Beaver Dam meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Beaver Dam Council Approves Room Tax, Zoning, Street Contracts

The Beaver Dam Common Council on Aug. 17 approved two ordinances and five resolutions, including contracts for the 2026 street maintenance and resurfacing programs, a room tax amendment, and a zoning change. All votes were 11-0. The council also approved a mayoral appointment to the Downtown Redevelopment Committee.

Common Council

The council approved Ordinance 15-2026, amending the Room Tax Ordinance 2-124(K), and Ordinance 16-2026, amending the R-1 Single Family Residential District code. Both passed 11-0.

Five resolutions were also approved by 11-0 votes:

• Resolution 78-2026 awarding the 2026 Street Maintenance Program contract
• Resolution 79-2026 awarding the 2026 Street Resurfacing Program contract
• Resolution 80-2026 authorizing an engineering report for 1322 N. Spring Street
• Resolution 81-2026 authorizing enforcement of room tax violations by Super 8 Hotel
• Resolution 82-2026 granting a temporary wine license to the Chamber of Commerce for the Sept. 18 Wine Tour

The council also approved the appointment of Kay Appenfeldt to the Downtown Redevelopment Committee by acclamation.

Administrative Committee

Meeting on Aug. 17, the Administrative Committee approved bills totaling $853,388.55 for the period July 31 through Aug. 13. It also approved a temporary Class 'B' wine license for the Chamber of Commerce Wine Tour (6-0) and an ordinance amending city code sections 2-5, 2-42, and 2.404.1, and deleting sections 2-41 and 2-88, pending attorney approval (6-0).

Operations Committee

Also on Aug. 17, the Operations Committee approved Resolution 78-2026 and Resolution 79-2026, awarding the street maintenance and resurfacing contracts, both by acclamation. The committee recommended four policies (Capital Improvement Plan, Procurement, Snow and Ice Control, Street Naming) to the council for final approval as written. A proposal to create a Building Oversight Committee for the new Fire Department facility was tabled until Chief Wesle can review and revise the resolution.

Other Recent Meetings

• The Police and Fire Commission met on Aug. 11 and Aug. 18; minutes are not yet published. The Aug. 11 agenda included discussion and action on 2027 Capital Improvement Program items for the Fire Department, Emergency Response Team fundraising, and 2025-2026 School Resource Officer reports, plus a closed session on personnel evaluations and the Fire Department eligibility list. The Aug. 18 special meeting was a closed session on police personnel performance and intergovernmental cooperation.
• The Library Board met on Aug. 14; minutes are not yet published. The agenda included the renovation project budget, policy reviews (eReader, Food and Beverage, Meeting and Study Rooms, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), approval of July 17 meeting minutes, and paid invoices.
• A general notice indicated that Police and Fire Commission members may observe the Administrative Committee meeting; no official business was conducted.

Coming up

• The Plan Commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 26 has been cancelled. No other upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Beaver Dam officials approve infrastructure contracts, deny salary ordinance; land division hearing set for Aug. 3

Beaver Dam's Common Council approved a series of infrastructure contracts and a major development agreement at its July 20 meeting, while a proposed salary and compensation ordinance failed to advance. The action came during a busy two-week stretch that also saw committee-level approvals for more than $2.35 million in city bills and zoning changes affecting single-family home setbacks.

Common Council: contracts approved, salary ordinance denied

The Common Council approved three infrastructure contracts by 14-0 votes on July 20: a Water Treatment Plant backwash pump contract, professional services for Lower Tower Parking Lot improvements, and the Eagle's View Addition 3 utility and street construction contract.

The council denied Ordinance No. 13-2026 regarding salaries and compensation by a 9-5 vote. Under state law, the ordinance required a three-quarters majority to pass, which it did not reach.

Council members approved the Stoney Ridge Phase II Development Agreement 13-1 and accepted a donation to the Beaver Dam Police Department from Qing Yang by a 14-0 vote. Ordinance No. 12-2026, regarding standing committee updates, passed 14-0. The council also approved an Assessor Services request for proposals by acclamation.

Administrative Committee: $2.35M in bills, room tax ordinance updated

The Administrative Committee approved bills incurred between June 12 and July 16, 2026, totaling $2,351,200.20 by acclamation.

The committee approved an amendment to Room Tax Ordinance 2-124(K) regarding use of funds by a 7-0 vote, aligning fund usage with state statutes. It also approved a resolution creating the Beaver Dam Parks Endowment Fund, amended to 4%, by a 7-0 vote.

Two temporary Class B liquor licenses were approved 7-0: one for the Beaver Dam Pepper Festival on Sept. 12, 2026, and another for a Beaver Dam Hockey Association tournament Oct. 16-18, 2026.

The committee approved a resolution for enforcement of room tax and lodging permit violations by Super 8 Hotel by a 7-0 vote, and recommended council approval to request proposals for a City Assessor for 2027-2030 by acclamation.

Operations Committee: infrastructure and utility items

The Operations Committee approved three resolutions by acclamation on July 20: Resolution No. 61-2026 for a Vertical Turbine Backwash Pump contract, Resolution No. 62-2026 for Lower Tower Parking Lot Improvements professional services, and Resolution No. 63-2026 for the Eagle's View Addition 3 Utility and Street Construction project.

The committee approved a final report on estimated special assessments for the 2026 Sewer Lateral & Water Service Replacement Program by acclamation and authorized bidding for both the 2026 Street Maintenance Program and the 2026 Street Resurfacing Program by acclamation.

Members recommended the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan be sent to the council for consideration and reached consensus to obtain estimates for Business Park Sign changes.

Plan Commission: setback changes approved

On July 22, the Plan Commission approved an ordinance amending Section 70-84 of the Beaver Dam Municipal Code by acclamation. The change sets front yard setbacks at 25 feet and side yard setbacks at 7.5 feet in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District to accommodate construction on small lots.

Police and Fire Commission: closed session

The Police and Fire Commission met July 28 primarily to adjourn into closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss police department personnel performance and intergovernmental cooperation issues. Minutes were not yet published; no other public business was listed on the agenda.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3, Operations Committee:** Will consider ordinances on electric bicycles and micromobility devices (Section 62.54) and misuse of emergency and non-emergency telephone lines (Section 50-33), plus Resolution No. 71-2026 for a 2026 Clean Water Fund Loan professional services agreement and authorization of city-owned property for a Monarch Butterfly Garden Project.
• **Aug. 3, Common Council:** Will hold a public hearing and second reading of Ordinance No. 14-2026 on land division, consider Resolution No. 73-2026 to terminate development agreements and forgivable mortgages for Heritage Village Mall, and vote on bills totaling $313,463.50.
• **Aug. 5, Downtown Redevelopment Committee:** Will review a Certificate of Appropriateness application for storefront signage at 131 Front St and receive an update on downtown grant commitments.

Beaver Dam boards weighed $2.35 million in city bills, infrastructure contracts, and ordinance changes

The Common Council was scheduled to vote on approving $2,351,200.20 in city bills covering June 12 to July 16, 2026, the largest dollar item on a busy two-week stretch of meetings across six city bodies. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Common Council

The July 20 agenda listed approval of bills totaling $2,351,200.20 for the period June 12 to July 16, 2026. The council was also set to hold second readings and public hearings on Ordinance No. 12-2026, amending Section 2.46, and Ordinance No. 13-2026, amending Sections 2-15, 2-141, 2-142, 2-188, 2-1404.1, and 2-404.1. A first reading was scheduled for Ordinance No. 14-2026, amending Chapter 58. Resolution No. 61-2026 called for a contract to supply and install a vertical turbine backwash pump at the water treatment plant.

Operations Committee

Also meeting July 20, the Operations Committee was to act on several infrastructure items tied to the council agenda. These included Resolution 61-2026 for the Vertical Turbine Backwash Pump at the Water Treatment Plant, Resolution 62-2026 for a Professional Services Agreement for Lower Tower Parking Lot Improvements, and Resolution 63-2026 for the Eagle's View Addition 3 Utility and Street Construction Project. The committee was also scheduled to review the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, a final report on estimated special assessments for the 2026 Sewer Lateral and Water Service Replacement, and bidding authorization for the 2026 Street Maintenance and Resurfacing Programs.

Administrative Committee

The Administrative Committee's July 20 agenda included the same $2,351,200.20 in bills for the June 12 to July 16, 2026 period. It was also set to discuss an amendment to the City of Beaver Dam Room Tax Ordinance 2-124(K), a resolution creating the Beaver Dam Parks Endowment Fund, and resolutions to approve Temporary Class B Licenses for the Beaver Dam Pepper Festival and the Beaver Dam Hockey Association Spooktacular Hockey Tournament.

Police and Fire Commission

On July 14, the Police and Fire Commission was scheduled to approve June 2026 minutes, act on the resignation of POC Firefighter Madeline Crucius, and review a capital outlay request for a storage shed. The agenda also listed discussion of a contract with the Department of Military Affairs for Urban Rescue and a closed session to review patrol officer and firefighter eligibility lists.

Library Board

The Library Board of Trustees met July 17 to review and approve full-time position descriptions and to discuss the designation of the Frances J. "Bunny" Schmidt Bequest. Renovation project updates regarding transfers, invoices, and budget were also on the agenda, along with a closed session to discuss library donor data.

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission's July 22 agenda was brief: approve minutes from the June 24, 2026 meeting and discuss a possible amendment to Section 70-84, the R-1 Single-Family Residential District ordinance, of the Beaver Dam Municipal Code. No other items were listed.

Coming up

The Police and Fire Commission meets July 28 to consider a closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss police department personnel performance and intergovernmental cooperation issues. The commission may reconvene in open session to act on items discussed. No other public business is listed.

Beaver Dam Downtown Committee Approves Building Improvement Funds; Council Set to Vote on $2.35 Million in Bills

The Downtown Redevelopment Committee approved more than $26,000 in exterior building improvement funds across three properties on July 8, 2026, the only body to take binding action in the past two weeks. The Common Council and Administrative Committee both cancelled their July 6 meetings.

Downtown Redevelopment Committee — July 8

The committee approved six items, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes:

• **213 Front St** — Certificate of Appropriateness approved 6-0, and $8,222.00 in Downtown Exterior Building Improvement funds approved 6-0.
• **702 Madison St** — $8,246.57 in Residential Exterior Building Improvements approved 5-0, with one abstention.
• **822 S Spring St** — $10,000.00 in Residential Exterior Building Improvements approved 6-0.
• **103 Front St** — Certificate of Appropriateness for a replacement sign approved 6-0.
• **115 Front St** — Certificate of Appropriateness for new/replacement signs approved 6-0.

These approvals allow property owners to move forward with exterior renovations and signage using city funding programs.

Meetings Cancelled — July 6

Both the Administrative Committee and the Common Council cancelled their scheduled July 6 meetings. The Administrative Committee cancellation was posted July 2, 2026 by City Clerk Tracey Ferron. No agenda items were presented for either body.

Police & Fire Commission — July 14 (agenda only)

The commission's agenda included approval of June 2026 minutes, action on the resignation of POC Firefighter Madeline Crucius, and review of a capital outlay request for a storage shed. The agenda also listed discussion of a contract with the Department of Military Affairs for Urban Rescue and a closed session to review patrol officer and firefighter eligibility lists. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not available.

Library Board — July 17 (agenda only)

The Library Board of Trustees was scheduled to review and approve full-time position descriptions and discuss designation of the Frances J. "Bunny" Schmidt Bequest. Renovation project updates regarding transfers, invoices, and budget were also on the agenda, along with a closed session to discuss library donor data. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

• **Operations Committee — July 20:** Will review Resolution 61-2026 (contract for a Vertical Turbine Backwash Pump at the Water Treatment Plant), Resolution 62-2026 (Professional Services Agreement for Lower Tower Parking Lot Improvements), Resolution 63-2026 (Eagle's View Addition 3 Utility and Street Construction Project), a final report on estimated special assessments for 2026 Sewer Lateral & Water Service Replacement, and bidding authorization for 2026 Street Maintenance and Resurfacing Programs. The 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan is also on the agenda.

• **Administrative Committee — July 20:** Will consider approval of bills totaling $2,351,200.20 covering June 12 to July 16, 2026. Also on the agenda: an ordinance amending Room Tax Ordinance 2-124(K), a resolution creating the Beaver Dam Parks Endowment Fund, and temporary Class B license resolutions for the Beaver Dam Pepper Festival and the Beaver Dam Hockey Association Spooktacular Hockey Tournament.

• **Common Council — July 20:** Will vote on the $2,351,200.20 in bills for June 12 to July 16, 2026. Three ordinances are scheduled: Ordinance No. 12-2026 (amendment to Section 2.46, second reading and public hearing), Ordinance No. 13-2026 (amendment to Sections 2-5, 2-41, 2-42, 2-88, 2-404.1, second reading and public hearing), and Ordinance No. 14-2026 (amendment to Chapter 58, first reading). Resolution No. 61-2026 for the water treatment plant backwash pump contract is also listed.

• **Plan Commission — July 22:** Will approve minutes from June 24, 2026, and discuss a possible amendment to Section 70-84, the R-1 Single-Family Residential District ordinance. No other items are on the agenda.