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Mayor Chris Goke sworn in; Neal Westemeier elected council president, council approves depository resolution
Summary
At an organizational meeting on April 21, 2026, Chris Goke was sworn in as mayor and Neal Westemeier was elected council president. The council approved mayoral appointments, designated bank depositories and moved to closed session to consider hiring for Street/Parks Superintendent.
Mayor Chris Goke was sworn in at the organizational meeting on April 21, 2026, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk-Treasurer administered oaths for Goke and newly elected alderpersons Wanda Tucker (Wards 1 & 4), David Mattes (Ward 2) and Harry G. Faehling (Ward 3).
The council voted to approve the meeting agenda. On a motion by Wanda Tucker, seconded by David Mattes, the council nominated and elected Neal Westemeier as council president; Westemeier accepted the nomination and the motion carried.
Mayor Goke presented mayoral appointments and committee assignments; the council approved the appointments after noting changes that make Tucker chair of finance and Westemeier chair of personnel. Library board appointments were deferred to an April 29 meeting.
The council approved Resolution 2026-03, which designates Premier Community Bank, BMO Bank and the Local Government Investment Pool as the city's public depositories and authorizes the Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer to sign checks and make transfers; the reading of the resolution was waived and the motion carried.
On personnel business, the council moved into closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1) "considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee" to address hiring for the Street/Parks Superintendent; the meeting recorded the closed session starting at 6:18 p.m. and listed attendees, with Clerk-Treasurer Rogers excused. The council returned to open session at 7:16 p.m. and adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Mayor Goke thanked council members for their willingness to serve and said he is committed to working with department heads. Council members reflected on recent severe weather and flooding, thanking staff and residents for their response. Library appointments will be finalized at the April 29 meeting; no hiring action for the Street/Parks Superintendent was recorded in the open minutes.
