Waukesha council approves property actions, adopts DORA rules and moves forward on city contracts and bids

The Waukesha Common Council on July 2 approved several property and contract actions, adopted a designated outdoor refreshment area ordinance and heard public comment urging changes to local residency restrictions for people with past convictions.

The council voted to approve a third amendment to a real‑property purchase agreement covering about 4.92 acres on Delafield Street that extends the buyer’s due‑diligence and sets the closing window to begin after two triggers: any appeals in a lawsuit against the city are resolved and a conservation easement required for the historic portion of the site has been drafted, approved and recorded. Community development staff recommended the amendment; the motion passed 11–1.

The council also declared 223 Southwest Avenue surplus and later, after closed session, authorized placing the parcel out for public bid for 30 days. Staff told the council the property is an odd triangular parcel with an approximately 1,200‑square‑foot utility/storage building that was used as a well/reservoir until the 1970s; the water utility said it has no use for the parcel. The council was told an in‑city demolition of the building would cost roughly $15,000–$20,000 if the city retained the site. The surplus declaration passed unanimously; the 30‑day bid authorization passed 12–1.

On ordinances, the council approved revisions to municipal code 11.27 to create designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs). Under the adopted rules, a tamper‑evident wristband or sticker system is required: council discussion clarified the wristband is intended to show proof of age (wristbands valid across participating locations) and that the wristband/sticker program is designed to limit each wristband to one drink purchase;…