Hartford council moves April meeting date, adopts four-way stop and approves licenses, grant and parking lease

The City of Hartford Common Council met Feb. 24, 2026, and unanimously approved a set of administrative and public-safety measures, including rescheduling the April organizational meeting, granting a liquor license, accepting county EMS grant funds, adopting a traffic ordinance, and approving a renewed parking‑lot lease with Hartford Union High School.

Deputy Clerk Jessica Randall told the council the city’s organizational meeting must fall on the third Tuesday in April; following that explanation, Alderperson Turchi moved and Alderperson Pechacek seconded a motion to move the April 28 meeting to April 21, 2026. The council carried the motion unanimously.

The council approved a Class B Intoxicating Liquor License and a Class B Fermented Malt Beverage license for CJ’s on Main, LLC, doing business as CJ’s on Main at 11 S. Main Street. “All paperwork has been completed and everything came back from the Police Department with no concerns,” Deputy Clerk Randall said before Alderperson Pechacek moved approval; the motion carried unanimously.

Fire Chief Tony Burgard described the city’s acceptance of funds through the Washington County Emergency Medical Service and Fire Rescue Grant Program. “This is the third year to receive funds from this program,” he said, adding that the funds would be applied to the 2027 budget to support a potential additional firefighter. Alderperson Kirley moved to adopt Resolution No. 3760 to accept the grant funds; the resolution passed unanimously.

City Engineer Chris Walter recommended changing a problem two‑way stop to four‑way control after reviewing site conditions and finding high pedestrian and vehicle traffic plus obstructed visibility caused by vegetation and a retaining wall. “Converting the intersection from two‑way control to four‑way control is warranted,” Walter said. The council suspended the rules for immediate consideration and adopted Ordinance No. 1528 to amend Chapter 340, Schedule B, of the municipal code; the adoption was unanimous.

City Administrator Steve Volkert said the city’s existing 20‑year parking‑lot lease with Hartford Union High School (near Cedar and Monroe) expires at the end of March 2026. Alderperson Webb moved, and Alderperson Pechacek seconded, approval of a new Parking Lot Lease Agreement; the motion passed unanimously.

Other business included a transient merchant license renewal discussion for Renewal by Anderson, during which a company representative joined via Zoom to explain the door‑to‑door sales process, and brief updates from alderpersons thanking newly appointed Police Chief Rich Thickens and promoting a Museum 53027 pop‑up at the Jack Russell Memorial Library. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Move April meeting to April 21, 2026 — Motion by Alderperson Turchi; seconded by Alderperson Pechacek; outcome: carried unanimously. - CJ’s on Main liquor licenses (Class B Intoxicating, Class B Fermented Malt Beverage) — Motion by Alderperson Pechacek; outcome: carried unanimously. - Resolution No. 3760, accept Washington County EMS & Fire Rescue Grant funds (for potential 2027 firefighter) — Motion by Alderperson Kirley; outcome: carried unanimously. - Ordinance No. 1528 (amend Chapter 340, Schedule B — convert intersection to four‑way stop) — Motion by Alderperson Waldvogel; seconded by Alderperson Webb; outcome: adopted unanimously after suspension of rules for immediate consideration. - Parking Lot Lease Agreement with Hartford Union High School — Motion by Alderperson Webb; outcome: carried unanimously.

The council did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; all recorded motions were noted as carried unanimously in the minutes.