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Franklin council approves contracts, appointments and zoning updates; votes summarized
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the Common Council confirmed multiple appointments, awarded professional services contracts, approved planning and zoning amendments, authorized prescribed burns and approved an industrial revenue bond preliminary step; the council also entered and exited two closed sessions.
The City of Franklin Common Council handled a slate of routine and substantive items Tuesday, approving professional services contracts, appointments, zoning text amendments and other actions. Several items required roll-call votes; the council recorded approvals, a small number of abstentions and two closed-session votes.
Votes at a glance (outcomes and key details):
- Board and commission appointments (multiple): Council approved the appointment of Michelle Eichman to the Planning Commission (unexpired term to April 14, 2025) and several Economic Development Commission and Community Development Authority appointments. Vote: motion carried (roll call recorded; 6-0 where tallied).
- G1 West Saint Martins Road water main award: Contract awarded to Globe Contractors Inc., $501,977 (base + mandatory alternate 2). Vote: approved 6-0 (see separate article for full discussion).
- G2: Professional services contract with Graef USA for construction administration and inspection services for the S. 116th Street Trail project, fee $178,100 (resolution amended with minor technical edits). Vote: 5 ayes, 1 abstention; motion carried.
- G3: Confirmation of Michael N. Holz as City Engineer (public officer appointment under city code). Vote: 6-0, motion carried. Council clarified the role is a public officer (not a city employee) and that prior contracts remain unchanged.
- G4: Resolution authorizing officials to accept a conservation easement as part of an approved certified survey map and natural-resource special exception for properties at S. 20th/College Ave (College Avenue Associates). Vote: motion carried (unanimous when recorded).
- G5: Unified Development Ordinance text amendment to allow certain packaging/retail shipping services (SIC 7389) as a permitted use in the B-3 Community Business District (Prime Pack LLC applicant). Vote: motion carried.
- G6: Amendment to Planned Development District No. 18 to allow staff approval of minor site-plan amendments (measurable thresholds provided). Vote: motion carried.
- G7: Conditional approval of a lot combination (Crohn's Inc.) for three lots to be combined into one; staff cited existing nonconformities not created by the combination. Vote: motion carried.
- G8: Three-year agreement with the Southeast Wisconsin chapter of Pheasants Forever to conduct prescribed burns at Pleasant View Park Prairie (to control invasive woody species); agreement subject to city forester and city attorney changes. Vote: motion carried (unanimous when amended).
- G9: Addendum No. 1 to Infrastructure & Environment LLC contract for $2,500–3,000 for additional work; motion carried.
- G10: Consideration of an initial resolution concerning industrial development revenue bond (IRB) financing for a Peter LLC / JAX project (preliminary step to solicit bond proposals). City attorney and economic development director said the IRB is a state-created financing vehicle and the city is not fiscally responsible for the developer's borrowing. Vote: motion carried (6-0).
- G11: Agreement for professional appraisal services (Accurate Appraisal LLC). Council entered closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(e) and (g) for bargaining and legal strategy; vote to enter closed: 4 ayes, 2 no. Council reconvened and voted to proceed as discussed in closed session (motion carried on a subsequent roll call).
- G12: Motion regarding potential use of CDA property (outlet pond at 5400 W. Ashland Way) entered as closed session business; vote to enter closed: 6-0. Council returned to open session and placed the matter on file (no additional action taken at open session).
- H (licenses): Council approved six operator licenses (one new operator application held for discrepancy). Vote: 5 ayes, 1 abstention.
- City vouchers and payroll (ending 01/30/2025): City vouchers $4,220,706.62; payroll and associated deductions as listed on the action sheet. Vote to approve: 6-0.
Context and procedure notes: in several instances council members and staff emphasized that procedural steps remain for assessment decisions, conservation easements, or contract authorizations — i.e., formal public hearings, engineer reports, ministerial corrections or contract execution steps remain before final implementation. The city attorney frequently reminded the body that notices and statutory timelines apply, and that approval of a contract or preliminary resolution does not automatically impose assessments or create creditor obligations for the city.
What to expect next: staff said it will return with required reports (engineer assessments, public-notice materials, or corrected documents) where applicable. Several items (notably the West Saint Martins water main and potential special assessments) will require further council hearings and formal resolutions before financial obligations are finalized.
