Onalaska council adopts ordinance regulating telecommunications towers in city right‑of‑way

The Onalaska Common Council unanimously approved ordinance 1840‑2025 on Dec. 9 to create section 6.02.047 of Title 6 of the Onalaska Code of Ordinances, which addresses telecommunications infrastructure and towers in the city right‑of‑way.

Alder Steven Knott moved to approve the ordinance and Alder Larry Jurasic seconded. The council conducted a roll‑call vote and approved the ordinance by unanimous vote. Council members did not request additional discussion after the ordinance was pulled from consent to non‑consent for transparency because multiple documents had been attached to the meeting packet.

The ordinance was presented by the administrative committee, which recommended approval. Councilors moved on after the vote to other agenda items including a review of voting/abstention procedures and the city administrator update.

Also on the agenda the council approved routine items: the biennial appointment of election officials for 2026–2027, the consent agenda, vouchers dated 11/11/2025 totaling $2,383,458.80, and an amendment to the schedule of deposits; all carried by unanimous votes before the telecom ordinance was adopted. The council then voted to convene in closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) for the city administrator annual review.

The ordinance will be incorporated into the municipal code per normal procedures and the adoption was confirmed by roll call at the meeting’s conclusion of that item.