Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neenah council approves equipment purchases, appointments and authorization for outside counsel; one dissent on transparency
Summary
The council confirmed mayoral appointments, approved several committee recommendations (equipment, K9, license‑plate readers, fire‑alarm replacement and sewer work) unanimously, and authorized ongoing outside counsel up to $25,000 after an 8–1 vote that drew objections about government transparency.
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Neenah Common Council approved a package of routine and committee‑recommended items and took a contentious vote to authorize additional outside legal services.
Appointments: By unanimous consent the council confirmed reappointments of Gilbert Miller, Sam Ericson and Laura Kemps to the police commission (five‑year terms to May 2031) and appointed Jason Kuzlowski to the Business Improvement District board and Jacqueline Batley and Riley Sy to the Arts Council for three‑year terms.
Equipment and facility approvals: The council approved purchase of a Bobcat E35 mini excavator ($93,788.94) using 2026 capital equipment funds; a K9 and five‑week training program (not to exceed $19,000) using the K9 trust fund; a license‑plate reader system for parking enforcement (not to exceed $45,000) funded from the 2026 police capital equipment budget; and Suburban Electric’s proposal to replace the city hall fire alarm system (~$33,448.30) from 2026 capital facility funds. All four motions passed 9–0.
Infrastructure and personnel: Resolution 2026‑01 authorizing sanitary sewer lateral and water service construction on multiple streets passed 9–0. The council also approved reclassifying the recruitment and retention coordinator position to deputy director of human resources and safety (no vacancy created); that motion passed 9–0. The council authorized sale of public property on Enterprise Drive to Horseshoe Beverage Company for $10,000 (9–0). The Plan Commission’s ordinance 2026‑01 for the Fox Valley Surgery Center project plan at 1540 Leon Drive was approved subject to conditions (9–0).
Legal services and transparency debate: The finance committee recommended ratifying prior work by outside attorney William P. Scott (committee noted roughly $87,000 already expended), and the council ratified that work by an 8–1 vote. Separately, council authorized the city attorney and director of community development to retain William P. Scott on an as‑needed basis for up to $25,000 in 2026 without further approval; that authorization passed 8–1. Alderman Palmo said he would vote against both items citing concerns about approving work performed and contracts without full committee disclosure and transparency. The city attorney defended the practice as lawful and consistent with prior administrations when specialized outside counsel was required. (No contract terms were approved in open session that night.)
Closed session: The council voted 9–0 to convene a closed session under Wisconsin statute to deliberate purchase of public property (118 West Peekom Street) and a parking agreement with Alta.
A full list of motions, movers, seconds and vote tallies appears below.
