The Common Council approved an amendment to Neenah’s ordinance regulating the moving of buildings that specifies the city will provide a standardized hold‑harmless agreement for applicants. The change originated in the Public Services and Safety Committee and was amended to direct the city attorney’s office to draft a uniform agreement for applicants to sign.
Alderman Palmo raised concerns about the hold‑harmless language and proposed the city provide the agreement as a city‑prepared template rather than have applicants submit their own documents. Assistant Director Schmidt and the city attorney agreed the city should prepare the form; the city attorney said his office approved the recommended change. Council President Borchert moved the amendment and it was seconded; the amendment passed at committee and the council later approved the ordinance as amended.
Committee and council votes on the ordinance and its amendment were recorded in the meeting minutes. The council discussed potential conflicts of interest and opted to have Council President Borchert offer the amendment after another alderman declined to move it for conflict‑of‑interest reasons. The revised ordinance will be implemented through city staff processes and the city attorney’s office will provide the hold‑harmless template.