Jon Albrecht

The Committee of the Whole meeting primarily focused on discussing the impact of the Town of LaFayette's pending withdrawal from the EAFD service agreement on the Fire Department's operations. Discussion points included the impact on cost allocation for both fire and EMS services among the participating municipalities. Regarding the fire service cost allocation, Administrator Swann provided an update on 2026 budget numbers, and the committee agreed to begin planning for potential financial impacts. A suggestion was made to explore alternative options, such as utilizing paid-on-call firefighters, to manage potential costs, and the Interim Police Chief was directed to inquire about eligibility for such a model. The committee decided to retain evaluation of this issue with the Committee of the Whole, with department heads directed to review budgets and present cost-saving measures at the next scheduled meeting.

Key discussions and actions included approving the consent agenda items, which covered minutes from a previous meeting, contractor payments for the Lakeland Water Treatment Plant HMO Addition and Improvements, procurement of water meters and Ventrac accessories, and acceptance of a police department donation. The Council approved the City and Utility Bills. The City Administrator reported receiving nine proposals for the Comprehensive Plan RFP, to be reviewed in a subsequent meeting. Key new business involved the approval of Resolution No. 2026-03 establishing mitigation rates for Fire and Emergency Medical Services cost recovery and the associated service contract with Fire Recovery USA. Amendments to a development agreement with Neumann Developments, Inc. and SCR Elkhorn, LLC were also approved. Engineering consulting services were authorized for re-evaluating sanitary sewer flow conveyance and for coordination with WalCoMet on Inflow & Infiltration Mitigation efforts. The Council approved the 'monotube' pole style for city-wide signalized intersections and approved Pay Applications No. 4 and No. 5 for the Lakeland Water Treatment Plant project. Furthermore, services with Foth Infrastructure & Environment were authorized for Centralia Phase 3 WDNR funding efforts, and a farm lease agreement with Joe Vogt was approved. An ordinance rezoning a parcel from B-2 Community Business District to RM-2 Multiple-Family Residential District was approved after a second reading. Following a closed session concerning employee compensation, police chief employment terms, collective bargaining strategy, a property sale offer, and a legal claim, the Council executed the employment agreement for the new police chief (contingent on screenings) and approved a settlement for the Diana Gaudreau vehicle damage claim.

The primary discussion centered on the impact of the Town of Lafayette's pending withdrawal from the EFD service agreement on the fire department's operations, including cost allocation impacts for the Town of Sugar Creek and the Town of Geneva. Preliminary analysis estimated a potential increase in costs for remaining jurisdictions of approximately $361,000 for fire services and $95,509 for EMS, based on the 2026 budget projections. There was a consensus to explore various cost-cutting 'what-if' scenarios across all departments to address the financial gap anticipated from Lafayette's departure, focusing on operational costs like supplies and personnel, while also investigating options like utilizing paid on-call firefighters to maintain service levels and address staffing shortages for paramedics.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Key discussions included public comments primarily concerning staffing shortages, inadequate compensation, and poor facility conditions at the firehouse, including mold and structural issues. The consent agenda, which was approved, covered various items such as approval of prior meeting minutes from February 2nd, 2026, a pay application for the Lakeland Water Treatment Plant, purchase of water meters, procurement of Public Works accessories, acceptance of a police department donation, and purchase of forcible entry tools. Unfinished business focused on setting a firm deadline of Wednesday, February 25th, for the property owner of the former Lakeland school property to submit rehabilitation plans, with the council emphasizing an end to prolonged delays. Reports were also provided on the status of the COP plan RFP review, the Fire Advisory Board's discussions on cost allocation models with townships, the library's construction schedule and circulation statistics, the upcoming Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, and the Chamber of Commerce's upcoming events including a leadership seminar and the Morso Mania fundraiser. The Community Grant Writer updated the council on downtown improvement projects, positive feedback regarding a potential nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, and recent training on funding opportunities for public facilities.

The agenda for the City of Elkhorn Common Council meeting primarily focused on several key operational and financial decisions. Discussions included a public hearing regarding the Wisconsin DNR Code NR 854 Water Supply Service Area Plan (WSSAP), which concluded that the water utility can adequately provide service for the next fifteen years despite projected storage deficiencies. Other new business involved discussing and potentially deciding on a Financial Surety Reduction for Creekside Development Phase I, a proposed School Resource Officer (SRO) contract with the Elkhorn Area School District, a request from American Transmission Company for right of entry, and drafting an ordinance to modify Council pay. The meeting also included a Closed Session to discuss topics such as the process for conducting the annual review of the city administrator, personnel matters involving a specific employee, and negotiation strategy for the purchase of City property designated as Tax Key YA238500002 (Lot 80). Consent Agenda items included the approval of KLM's Pay Application No. 1 for reservoir rehabilitation services.