The Wisconsin Rapids Common Council on Monday approved committee minutes and several formal actions, confirmed mayoral appointments and adopted Planning Commission recommendations.

Appointments and confirmations: The council confirmed the nomination of Rick Moran to the Waterworks and Lighting Commission by voice vote; the minutes record the vote as 8‑0. The council also confirmed Mayor Zachary's appointments to the library board (John Omernick) and the zoning board of appeals (Kevin Fagman) by voice vote, recorded 8‑0.

Planning commission: The council adopted the Planning Commission report from its Oct. 6 meeting. The commission had unanimously approved several matters including: (1) approval of the prior meeting report; (2) a special exception to exceed the maximum amount of parking in front of a principal building at 2201 County Highway W (motion carried 7‑0); and (3) expansion of a nonconforming building for a vestibule at 1841 West Grand Avenue (motion carried 7‑0). Council adoption of the commission actions was recorded as 8‑0.

Finance and grant matters: The Finance and Property Committee minutes presented to council record action on a community development referral to apply for a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) site assessment grant for environmental cleanup at 330 Ninth Avenue South. At the committee level the referral was approved after reconsideration; the committee vote to apply was recorded as 2‑1 with a $150,000 grant request and a 20% local match noted in the packet. The committee also approved budget resolution number 3 and the audit of checks 27258 to 27563; during the council meeting staff reported the total amount of checks approved was $2,077,511.19.

Human resources and benefits: The Human Resource Committee minutes show the committee met in closed session to negotiate city employee group health insurance proposals and later approved contracting with the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) group health trust. The committee approved a medical plan change effective Jan. 1, 2026 that the minutes say results in a 4.88% increase in health insurance premiums compared with 2025 rates and notes a not‑to‑exceed increase of 9.5% in 2027. The committee also approved renewal of dental administration with Delta Dental (administration cost shown as $12,220), approved a voluntary vision plan through NVA with employees paying 100% of premiums, and approved a city‑sponsored group pet insurance through Spot with employees paying 100% of premiums; the final committee vote on the pet insurance in the council discussion was recorded as 6 ayes to 2 nays (Katna and Pollock opposed).

Other business: The council approved a resolution authorizing city officials to submit a WEDC application on behalf of a local business at 700 Dura Beauty Lane; the resolution notes the business owner could receive up to $250,000 toward building renovations and passed 8‑0. Council members also made and recorded three referrals: a referral to the legislative committee regarding an offender residency ordinance; a referral on the safe haven baby box to Finance and Property; and a referral to the Planning Commission for summaries of monthly approvals and reviews.

Votes at a glance
- Rick Moran — nominated to Waterworks & Lighting Commission; voice vote recorded 8‑0 (nomination by Jeff Penskover).
- Mayor's appointments — John Omernick (Library Board) and Kevin Fagman (Zoning Board of Appeals); confirmed 8‑0.
- Planning Commission actions (10/06/2025) — adopted by council 8‑0; commission approvals included two land‑use items each carried 7‑0 at the commission.
- Finance Committee: Application to WEDC for site assessment grant at 330 Ninth Ave S — committee voted to apply; at committee the motion carried 2‑1; council adopted committee actions as part of the agenda. Grant amount listed in committee materials: $150,000 with a 20% local match.
- Audit of checks 27258–27563 — committee and council approved; amount reported $2,077,511.19.
- Human Resources Committee: approved WCA group health trust medical proposal (4.88% premium increase effective 01/01/2026), Delta Dental renewal (administration cost $12,220), voluntary NVA vision (employees 100% pay), and city sponsorship of Spot pet insurance (employees 100% pay) — committee votes recorded in minutes and adopted via council agenda review.