Wauwatosa committee approves 1.5% one-time bonus for city administrator after evaluation

Wauwatosa — The Wauwatosa Committee of the Whole approved a one-time 1.5% lump-sum bonus for City Administrator Jim Archambeau after reviewing the results of his annual performance evaluation and convening in closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85.

A staff member told the committee members they had received an email with the evaluation results, which were produced using an ICMA tool. That summary included 26 total responses: the administrator’s self-evaluation, 11 of 17 responses from the alder/mayor group, and 14 of 14 responses from department directors. Staff also provided Archambeau’s employment contract and noted the cost-of-living adjustment is scheduled at the start of the year.

Ald. Moldenhauer moved to approve the one-time 1.5% bonus and thanked Archambeau for his work; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote with one recorded "no." The chair announced that the motion passed with one opposition. (The meeting record contains inconsistent detail about which members were excused and who seconded; minutes may clarify those points.)

The committee first voted to convene in closed session to consider performance and compensation under Wisconsin Statute 19.85, citing "considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee" as the statutory basis. The committee met in closed session without the city administrator present, then reconvened in open session to complete the public action.

During the open discussion, a committee member asked whether the contract or compensation outcome would be available to the public. Staff said the item will be captured in the minutes and that the contract is public record; the staff speaker noted the common council will also take a vote on the matter at its meeting (listed as the final agenda item).

Alder Foley suggested the council receive a quarterly management report — perhaps beginning after the council is reconstituted in April — to provide a high-level update on city operations. Archambeau described ongoing efforts including quarterly "pop-up" meetings in each quadrant and quarterly supervisor training organized by Human Resources as examples of management activities that inform elected officials.

Ald. Dolan publicly thanked Archambeau for extensive after-hours work during an August event that affected District 8, calling his response "above and beyond."

The committee concluded the evaluation; staff said minutes and the public record will reflect the contract and outcome, and the common council will take the final vote on the item at its upcoming meeting.