Wauwatosa council approves repair agreement, multiple fund transfers and contracts; cryptocurrency resolution sent to file

The Wauwatosa Common Council approved a package of operational contracts and budget transfers at its March meeting, including an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the City of Milwaukee for fire apparatus and equipment repairs, emergency funding for a tower-ladder repair, purchase of a new sewer-vacuum truck, and contracts to manage the Molnar Building and produce a donated monument sign for Firefly Grove Park. The council also authorized a master-planning agreement with Irgens for the Milwaukee County Research Park, voted to file a proposal on municipal cryptocurrency reserves for future consideration, and moved into closed session to discuss a term sheet with the Mandel Group on a Blanchard Street redevelopment.

The approvals bundle day-to-day operations and near-term capital needs. Officials said the measures preserve emergency response capacity, upgrade public works equipment, secure outside management for a community building, and lock in a donor-funded park sign ahead of a planned Memorial Day park opening. Council members also voted to place a citizen-introduced cryptocurrency letter to the state on file rather than advance advocacy at this time.

The council approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement (IGA) with the City of Milwaukee that allows Milwaukee’s certified technicians to repair Wauwatosa apparatus and some specialized equipment such as Stryker stretchers. Assistant Fire Chief Cadrich said the formal agreement builds on an earlier informal arrangement and is expected to reduce labor costs and speed repairs. Alder Phillips moved approval with a second from Alder Gustafson; the motion passed 8–0.

Separately, the council approved a level-3 fund transfer to cover part of an emergency repair to Tower Ladder 53 after in‑house mechanics discovered engine and transmission damage. City staff said the final repair cost was about $52,000; the council approved a staff recommendation to transfer $31,624.38 into the repair account with the remainder to come from the department’s operations budget. Alder Dolan moved approval, seconded by Alder McClough; the vote was 8–0.

The Public Works and Fleet departments won approval to buy a combination vacuum/sewer cleaning truck (a Vactor model) plus a maintenance package that guarantees a repurchase value after five years if the city maintains the vendor’s required upkeep. Fleet staff said the city will use sanitary fund balance rather than contingency reserves; delivery was estimated for late summer or early fall. Alder Phillips moved and Alder Dolan seconded; the council approved the purchase 8–0.

On facility management, the council approved a three-year contract with two optional one‑year extensions with Poor Inc. to manage room rentals at the Molnar Building in Hart Park. Tom Gabert and Liz Reinders, identified as co‑owners of Poor Inc., attended the meeting. Alder Gustafson disclosed a personal relationship with the owners and recorded a “present” vote; the motion passed 7–0 with one present. Alder Morgan moved approval; Alder Dolan seconded.

The council also voted to waive a formal RFP process and award a contract to Innovative Signs for a monument sign at Firefly Grove Park after Waterstone Bank offered a letter of intent to donate $50,000 to cover the cost. Staff said Innovative Signs prepared the design used to secure the donor and that production and installation would take roughly eight weeks — on a schedule the city said should allow the sign to be in place by the park’s Memorial Day opening. Alder Lewis moved the staff recommendation; Alder Morgan seconded. The vote was 8–0.

In economic development business, the council approved a master-planning agreement with developer Irgens to study infrastructure and repositioning options for the Milwaukee County Research Park. Staff said the city’s share of planning costs would come from Tax Increment District (TID) 6 surplus funds. The measure passed 8–0 on a motion from Alder Phillips, seconded by Alder Dolan.

Council members debated a resolution authorizing municipal cryptocurrency reserves and whether to ask the state legislature to permit municipalities to hold cryptocurrencies. Proponents framed the request as a nonbinding letter to state lawmakers that would allow future diversification; opponents, including the finance director and city attorney, warned that the city’s existing investment policy prioritizes preservation of principal and liquidity and that crypto markets remain highly volatile. The council did not advance the letter; instead it voted 5–3 to place the proposal on file pending further review. Alder McClough moved to file the item; Alder Phillips seconded. The roll-call opposition was noted by staff as Alders Dolan, Lewis and Morgan.

Finally, the council voted to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate a term sheet with the Mandel Group for the Blanchard Street parcel at 7470 Blanchard Street (the proposed Harlow and Hem project). Staff said parts of the negotiation and some developer materials are confidential. The motion to enter closed session was moved by Alder Phillips, seconded by Alder Dolan, and passed 8–0.

Votes at a glance: - Intergovernmental cooperation agreement with City of Milwaukee (fire apparatus/equipment repairs): motion Phillips; second Gustafson; result approved 8–0. - Level-3 fund transfer — Tower Ladder 53 emergency repair ($31,624.38 transfer; final repair ≈ $52,000, remainder from operations): motion Dolan; second McClough; approved 8–0. - Level-3 fund transfer — Purchase of Vactor combination vacuum/sewer cleaning truck with maintenance package (paid from sanitary fund balance): motion Phillips; second Dolan; approved 8–0. - Contract with Poor Inc. for Molnar Building management (3 years + 2 one‑year options): motion Morgan; second Dolan; approved 7–0 (1 present—Alder Gustafson recused). - Waiver of RFP and contract with Innovative Signs for Firefly Grove Park monument sign (donation from Waterstone Bank, $50,000): motion Lewis; second Morgan; approved 8–0. - Master-plan agreement with Irgens for Milwaukee County Research Park (cost share via TID 6): motion Phillips; second Dolan; approved 8–0. - Municipal cryptocurrency reserves proposal: motion to file by McClough; second Phillips; motion carried 5–3 (Dolan, Lewis, Morgan opposed). - Motion to convene closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate a term sheet with Mandel Group for 7470 Blanchard Street: motion Phillips; second Dolan; approved 8–0.

Council members and staff said the approvals address immediate equipment and facility needs while preserving options for longer-term planning. Several council members urged caution on high‑risk financial instruments and recommended further review before any policy change on investment direction.