[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5999466,"mediaKeyId","5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185","parentId",5843404,"title","Council approves $36,480 in additional invoices for heavy sanitary and stormwater cleaning","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",4840000,"endMs",5089000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185&start=4840&end=5089","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185/thumbnail_4840000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5999466/Fort-Atkinson/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-36480-in-additional-invoices-for-heavy-sanitary-and-stormwater-cleaning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5999466-cfc90c2febf5708956b0a739a6935708/orig.mp4?Expires=1770761728&Signature=axlWMTdxg~P90J4FE5RzEHdRJvemfU~o9R8XrS1WL16HUfs0HlVRrw2veR0lQd-yYu7EbPR0o8UO7Dq77eCvyxE3cXLkBdNLMcx8~F-iThxKZvXXi32XXnpcN1F~DV-8pP6mx7wSIBCDDEWe6ITXytecPcSNnXUPVifWtY72n~GuqR1Bc3dJxDhQ6jzwSwtE98mf1xBzwS6WpQjrJo~w-~nGdDFyoQX1gv91AVmErvbENl3~-2kT0iYW1xYeCxvyIb-2FPFGjJygyN2ddV80YUJJa~pEExv18x7FlT9HkA27ZBB7IKY8eQLl4wwa3tiIb7klTRNsxlxd0sNtA7bSOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fort Atkinson, WI","date","2025-08-06T17:29:44Z","article","The Fort Atkinson City Council on Aug. 5 approved updated invoices totaling $36,480 to Aquilis for heavy cleaning identified during the city’s 2024 sanitary and storm sewer inspections. Director Nathan presented the findings, saying the vendor discovered several pipes that required more intensive cleaning while performing inspection work in late 2024 and early 2025.

The additional charges will be assigned to the respective utilities: wastewater will be charged $8,977.50 and stormwater $27,502.50. Nathan said the heavy cleaning was necessary to obtain clear inspection footage and to better plan for the 2025 road-construction projects. He described the work as improving future budget estimates and helping staff prioritize annual sanitary and storm sewer cleaning programs.

Council members asked where the problem areas were; staff identified locations within current or recent road projects, including sections of Eric Street, Kramer Street, Fourth Street and McMillan/ Memorial Drive. Nathan said general cleaning is an annual task for public works, but some low-lying areas or older pipe segments required heavier equipment and additional contractor time.

A motion to approve the updated invoices passed on voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff said the city’s public-works crews perform routine cleaning but do not always have the specialized equipment needed for heavy cleaning, making contractor work necessary in certain situations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Atkinson City Council August 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city approved an updated invoice of $36,480 for heavy-cleaning work identified during 2024 sanitary and storm sewer inspections; costs will be allocated to wastewater and stormwater utility funds.","taxTitle","Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin","taxId",70174,"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},5999471,"Council reappoints Baker Tilly for three-year financial audit",328,4496000,4824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185&start=4496&end=4824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185/thumbnail_4496000.jpg","/articles/5999471/Fort-Atkinson/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Council-reappoints-Baker-Tilly-for-three-year-financial-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5999471-891a3af1e47179e973ad85f8ae076532/orig.mp4?Expires=1770761728&Signature=O7A43EohGrlbCu-Ggqf8pLgX5Sa64p~tSbrJAdU3EORzQwI~zJbIL8ww1oqC8qCYZrEXmkNwdhoiw47Kho0mckreZMHIxQlOeY0xBlPovXoGjIUBlP84Dug~zy6jnmyutgdhe67otdbo1tIPW64OOXmNbKrXZRDg-x72G4Cxp8yanZymh3DlPUmZoEG8p5QCFWv2eQmiQsrUJReuXHFrZe3sIqI29i09gnS~JZhl-Tl1eFNF7VxDRxoxTzb0Rc~0G5eQ0tkarnIX4Wg4fgzfEn42VePFbJNfVVtar74pdXDX~7er8V660VoogcULO7CBPIQyigljb5LwuBtVya6cAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Atkinson City Council on Aug. 5 approved a three-year contract with Baker Tilly for financial auditing services covering fiscal years ending in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Clerk Everett presented the RFP process: the city distributed the request to five firms, received four proposals, and disqualified one that did not meet RFP requirements.

Staff recommended Baker Tilly based on the firm’s long-standing relationship with the city, familiarity with the city’s accounts and systems, and an ability to interface efficiently with the city’s financial software. Clerk Everett said that feature reduces staff time during audit preparation by enabling a short data-extraction process.

Council discussion noted the quoted costs were in line with comparable municipalities and that separating utility- and TID-specific audit tasks means portions of the total audit cost will be billed to the relevant utilities or TID accounts. Clerk Everett estimated prior-year breakdowns show the general-fund portion of the audit has ranged historically between about $30,000 and $40,000, while the quoted total for full audit work exceeds $50,000; the clerk cautioned that specific line items (utility audits, single audits) are charged to the respective funds.

A motion to approve Baker Tilly’s proposal and authorize the city manager to execute the contract passed by roll call with no recorded opposition.","The Fort Atkinson City Council authorized the city manager Aug. 5 to contract with Baker Tilly for financial auditing services covering fiscal years ending 2025, 2026 and 2027, citing continuity and software compatibility.",{"_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},5999476,"Council adopts ordinances tightening inspection reporting, change-of-use certificates and reinspection fees",197,2567000,2764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185&start=2567&end=2764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185/thumbnail_2567000.jpg","/articles/5999476/Fort-Atkinson/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Council-adopts-ordinances-tightening-inspection-reporting-change-of-use-certificates-and-reinspection-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5999476-5ae0d8873878e037191886713ef57ae4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770761728&Signature=cZCWRfdoK2Qd6ecr56s5K173apY1ZxuulAWp~wsUji-hMV4FFiVWpkSOhw2qx-RN46qHcs5fiVGhi~56UIPzKAIc5eQQpe9vEeN-UkK6pcSkAb7f83wCyj16KzBRax7i6vtkeJMF6OWVymF4fKAlLF9tSQuDCARUiqvE377QTPZv6LaD23kF0T27F9EW9cHQc3GVAAB4OgWaZ45SsG-xlMJCPdr9wqqZhSQP-Q2PZH4uamY~N20j6C04qyvE2AsARRDQHQDH2kTD8AxmJIOIGwg3gJ25Anya7kb4S93ZT~WuKKN5BHNjbfgdo-UB1LAgsPA8D0ivUb7STBOOLhw8HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Atkinson City Council on Aug. 5 approved three separate ordinances affecting building, fire and code-enforcement procedures. The ordinances amend the municipal code to (1) require submission of fire inspection records and evidence of repairs, (2) require certificates of occupancy for changes in use, and (3) create a reinspection fee and related procedural fees for code enforcement and permitting.

Fire Chief Peterson presented the fire-inspection ordinance (amendment to section 34-2), noting the department performs roughly 700 occupancy inspections annually and already sees evidence that alarm and sprinkler systems receive required annual checks. The ordinance grants the fire chief authority to require electronic submission of inspection records and proof that code violations were repaired. Peterson said staff projects labor savings and no direct cost to the city because businesses already obtain the inspections; the ordinance formalizes the submission process.

Director Drager presented the certificate-of-occupancy ordinance (new section 18-82). The change requires a certificate of occupancy when a property’s use or occupancy type changes, even if a building permit is not otherwise required. Drager said the rule creates a point of contact for a new or relocating business and helps the city identify code, fire-safety or permitting requirements early so businesses do not retrofit after moving in. He emphasized the ordinance is intended to address safety and information flow and is not a zoning approval: if both uses are permitted in the zoning district, zoning does not prevent the change; the certificate process addresses building- and life-safety issues.

The council also approved an ordinance creating section 1-16 and amending other code sections to allow the city to assess fees for inspections and reinspection when property owners do not correct violations after notice. Director Drager said the council seeks to allocate the cost of enforcement to the properties requiring repeated city staff time; the approach supplements citations and provides a fee-based enforcement tool. Drager cited unpaid citation balances from Feb. 2018 totaling nearly $14,000 as an example of past collection difficulties.

Each ordinance was advanced on second reading, the council suspended the rules to conduct a third reading, and the council approved final readings and adoption by roll-call vote. For each ordinance, council members recorded “aye” votes and no recorded opposition, and the ordinances become effective immediately under the council’s action.

Staff said the inspection-records ordinance should reduce repeat site visits and improve compliance tracking. The certificate-of-occupancy change is framed as assistance to businesses entering new spaces and as a safety check for occupancy-related requirements (for instance, exit signage and egress capacity). The fee ordinance is intended to reduce the administrative and legal burden on general-tax revenues from protracted enforcement.","Fort Atkinson’s council approved three municipal-code changes Aug. 5: empowering the fire chief to require electronic submission of inspection records, requiring certificates of occupancy for changes in use, and creating a reinspection/administrative-fee structure to recover enforcement costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5999481,"Fort Atkinson awards five-year garbage and recycling contract to John's Disposal at current service level",693,3730000,4423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185&start=3730&end=4423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185/thumbnail_3730000.jpg","/articles/5999481/Fort-Atkinson/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Fort-Atkinson-awards-five-year-garbage-and-recycling-contract-to-Johns-Disposal-at-current-service-level","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5999481-047f5e209382dacb4b20e7f90ff19c54/orig.mp4?Expires=1770761728&Signature=IKE4oa5ZcfTTTY-D-65cjs0Cn5mSeTdyv9Ul4ADJ1Wq~neXxS6y8P38qmS7hqEDqpDXLSQScOtiVcY9~9eU91QrkTyNC6IS2aKwbSQNu-JfQ1sBCG4vfNoGM4Utp1YEz-T1OiX0FHLQ6qI-AojgIfK33me0zPLTSRJL4WdpZgPM0PXgpVPEVz-VzYsJAa3eOyAwYKXxOkMloouSfi2SSmrxoHwF9rHnAblGJ2JA58iRphwuDBWPR~dhIO~MQhPf5Ew2tJ-Ph-RH11JDJbjURoQPEmb-tmkyevkUQs9cJUBOjePRHiHixnqasdVM66f0fpi3RDec8DMHfpzv~DgnMkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Atkinson City Council authorized the city manager Aug. 5 to execute a five-year contract with John's Disposal Services to provide residential solid waste and recycling collection starting in 2026 at the city’s current service level. Staff recommended the contract after issuing a request for proposals to four firms and receiving proposals from two vendors.

Manager Hausman told the council the RFP requested a base bid for fully automated curbside weekly garbage collection and every-other-week single-stream recycling, with bulk items provided per call at a predetermined price billed directly to residents. Staff received proposals from John’s Disposal and Waste Management; GFL, the current contractor, did not submit a proposal.

Staff’s recommended option (the RFP alternate 2) maintains the city’s current level of service — weekly garbage, every-other-week recycling and one bulky item per month — at a proposed per-customer cost of $231 for year one, with a 3.5% annual increase thereafter. The recommendation included an estimated first-year total contract cost of $914,529.

Manager Hausman summarized cost comparisons in the packet: year-one per-unit base bids were similar (John’s Disposal about $16.70 per unit per month, Waste Management about $16.60), but Waste Management’s proposal used CPI-based adjustments that would have produced higher per-unit increases over the contract term. John’s alternate bids included options for weekly recycling and bulk-item service; Waste Management did not submit alternate bids.

The John’s Disposal proposal set a $25 fee for individually scheduled bulky-item pickups and specified limits on certain items (for example, up to eight small-vehicle tires per home per year). Household electronics and most bulky household items (furniture, appliances, carpeting) are listed in the proposal’s bulk-item definitions.

Councilmembers who spoke thanked staff for the procurement work; the council moved to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute the contract with John’s Disposal on the recommended terms. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Staff noted an alternative — shifting collection costs to a special charge on property tax bills — was available but not on the Aug. 5 agenda. Manager Hausman told the council the city considered operating a municipal collection program but rejected that option because of high capital and staffing costs required to run a collection service directly.

The contract will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and staff will work with John’s Disposal on implementation details including resident notices, cart distribution, and scheduling for scheduled bulky-item pickups.","After soliciting proposals, the city authorized a five-year contract with John's Disposal to provide curbside garbage and alternating-week recycling at a per-customer price of $231 in year one and a 3.5% annual increase thereafter; council approved the recommendation Aug. 5.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5999486,"Fort Atkinson council votes to add Pledge, carve out agenda and public-comment rules after months of debate",1280,817000,2097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185&start=817&end=2097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5843404-57528aad138e20319e7c5806ca1d0185/thumbnail_817000.jpg","/articles/5999486/Fort-Atkinson/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Fort-Atkinson-council-votes-to-add-Pledge-carve-out-agenda-and-public-comment-rules-after-months-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5999486-88a32d4a807711e2d4c9e41858e43fc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770761728&Signature=ArEdieGoL5QBZOScBADrCvnvgh64foTt6XccachzOsu6Kw0iCr8kQsLWEzKbkwdXIzilEwMLm6fONXS8NiD3Jsh9scwq-G3rhO1R4srnvEV0ZML0L~Uyd6MHiJz1GonAjyeFqTqcR-ry~gDzfkrlFABosrkWmif1v~aEAtEBzOPRquJlCCsnW3oCZ9jt1hFyt2NeacCexeF6yvCbJYFSINKF2HjZM~b9FaNd09ywkL7ZX028dfW~yHa3Rrwrn8QF3hDkPoSFttOahFn-ROooNqx5VgPvT5fUNRxjvmLBZrRuvexXwHUnLT0TtTaZRF~NCqLmkoqdOEGwjiK5xV1K~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Atkinson City Council voted Aug. 5 to amend its order of business to add recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at meetings, establish a consent agenda, add a public-comment period specifically for items on the agenda and a separate general comment period, and adopt rules governing those comment periods. The council approved each piece of the five-part substitute amendment after first splitting the question for separate votes.

The measures were presented as a substitute amendment to sections 2-53 and 2-54(f) of the Fort Atkinson Code of General Ordinances and were discussed across several meetings this summer. Manager Hulsman described the five parts as “the addition of the pledge of allegiance, the addition of a consent agenda, adding a public comment period for matters on the agenda, adding a general comment period, and then setting rules for the comment periods.”

The debate included comments from residents who urged both for and against adding the pledge. Resident Jim Roussis said he had “nothing against reciting the pledge,” but urged council members to consider the pledge’s phrase “liberty and justice for all” in light of community members who feel unsafe. Adam Thompson, another resident, urged council members to consider the pledge’s origins and how the phrase “under God” was added, saying the pledge “just doesn't seem like the right thing for a city council to be doing.” Laurie Balgamuth spoke in favor, calling the pledge a tradition and saying it honors veterans.

Council members who spoke raised legal, practical and representation concerns. One council member (recorded in the meeting transcript without a full name) summarized a constitutional view: “The first amendment doesn't guarantee the right to speak or express views in any way at any time or through any particular ritual during these meetings,” and cited court decisions to argue the council may set limited, orderly forums for its business. Other council comments emphasized constituent preference (members cited petition signatures and public outreach) and concerns about staff time spent on the ordinance process.

Council discussion also recorded the council’s informal tally of public input: one speaker said staff had tracked about 14 individuals in support and four in opposition across multiple meetings. A petition circulated during the ordinance process was described in the meeting as having 154 Fort Atkinson signatures, though council members noted some photocopies in the packet bore unclear provenance and that some signers may live outside the city.

Roll-call votes on the split questions and on each element showed the council approved adding the pledge, establishing a consent agenda, creating the two public-comment periods, and adopting the rules for comments. The vote on adding the pledge passed 3–2. The other four elements were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The ordinance language changes that were approved amend sections 2-53 and 2-54(f) of the municipal code to add the listed items to the order of business and to set the prohibited topics and procedures for comment periods. The meeting record shows the council chose to treat the pledge as an optional element of the order of business and to keep separate safeguards for orderly meetings: the rules allow the chair to deem remarks irrelevant to city business and to enforce decorum.

The council did not adopt any enforcement changes that would compel citizens to recite the pledge; council members repeatedly noted that individuals retain their First Amendment rights and may recite the pledge on their own. The ordinance change places the ceremonial recital on the council’s agenda as a matter of procedure rather than a compelled act. Council President Jackel called the motions and declared the measures carried.

The amendments go into the city code immediately as adopted by the council’s vote; any practical changes to how meetings are run (time limits, order of speakers, scheduling for agenda-specific comments) will be implemented by the council president and staff in upcoming meetings.","The Fort Atkinson City Council on Aug. 5 approved a package of amendments adding recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the order of business, establishing a consent agenda, creating a separate public-comment period for agenda items and a general comment period, and formalizing rules for those comment periods after weeks of public input.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $36,480 in additional invoices for heavy sanitary and stormwater cleaning

Council reappoints Baker Tilly for three-year financial audit

Council adopts ordinances tightening inspection reporting, change-of-use certificates and reinspection fees

Fort Atkinson awards five-year garbage and recycling contract to John's Disposal at current service level

Fort Atkinson council votes to add Pledge, carve out agenda and public-comment rules after months of debate