Kiel Council accepts annual reports, approves personnel moves and routine licenses; votes at a glance

The Kiel City Council handled several administrative and routine items in a single session, approving annual reports, awarding service and maintenance contracts, authorizing personnel actions and scheduling a closed session concerning the city clerk-treasurer position.

The council voted to accept the 2024 annual reports from the Kiel Fire Department and the Kiel Ambulance Service. Councilmembers praised the reports and discussed whether to provide formal recognition for the departments’ increased call volume and service.

The council approved a quote from Altitude Roofing to replace roofs on two park buildings at Hingis Park and City Park. The council was told the city budgeted $31,000 for the work; the motion approved a $30,800 quote. The packet contained an earlier line that read $30,015; the council approved the motion as presented in the meeting for $30,800.

On personnel matters, the council approved the promotion of Derek Miller to electric utility line foreman at an hourly rate of $51.43, effective immediately. General Manager of Utilities Chris August summarized the internal promotion and said the candidate had positive performance reviews; Councilmember Judy made the motion and Councilmember Gill seconded.

The council also authorized General Manager of Utilities Chris August to open a hiring process for an electric lineman apprentice. Staff told the council the city has used an in-house apprenticeship approach for about a decade and that the posting would likely remain open at least two to three weeks or until filled.

During the meeting the council approved acceptance of an extraterritorial review for a property split requested by Thomas Miller in the Town of Schleswig; the Manitowoc County zoning authority and the city planning commission had recommended approval.

Other council actions included approval for the city administrator to attend the League of Wisconsin Municipalities spring conference, renewal of a Class B beer license for the Kiel Baseball Club for the 2025 season, and approval of a temporary Class B license for the Kiel Area Chamber of Commerce for the Kiel German Day event on June 13, 2025.

Near the end of the meeting the council voted to convene in closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation and performance data for the city clerk-treasurer position; a five-zero roll call carried the motion.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Accept 2024 annual reports — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Approve roofing quote (Hingis Park and City Park) from Altitude Roofing — passed, unanimous (5–0); motion approved for $30,800 (budgeted $31,000). - Promote Derek Miller to electric utility line foreman at $51.43/hour — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Open hiring process for electric lineman apprentice — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Accept extraterritorial review for a parcel in the Town of Schleswig (Thomas Miller) — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Approve bid: Fourth Street contract (separately recorded) — passed, unanimous (5–0). - City administrator to attend League of Wisconsin Municipalities spring conference — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Renew Class B license for Kiel Baseball Club (04/01/2025–10/01/2025) — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Approve temporary Class B license for Kiel Area Chamber of Commerce for Kiel German Day (06/13/2025) — passed, unanimous (5–0). - Convene closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) to consider city clerk-treasurer personnel matters — passed, roll call 5–0.

Several items were described as previously discussed at the Committee of the Whole and included staff reports in the council packet; for some items staff promised additional cost or procedural details at future meetings.