Waupaca council approves flexible-facilities agreement, emergency plan, event closures and equipment purchases

The Waupaca Common Council on March 4 approved several agenda items including a State Municipal Agreement for the Flexible Facilities Program, adoption of an updated City of Waupaca Emergency Response Plan, street closures for the 2025 Waupaca Area Triathlon, the purchase of a riding mower for public works, and operator license report number 1711.

Council discussed the State Municipal Agreement and language added to the contract concerning dependence on federal funding. City staff member Aaron summarized discussions with the Wisconsin Department of Administration and U.S. Treasury officials and said federal funding was expected to be available; attorney Steve Sorensen said the funds tied to ARPA were allocated by Congress and that withdrawal would be legally fraught. Mayor Smith, joining remotely, and staff described the added contract language as greater detail rather than a substantive change. After discussion, the council approved the State Municipal Agreement for the Flexible Facilities Program by a 10‑0 vote.

The council then adopted the updated 2025 City of Waupaca Emergency Response Plan, described by staff as an "all hazards" base plan aligned to county and state emergency plans and intended to open eligibility for disaster funding and grant programs. The motion to adopt the plan passed 10–0.

Council approved the request to close city streets for the 2025 Waupaca Area Triathlon (the annual event scheduled for Aug. 15–16) by a unanimous voice vote, and later approved the purchase of a new riding mower to replace an aging Hustler Super Z with a Sourcewell contract. The mower purchase, budgeted across the general obligation fund and water and sewer utilities, was approved with funding not to exceed $15,376 and passed 10–0. License report number 1711 (operator/bartender licenses) was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Votes at a glance:

- Motion: "Approve consent agenda." Moved by Eric Olsen; second by Dave Peterson. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion: "Approve the regular agenda." Moved by Demetri Martin; second by Paul Hagen. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion: "Approve the State Municipal Agreement for the Flexible Facilities Program recognizing the language that has been added to Article 6." Moved by Dexter; second by Veliger. Outcome: approved, yes 10, no 0. - Motion: "Approve the 2025 City of Waupaca Emergency Response Plan." Moved by Dave Peterson; second by Eric Olsen. Outcome: approved, yes 10, no 0. - Motion: "Approve request to close city streets for the 2025 Waupaca Area Triathlon." Moved by Belcher; second by Colin Dykstra. Outcome: approved, yes 10, no 0. - Motion: "Approve purchase of riding mower (Sourcewell contract) with funding not to exceed $15,376 from general obligation, sewer utility and water utility funds." Moved by Scott Perchatsky; second by Dave Peterson. Outcome: approved, yes 10, no 0. - Motion: "Approve license report number 1711 (operators)." Moved by Corey Nagel; second by Paul Hagen. Outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous).

Council members and staff said they would monitor initial reimbursements under the flexible-facilities agreement and return to the council if timely reimbursement did not occur. Attorney Sorensen and staff described legal and administrative avenues to pursue if federal or state funds were delayed but emphasized that, as presented, the funds in this program had been allocated and the state was administering reimbursement.

Ending: Council adjourned at 7:31 p.m.; staff will continue to track reimbursements and implementation timelines and will bring issues back to council if delays occur.