Jefferson council approves payables, playground purchase, redevelopment funds and personnel moves in unanimous vote

The City of Jefferson Common Council on Dec. 17, 2024, approved a series of resolutions spanning city finances, equipment purchases, intergovernmental agreements, redevelopment funding and personnel actions, with all motions passing unanimously.

The meeting, called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Oppermann in City Hall Council Chambers, began with adoption of the consent agenda (Resolution No. 87). Ald. Teeter introduced the consent agenda, which included vouchers payable of $1,782,515.28 and a payroll summary of $201,898.44, council minutes and a set of licenses. Ald. Obernberger seconded; the roll-call motion carried unanimously.

The council then approved several standalone resolutions. Resolution No. 88 authorized the purchase of a 2024 New Holland tractor with rear and side flail mowers from Montage Enterprises for $99,900, freight not included; Ald. Neils introduced the item and Ald. Beyer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Resolution No. 89 authorized the City Administrator to contract with Lee Recreation to purchase and install replacement playground equipment at Riverfront Park (Playland of Dreams) at a cost not to exceed $100,000, to be charged to the Parks Project Capital Expense Account (#66-50000-40-451); installation is expected to begin in spring 2025, weather permitting.

On land-use and development, the council approved Resolution No. 90, accepting the Jefferson Plan Commission's final plat for the Junction Heights Subdivision. The final plat creates nine lots: seven residential condominium lots, one commercial lot and one lot reserved for private open space; Ald. Beyer introduced the item and Ald. Schroeder seconded the motion.

Intergovernmental agreements with the Town of Oakland were amended by Resolution Nos. 91 and 92. Resolution No. 91 authorizes an amendment expanding ambulance and emergency medical services coverage; the amended agreement is stated to run Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, unless extended. Resolution No. 92 authorizes a parallel amendment for fire protection services over the same term. Both items were introduced and seconded by alderpersons noted in the minutes and were adopted unanimously.

The council also reassigned a $100,000 2023 financial designation originally reserved for a revolving loan fund to initial redevelopment work on the city-owned parcel known as the "old Tyson Facility" at One Rock River Road (Resolution No. 93). Ald. Obernberger introduced the reassignment; Ald. Beyer seconded and the council approved the change.

After moving briefly into closed session under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(1)(c) and (e) to consider personnel and bargaining matters, the council returned to open session and approved Resolution No. 94 to create and classify a Chief Water/Wastewater Operator position at Grade 9 and appoint Mike Meske to the role effective Jan. 1, 2025. The minutes list a rate of $36.8852 and 144 hours of PTO in connection with the appointment; the minutes do not specify the unit for the numeric rate. Ald. Schroeder introduced the resolution and Ald. Beyer seconded.

The council also ratified a successor two-year collective bargaining agreement for 2025—6 with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) representing the Jefferson Police Officer's Association Unit (Resolution No. 95). The agreement, ratified by the unit's membership prior to council action, includes a 3% wage increase effective Jan. 1, 2025, and tiered increases for Jan. 1, 2026 (3% for starting wage and steps 1—2; 5% for steps 3—5). Ald. Teeter introduced the council resolution and Ald. Larson seconded.

All motions recorded in the minutes were approved by roll call and noted as "carried unanimously." The council adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

What the actions mean: The resolutions move immediate city spending and procurement (equipment, playground), codify intergovernmental emergency-service coverage through the end of 2027, allocate initial funding toward redevelopment of a city-acquired industrial parcel, formalize a hiring and classification for the water/wastewater chief position and implement multi-year wage adjustments for police officers.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 87 (consent agenda: payables/payroll/licenses) 90Approved by roll call (mover: Ald. Teeter; seconder: Ald. Obernberger). Resolution 88 (tractor & flail mowers; Montage Enterprises; $99,900) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Neils; seconder: Ald. Beyer). Resolution 89 (Riverfront Park playground; Lee Recreation; not to exceed $100,000; account #66-50000-40-451) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Neils; seconder: Ald. Teeter). Resolution 90 (Final plat for Junction Heights Subdivision; nine lots) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Beyer; seconder: Ald. Schroeder). Resolution 91 (Amend ambulance/EMS agreement with Town of Oakland; Jan. 1, 2025—Dec. 31, 2027) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Tully; seconder: Ald. Obernberger). Resolution 92 (Amend fire protection agreement with Town of Oakland; Jan. 1, 2025—Dec. 31, 2027) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Larson; seconder: Ald. Neils). Resolution 93 (Reassign $100,000 to redevelopment of One Rock River Road; 90Approved (mover: Ald. Obernberger; seconder: Ald. Beyer). Resolution 94 (Create Grade 9 Chief Water/Wastewater Operator; appoint Mike Meske; effective Jan. 1, 2025; rate listed as $36.8852, 144 hours PTO) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Schroeder; seconder: Ald. Beyer). Resolution 95 (Ratify WPPA collective bargaining agreement for 2025—6; wage adjustments specified) 90Approved (mover: Ald. Teeter; seconder: Ald. Larson).

Next steps and context: Purchase contracts and agreements will be executed by the city administrator or other authorized officers as noted in the resolutions; playground installation timing depends on equipment delivery and spring weather; the redevelopment funding assignment provides initial resources but further budgeting and study are expected before major remediation or capital work. The police contract takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, per the agreement language in the minutes.

Sources: City of Jefferson Common Council minutes, Dec. 17, 2024 (meeting record).