Fort Atkinson council declares “Lehi Mow May,” approves utility and vehicle purchases and a classification study RFP

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. — The Fort Atkinson City Council on March 18 adopted a resolution declaring May 2025 “Lehi Mow May,” temporarily exempting certain city and rear residential lawns from the municipal eight‑inch grass-height limit to promote pollinator habitat, and approved a series of equipment purchases and a request for proposals to study city employee classification and compensation.

City Manager Hausman told the council the exception would allow rear yards of residential properties and designated city‑owned locations to exceed the 8‑inch maximum for grass during May so pollinators have better habitat. “The city has participated in No Mow May since 2021,” Hausman said, describing the change as a temporary exception from May 1 to May 31, 2025.

The resolution applies to specified city properties including Berry Park (near the playground), North Main Street and North Fourth Street near the train tracks, a swath by the electronic sign at Jones Park and a section of Wilcox Park. Hausman said staff recommends the exception to facilitate the “promotion and education of habitat necessary for the successful emergence and survival of pollinators.”

Resident Kurt Schrader asked whether the mayor’s monarch pledge involved “a garden or something concrete.” Schrader identified himself as speaking for himself, 501 East Sherman, Fort Atkinson.

The council approved the Lehi Mow May resolution by voice vote.

The council also approved several operational purchases discussed at the meeting:

- Wastewater confined‑space equipment: Wastewater Utilities Superintendent Sweeney said the utility’s confined‑space self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and airline equipment date to 2006 and that replacement is needed because staff can no longer fill the old tanks. “This replacement allows for the Fort Atkinson Fire Department to now fill those tanks again for the life of the new products,” Sweeney said. Staff recommended and the council approved accepting a McQueen proposal not to exceed $15,907 to replace tanks, bottles and associated fittings; the expenditure is charged to the wastewater utility 2025 budget.

- Thickened activated sludge pump: The council approved purchase of a Borger rotary‑lobe pump at a cost not to exceed $26,555.80, pump installation from Sauble Mechanical LLC at a cost not to exceed $16,663, and up to $5,000 for electrical work, for a total project not to exceed $48,218.80. Superintendent Sweeney said the current pump was installed in 1992 and is at the end of its useful life; the replacement is the third of a four‑pump plan.

- 2025 Ford F‑250 for Public Works: Public Works Superintendent Tom Williamson recommended purchase of a 2025 Ford F‑250 from Griffin Ford of Fort Atkinson at a cost not to exceed $46,418.50, using designated 2025 CIP funds. Williamson said the department will reuse the oldest trucks as part‑time vehicles and may auction truly end‑of‑life units.

- Analog VHF radio repeater and mast‑mounted antenna: Williamson described communications gaps between the new public works facility and vehicles north of the river and recommended repurposing surplus fire‑department radios with a new FCC VHF frequency license and a mast‑mounted repeater. The council authorized a contract with Gencom not to exceed $12,147.75, paid from the public works and parks operations facility FF&E budget.

The council also authorized release of a request for proposals for a classification and compensation study for full‑time, non‑represented city employees. Manager Hausman said the last comparable study was performed in 2013 with implementation in 2014 and that the 2025 budget includes an estimated $30,000 for the work to be paid from ARPA funds held in an assigned fund balance. The RFP schedule in the packet shows proposals due April 18 and staff aiming to present a recommendation to the council on May 6.

Council members additionally recognized 2024 Green Recognition Program award recipients — 5 Star Antiques and Lava Vintage Clothing (local business category) and resident Amanda Eberts (individual category) — and heard a manager’s report highlighting local projects and upcoming election and committee dates.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 5A–5I): Approved by voice vote. - Resolution adopting temporary exception to City of Fort Atkinson Municipal Code §102‑121(b)(1) — “Lehi Mow May” (May 1–31, 2025): Approved by voice vote. - Accept proposal from McQueen for confined‑space SCBA/airline system (wastewater utility): Approved by voice vote; cost not to exceed $15,907; funded from wastewater utility 2025 budget. - Purchase and installation of thickened activated sludge pump: Approved by voice vote; total not to exceed $48,218.80 ($26,555.80 pump, $16,663 installation, up to $5,000 electrical). - Release RFP for classification and compensation study: Authorized by voice vote; RFP due April 18; study budgeted at approximately $30,000 (ARPA funds). - Purchase of 2025 Ford F‑250 (Public Works): Approved by voice vote; cost not to exceed $46,418.50 (Griffin Ford of Fort Atkinson) from 2025 CIP funds. - Contract with Gencom for analog VHF repeater and mast antenna: Approved by voice vote; amount not to exceed $12,147.75 from FF&E budget. - Verified claims and authorization of payment: Approved by roll call vote; Councilman Chakel, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Schultz and President Lasker voted aye; motion approved unanimously.

Why it matters

The Lehi Mow May resolution temporarily adjusts municipal code enforcement to support pollinator habitat on specified public and private rear lawns for one month, signaling local implementation of pollinator‑friendly practices. The equipment and vehicle purchases replace aging infrastructure and are funded within 2025 budgets or capital projects; the classification and compensation study responds to recruitment and retention concerns staff described at the meeting and could influence 2026 budget decisions.

What’s next

- The Lehi Mow May exception applies May 1–31, 2025; property owners are not required to participate. - The classification and compensation RFP responses are due April 18; staff plans to bring a recommendation to the council on May 6. - Several approved purchases will proceed through procurement and installation; staff identified the public works facility FF&E budget and the wastewater utility 2025 budget as funding sources.