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Alma council meeting roundup: Tritsch’s Hill reopens, Second Street water issue, appointments and routine approvals
Summary
The council discussed the Tritsch’s Hill detour and reopening, a Second Street water issue attributed to air in the line, heard citizen comments on train horn noise and a property conflict concern, approved committee reports and appointments (including a new building inspector and library director), and listed multiple votes.
At its Aug. 21 meeting the Alma Common Council heard updates on recent emergencies and routine municipal business, approved several committee reports and made a number of appointments and payments.
Tritsch’s Hill (County Trunk Highway E) reopened after a semi damaged part of a wall and the county closed the road for inspection. Utilities Chair Larry Grisen told the council the city crew worked persistently to get the road open, praised the fire department for assisting with traffic control during Ashley for the Arts, and said navigation apps contributed to confusion because they re-route drivers after a detour has been used several times.
Grisen also reported on a Second Street water problem investigated with the Wisconsin Rural Water Association; trapped air in the line was identified as a factor and flushing has improved water flow.
During citizen comment, resident Dan Schultz asked about train horn noise; the clerk said the City has addressed the matter in past actions and invited Schultz to review the file. Orlyn Hoksch raised a concern about a potential conflict of interest at Lot #27 in Shawnee Estates; Stacy Lewellyn (by Zoom) commended the Alma Chamber for Best Dam Day and supported using the vacant event lot as a City Square.
On personnel and finance matters, the council approved by motion a $9,900 invoice to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department for equipment and accepted Justin Steinmeyer as the City’s building inspector for construction, plumbing, HVAC and electrical permits. The council also noted a donation to the Fire Department from Dairyland Power toward a fully equipped UTV.
Votes at a glance: - Approved Aug. 7, 2025 emergency meeting minutes (motion by Brommer, second Iberg) — unanimous. - Approved Market and Johnson bid for new library, $3,676,900 (motion by Jepsen, second Earney) — unanimous roll call. - Approved revised GSI retaining wall bid, $479,699.99 (motion by Jepsen, second Iberg) — unanimous roll call. - Approved new six-inch hydrant on Bluff Street, ~ $30,000 (motion by Earney, second Brommer) — unanimous. - Approved Buffalo County Sheriff’s invoice, $9,900 — unanimous. - Accepted Justin Steinmeyer as building inspector — unanimous. - Approved $12,000 to Kouba Drilling for a thermal conductivity test (paid from Library Grant) — unanimous. - Appointed Laura Petterson as library director — unanimous. - Adjourned on motion by Iberg, second by Mueller — unanimous.
The council listed upcoming committee meetings and adjourned. Members recorded no recorded dissent on the evening’s roll-call votes and directed staff to follow up on emergency repairs, project scheduling and grant pursuit as appropriate.
