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Middleton council approves package of ordinances and resolutions, including no-turn-on-red near Kromrey Middle School
Summary
The council unanimously approved a set of ordinances and budget resolutions on April 21, 2026, including a ban on right turns on red at two Century Avenue intersections, changes to fireworks notice requirements, sidewalk cafe permitting, and grant applications for shoreline plantings.
The Middleton Common Council on April 21 approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions by voice vote, enacting interim traffic-safety restrictions, permitting updates, fee schedule adjustments and several budget amendments.
Key actions included an ordinance to prohibit right turns on red at signalized intersections on Century Avenue at High Road and at Park Street — a measure the Public Works Committee recommended as an interim safety step while the city awaits funding for a leading pedestrian interval at the intersection used by students walking to Kromrey Middle School. Alder Alano noted the change was recommended to protect children who cross daily.
The council also approved an ordinance to repeal and recreate public notice requirements for fireworks (written notice to be posted at up to five locations; staff identified city hall, the library and the senior center as standard posting sites), an ordinance amending equal-benefits requirements for city contracts, an amendment to municipal court costs (statutorily set), expedited sidewalk cafe permitting (rules suspension and permit change), and adjustments to the city fee schedule.
On the finance side the council approved resolutions amending the 2026 budget to advance funds for TID creation (Resolution 2026-08), assigning 2025 general fund balances (2026-12), carrying over 2025 general fund items into the 2026 budget (2026-13), and amending the Community Development Authority budget to remove and consolidate some downtown planters (2026-14). The council also approved Resolution 2026-15 to apply for a Wisconsin DNR Healthy Lakes & Rivers Program grant (seeking about $8,000) to fund native plantings at Lake Street Park; staff clarified the grant requires a 25% local match.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance: repeal/recreate fireworks public-notice rules — approved (voice vote). - Ordinance: equal benefits for city contracts — approved (voice vote). - Ordinance: municipal court costs amendment — approved (voice vote). - Ordinance: sidewalk cafe permitting (suspend rules) — approved (voice vote). - Ordinance: prohibit right turns on red (Century Ave at High Rd & Park St) — approved (voice vote). - Ordinance: fee schedule amendments — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 2026-08 (advance funds for TID creation) — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 2026-12 (assignment of 2025 general fund balances) — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 2026-13 (2025 carryovers and uses) — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 2026-14 (CDA budget for downtown planters) — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 2026-15 (apply for DNR Healthy Lakes & Rivers grant, ~$8,000; 25% match) — approved (voice vote).
Council members discussed posting locations for fireworks notices and confirmed sidewalk cafe timelines to support local businesses. Where statute constrains indexing (municipal court costs), staff said state law sets the fee framework. Several items passed unanimously by voice vote.
