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Hobart trustees approve engineering RFP, start municipal code recodification and OK three-year Cellcom contract
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Village of Hobart Board of Trustees unanimously approved a request for proposals for municipal engineering services, directed staff to recodify the municipal code, and approved a three-year contract with Cellcom; routine appointments and a resignation were also approved.
The Village of Hobart Board of Trustees on Feb. 17, 2026, unanimously approved a request for proposals for general municipal engineering services, directed staff to complete an internal recodification of the village municipal code and approved a three-year contract with Cellcom for cell-phone and related services.
The actions came at a regularly scheduled meeting called to order by Village President Richard (Rich) Heidel at 6:01 p.m. The meeting included routine consent business, a citizen comment, department reports and a closed session before reconvening and adjourning at 7:08 p.m.
Why it matters: The approved engineering RFP sets a procurement schedule for a three-year municipal engineering contract starting Sept. 1, 2026, with an option to extend two years through Aug. 31, 2031. A recodification of the municipal code aims to correct accumulated errors and could lead to a later contract with E‑Code subject to the 2027 budget. The Cellcom agreement is presented as a cost-saving replacement for the village's existing cell-phone services.
Consent items and appointments: The board approved the consent agenda by roll call vote (5-0). Approved items included payment of invoices, the Feb. 3 meeting minutes, the Public Works and Utilities Advisory Committee minutes, appointment of Dan Bake to the Hobart Joint Review Board (term through April 30, 2027), appointment of Glenn Severson to the Brown County Planning Commission (term through Feb. 28, 2029), and acceptance of Al Lankford's resignation from the Hobart Fire Commission effective immediately.
Engineering services RFP: The Public Works and Utilities Advisory Committee recommended issuing an RFP for general engineering services. The board approved the RFP as presented. The proposal defines a three-year contract term from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2029, with an option for a two-year extension to Aug. 31, 2031. The motion to approve was made by Trustee David Dillenburg and seconded by Trustee Melissa Tanke; roll call vote 5-0.
Municipal code recodification: Staff told the board that multiple errors have accumulated during years of code amendments and that no full substantive recodification appears to have been completed in more than 20 years. The board directed staff to conduct a complete internal recodification over the coming months and possibly into 2027; the board noted that, after the internal work, it may decide to hire E‑Code to complete electronic codification, which would require inclusion in the 2027 budget. The motion to direct staff was made by Village President Heidel and seconded by Trustee Tammy Zittlow; roll call vote 5-0.
Cellcom contract: The board approved a proposed three-year agreement with Cellcom to provide cell phone and related services to the village at a lower cost than current service. The motion was made by Village President Heidel and seconded by Trustee Vanya Koepke; roll call vote 5-0.
Citizen comment and reports: Resident Leroy Schlorf Jr. addressed the board during Citizens' Comments, raising concerns about invoices, road salt, HALO, the municipal code and community flags. Village President Heidel reviewed the 2025 Humane Officer year-end report and the village investment and bank balance report. Police Chief Michael Renkas presented the Hobart‑Lawrence Police Department fourth-quarter 2025 report.
Closed session and adjournment: The board recessed at 6:37 p.m. and convened in closed session at 6:50 p.m. under Wisconsin State Statute 19.85(1)(c) (personnel), (1)(e) (deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, investing of public funds or conducting specified public business) and (1)(g) (conferring with legal counsel regarding litigation strategy) for matters including personnel, potential sale/purchase of property/TID projects/development agreements, and tribal affairs/potential litigation. The board reconvened in open session at 7:07 p.m.; no formal action resulted from the closed session. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Meeting minutes were recorded and signed by Lisa A. Vanden Heuvel, Village Clerk.
