Merrill, WI

Parks and Recreation Commission

Redevelopment Authority

Fairgrounds Committee

Committee of the Whole

Common Council

Airport Commission

Historic Preservation Committee

Library Board

Marketing & Communications Committee

Enrichment Center Committee

Transit Commission

Personnel and Finance Committee

Health and Safety Committee

Board of Public Works

Fairgrounds Committee

Parks and Recreation Commission

Redevelopment Authority

Common Council

Committee of the Whole

Marketing & Communications Committee

Enrichment Center Committee

Transit Commission

Library Board

Airport Commission

Historic Preservation Committee

Health and Safety Committee

Committee of the Whole

Personnel and Finance Committee

Board of Public Works

Parks and Recreation Commission

Redevelopment Authority

Fairgrounds Committee

Common Council

Transit Commission

Library Board

Airport Commission

Historic Preservation Committee

Marketing & Communications Committee

Health and Safety Committee

Personnel and Finance Committee

Board of Public Works

Redevelopment Authority

Parks and Recreation Commission

Fairgrounds Committee

Common Council

Library Board

Historic Preservation Committee

Marketing & Communications Committee

Transit Commission

Health and Safety Committee

Board of Public Works

Redevelopment Authority

Parks and Recreation Commission

Fairgrounds Committee

Transit Commission

Library Board

Historic Preservation Committee

Marketing & Communications Committee

Redevelopment Authority

Parks and Recreation Commission

Transit Commission

Library Board

Historic Preservation Committee

Marketing & Communications Committee

Redevelopment Authority

Parks and Recreation Commission

Transit Commission

Library Board

Historic Preservation Committee

Marketing & Communications Committee

Marketing & Communications Committee

Transit Commission

Historic Preservation Committee

Historic Preservation Committee

Historic Preservation Committee

Board of Public Works

Library Board

The Merrill Library Board is meeting to discuss and potentially act on several items, including a JobPod grant and memorandum of understanding, the 2027 budget and capital improvements, and the status of a solar array lease buyout. The board will also discuss strategic goals and library policies. Consent items include approval of July minutes, vouchers, and financial reports.

• JobPod Grant Overview and Memorandum of Understanding (discussion/action)
• 2027 Library Budget & Capital Improvement Review (report/discussion)
• Solar Array Lease Agreement Buyout Status (report/discussion)
• Strategic Goals & Action Steps #2: Awareness (discussion)
• Wisconsin Trustee Essentials #10: Developing Essential Library Policies (discussion)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will continue its presentation on 2027 Capital Budget requests. The meeting also includes public comment, approval of previous minutes, and a possible closed session to discuss litigation with legal counsel.

• Continue presentation on 2027 Capital Budget requests
• Consider minutes from August 12th meeting
• Closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(g) for legal advice on litigation
• Next budget meeting scheduled for September 8th at 5:00 pm

Personnel and Finance Committee

The Personnel and Finance Committee will discuss and potentially approve routine financial items including the July check report and writing off uncollectible balances. They will also discuss the city's grant policy, 2026 TIF balance transfers, and a donation to the fire department. Monthly reports from city officials will be presented and considered for filing. The committee may enter closed session to discuss a fire union grievance.

• July check report approval
• City Grant Policy discussion (carried over from July)
• 2026 Tax Increment District balance transfers
• Write off uncollectible SDC returns
• Bierman donation to Merrill Fire Department

Health and Safety Committee

The Health and Safety Committee will review nuisance complaints, approve vouchers, and consider two alcohol license applications: a Class A beer license for Merrill Cenex and a temporary Class B wine license for the Chamber of Commerce's Sip & Stroll event. Monthly reports from the fire and police chiefs will also be filed.

• Class A beer license for Hollandtown Minimart LLC dba Merrill Cenex, 504 E 2nd St
• Temporary Class B wine license for Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce, Oct 17, 2026, 1-7 pm, Sip & Stroll event
• Approve vouchers
• File monthly reports from Fire Chief Klug and Police Chief Bennett

The Health and Safety Committee approved a Class A beer license for Hollandtown Minimart LLC dba Merrill Cenex at 504 E 2nd St. It also approved a temporary Class B wine license for the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce's Sip & Stroll event on October 17, 2026, with revisions to the participating businesses list. The wine license will be forwarded to the September Common Council. The committee also approved vouchers and placed monthly reports on file.

• Approved Class A beer license for Hollandtown Minimart LLC dba Merrill Cenex (motion passed)
• Approved temporary Class B wine license for Chamber of Commerce Sip & Stroll event, with revisions (motion passed)
• Approved vouchers after discussion of Act 102 funds and Safety Grant expenses (motion passed)
• Placed July 27th minutes on file (motion passed)
• Placed monthly reports on file (motion passed)

Marketing & Communications Committee

Enrichment Center Committee

Historic Preservation Committee

Airport Commission

The Merrill Airport Commission is holding a regular meeting to discuss and potentially decide on airport operations and maintenance items. Key topics include the Runway 16/34 project, maintenance hangar status, general field maintenance, and various reports from staff and committee members. The meeting is largely a working session with discussions and updates rather than final votes on major contracts or ordinances.

• Discussion of Runway 16/34 project and potential time frame
• Maintenance hangar project status and operational move details
• General maintenance items: deer ramps, trees through security fence, flag pole status
• Update on F-84 Monument
• Discussion of airport standards, policies, and gate security codes

Transit Commission

The Merrill Transit Commission is holding its regular August meeting. The agenda includes public comment, approval of minutes, an administrator's report, and discussion of two general agenda items: Community Night Out and Back to School Bash. No specific decisions or dollar amounts are listed.

• Discussion of Community Night Out
• Discussion of Back to School Bash
• Approval of previous meeting minutes
• Administrator's report

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will hear a presentation on 2027 Capital Budget requests. The committee may also enter closed session to discuss EMS contract negotiations and could take action after reconvening in open session.

• Presentation on 2027 Capital Budget requests
• Closed session to discuss EMS contract negotiations
• Possible action on closed session item after reconvening
• Next budget meeting scheduled for August 25 at 5:00 pm

The Committee of the Whole received presentations on 2027 Capital Budget requests from department heads, with Finance Director Ley distributing revised information. No budget decisions were made; the next budget meeting is set for August 25 at 5:00 pm. The committee also entered closed session to discuss EMS contract negotiations and reconvened without taking action.

• Approved minutes from October 28, 2025 meeting
• Entered closed session to discuss EMS contract negotiations (6-0)
• Reconvened in open session with no action taken

Common Council

The Merrill Common Council will hold its regular meeting on August 12, 2026, with several items for discussion and decision. The most notable action is a request for a temporary Class 'B' beer license for VFW Post 1638 during a dirt track racing event at the Merrill Fairgrounds. The council will also consider a change of agent for Kwik Trip store #386 and acknowledge various committee reports.

• Temporary Class 'B' beer license for VFW Post 1638 on Aug 29, 9 am-11 pm at Merrill Fairgrounds
• Change of agent for Kwik Trip store #386, 2311 E Main St, to Allen Kuehl
• Resolution honoring Dawn Smith for long-time service to the City of Merrill
• Minutes from July 14 meeting to be placed on file
• Acknowledge reports from Library Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and other committees

The Common Council approved a temporary Class B beer license for VFW Post 1638 for an August 29th dirt track racing event at the Merrill Fairgrounds. It also approved a change of agent for Kwik Trip store #386 and adopted a resolution honoring Dawn Smith for her service to the Parks & Recreation department. Committee reports were acknowledged with no questions.

• Approved temporary Class B beer license for VFW Post 1638 (motion passed)
• Approved change of agent for Kwik Trip store #386 to Allen Kuehl (motion passed)
• Adopted resolution honoring Dawn Smith for nearly 22 years of service (motion passed)
• Placed July 14th meeting minutes on file (motion passed)

Redevelopment Authority

Parks and Recreation Commission

The commission will meet to review claims from June and July 2026. Members will discuss the Recreation Manager position and consider capital requests for 2027.

• Approval of June and July 2026 claims
• Update on Recreation Manager position
• Discussion of 2027 Capital Requests

The Commission discussed the 2027 capital requests, focusing on a $150,000 Aquatic Center item that includes slide refurbishment and pool resurfacing. They asked staff to itemize the pool costs and continue discussion at the September meeting. Minutes from June and claims for June and July were approved. The new Recreation Manager, Emily Wendorf, was introduced.

• Approved June 2026 minutes
• Approved June and July 2026 claims
• Discussed 2027 capital requests; Aquatic Center item deferred for itemization and further discussion in September

Library Board

The Library Board is holding a special meeting to review and act upon the budget for the upcoming year. The primary focus of the session is the approval of the 2027 Library Budget Appropriation Request.

• Approval of the revised 2027 Library Budget Appropriation Request

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet to review a variance request and approve previous meeting minutes. The primary focus is a public hearing regarding a residential property setback.

• Public hearing for Benjamin Cadwallader at 800 E 6th Street regarding a minimum rear yard setback variance (M.M.C. Sec. 113-38)

The Zoning Board of Appeals denied a variance request from Benjamin Cadwallader for a deck that violated the minimum rear yard setback in a Residential District. The board found the hardship was self-imposed because the deck was built without a required permit. The motion to deny passed with one no vote.

• Denied variance for 800 E 6th Street rear-yard setback (motion to deny passed, one no vote)
• Approved minutes from June 2nd meeting (unanimous)

City Plan Commission

The City Plan Commission will discuss and consider three separate petitions and resolutions to vacate public rights-of-way and alleys. The Board of Public Works has recommended approval for all three items.

• Petition to vacate the alley on the 500 block of Blaine Street
• Resolution to vacate a right of way at the south-west corner of G.R. Sturdevant's addition (Logan Ave)
• Resolution to vacate land in Mary Poor's addition by S. Nast St and Logan Ave

The City Plan Commission approved three separate petitions to vacate land and alleys. These actions follow recommendations from the Board of Public Works.

• Approved petition to vacate the alley on the 500 block of Blaine Street
• Approved resolution to vacate right of way at the south-west corner of G.R. Sturdevant's addition (Logan Ave)
• Approved resolution to vacate portion of land in Mary Poor's addition (by S. Nast St and Logan Ave)
• Approved July 7th meeting minutes for filing

Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works will review 2027 water and sewer capital projects and street department equipment requests. Members will also consider resolutions to vacate specific alleys and rights-of-way. The meeting includes the review of monthly departmental reports and vouchers.

• Vacation of alley north of lots 13 and 14, block 3 of VR Willards addition
• Vacation of right-of-way at south-west corner of G.R. Sturdevant's addition (Logan Ave)
• Vacation of land in Mary Poor's addition (S Nast St and Logan Ave)
• Review of 2027 Capital Projects: Filter Valves, Loader Replacement, Aerial Photo Project, South Center Generator, Digester Pump, and Water Utility filter roof replacement
• Review of Capital Equipment Requests: 10 year Capital Plan, Single Axle Plow Truck, and Manhole Cutter

The Board of Public Works approved several land and alley vacations for forwarding to City Plan. It also reviewed and forwarded 2027 capital project requests for water, sewer, and street departments to the budget meeting. Monthly vouchers and reports were approved and placed on file.

• Approved Water & Sewer Vouchers
• Approved Street Department Vouchers
• Forwarded 2027 Water & Sewer capital projects to budget meeting
• Forwarded 2027 Street Department capital requests to budget meeting
• Approved alley vacation north of lots 13 and 14 of block 3 of VR Willards addition and forwarded to City Plan
• Approved right of way vacation at south-west corner of G.R. Sturdevant's addition (Logan Ave) and forwarded to City Plan
• Approved land vacation in Mary Poor's addition (by S Nast St and Logan Ave) and forwarded to City Plan
• Placed June 24th minutes and monthly reports on file

Personnel and Finance Committee

The Personnel and Finance Committee will consider 2027 budgets for ambulance/EMS and the T.B. Scott Free Public Library, review preliminary personnel/payroll information, and discuss the city's grant policy. A key item is a grant request to the state for four additional staff at the Merrill Fire Department. The committee will also hold a closed session to discuss EMS contract negotiations.

• Consider 2027 budgets for Ambulance/EMS and T.B. Scott Free Public Library for submission to Lincoln County
• Consider 2027 Preliminary Personnel/Payroll Budget
• Discuss and consider grant request to the State for four additional staff at Merrill Fire Department
• Discuss the City's Grant Policy
• Closed session for EMS contract negotiations

The committee approved the 2027 Ambulance/EMS budget and the preliminary personnel/payroll budget including a 2.5% cost of living adjustment. It also authorized the continuation of grant applications for four new fire department staff members and reduced the library's computer contingency fund.

• Approved 2027 Ambulance/EMS budget submission to Lincoln County
• Reduced T.B. Scott Library computer contingency fund to $5,000
• Approved 2027 preliminary personnel/payroll budget with 2.5% COLA
• Approved continuing grant applications for four Merrill Fire Department staff
• Approved vouchers
• Placed June 23rd meeting minutes on file
• Placed monthly reports on file

Health and Safety Committee

The Health and Safety Committee will meet to review nuisance complaints and approve vouchers. The body will also consider a change of agent for the Kwik Trip store located at 2311 E Main Street.

• Change of agent for Kwik Trip, Store 386, 2311 E Main Street, to Allen Kuehl
• Review of nuisance complaints
• Approval of vouchers
• Monthly reports from Fire Chief Klug, Police Chief Bennett, and Lincoln County Humane Society

The committee approved a change of agent for Kwik Trip Store 386 and approved vouchers. Monthly reports from the Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Lincoln County Humane Society were placed on file.

• Approved change of agent to Allen Kuehl for Kwik Trip, Store 386, 2311 E Main Street
• Approved vouchers
• Placed June 22nd meeting minutes on file
• Placed monthly reports on file

Police and Fire Commission

The Police and Fire Commission will meet to discuss a citizen complaint procedural issue. The body may also enter closed session to consider a Patrol Lieutenant promotion and conduct interviews for police officer candidates.

• Discussion of a procedural issue regarding a citizen complaint
• Potential promotion of a Patrol Lieutenant
• Police Officer candidate interviews

The Police and Fire Commission approved the promotion of Officer Jonathan Sass to Patrol Lieutenant and approved the police department eligibility list. The commission also determined a citizen complaint regarding the police department was outside its authority.

• Approved promotion of Officer Jonathan Sass to Patrol Lieutenant
• Approved police department eligibility list
• Determined citizen complaint regarding Merrill Police Department was outside Commission authority

Transit Commission

The Merrill Transit Commission is holding a regular meeting to discuss general agenda items including veterans rides, magnets, and bus configuration and seating. No decisions are specified; these are items for consideration.

• Veterans Rides
• Magnets
• Bus configuration and seating

The Merrill Transit Commission met on July 20, 2026, and approved the previous meeting minutes. After discussing bus seating configuration to better accommodate multiple mobility devices, the commission decided to keep the current configuration, noting that filling the full-time driver position would help with the increase in mobility device riders. No other substantive decisions were made; items like Veterans Rides and magnets were only discussed.

• Approved previous meeting minutes (motion by Loos/Kunkel)
• Kept bus seating configuration unchanged, deferring retrofit until full-time driver is hired and trained

Enrichment Center Committee

The Merrill Enrichment Center Committee will hold a regular meeting to approve June minutes and vouchers, hear public comment, and discuss operations including the August newsletter, the future of the Thanksgiving meal, workshops, and the budget. No decisions beyond approval of consent items are expected.

• Approval of June meeting minutes
• Approval of vouchers
• August Newsletter Review — center closures due to Lincoln County Fair and Elections
• Discussion on future of Thanksgiving Meal
• Budget discussion

The Merrill Enrichment Center Committee discussed the future of the annual community Thanksgiving meal, noting challenges such as aging church volunteers and funding. They suggested options including capping delivery meals, contacting the VFW about taking over sit-down meals, and revisiting the topic in August. No formal decision was made on the meal's future.

• Approved June meeting minutes (motion by Tlusty, second by Harvey)
• Approved vouchers (motion by Holz, second by Weix)
• Discussed future of community Thanksgiving meal; no decision made
• Agreed to revisit Thanksgiving meal topic at August meeting
• Recommended separate men's and women's workshops for medical information discussion

Library Board

The Library Board will review and vote on the T.B. Scott Free Library Endowment Fund documents and management policy. Members will also discuss a recommendation to buy out and terminate the Legacy Solar Lease Agreement.

• Review and approval of the T.B. Scott Free Library Endowment Fund document
• Review and approval of the Endowment Fund & Trust Fund Management Policy
• Approval of the Unaudited Endowment Fund Financial Statement for the period ended June 30, 2026
• Proposed buy-out and termination of the Legacy Solar Lease Agreement
• Discussion of Strategic Goals & Action Steps #1: Lifelong Learning

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission will discuss the Runway 16/34 project and its potential timeline, consider approving June meeting minutes and vouchers, and decide on power washing the T-Hangar. Updates will be provided on the FBO maintenance hangar, airport standards, the F-84 monument, and field maintenance issues including deer ramps and trees growing through the security fence.

• Discussion on Runway 16/34 Project and timeline from Chairman's report
• Discussion/Decision to power wash the T-Hangar
• Update on Maintenance Hangar Project status
• Update on F-84 Monument
• Status of deer ramps and deer ingress to the field

The Commission approved the June 17th meeting minutes and authorized payment of vouchers. Members discussed the status of the Runway 16/34 project and the Maintenance Hangar, which is scheduled for a ribbon cutting on August 14.

• Approved June 17th meeting minutes with corrections
• Approved payment of vouchers

Common Council

The Common Council will consider several items including adopting an updated Sewer Service Area Plan covering 2025-2050, a rebuild of the clarifier thickener, and an ordinance change to the open burning code. Temporary beer licenses for the Lincoln County Fair and Trinity Lutheran Church block party are up for approval, along with an alcohol license for The Night Owl KH LLC. The council also will discuss the 2027 budget timeline and acknowledge committee reports.

• Resolution adopting the Merrill Sewer Service Area Plan update for 2025-2050
• Consider rebuild of the Clarifier Thickener (Board of Public Works recommends approval)
• Consider temporary Class B beer licenses for Lincoln County Fair (Aug 5-9) and Trinity Lutheran Church block party (Aug 16)
• Consider ordinance change to City's open burning code (Section 20-52)
• Consider revising Resolution 1804 to vacate an alley in block 16 of Mathew's and McCord's addition

The Common Council approved several items, including a $100,000 state project agreement, a $65,000 clarifier thickener rebuild funded from the Sewer Replacement Fund, and a temporary beer license for the Lincoln County Fair with a revised start time of noon. The council also adopted the 2025-2050 Sewer Service Area Plan update, revised a 2002 alley vacation resolution, and approved an open burning ordinance change. All votes passed, with one recusal on the fair license.

• Approved $100,000 State Municipal Financial Agreement
• Approved $65,000 clarifier thickener rebuild from Sewer Replacement Fund
• Approved temporary beer license for Lincoln County Fair (noon-midnight, Aug 5-9)
• Approved temporary beer license for Trinity Lutheran Church block party (Aug 16)
• Approved alcohol license for The Night Owl KH LLC, 129 N Prospect St
• Approved open burning ordinance change (Section 20-52) 8-0
• Approved revision of Resolution 1804 for alley vacation in Block 16
• Adopted Merrill Sewer Service Area Plan Update 2025-2050

General

The Library Board Building and Grounds Committee will meet to discuss and potentially take action on a solar array and lease agreement. The meeting also includes a review of the May 26, 2026, special meeting minutes.

• Discussion and action on Library Solar Array and Lease Agreement

City Plan Commission

The City Plan Commission will meet to discuss the vacation and discontinuation of specific right-of-ways. These items were recommended for action by the Board of Public Works Committee.

• Vacation of Jessie Court ROW south of Delmore Drive
• Vacation of alley south of E 9th Street and west of N Kyes Street
• Vacation of alley south of River Street and west of S Nast Street
• Vacation of alley east of S Kyes Street and south of Logan Avenue

The City Plan Commission voted to approve a Board of Public Works recommendation to vacate and discontinue four street and alley rights-of-way: Jessie Court south of Delmore Drive, the alley south of E 9th Street and west of N Kyes Street, the alley south of River Street and west of S Nast Street, and the alley east of S Kyes Street and south of Logan Avenue. The motion passed and the matter will be forwarded to the City Council for finalization after publication. No public comment was made, and no property owners contacted the city for or against the proposal.

• Approved placing the April 13th meeting minutes on file
• Approved vacating Jessie Court ROW south of Delmore Drive, forwarding to Council
• Approved vacating the alley south of E 9th Street and west of N Kyes Street, forwarding to Council
• Approved vacating the alley south of River Street and west of S Nast Street, forwarding to Council
• Approved vacating the alley east of S Kyes Street and south of Logan Avenue, forwarding to Council

Fairgrounds Committee

Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works will discuss a price increase for the Clarifier Thickener rebuild that exceeds the 2026 budget. Members will also consider requests to vacate and discontinue specific streets and alleys.

• Price increase for Clarifier Thickener rebuild over 2026 budget
• Vacation of Jessie Court ROW south of Delmore Drive
• Vacation of alley south of E 9th Street and west of N Kyes Street
• Vacation of alley south of River Street and west of S Nast Street
• Vacation of alley east of S Kyes Street and south of Logan Avenue

The Board of Public Works approved a $65,000 price increase for the clarifier thickener rebuild, citing rising aluminum costs, and will forward it to the Common Council. It also approved the State Municipal Financial Agreement for Council forwarding, and approved vacating four street/ally segments, sending them to the City Plan Commission. All motions passed unanimously with no public comment.

• Approved Water & Sewer Vouchers (unanimous)
• Approved $65,000 clarifier thickener rebuild increase, forwarded to Council (unanimous)
• Approved Street Department Vouchers (unanimous)
• Approved State Municipal Financial Agreement, forwarded to Council (unanimous)
• Approved vacation of Jessie Court ROW and three alleys, forwarded to City Plan Commission (unanimous)
• Placed monthly reports on file (unanimous)