West Bend council approves MGT search contract, Westbury Bank aqua-park naming and a slate of infrastructure and zoning actions

The West Bend Common Council on Feb. 17 authorized an executive search contract for a new city administrator, approved naming rights for the Regner Park aqua park with Westbury Bank, accepted county grant funding for a city housing study and cleared several public-works and election-related items.

The meeting, held at City Hall and properly noticed under Wisconsin law, opened with routine approvals and included ceremonial items (an oath for new police officer Hunter Schrader and a proclamation recognizing adult school crossing guards), followed by substantive votes on hiring a search firm, park sponsorship, street vacation procedures, polling-place relocations and code changes affecting aldermanic pay.

Why it matters: the MGT contract starts the formal search for the city’s next administrator following the incumbent’s resignation; the naming-rights agreement brings near-term revenue and in-kind marketing to a new public amenity; the housing study grant will deliver outside consultant analysis of local housing options; and the public-works and polling-place actions affect where and how residents will receive city services and vote.

City moves forward with administrator search firm

After a staff presentation on options for filling the administrator vacancy, the council voted to proceed with MGT (formerly GovHR) to manage the executive search on a services contract not to exceed $25,000 after attorney review. Councilmembers discussed timeline and cost; staff said MGT quoted a flat fee with marketing and printing contained in that cap and that travel or lodging for out-of-area finalists would be extra.

Alderman Allen moved to begin the process with MGT on a not-to-exceed $25,000 contract; the motion passed 7–1. Council members said the firm was used previously for a city manager search and for other municipal studies and noted a typical search timeline of a few months to produce finalists, depending on scheduling and candidate notice requirements.

Westbury Bank secures naming rights for Regner Park aqua park

The council approved an agreement with Westbury Bank to name the new Regner Park aqua park for seven years. Parks staff said the bank will provide $60,000 in financial support: a $25,000 initial payment upon signing and $5,000 per year thereafter. The agreement includes placement of the Westbury Bank logo on four aqua-park obstacles, inclusion in promotional materials, 150 co-branded tickets distributed at bank branches, and an annual use of the Beach House community room on Juneteenth for bank employees; the park commission had recommended approval.

Next Generation housing grant accepted for local study

The council accepted funding from Washington County’s Next Generation Housing Initiative for a city housing study to be performed by Tracy Cross and Associates. Staff said the grant requires minimal city staff time (providing data, GIS maps and coordination) and that the consultant’s work is expected to be completed in the coming months with a report or presentation to the council possible upon completion.

Public works and stormwater actions

The Board of Public Works presented three construction-related orders and a stormwater maintenance agreement amendment. City Engineer Max Marichel described typical “sidewalk order” procedures that allow the finance department to invoice property owners when the city and private property share replacement costs. The board voted to approve sidewalk replacement orders for:

- Contract 2501: reconstruction of Kilbourne Avenue (Main to Indiana) and Third Avenue (Sycamore to Chestnut). - Contract 2503: reconstruction of Edgewood Lane (Wisconsin to Indiana).

The board also approved an amendment (Amendment No. 2) to a stormwater management maintenance agreement for property owned by Manitou, required because the owner changed property grading to build a loading dock; the agreement ensures future maintenance of stormwater facilities.

Donations and park funding

The Finance Committee recommended, and the council accepted, Resolution No. 73 to accept two donations to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department: $4,800 from Gary Britton to buy acoustic panels for the Beach House community room and $25,000 from the Friends of Parks and Recreation to support inflatables and the new aqua park.

Land use, streets and polling places

The council adopted a preliminary resolution (Resolution No. 72) to vacate approximately 750 feet of the westerly portion of Wingate Street to facilitate redevelopment connected with WE Energies; the resolution sets a public hearing for April 7 and triggers required owner notifications and easement coordination.

The council also approved Ordinance No. 29 permanently relocating polling places for Districts 1 and 8; the change takes effect April 1 so locations will remain the same for the imminent primary. Staff said the city will mail postcards to affected voters, update online voter information and post notices at the current polling locations to redirect voters.

Code change on alderman pay approved on second reading

On second reading the council voted to repeal and replace municipal code section 2.11 (salaries and expense allowances for aldermen and the mayor). The ordinance does not take immediate effect and was described in discussion as scheduled to take effect in two years; the measure passed on a roll call 6–2.

Appointments, acknowledgments and closed session

The council approved an appointment (nomination) of Justice Mantle to a city commission or committee (the specific commission or committee was not specified in the meeting record) by a 7–1 vote after a short discussion that included references to prior public reporting about Mantle’s past work; the administering speaker said the nominee had previously served and the community had elected him to alderman multiple times.

The council also honored longtime city engineer Max Marichel for 25 years of service, administered the oath of office to Police Officer Hunter Schrader and issued a proclamation designating the week of Feb. 16–20 as Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week.

The meeting adjourned into closed session under Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(c) to discuss interim-administrator matters; the council took no action following the closed session.

Votes at a glance

- Licensing Board minutes (02/03/2025): approved (consent). - Racinghaus, new Class B beer license: approved (Licensing Board). - Kwik Trip #10, change of agent: approved (Licensing Board). - Board of Public Works minutes (02/03/2025): approved. - Sidewalk order — Contract 2501 (Kilbourne Ave; Third Ave): approved (order to remove/replace sidewalks; finance invoicing of property owners where applicable). - Sidewalk order — Contract 2503 (Edgewood Lane): approved (same scope as above). - Stormwater maintenance agreement — W08-1 Amendment No. 2 (Manitou): approved (maintenance agreement tied to permit modification). - Finance Committee resolution No. 73 — accept donations ($4,800 from Gary Britton; $25,000 from Friends of Parks & Recreation): approved. - Resolution No. 51 — accept Next Generation Housing Initiative funding for a housing study (Tracy Cross & Associates): approved. - Motion to proceed with MGT for city administrator search (services contract not to exceed $25,000 after attorney review): approved 7–1. - Agreement with Westbury Bank — Regner Park aqua park naming rights (7 years; $25,000 initial + $5,000/year; $60,000 total committed; promotional and ticketing elements included): approved. - Preliminary resolution No. 72 — vacate ~750 feet of Wingate Street; set public hearing April 7: approved. - Ordinance No. 29 — permanent relocation of Districts 1 and 8 polling locations (effective April 1): approved after suspension of rules. - Ordinance (Municipal Code §2.11 repeal/replace) — salaries and expense allowances for aldermen and mayor (second reading passed on roll call 6–2): approved. - Appointment of Justice Mantle to a city commission/committee (specific body not specified in the record): approved 7–1. - Motion to adjourn to closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) to discuss interim-administrator matters: approved by roll call; no subsequent action taken.

What to expect next

Staff indicated that MGT will begin community engagement and candidate recruitment once the contract is finalized; the Next Gen housing consultant will return with deliverables in the coming months; and the Wingate Street vacation will proceed to public notice and a hearing on April 7. The polling-place relocations will be communicated to affected voters by postcard, the city’s voter lookup and posted signage at the outgoing locations.

Ending note: The council’s Feb. 17 agenda included multiple routine reports (library, plan commission, bid/facade grant updates) and community updates on local events (Bockfest, Little League tryouts). No substantive policy action resulted from the closed session.