[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6075692,"mediaKeyId","2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9","parentId",2979051,"title","West Bend council approves street vacation, EMS contracts and developer schedule change; accepts donations and grant appropriations","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",1342000,"endMs",1794000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9&start=1342&end=1794","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9/thumbnail_1342000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6075692/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/West-Bend-council-approves-street-vacation-EMS-contracts-and-developer-schedule-change-accepts-donations-and-grant-appropriations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075692-f2793c39ededf5ac694a8b002fe4c323/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580448&Signature=OF2SqR8r5yBU4oH3VCj78pWp9m9ky2rkmeBlUpHmXCTqqcsKOCcAjK-GVaaITP7ah5KWfJdVgFAH4Fw0HEDbG9saPK4O61ke370kLPN4DBoa59v-HHDyOXVrAe6WzBWrLUdOsU1~InSWYz-qxeDWhtV2Lg2yBXgSuy78s6ylFu5d-T5THTRWd71cHjVjPl85PQCgdCmLum94jCGzlVxCA6AP8YuQll-wHAip7bzaNYpn9ONxCP62BbnWxtgK6Fki7s6yM8G4Q-YZNDfNBTEQga5luOJ10gBHIhx15peo~6YZe8wdz4VDLqCyZF3kU3Ofik9sLqmQwX9G5BPs4BFN4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Bend City, WI ","date","2025-04-08T14:40:18Z","article","The West Bend Common Council on April 7, 2025, approved a series of consent and action items that included a street vacation and right-of-way acceptance on Wingate Street, the appropriation of grant funding to public safety accounts, approval of emergency medical service agreements with neighboring municipalities and a developer request to move construction milestones forward in a tax-increment district.

The council enacted Resolution No. 85 to vacate roughly the westerly 750 feet of Wingate Street east of Stockhausen Lane in TIF No. 3 and approved Resolution No. 86 to accept a one‑lot certified survey map and a right-of-way dedication to create a permanent cul-de-sac bulb at the end of that portion of Wingate. City staff said the work supports WE Energies’ redevelopment in the area and includes the permanent turnaround at the street terminus.

In finance actions the council approved the transfer of $43,000 from the Washington County Municipal Radio Grant Program into the police department’s outlay account, following earlier acceptance of the grant. “On March 3, you accepted $43,000 from the Washington County Municipal Grant Program,” the police chief told the council during the finance committee report. The council also approved Resolution No. 87 to appropriate funds to purchase a UTV firelight skid; staff said the city accepted a DNR Forestry Fire Protection Grant that provides up to a 50% match (up to $8,000), allowing roughly $4,000 in state funding toward the purchase.

The council accepted Resolution No. 89 recognizing multiple donations to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. The finance report listed several donations, including $3,302 for Special Olympics (a $50 gift from the Knights of Columbus and $3,251.01 from Fox Brothers Piggly Wiggly), a $200 gift from Vortex Pickleball LLC for pickleball-court use, $11,250 in sponsorships for a 2025 children’s mud-run event, $25,000 from Westbury Bank for naming rights and a seven‑year sponsorship of the Westbury Bank Aquapark at Regner Park, $4,800 from the West Bend Sunrise Rotary Foundation for Aquapark tickets distributed through the West Bend Library, $1,000 from Whitetails Unlimited for the municipal archery range, $40,000 from an anonymous donor toward Ridgeron Cabin renovations (the third gift from the donor, bringing that donor’s total to $105,000), and $200 from the West Bend Disc Golf Club for Riverside Park improvements.

The council approved a mayoral appointment of Mike Yensch (city staff seat) to the tourism commission and authorized settlement-related action on a DHCH properties tax-assessment matter, authorizing the city to enter into a negotiated settlement as presented by legal counsel.

On emergency medical services, the council approved four service agreements for the Kewaskem ambulance service area. Chief Noran told the council the agreements were updated to a six-year structure to preserve eligibility for an Act 12 innovation grant, while allowing each contracting municipality the option to withdraw after four years if the innovation funding does not materialize. “The contract allows for a 6 year agreement to make sure we're eligible for the innovation grant terms,” Chief Noran said.

The council approved an amendment to the development agreement for Eisenbaum Village that moves project milestone dates forward (staff described the changes as pushing the schedule and associated unit counts out by roughly a year; consultant Ehlers ran updated cash flows and confirmed city obligations remain payable under the revised schedule). John (city staff) told the council the city’s portion of project payments is sequenced to be paid before increment is released to the developer under the agreement’s structure.

Most votes were carried by voice vote following motion and second; where recorded, motions and seconds were entered on the public record. Items carried as part of the consent agenda were approved together after one member pulled the licensing-board recommendation for individual consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council - April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The West Bend Common Council on April 7, 2025, approved a series of consent and action items that included a street vacation and right-of-way acceptance on Wingate Street, the appropriation of grant funding to public safety accounts, approval of emergency medical service agreements and a developer request to move construction milestones in a TID.","taxTitle","West Bend City, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",5138,"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},6075697,"West Bend licensing board recommends denial of operator’s license for Dominic Van Buskirk",140,47000,187000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9&start=47&end=187","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6075697/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/West-Bend-licensing-board-recommends-denial-of-operators-license-for-Dominic-Van-Buskirk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075697-174a74c6bd7d77b494bdb7441592f6b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580448&Signature=iOWWcIO7jz2ERB71CPDw5HAG2xKoJ25JXYyqE1-9UI7XCMruiWXVqXLYIx3ZSig7OEvZ7MpoW3dNSLIw3G34IBvScrhLdPOa6SkMG84DH8gWrsKWOcp~VLDJyR17Z6k1Q5rCEtuI-sQzvguAuJUwVOiHjQ4XEiVUKDmgb7Dc4FscMyckIXpiUVJFRoenA5DHP272Lzw6qsZqLau~RymmzkekR6wd3N5JIhBGkE6AJlnBbYgdjy9qZvcFqXqgN7Ng5ewPhPOPcRa3IYHci~l2cfhY6tEW3DL~iDe~vttyDwJzUTmw2M8XS2eX740TMqWZeubLF843f-qIcuWDpp9b3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Bend Licensing Board voted April 7, 2025, to recommend denial of an operator’s license for Dominic Van Buskirk after police presented a memo documenting multiple recent violations and concerns about cooperation with law enforcement.

Board members said the operator permit places the holder in a position of responsibility for alcohol service and for controlling conduct on licensed premises, and they cited seven alcohol- or drug-related incidents from the past two to three years as the basis for requesting denial. The recommendation will appear on the common council consent agenda later in the meeting.

Chief (police) summarized the board’s reasons in brief remarks and asked members to focus on three points: the intent of the permit, the expectation that an operator will work closely with the police department, and that an operator permit is not location-specific. The chief told the board the police department’s memo from Lieutenant McAndrews documented seven violations and alleged instances of providing false information and false identification. “We never enter into these conversations lightly,” the chief said, adding the department considered the applicant’s ability to cooperate with police when deciding to recommend denial.

A motion to deny Van Buskirk’s operator’s license was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. No roll-call vote with member-by-member tallies was recorded in the public transcript; the matter was placed on the common council’s consent agenda for final action at that body’s meeting.

No appeal, hearing request, or specific rehabilitation conditions were recorded during the board’s discussion. The licensing board adjourned after taking up the item.","The West Bend Licensing Board voted to recommend denial of an operator’s license for Dominic Van Buskirk, citing multiple alcohol- and drug-related violations and alleged failures to cooperate with police. The recommendation will appear on the common council consent agenda.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6075688,"West Bend council postpones decision on resident’s sewer-charge appeal after outdoor leak; utilities policy cited",1677,1923000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9&start=1923&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979051-d1e3bed97c081f747370b77d951dfcf9/thumbnail_1923000.jpg","/articles/6075688/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/West-Bend-council-postpones-decision-on-residents-sewer-charge-appeal-after-outdoor-leak-utilities-policy-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075688-7778f638119f2fc88b368e1cac792cde/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580448&Signature=PuZqvdxS1uizRRSi93QjekU7N0gqg7moWu17WirysU3t~HHeGOk3TKV8nXXTiMkx~Snt9Nr4Xwmw8U~YQz2PnJPfoJzklbX1v6vk53m2uZoHcntLA9lq3DpiFnjQIRwJpFyyhttxhpDJgN5AlhvSvd8S-DP6jMQ9V~1IF8bpHhlupwG1nhN-BANxljeI0FyDHadY5NT2V0YSBgnqZ6hbpLRTBZt6w8OIdCr60AnuGZ~yI7SCQ7ix1QMxfbdsNbKzsOUWGsoK-cZIT--V2zrdY5lJa68h5T0lawfPJOPfldWBoj9cqE4q94KW3d~h0V-kgCWb8fL~nONeQkrskyUcMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A West Bend resident told the Common Council on April 7, 2025, that he seeks a reduction in the sewer portion of an unusually large utility bill after an outdoor hose bib leaked water into his backyard that staff said did not enter the sanitary sewer system. Council members agreed to postpone a decision for two weeks so staff and the resident can exchange billing details and the council can review the sewer utility’s long-standing policy on leak credits.

Mike Phillips said the water department discovered an outdoor leak and that the water had drained into his yard rather than into the sewer. Phillips told the council his most recent bill was $4,817.98, with a sewer charge of $3,018; he said his typical sewer charge is about $200 and asked the council to reduce the sewer portion. “My water bill is $4,817.98,” Phillips said. “I’m asking that a reduction in the bill be made just in the sewer tax portion of that.”

Sewer utility staff told council members the utility’s policy is not to grant credits for unknown leaks. “Sewer Utilities policy is, we don't give credits on unknown leaks,” the sewer manager said during the discussion, noting the policy has been in place for more than 30 years and that the city has limited ability to determine where leaked water ultimately went. Utilities staff explained the water utility—regulated by the Public Service Commission—may be able to issue limited credits under PSC rules, but the sewer utility is not PSC-regulated and historically has not issued sewer credits for unknown leaks.

Council members expressed sympathy for Phillips but also concern about precedent. Some aldermen said the case appears to be an accidental, exterior leak discovered by water department workers and said they would consider a one-time exception; others warned that granting relief in one case could prompt more requests and would require the utility to review many individual situations. City Attorney Ian advised the council that it could make an exception but should be mindful of setting precedent.

After discussion the council voted to postpone consideration to its next meeting and asked staff and Mr. Phillips to exchange additional billing records and contact information so members could review the account before taking a final vote. The mayor asked Phillips to email billing details rather than posting account information on the public video stream. The council asked staff to be prepared to explain the sewer-utility policy’s application to comparable past inquiries.

Motion to postpone the item to the next meeting carried by voice vote.","Resident Mike Phillips asked the council to reduce the sewer portion of a $4,817.98 bill after an outdoor leak that did not enter the sewer system. The council postponed the matter two weeks to gather more information after utilities staff said the sewer utility does not issue credits for unknown leaks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Bend council approves street vacation, EMS contracts and developer schedule change; accepts donations and grant appropriations

West Bend licensing board recommends denial of operator’s license for Dominic Van Buskirk

West Bend council postpones decision on resident’s sewer-charge appeal after outdoor leak; utilities policy cited