Council and committees approve borrowing plan, settlements and routine permits; closed session settlement for Walgreens cases approved

A series of motions and resolutions across West Bend City committees and the Common Council on March 17 resulted in approvals of a debt issuance authorization, settlement of tax-assessment litigation, several administrative transfers and routine permits.

Key outcomes: the Finance Committee approved a parameters resolution authorizing the sale of not-to-exceed $4,325,000 general obligation promissory notes, series 2025A; the Common Council approved settlement agreements resolving two Walgreens tax-assessment cases and authorized related refunds; the Board of Public Works and Licensing Board approved routine minutes, a permission-to-bid and an easement agreement; and the Finance Committee approved a transfer of proceeds from a vehicle auction to purchase parks equipment.

Why it matters: the debt authorization finances 2025 capital improvement projects and uses the city’s general obligation borrowing capacity; the closed-session settlement resolves two tax-assessment disputes and authorizes refunds; the other items move planned capital maintenance and small permitting matters forward.

Selected votes and details

- Closed-session settlement (Common Council): The council approved a motion to accept settlement agreements in the Walgreens tax-assessment cases for properties at 1720 West Washington and 1921 South Main Street and to authorize refunds based on those agreements. The motion was moved by Alderman Sternig and seconded by Alderman Allen. The council voted by roll call; the record shows aldermen Schmidt, Sparks, Allen, Bergquist, Butchlick, Sizer, Sternig and Zingsheim voting “Aye.” The mayor declared the motion carried after roll call.

- Resolution 80 (Finance Committee): The Finance Committee approved Resolution No. 80 authorizing issuance and establishing parameters for the sale of not-to-exceed $4,325,000 general obligation promissory notes, series 2025A, to finance 2025 capital improvement projects. John Cameron of Ehlers presented the presale report; he said the notes are proposed as 10-year promissory notes with an anticipated amortization schedule and a potential call feature on or after April 1, 2032. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote.

- Resolution 79 (Finance Committee): The committee approved transfer of proceeds from the auction sale of a Parks, Recreation and Forestry pickup truck to an expenditure account to offset the purchase of a new lawn mower included in the 2025 capital improvement program. Parks staff described a vendor price increase of about 2% between budgeting and purchase that prompted the request. The motion carried by voice vote.

- Licensing Board: The Licensing Board approved minutes from its Feb. 17 meeting and approved an amusement device license application (motion carried by voice vote).

- Board of Public Works routine items and approvals: The board approved minutes from its March 3 meeting; granted permission to bid for parking stalls associated with Lady Breath Garden (permission to bid); approved an agreement permitting a fence to be installed through a sanitary sewer easement at 527 Hargrove Street under terms that require removal for utility access; and awarded contracts for Kilbourne/Third and Edgewood Lane reconstruction (those contract awards are covered in a separate article). Each item carried on board voice votes.

- Consent agenda and service resolutions (Common Council): The council approved a consent agenda (items 6–12) previously taken up in committee. It also approved resolutions honoring Fire Lieutenant Daniel McCreary and Fire Motor Pump Operator Mark Renzel for 25 years of service, and a resolution recognizing City Administrator Jay Chambault for his service; each resolution was approved by voice vote.

What the record does not specify: most routine approvals were voice votes and the transcript does not list formal tallies for those motions. For the contract awards the Board of Public Works recorded bidder amounts and contingency allocations (see the reconstruction article for bid totals and contingency amounts). The finance presale packet contains project tables and an estimated amortization schedule; the committee approved parameters while staff and the municipal advisor continue rating and sale preparations.

The committees and council adjourned after completing business.