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Neenah council approves Arrowhead Park engineering amendment and several finance and equipment items; one dissent on legal transparency
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Summary
Council approved a $56,183 contract amendment with Grama Engineering for Arrowhead Park and multiple finance items (fee schedule, utility billing move, bond intent resolution) and authorized a Can‑Am EMS UTV purchase not to exceed $60,000. Alderman Palmeau cast the lone 'no' on the Arrowhead Park amendment, citing missing legal details and prior attorney spending.
On Nov. 5, the Neenah Common Council approved a series of contract, fee and equipment items brought forward from committee, including a contested amendment for Arrowhead Park engineering.
Public Services & Safety Committee recommended—and the council approved—Contract Amendment No. 2 with Grama Engineering for $56,183 to continue Arrowhead Park engineering tasks, funded from Arrowhead Park carry‑forward funds in the city's 2025 capital improvement budget. The vote on that contract amendment was 8–1. Alderman Palmeau explained his dissent: he said the city hired an environmental attorney on Jan. 24 and reported the city has spent $77,000 on that legal support; he also said the Arrowhead Park project exceeds $3 million since 2010 and that he has repeatedly requested legal information that has not been provided, describing the fiscal picture as "partially blind." The council approved the contract amendment despite his objection.
The council also unanimously approved authorizing staff to raise (remove or relocate) a small city‑owned former bus shelter at Church Street and Doty Avenue; staff confirmed artwork created by Neenah High School can be removed and repurposed before work begins.
From the Finance & Personnel Committee, the council approved Resolution 2025‑14 (the 2025 fee schedule) as amended to correct language related to a repealed wrestling ordinance; the amendment and the resolution passed 9–0. Committee reports also noted a proposed water utility increase to the well license fee from $30 to $50 would appear on the schedule and that the city will move the utility billing system and coordinator position from the Finance Department to the Water Department; that organizational move passed 9–0. Council approved Resolution 2025‑13 delegating to the finance director authority to declare official intent under reimbursement bond regulations (9–0).
The Neenah Menasha Fire Rescue joint committee recommended council purchase of one Can‑Am EMS UTV and related equipment for a cost not to exceed $60,000, to be paid from FAP carryover funds; the council approved the purchase 9–0. The committee also recommended the proposed Neenah Menasha Fire Rescue 2026 budget, which was advanced without recorded opposition.
Council voted to return updated standing rules to the Committee on Rules for additional review (9–0), reflecting multiple council members' requests for more legal and procedural review before permanent adoption.
Alderman Palmeau's request for additional transparency on long‑term legal implications tied to the Arrowhead Park project was recorded in the debate; no additional council action on that request was adopted at the Nov. 5 meeting.
