Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fox Lake committee discusses summer water coverage, janitor hire and highway construction signage; votes to enter closed sessions on property negotiations
Summary
City officials agreed to hire a dedicated janitor for City Hall and discussed summer staffing needs in the water department, including coverage at the wastewater plant, plus plans for signage during highway construction. The council voted to hold two closed sessions under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to negotiate property matters in TID 3 and other real estate.
Mayor Tom Bednarek called the City of Fox Lake Committee of the Whole to order at 6:53 p.m. on April 1, 2026. Alderpersons Marcy Benz, Peter Hartzheim, Joe Horetzki, Dennis Linke and Angela Thomas attended; Dan Ault was absent. City Administrator Kelly Crombie, DPW Superintendent Christopher Thurk, Police Chief Duane Olbinski and City Clerk Jenny Quirk were also present.
The council approved the minutes of the March 18, 2026 committee meeting on a motion by Alderperson Dennis Linke, seconded by Alderperson Peter Hartzheim; the motion carried by voice vote.
DPW Superintendent Christopher Thurk said crews have been "working on changing new street signs" and are preparing mowers and snow‑blowers, with pothole work expected to resume soon. Police Chief Duane Olbinski told the council that calls for service have increased; "for March they had 145 calls for service and 36 traffic stops," and officers made community contacts during spring break and distributed fishing poles from the KAMO group.
City Administrator Kelly Crombie said the city expects two staffing pressures this summer that will increase demand for seasonal help, particularly in the water department. Crombie said one employee who normally handles certain wastewater-plant duties will be gone for about six weeks and that the city also needs to complete a water lateral inventory; he said additional temporary help will likely be required to cover those tasks.
Crombie also told the council that City Hall needs a dedicated janitor because office staff cannot keep up with cleaning duties. He said funds are already budgeted to pay wages for the position, and the council agreed that a person should be hired.
Council members discussed multiple construction projects affecting State Highway 33 and County Highway A, as well as a 2028 project on State Highway 33. Crombie said a Construction Task Force met the morning of April 1 and that the city will work on signage to inform motorists that local businesses remain open during construction activity.
On procedural business, the council voted to adjourn to closed session at 7:10 p.m. under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate real estate negotiations; the motion by Alderperson Peter Hartzheim, seconded by Alderperson Angela Thomas, passed with Alderpersons Benz, Hartzheim, Horetzki, Linke and Thomas recorded in favor. The council reconvened in open session at 7:24 p.m. on a motion by Alderperson Dennis Linke, seconded by Alderperson Peter Hartzheim.
Minutes show the council again adjourned to closed session at 7:25 p.m. under the same statute to discuss disposition of city‑owned lots in TID 3; the motion by Alderperson Marcy Benz, seconded by Alderperson Angela Thomas, passed by voice vote. The council reconvened in open session at 7:55 p.m. and adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
The meeting record shows no public comments were made.
