Council approves multiple consent items, Riverbend transfer; salaries ordinance amended and laid over

The West Bend Common Council on Feb. 3 approved a multi-item consent agenda that included liquor-license and amusement-device approvals, acceptance of modest donations to the fire department, and appropriations from the sale of surplus equipment, and approved a third amendment to the Riverbend pre-development agreement. Council members also amended a proposed ordinance to change aldermen and mayor compensation and laid that ordinance over to the next meeting for a formal second reading.

The consent agenda (items 2–7) passed on a single vote after a brief request that the Police Chief review the Barton House LLC liquor-license transfer. Police Chief Moyler told council staff review applications and only recommend denial when statutorily justified, and said in this case the applicant’s record did not present a statutory bar. The consent items included: the Barton House LLC liquor-license transfer, a Tequileria amusement-device license application, two resolutions accepting donations to the Fire Department, and two resolutions authorizing appropriation of funds from 2024 and 2025 sales of surplus equipment.

Council then approved a third amendment to the pre-development agreement for the Riverbend development (Hendricks and Riverbend LLC). City staff said the amendment allows sale of a specific building without transferring the original developer’s obligation to cover potential tax-increment financing (TID) shortfalls; the obligations would remain with Hendricks and Riverbend LLC. Staff said Ehlers’ cash-flow analysis shows the change is expected to be net positive within three to five years and that the Hendricks Group has fronted about $4,000,000 for infrastructure improvements that will be repaid as increment accrues.

On zoning matters, the council held second readings and approved two related items (the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning) for about 18 acres north of County Trunk Highway NN and west of U.S. Highway 45. Both measures passed 7–1. The council also voted to add Ward 27 to the municipal ward map to incorporate a property annexed Nov. 8, 2024; that ordinance passed.

Council took up an ordinance to repeal and replace municipal code section 2.11 on salaries and expense allowances for aldermen and mayor. After extended debate, Alderman Allen offered and the council accepted an amendment setting alderman annual pay at $5,720 with a monthly $50 expense allowance, mayoral pay at $10,285 with a $250 monthly expense allowance, and a 2% annual escalator on May 1 each year beginning in 2028; the change would take effect May 1, 2027. The council voted in favor of the amended ordinance but did not adopt it that night; the item was laid over for a required second reading at the next meeting.

Other administrative and departmental reports included a notice that the SAFER federal grant funding pause could affect nine planned firefighter hires and a Parks and Recreation update that narrowed skate-park site options and noted program fee adjustments.

Votes at a glance: multiple procedural votes to approve meeting minutes; consent agenda approval (items 2–7) approved; third amendment to Riverbend pre-development agreement approved; comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning for 18 acres approved, each 7–1; Ward 27 added to ward map approved; first reading to incorporate updated sewer service charges into the Municipal Code approved; salaries ordinance amendment accepted and laid over for second reading.

Details and minutes will appear in the council packet for the Feb. 17 meeting.