Onalaska council approves multiple finance transfers, utility repair and development amendment; denies claim in closed session

The Onalaska Common Council on Tuesday approved a series of financial and administrative measures, authorized a municipal well repair and pump replacement, approved an amendment to a development agreement and denied a liability claim in closed session.

The council approved vouchers totaling $3,087,985.08; adopted multiple budget-transfer resolutions including action to establish parameters for the sale of up to $8,100,000 in general obligation promissory notes; authorized transfers among 2024 general fund accounts and transfers to special revenue and debt service funds; approved a purchase and repair contract for municipal well No. 8 that raises the project total to $80,100; approved an amendment to the development agreement with Traditional Trades for the Sand Lake Road Fields project; reserved $100,000 for a one-time employee retention payment; and, in closed session, voted to deny a claim by Darlene Hansen.

Why it matters: the packet of votes updates the city’s fiscal and capital position for 2024–25, funds immediate utility repairs to maintain summer water capacity and preserves the city’s negotiated development timetable for a housing project. Reserving $100,000 for employee retention is a one-time action that staff will return to the council next month with a formal resolution to expend the funds.

Key votes and outcomes - Vouchers ($3,087,985.08): Motion to approve by Ald. Dan Stevens; second by Ald. Steven Knott. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Resolution 4-20-25 (authorize issuance and parameters for sale of not-to-exceed $8,100,000 general obligation promissory notes): Motion by Ald. Dan Stevens; seconded by Mike Milkey. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Resolution 5-20-25 (transfer from 2024 general fund to special revenue/equipment replacement fund): Motion by Ald. Dan Stevens; seconded by Mike Milkey. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Resolution 6-20-25 (transfer to/from various 2024 general fund accounts): Motion by Ald. Dan Stevens; seconded by Steven Knott. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Resolution 7-20-25 (transfer from 2024 general fund to special projects special revenue fund): Motion by Ald. Dan Stevens; seconded by Mike Milkey. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. - Resolution 8-20-25 (transfer from 2024 general fund to debt service fund to pay short-term debt): Motion by Ald. Dan Stevens; seconded by Steven Knott. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Finance director Sabrina Steger said the payment will eliminate outstanding short-term borrowing and produce interest savings (estimated roughly $82,000 for the short-term payoff; a larger refinancing over 15–18 years produced a different, higher figure cited in committee). - Reserve funds for employee retention ($100,000 reserved): Motion by Ald. Dan Stevens; second by Mike Milkey. Vote: unanimous; outcome: council reserved $100,000. Finance director Sabrina Steger said preliminary estimates put the likely cost at about $89,000 across general fund and levy-funded enterprise accounts; staff will return in March with a resolution to authorize expenditure and finalize amounts. Ald. Mike Milkey and others said the funds come from excess interest income and stronger-than-expected permit revenue in 2024. - Board of Public Works: replace motor/pump and do well column work for Well No. 8; revised total project cost $80,100 (up from earlier estimate). Motion to approve purchase and work by Ald. Steven Knott; seconded by Ald. Diane Wolf. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Public works director Jared reported the existing motor (installed 2001) failed winding/resistance testing; staff opted to purchase a new motor rather than rewind the old one to reduce summertime failure risk. - Plan Commission: amendment to the development agreement with Traditional Trades (reordering building phases and related occupancy thresholds; minor amendment). Motion to approve by Ald. Steven Knott; seconded by Mike Milkey. Vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Planning staff said the change aligns phase sequencing and occupancy thresholds with updated architectural and market information. - Closed session: motion to deny the Darlene Hansen claim. Motion by Ald. Steven Knott; second by Ald. Dan Stevens. Vote: passed; outcome: claim denied.

What’s next: staff will draft the formal employee retention resolution for the March council meeting. The well repair work will proceed with water utility reserves covering the cost. The city administrator and finance director said the debt-transfer actions will reduce short-term interest payments and, by opting for shorter-term payback on future borrowing, can yield recurring interest savings if maintained.

Sources and evidence: council roll-call votes and discussion recorded during the Feb. 11 Onalaska Common Council meeting, Feb. 11, 2025.