[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6374021,"mediaKeyId","2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f","parentId",2145214,"title","Votes at a glance: Neenah Common Council actions Jan. 15, 2025","audioSeconds",877,"startMs",2689000,"endMs",3566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f&start=2689&end=3566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f/thumbnail_2689000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374021/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-Neenah-Common-Council-actions-Jan-15-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374021-82f8770c6a8e92b8eb806f4437d528d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545659&Signature=hpwB6onnqaK03u3mzqLCX6bY28qU5G0eN8k5IaZac7vdR609aDo4Qy7tWQdg5az4gkov~q8oXY6bc-bzi8Oh6CqT4aDiYWlzb4G8AHwtVrzr9FebXOk8nC9vvCIvakR4bOyjGyF3z9pqO~aY6DTPiCv-xRcc1bjh28hHP60z7YombZRk2IOd7tMCd~U7grEzMF1tXN-eZl9UbNug-5ya1O~a4CoiR4NcU2MVyCQ2LMRauQtlK~yhC3KVstYMXgk597c0FnkZm2EEBxq4flX8TIm4N68qT41M5-f6hG4cI7G~w3mnk7nhwkd~OhzOO5wKm7d5MUnhby1U5HvPPqbQMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Neenah, Wisconsin","date","2025-01-24T02:01:47.45Z","article","The City of Neenah Common Council recorded the following formal actions at its Jan. 15 meeting. Where the transcript recorded a vote tally, that tally is listed; where individual roll-call votes were not read aloud, votes are tallied as recorded in the meeting minutes.

- Dial-A-Ride intermunicipal agreement (Finance & Personnel Committee recommendation)
- Motion: \"The committee recommends council approve the 2025 inter municipal agreement for the Dial A Ride program as presented.\" (reported from the Jan. 6 committee)
- Mover: Alderman Erickson; Second: Alderman Boyette (as stated in the record)
- Vote: Passed 9-0 (recorded)
- Notes: Committee recommended approval; no further conditions recorded.

- Employment agreement for Director Chris Hayes (Finance & Personnel Committee recommendation)
- Motion: \"The committee recommends council approve the employment agreement for Director Hayes as presented.\" (reported from the Jan. 6 committee)
- Mover: Alderman Erickson; Second: Council President Borchard
- Vote: Passed 8-1 (recorded)
- Notes: Contract described in committee and council as cost-neutral for the contract period; staff said any extension would return to committee. No roll-call names for the dissenting vote were provided in the meeting transcript.

- Annexation and zoning ordinance (Planning Commission recommendation)
- Motion: Commission recommends annexation number 237, ordinance number 2024-26, and zoning the property R-1 single-family residence district.
- Mover (council action): Alderman Steiner; Second: Alderman Palmeau
- Vote: Passed 9-0 (recorded)
- Notes: Council recorded the planning commission's recommendation and approved it by recorded vote.

- Consent agenda items approved by unanimous consent
- Items included new and renewal license applications (original Class A fermented malt retail license for Van Zeeland Mobile West; change of agent for Ballroom at the Reserve; pawn/secondhand dealer renewals for J Anthony Jewelers and Blind Tiger Games).
- Vote: Approved by unanimous consent (no roll call read)
- Notes: Items entered by unanimous consent as part of the consent agenda.

- Approval of council minutes and proceedings (Dec. 18)
- Motion: Unanimous consent approval
- Vote: Approved (no roll call read)

Ending: Several items were reported out of committee before council action. For items requiring further follow-up (noted in committee discussion), staff will return to the respective committee or council with additional details as needed.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01-15-2025 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved an intermunicipal Dial-A-Ride agreement, an employment agreement for Community Development Director Chris Hayes, a planning commission annexation recommendation, and several consent items and minutes; recorded tallies included two unanimous outcomes and one 8-1 vote.","taxTitle","Neenah, Winnebago County, Wisconsin","taxId",51879,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374026,"Resident urges Neenah to consider new west-side fire station amid mold and rising renovation costs",92,2426000,2518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f&start=2426&end=2518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f/thumbnail_2426000.jpg","/articles/6374026/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Resident-urges-Neenah-to-consider-new-west-side-fire-station-amid-mold-and-rising-renovation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374026-a0c911fe94327767e42e350d8955f4e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545659&Signature=IuHEVrJECInokpZAj3c9BNmDtHd2Ls9aQUwtAsMahKnAe9seVSZg-EE~GZFyqxI0NYCw86jlecHs7NBJVM8kRzR~2gFDSUN9-AaYAFSJj83aACPk4ZjCsUl4ZrtN60l-wwcaAOpnu8kPfGlu3BAcUr5vcs05YL9Hy-GV~aM-DiYGuu7V2CgYlQAWiEKUGLcNOBkNACrKEg6HQNUMNFgoBIInmGqWv91QwvtALkTytwqeh338Qjal0oc25Y-IekFsmwA-uR7Kl3DVAr~3zLEHtxCXk5lozm1NIb2AUz4gMdHaWttGpASfQmgsbfvph5pHWdC53pzJ8F7QHN37fhH1kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public forum at the Jan. 15 Neenah Common Council meeting, resident Scott Becker urged the council to consider building a new west-side fire station rather than continuing with renovations to the existing station, citing mold issues and rising cost estimates.

Becker said renovation costs for the station had grown from about $3 million to roughly $6.4 million and described continuing issues in the 1990s-era building that continue to emerge. He recommended the city consider constructing a new station on the west side and suggested potential cost-saving options, including relocating or partnering for the clinic space with the Union Joint School District.

Becker said he had previously urged then-department leadership to study renovation versus new construction and said a new building would likely solve recurring problems. No council action was taken; the public forum closed after the comments and the mayor invited any councilors to respond (none took action on the comment at the meeting).

Ending: The comment entered the public record; the resident asked councilors to evaluate new construction options in light of continuing issues and rising renovation estimates.

","A resident urged council during public forum to consider constructing a new west-side fire station rather than continuing costly renovations, citing mold and an increase in remodeling estimates.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374032,"Council approves part-time employment agreement to retain Community Development Director Chris Hayes during transition",954,2612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f&start=2612&end=3566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f/thumbnail_2612000.jpg","/articles/6374032/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-part-time-employment-agreement-to-retain-Community-Development-Director-Chris-Hayes-during-transition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374032-8382755b0530ba06b55a9e3555b03857/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545659&Signature=JqZ0lttsQPHbWHic5Lc573M5AcPtd9BsbsIVAGfS8NwPvFRqWyakraNjh3SxJEVKXyc0~wismX0wWDrKxw4KJfTfWVC~43EZhHZpv0Qr1Dsj6pPxwnY4GtloSlQj5meM7zLZEUNEtxIOFYAcMl0P3VJSFqo3Jzotk8vaXdyyLVM4Ui84V7zfMUXtkcHltC3ALxmrHPJ2LCqdDSsJbMzO0ATgVGEwafnkJvVeHAvjUTYsPrLTUU6jU7uSnf0lroiB-YHIRn29eLF4f~YZ~e0m82TFWqvXi7TZChXfjcBBezrSqDN~NvNALrZil6eFPRagkrw7isEg4~9T1IFKZe9JYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Neenah Common Council voted Jan. 15 to approve an employment agreement enabling Community Development Director Chris Hayes to step into a part-time role while assisting with ongoing projects during the department's leadership transition. The motion, moved by Alderman Erickson and seconded by Council President Borchard, passed 8 to 1.

Erickson opened by announcing Hayes's planned retirement after a 34-year city career and explained the agreement was meant to preserve Hayes' expertise during recruitment and onboarding of a new director. \"I'm incredibly grateful for his willingness to assist the city as we continue to navigate through complex projects,\" Erickson said when introducing the item.

Discussion at the Jan. 6 finance committee and the Jan. 15 council meeting centered on whether hiring Hayes as a part-time city employee was preferable to contracting through a third party, and on making the arrangement cost-neutral for the city and for Hayes' pension situation. Alderman Palmeau asked whether the arrangement was truly cost-neutral and compared the arrangement to paying a consultant, noting a potential consultant cost of roughly $34,000 mentioned during committee discussion. Finance staff said the agreement as proposed factors in salary-step differentials, reduced fringe and pension effects and would be cost-neutral over the contract period; an extension would require additional committee approval.

Alderman Boyette asked why the city did not use a contractor model. Staff answered that pension rules limit direct contracting by retirees and that contracting through a third party would add cost and a time lag; they said direct part-time employment allows Hayes to act on behalf of the city (for example, in communications with regulatory agencies) in ways a contractor could not. The meeting record also referenced a roughly 60-day ineligibility period for some contracting arrangements tied to pension rules.

Several council members expressed support for a transition arrangement and recalled prior instances where retiring directors stayed on part time to assist with transitions. Alderman Ellis said the city had used a similar arrangement in past transitions and supported the contract as presented.

The formal action recorded: the finance committee recommended council approve the employment agreement for Director Hayes, and council approved that recommendation 8-1. The motion language in committee was recorded as \"the committee recommends council approve the employment agreement for Director Hayes as presented.\" No amendments were recorded at the council vote.

Ending: The agreement is intended to bridge the department through recruitment and onboarding of a new director; staff said the position posting is open and the council will be informed of any proposed contract extensions or amendments.

","The Common Council approved an employment agreement allowing Director Chris Hayes to transition to part-time employment after announcing retirement; councilors discussed pension rules, cost neutrality and onboarding of a successor. The motion passed 8-1.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374036,"Baird presents Neenah tax-increment report showing outsized growth in several TIDs; council asks for more review time",1315,98000,1413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f&start=98&end=1413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145214-949aa2a09f333b666a0c7b801895fe0f/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6374036/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Baird-presents-Neenah-tax-increment-report-showing-outsized-growth-in-several-TIDs-council-asks-for-more-review-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374036-cb1192cb25574b9bd4854a51750ac3e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545659&Signature=gTLsFBArpNRkaOwgXtI4KXVi2ERwiXlKm3SpSV3iu-zK7OjYTQURI7SbCLyChjzx3iVOrd6Td8Zsi~dgdj4dfGNI0blPY2T1gZC196svAEQuYGHL9Dp-uHDUtw8vU9TkL~NY2zgJPL1H61YYAy8lD~XTXw89h966EwzI6rY5n~uK7oae0jP-T4AkqBEKxytGZQLdqdYPs7rczAmo~-sDU1iipOXrJTFgmERFY80zfkiutB1VBvgnVv9kZQ3-j~W-YUg1pfm0uLSsVoUMUBiGYx-tWsHEH8gwzDihcH3a6fr7Ii6lECBdxH4A7qdD-QZEcnTy0TDsJ~tuuxA3aOWK3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brad Vigoot of Baird gave the City of Neenah Common Council a high-level review of the city's biennial tax incremental district (TID) report at the Jan. 15 meeting, summarizing cash-flow analyses, recent closures and projections for seven currently active TIDs.

Vigoot said the report, the fifth produced for the city, is meant as an up-to-date summary for elected officials and the public and is published about every two years. \"It's about every 2 years, there's a new report,\" he said.

The nut of the presentation: two TIDs have closed since the last report (TID 5 and TID 6), several districts have produced more incremental value than projected, and newer TIDs show forward-looking borrowing and construction assumptions that could change the timing of closures. Highlights cited by Vigoot included:

- TID 5 (downtown business district) closed in 2023. The project plan had forecast about $9.3 million in increment; actual incremental revenue was just under $16 million.
- TID 6 (South Park Industrial Center) closed in 2023 and produced about $28.7 million in new tax growth from inception through closure.
- TID 7 (west-side business corridor) had generated roughly $121.5 million in tax increment through 2024, about $41.8 million above the last project-plan projection; TID 7 currently donates funds to TID 8 per past council approvals.
- TID 8 (Doty Island business district) generated about $89 million in new value through 2024, beating its last projection by roughly $21 million but has experienced years where annual expenditures exceeded revenues.
- TID 9 (I-41 South Industrial Redevelopment) has produced some $10.5 million in increment and is repaying city advances; it is projected to close in the late 2030s.
- TID 10 (downtown gateway redevelopment) had generated about $14.6 million to date and was tracking behind the prior projection by about $5 million; the analysis shows future debt issuance and short-term deficits before positive annual cash flow resumes.
- Newer districts, including TID 11 (Pendleton development), TID 12 (Bridgeport) and TID 13 (South Park expansion), showed varying projected futures: TID 11 had produced roughly $32.3 million to date; TID 12 is projected to generate $25.1 million in new growth over a six-year window; TID 13 (created summer prior) was projected to generate about $45.9 million over its life.

Vigoot noted the city and prior councils have used statutory tools, including distressed designations and donor-district arrangements, to manage shortfalls and that two closed TIDs used the affordable-housing extension to allocate about $850,000 in aggregate increment toward affordable housing. He also emphasized that the report is a snapshot and projections change as construction timing and valuations evolve.

Council members asked procedural and substantive questions. Alderman Lundrum pressed the timing of distribution: \"The discouraging thing is the council didn't get this report until Monday at 8 o'clock at night,\" he said, calling the 100-page report difficult to review on short notice. Vigoot and staff said the packet had been provided earlier to city staff and to Baird, but the council packet distribution timeline had resulted in late receipt for some members.

Alderman Steiner asked about Standard & Poor's commentary that described a weak debt profile even while the city holds a double-A rating. Vigoot said the characterization stems from S&P's internal categories and metrics but does not affect market access: \"You're a solid double a. You're not gonna be downgraded because of the debt outstanding,\" he said, adding S&P also cited strong management practices.

Several aldermen praised the clarity of the report while reiterating the need for more time to review long documents. Vigoot and councilors agreed that the community development department will continue routine monitoring and bring finance recommendations to committee as financings or development agreements arise.

No formal action was taken on the report at the meeting. Council members were directed to the finance director for follow-up questions and the report was entered into the municipal record.

Ending: The presentation will remain available as part of the council packet; staff and Baird suggested the council direct further technical questions to the finance and community development departments and indicated the biennial monitoring process will continue.

","Municipal advisor Brad Vigoot reviewed the city's biennial tax incremental district (TID) report, showing several TIDs outperforming prior projections and two TIDs recently closed; council members pressed for earlier distribution of the 100-page report and asked questions about debt and S&P commentary.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Neenah Common Council actions Jan. 15, 2025

Resident urges Neenah to consider new west-side fire station amid mold and rising renovation costs

Council approves part-time employment agreement to retain Community Development Director Chris Hayes during transition

Baird presents Neenah tax-increment report showing outsized growth in several TIDs; council asks for more review time