The Waukesha Common Council took a series of formal actions during its Jan. 7 meeting, including a unanimous approval of a comprehensive-plan amendment for the 75.9-acre UWM Waukesha campus and final votes on three claims for property damage. The council also approved staff direction to prepare 2025 capital-improvement plans, reappointed a board member and held a public hearing and initial action on a zoning-code amendment.

Key votes and outcomes

- Comprehensive-plan amendment (UWM Waukesha campus): Approved unanimously. The council changed the site's land-use designation from institutional to mixed residential (see separate article for discussion and public comment). Tally: yes 14, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1.

- Claim of Joseph Knauer for vehicle damage ($1,605.94): Allowed and payment authorized. City staff recommended allowance after reviewing circumstances that showed a city vehicle rear-ended Mr. Knauer on the last day of leaf collection in slippery conditions. Motion to approve the claim was made by Alderman Piper and seconded by Alderson Moulson; the motion passed unanimously.

- Claim of Jeff Ware for vehicle damage ($1,112.69): Disallowed. City forester records indicated no prior notice of hazardous condition on the tree that dropped a limb; city policy requires notice for liability. Alderman Owen Piper moved to disallow the claim; Alderson Bolton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

- Claim of Michelle Nielsen for property damage ($11,135): Disallowed. The claim stemmed from police actions during execution of an arrest warrant that resulted in breach of doors/windows and use of tear gas. City attorneys said damages occurring during execution of a valid warrant are not the city's responsibility; the recommendation to disallow is a prerequisite to any lawsuit. Motion to disallow was moved by Alderson Moulton and seconded by Alderman McElderry. Motion passed unanimously.

- 2025 CIP: The council authorized staff to prepare plans and specifications for the 2025 capital-improvement construction projects and accepted the related map overview. Motion passed unanimously.

- Zoning-code amendment (repeal of municipal code section regarding three-quarter supermajority for protest petitions): The council held a public hearing and took initial action to repeal a local code provision that required a three-quarter supermajority vote for zoning amendments when a protest petition is filed. Staff noted 2023 Act 16 changed state law to require a simple majority and preempt local supermajority rules. Council members moved and seconded the item (motion by Alderman Eric Payne; second by Alderman Wells), but because the item is subject to a second-reading process the matter will return on a future agenda for final action.

- Reappointment of Sir Wilkie: Approved unanimously.

Procedure and notes

Several routine items passed unanimously earlier in the meeting, including approval of the Dec. 17, 2024 minutes and the consent agenda. Council members were reminded to complete required related-party transaction forms for the annual report.

How to follow up

Items requiring further action include the rezoning and site-specific development proposals for the UWM site (will return to Plan Commission and Common Council) and the zoning-code repeal, which will come back for a subsequent reading. Claims disallowed by council serve as prerequisites to civil litigation; claimants were informed of that status during the meeting.