Ashland County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ashland boards review vacant property rules, climate coalition, and historic remodels

Ashland city boards met last week to consider new rules on vacant property registration, a resolution to join a statewide climate coalition, and several historic facade remodels. No decisions have been published yet; minutes from the meetings are pending.

City Council (July 28)

The City Council met July 28 to act on several ordinances. The agenda included:

• An ordinance to create Chapter 850, which would establish registration and maintenance requirements for vacant properties.
• An ordinance to amend Chapter 165, the city's comprehensive fee schedule.
• An ordinance to permit "Local Farm Products - Sales" as a home occupation in the Unified Development Ordinance.
• The appointment of Kristie Starr-Hoffman as agent for Krist Food Mart #65 at 521 Lake Shore Drive East.

These items were on the agenda; no votes or decisions have been reported.

Committee of the Whole (July 28)

The Committee of the Whole also met July 28. The agenda included:

• A resolution to join the WI Local Government Climate Coalition, sponsored by Councilor Levi.
• A review of the public participation plan for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update.
• Proposed amendments to Chapter 705, which covers water utility rules and rates.
• Potential amendments to Ordinance 711, which governs the POTW and collection system.

The committee discussed these items; no final action has been published.

Historic Preservation Commission (August 3)

The Historic Preservation Commission met August 3 to review a Certificate of Appropriateness application for modifications to a boat house at 29th Ave, submitted by Matt Hulmer. The commission also discussed facade remodels for two properties on Main St W: North Lakes at 300 Main St W and Hitt's Fine Furniture at 504 Main St W. An update on properties recommended for local historic nominations was also on the agenda.

As with the other meetings, minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are available.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Ashland boards weighed vacant property rules, climate coalition, and airport upgrades in late July

Ashland County and city boards met several times between July 20 and July 28, 2026, but minutes have not yet been published for any of those sessions, so no final outcomes can be confirmed from the available record. The agendas show the City Council and Committee of the Whole had the most consequential items scheduled, including new ordinances on vacant properties, water utility rates, and a proposed resolution to join a statewide climate coalition.

City Council

The Ashland City Council met July 28 with four items on its agenda. The most significant was an ordinance to create Chapter 850, which would establish registration and maintenance requirements for vacant properties. The council was also scheduled to act on an ordinance amending Chapter 165, the city's comprehensive fee schedule, and an ordinance to permit "Local Farm Products - Sales" as a home occupation under the Unified Development Ordinance. A fourth item was the appointment of Kristie Starr-Hoffman as agent for Krist Food Mart #65 at 521 Lake Shore Drive East. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed whether any of these items passed.

Committee of the Whole

Also on July 28, the Committee of the Whole was scheduled to discuss a resolution to join the WI Local Government Climate Coalition, brought by Councilor Levi. Other items included a review of the public participation plan for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update, proposed amendments to Chapter 705 covering water utility rules and rates, and potential amendments to Ordinance 711, which governs the POTW and collection system. No vote tallies or outcomes are available.

Airport Commission

The Ashland City/County JFK Memorial Airport Commission met July 23. The agenda listed discussion of a fiber-optic installation and upgrade at the airport and review of a Bayfield County funding request letter. The manager was scheduled to report on current fuel prices and discounts, hangar use, fees, and terms, plus upcoming social events and public engagement. Routine items included approval of the June 25 meeting minutes, approval of bills, and setting the next meeting date. No outcomes are confirmed.

Planning & Zoning

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a July 21 public hearing to review and possibly approve amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance text. The agenda also included updates on property maintenance enforcement, building permits for May and June 2026, and miscellaneous planning and development items. The consent agenda included approval of minutes from the May 19, 2026 meeting. Minutes are not yet published.

Parks & Recreation

The Parks & Recreation Committee met July 20 to review project updates on trail expansion, urban forestry invasive species removal, waterfront development, and a naming recommendation for the Ashland Boat Launch. The committee was also scheduled to hear a report on Purple Park fundraising. The agenda indicated no formal decisions.

Coming up

The Historic Preservation Commission meets today, August 3, to review a Certificate of Appropriateness application from Matt Hulmer for modifications to the 29th Ave Boat House. The commission will also discuss facade remodels at 300 Main St W (North Lakes) and 504 Main St W (Hitt's Fine Furniture), plus an update on properties recommended for local historic nominations. No other upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Ashland City Council to consider $549,076 in water and sewer revenue bonds

The Ashland City Council is scheduled to vote on the sale of up to $177,190 in Sewerage System Revenue Bonds for Turner Road Lift Station upgrades and up to $371,886 in Water System Revenue Bonds for the Chapple Avenue and Prentice Avenue Reconstruction-Watermain Projects. The items are on the July 14 council agenda; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

City Council — July 14

The council agenda also includes an engineering services agreement with Cedar Corporation for 2027 3rd Street West and Beaser Avenue curb ramp design, an ordinance creating Chapter 508 governing the operation of golf carts, and an alcohol beverage license application for The Boathouse Cafe at 620 Lake Shore Drive East. All items are listed for consideration; no vote tallies are available because minutes have not been published.

Committee of the Whole — July 14

The Committee of the Whole is scheduled to discuss and possibly act on a revised draft Vacant Property Ordinance, along with an associated revision to the city's Comprehensive Fee Schedule for Planning & Development. No other substantive items are listed on the agenda. Minutes are not yet available, so any action taken is not yet confirmed.

Public Works Committee — July 9

The Public Works Committee agenda lists discussion of potential recommendations for changes to Chapter 705 Water Utility Rules, Rates and Regulations and changes to Chapter 711, the ordinance for the POTW and Collection System. The committee is also set to review a sidewalk plan for the 2027 11th St E Reconstruction Project. Minutes have not been published, so it is not yet known what recommendations, if any, the committee advanced.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Parks & Recreation Committee:** Updates on trail expansion, urban forestry invasive species removal, waterfront development, and Purple Park fundraising, plus a naming recommendation for the Ashland Boat Launch. No formal decisions are indicated on the agenda.
• **July 21 — Planning & Zoning Commission:** A public hearing on Unified Development Ordinance text amendments, with possible approval. The meeting also includes updates on property maintenance enforcement, building permits for May and June 2026, and a consent agenda item approving minutes from the May 19, 2026 meeting.

All recent meeting summaries above are based on agendas only; minutes have not been published. Outcomes will be confirmed when official minutes become available.