam Kaufmann.
Also Present: Todd Schmidt, Renee Meinholz, Bill Frederick, Lauren Freeman, Sue McDade
Cindy Moseman, Erick Plumb, Adam Kreitzman and Jared Heyn.
CONFIRMATION OF OPEN MEETING COMPLIANCE (Public postings, official
notices, and online availability)
Public postings, official notices, and online availability were confirmed by Village Clerk Karla
Endres for open meeting compliance.
PUBLIC COMMENT*
Karla Endres announced the use of a clock on the screen for transparency to each public
comment and public hearing speaker.
Robert McPherson, 1703 Alexandria Court- Would like to know the definition of crisis.
Expressed concern with the Village’s housing crisis in Waunakee, particularly the lack of
housing.
JOINT AGENDA WITH FINANCE COMMITTEE
1 Call to Order - Finance Committee
Finance Committee was called to order at 6:05 pm by Chris Zellner
2 Discuss and Take Action on Village of Waunakee Budget Policies
Renee Meinholz gave a brief summary on the Village’s budget policies. The changes
proposed are to the fund balance policies.
Al Dasso shared his concerns with the cautious and conservative approach in 1A.
Would be realistic. Doesn’t like the wording of tax relief. Would take out the words
cautious and surplus.
There was a thorough discussion on the policies and the wording of the proposed
policies.
Motion by Chris Zellner, second by Tom Wilson to approve the budget policies as
presented in the Finance packet. Motion passed. For: 6, Against: 1 (Dassow)
There was a request to review the budget policies at the Finance Committee before
bringing it to the Board on an annual or semi-annual basis.
3 Discuss and Take Action to Place on File Proposed 2026 Operating and Capital
Improvement Budget
Renee Meinholz gave a detailed presentation on the 2026 budget. There were a few
questions throughout the presentation.
Motion by Tom Wilson, second by Jack Heinemann to approve the budget for official
posting. Motion passed. 7-0.
4 Adjourn - Finance Committee
Motion by Jack Heinemann, second by Al Dassow to adjourn the Finance Committee
at 7:31 pm. Motion passed. 7-0
The Village Board discussed the proposed budget.
Motion by Jack Heinemann, second by Erin Moran to approve the proposed budget for official
posting. Motion passed. For: 7, Against: 0
Recess at 7:37 pm
7:43 pm- back from recess
CONSENT AGENDA
Items under the consent agenda may be acted upon by one motion. If, in the judgment of any
Board Member, a consent agenda item needs discussion, the item may be moved to later on the
agenda for discussion and/or action.
Kristin Runge removed item #4
Motion by Sam Kaufmann, second by Chris Zellner to approve consent agenda items 1-3, 5& 6.
Motion passed. For: 7, Against: 0.
Motion by Sam Kaufmann, second by Chris Zellner to approve Item #4. Motion passed. For 7,
Against: 0.
1 Approve Schedule of Bills
approve check numbers 90043-90068 totaling $95,044.52, Costco in the amount of
$194.72, US Bank in the amount of $154,525.06, and check numbers 90070-90102
totaling $559,538.12.
2 Approve Village Board Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2025
Approve Village Board Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2025
3 Approve the 2026 Fee Schedule
4 Recognizing Native American Heritage Month and Flying of Ho-Chunk Nation
Flag at Village Hall
5 Approve Resolution Requesting Exemption from Dane County Library Tax
6 Approve Waunakee Lions Club Diabetes Lights Request
REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
1 Community Development Authority
Reported by Kristin Runge
2 EMS Commission
Reported by Sam Kaufmann
3 Plan Commission
Cancelled
4 Joint Plan Commission
Reported by Kristin Runge
5 Police Committee
Reported by Joe Zitzelsberger
6 Board of Review
Reported by Karla Endres
7 Library Board
Reported by Sam Kaufmann
8 Other Committees/Boards/Commissions
Nila Frye reported on the Sustainability Fair
Kristin Runge reported on the Waunakee Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
9 Other Announcements
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
1 Discuss and Take Action on Proposals for Liability/Workers
Comp/Crime/Property Insurance Services
Todd gave a brief summary of the coverage the Village has obtained from the League.
Ryan Burns, agent for the League, briefly spoke on the coverage provided by the
League and the sewer backup policy they provide.
Matt Becker, CEO of The League. Spoke on behalf of our long-term partnership and
the coverage they provide is different to their competitor’s.
Steve Stanczak, from Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Company (CVMIC) gave
a brief presentation on the services in which CVMIC offers.
There were a variety of questions from the Village Board for clarification, and the
consensus was that the Board would like more time to process the two proposals.
This will come back to the next Village Board meeting for further discussion/action.
2 Discuss and Take Action on 2026 Waunakee Area Fire District Budget
Josh McWilliams gave a brief presentation on the budget. A few of the major
increases were for legal representation, specialized training, and vehicle maintenance.
Motion by Sam Kaufmann, seconded by Erin Moran to approve the 2026 Waunakee
Area Fire District Budget. Motion passed. For: 7, Against: 0.
3 Discuss and Take Action on 2026 Waunakee Area EMS District Budget
Scott Russell presented the EMS district budget. The major changes
Motion by Chris Zellner, second by Jack Heinemann to approve the 2026 Waunakee
Area EMS District Budget. Motion passed. For: 7, Against: 0.
4 Discuss and Take Action on Town of Westport Notice of Intent to Incorporate
Petition
Motion by Sam Kaufmann, second by Joe Zitzelsberger to enter closed session for the
discussion on Town of Westport notice of intent to incorporate petition.
Roll call vote:
Nila Frye: yay, Erin Moran: yay, Sam Kaufmann: yay, Joe Zitzelsberger: yay, Jack
Heinemann: yay, Chris Zellner: yay, Kristin Runge: yay. Motion passed.
5 Discuss and Take Action on Terms and Benefits for Parks and Recreation
Director Employment
Motion by Chris Zellner, second by Erin Moran to enter closed session for the
discussion on hiring terms and benefits for the Parks and Recreation Director.
Roll call vote:
Joe Zitzelsberger: yay, Kristin Runge: yay, Sam Kaufmann: yay, Chris Zellner: yay,
Nila Frye: yay, Erin Moran: yay, Jack Heinemann: yay. Motion passed.
Entered closed session at 9:21pm.
Motion by Kristin Runge, second by Joe Zitzelsberger to enter open session at 9:30
pm. Motion passed. For: 7, Against: 0.
Motion by Kristin Runge, second by Erin Moran to approve hiring of Mike Axon as
Parks and Recreation Director, with terms of employment to include placement at
Step 8 on the Salary Wage Scale, provision of 5 weeks of vacation upon hire prorated
through end of 2025, and initial bank of 80 hours of accumulated sick leave. Motion
passed. For: 7, Against: 0
ADJOURN
Motion by Joe Zitzelsberger, second by Erin Moran to adjourn at 9:31p.m. Motion passed. For:
7, Against: 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
_____________________________________
Karla Endres, Village Clerk
Agenda
VILLAGE OF WAUNAKEE
BOARD MEETING
500 West Main Street
October 20, 2025 6:00 PM
Hybrid Meeting – In-Person & Virtual Via Zoom Webinar
Attendance/Participation Instructions are located at the end of the agenda.
Agendas may change prior to the commencement of the meeting. For the current agenda, please check
the Village website (www.waunakee.com) or one of the official posting locations at:
Waunakee Village Hall, 500 W. Main Street
Waunakee Village Center, 333 S. Madison Street
Waunakee Public Library, 201 N. Madison Street
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
CONFIRMATION OF OPEN MEETING COMPLIANCE (Public postings, official
notices, and online availability)
PUBLIC COMMENT*
JOINT AGENDA WITH FINANCE COMMITTEE
1 Call to Order - Finance Committee
2 Discuss and Take Action on Village of Waunakee Budget Policies
3 Discuss and Take Action to Place on File Proposed 2026 Operating and Capital
Improvement Budget
4 Adjourn - Finance Committee
CONSENT AGENDA
1 Approve Schedule of Bills
2 Approve Village Board Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2025
3 Approve the 2026 Fee Schedule
4 Recognizing Native American Heritage Month and Flying of Ho-Chunk Nation
Flag at Village Hall
5 Approve Resolution Requesting Exemption from Dane County Library Tax
6 Approve Waunakee Lions Club Diabetes Lights Request
REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
1 Community Development Authority
2 EMS Commission
3 Plan Commission
4 Joint Plan Commission
5 Police Committee
6 Board of Review
7 Library Board
8 Other Committees/Boards/Commissions
9 Other Announcements
BUSINESS ITEMS
1 Discuss and Take Action on Proposals for Liability/Workers
Comp/Crime/Property Insurance Services
2 Discuss and Take Action on 2026 Waunakee Area Fire District Budget
3 Discuss and Take Action on 2026 Waunakee Area EMS District Budget
4 Discuss and Take Action on Town of Westport Notice of Intent to Incorporate
Petition The Village Board may convene in closed session as authorized by
Wisconsin Statute 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. The Village Board may reconvene in open session and discuss and
take action on the subject matter discussed in closed session.
5 Discuss and Take Action on Terms and Benefits for Parks and Recreation
Director Employment The Village Board may convene in closed session as
authorized by Wisconsin Statutue 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of considering
employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public
employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility. The Village Board may reconvene in open session and discuss and
take action on the subject matter discussed in closed session.
ADJOURN
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS
This Village of Waunakee Board Meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting accommodating both in-
person and live virtual attendance.
Virtual participation occurs using Zoom webinar on a suitable device by using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82591137688
Or call (312) 626-6799 and enter Webinar ID: 825 9113 7688
Meetings may be viewed live and are archived on the Village’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@waunakeevillage
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
WRITTEN: Send written comments by 12:00 p.m. on date of meeting on any matter, either on or not on
the agenda, by emailing kendres@waunakee.com or in writing to Village Board, 500 W Main St.,
Waunakee, WI, 53597.
IN-PERSON: Public comment forms are available at the Board Room entrance. Please fill out and hand
to staff prior to start of meeting. Comments are limited to three-minutes per person and must be delivered
at the gallery podium for recording purposes. Accommodations can be provided for those unable to access
the podium.
VIRTUAL: When public comments are allowed, attendees on Zoom wishing to participate should click
“raise hand” if on video or press *9 if on phone call. Attendees will be called on in the order in which
hands are raised. Those wishing to provide oral comments remotely must have their full name displayed
within the Zoom application and must state address of residence. Virtual comments are only allowed for
those who reside, own or lease property in the Village of Waunakee. Anonymous comments will not be
allowed.
*As permitted by the Wisconsin open meetings law and while not required, the Village Board has chosen to allow
public comments during their meetings. This is specifically listed on the agenda as PUBLIC COMMENT. The
Village Board may not engage in discussion or take action during this period but may consider deferring the subject
to a later meeting with notice. State statute and/or Village Code require the Village Board to hold PUBLIC
HEARINGS on certain specified matters where the public can comment. The meeting chairperson will identify rules
for providing comments. Other items on the agenda which are not listed for public hearing do not require the Board
to allow public comment, however the meeting chairperson can at their own discretion allow limited public
comments.
Land Acknowledgment: The Village of Waunakee acknowledges that the land we occupy is Teejop, ancestral
territory of the Hoocąkra (Ho-Chunk Nation), People of the Sacred Voice. Hoocąkra are stewards of these lands
and waters since time immemorial. Settlers attempted to forcibly remove them from their homelands by exploiting a
series of land cessions and treaties, including the Treaty of 1832. However, the Hoocąkra resisted these conquests
and asserted their sovereignty as a nation. We address this trend of dispossession by upholding Hoocąk woošgąra
(way of life), sovereignty, culture, language, and environmental practices. Acknowledging these atrocities is only the
first step towards reconciliation. Through relationship building, education, and action, the Village will advocate for
a shared future with the Hoocąkra Nation.
Any person who needs an interpreter or has a qualifying disability as defined by the Americans with
Disabilities Act that requires the meeting or materials at the meeting to be in an accessible location or format
should contact the Village Clerk at (608) 850-8500 or kendres@waunakee.com at least forty-eight (48) hours
prior to the commencement of the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate requests.
Next scheduled meeting is November 3, 2025 6:00 PM.
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