Oconomowoc meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Oconomowoc agendas include $280,590 wastewater contract, reserve policy updates

In the past two weeks, Oconomowoc boards and commissions met to consider a range of items, including a $280,590 wastewater design contract, updates to the city's reserve policy, and a 31-lot residential subdivision. No minutes have been published for these meetings, so official outcomes are not yet available.

Wastewater treatment contract

The Utility Committee and the Common Council both had the $280,590 contract on their Aug. 4 agendas. The contract, to be awarded to Donohue & Associates, covers evaluation and preliminary design work at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. The project was budgeted in the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (Work Order #126008), and six consultants submitted proposals. Donohue & Associates ranked highest with the lowest cost of $280,590. The Common Council also considered easements on Pabst Farms Boulevard for storm sewer, traffic signals, electrical, and utility purposes.

Reserve policy updates

The Committee of the Whole reviewed proposed amendments to the city's Reserve Policy on Aug. 4. The updates would set an emergency reserve minimum of 35% of the subsequent year's budgeted general fund total expenditures and capital projects fund expenditures funded by tax levy, a contingency reserve maintained at 0.5% of the general operating fund, and a capital reserve minimum of $750,000. The Common Council also discussed amendments to the reserve policy at its Aug. 4 meeting.

2027 capital budgets

On July 28, the Committee of the Whole reviewed 2027 City and Utility Capital Budget requests. Department heads were present to answer questions. The review covered Utility budgets for Wastewater, Water, and Electric; City Fund requests for Library, Technology, Fleet, Police, Parks, and Public Works; and Western Lakes Fire District requests. No formal action was taken at that meeting.

Planning and development

The Plan Commission on Aug. 5 reviewed food truck operations for Gabriel's Taqueria at 524 E. Wisconsin Avenue and Taqueria Doblado at 202 E. Wisconsin Avenue. It also considered an Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map to divide a 2-acre lot at W394 N5026 Reddelien Road into two parcels, and a Final Plat for Weston Acres Phase I, which would create 25 single-family lots and 6 duplex lots along Reddelien Road. Design guidelines for the Harvest at Pabst Farms mixed-use development north of I-94 were also on the agenda.

The Architectural Commission and Historic Preservation Commission, also on Aug. 5, reviewed design guidelines for the same Harvest at Pabst Farms project, a joint effort with the Village of Summit. The commission also considered a façade renovation for Silver Lake Studio at 206 S. Silver Lake Street, exterior remodeling for Violet Table at 127 E Wisconsin Avenue, a revised building plan for Fiesta Cancun at 159 E Wisconsin Avenue regarding alley shutters, and a sign exception request for a third wall sign at 262 Dental, 1672 Old School Road.

Other items

The Police Commission on July 27 discussed setting a hearing date for Officer Ryan Rinehart's suspension appeal, along with procedural matters such as witness and exhibit disclosures and briefing deadlines. The commission also considered approving minutes from its Jan. 27, 2026 meeting.

On Aug. 7, the Common Council and other city boards attended a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for Costco at 1855 Kirkland Way. No formal action was taken.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Oconomowoc Council Approves Outdoor Recreation Permit, Extends Power Supply Contract

The Oconomowoc Common Council approved a conditional use permit for a new outdoor recreation facility, extended a long-term power supply contract, and adopted a resolution of necessity for property acquisitions during its July 21 meeting.

Common Council Actions

The council approved a Conditional Use Permit for The Social outdoor recreation at 1340 Snyder Way (7-0-1). The council also revoked Class B Fermented Malt Beverage and Class C Wine licenses for Pub Summit LLC (8-0-0).

In utility matters, the council adopted Resolution 26-R3383 for the WPPI Long Term Power Supply Contract Extension (8-0-0). The council adopted Resolution of Necessity 26-R3387 for 121 Cross Street and 110 and 118 Silver Lake Plaza (8-0-0).

The council approved the jurisdictional transfer of Pabst Farms Blvd from the Village of Summit (8-0-0). The council also approved the Consent Agenda, which included the Costco liquor license and distribution equipment painting, confirmed Mayoral appointments, and approved the June 16, 2026 meeting minutes (8-0-0).

Committee Recommendations

The Protection and Welfare Committee recommended Resolution 26-R3384 granting a 2026-2027 'Class A' liquor license for Costco Wholesale (3-0-0). The committee approved Taxicab Driver Licenses for Ryan Lee, Mark Dorney, and Jennifer Kollath (3-0-0) and recommended amending the 2026-2027 Taxicab License for Oconomowoc Silver Streak (3-0-0).

The Utility Committee recommended Resolution 26-R3386 for Lift Station/Flow Meter Communication Devices to Synergy Sales & Service for $168,442 (3-0-0). The committee also nominated Resolution 26-R3382 for Distribution Equipment Painting to Hess Sweitzer Painting (3-0-0) and approved the June 16, 2026 minutes (3-0-0).

The Finance Committee approved June 2026 vouchers and recommended Resolution 26-R3385 approving 2nd Quarter 2026 Grants, Donations and Budget Amendments (3-0-0).

Budget and Police Commission Discussions

The Committee of the Whole met July 21 to review the 2027-2031 Capital Budget Overview, which includes total city-funded projects of $6,838,917 for 2027. The committee also discussed Resolution 26-R3383 to extend the WPPI Long Term Power Supply Contract. No formal vote was scheduled at this informational meeting. Minutes have not yet been published.

A second Committee of the Whole meeting on July 28 reviewed 2027 City and Utility Capital Budgets, including requests for Wastewater, Water, Electric, Library, Technology, Fleet, Police, Parks, Public Works, and Western Lakes Fire District. No formal action was taken. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Police Commission met July 27 to discuss setting a hearing date for Officer Ryan Rinehart's suspension appeal, including procedural matters such as witness and exhibit disclosures and briefing deadlines. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4 – Committee of the Whole:** Will consider updates to the City Reserve Policy, including a proposed emergency reserve minimum of 35% of subsequent year's budgeted general fund total expenditures and capital projects fund expenditures funded by tax levy, a contingency reserve maintained at 0.5% of the general operating fund, and a capital reserve minimum value of $750,000.
• **Aug. 4 – Utility Committee:** Will vote on Resolution 26-R3388 to award a $280,590 contract to Donohue & Associates for wastewater treatment facility evaluation and preliminary design.
• **Aug. 4 – Common Council:** Will consider the $280,590 wastewater design contract, easements on Pabst Farms Boulevard, draft ordinances related to e-bikes, and amendments to the reserve policy.
• **Aug. 5 – Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission:** Will review design guidelines for the Harvest at Pabst Farms development, façade renovation plans for Silver Lake Studio at 206 S. Silver Lake Street, exterior remodeling plans for Violet Table at 127 E Wisconsin Avenue, a revised building plan for Fiesta Cancun at 159 E Wisconsin Avenue, and a sign exception request for 262 Dental at 1672 Old School Road.
• **Aug. 5 – Plan Commission:** Will review food truck operations for Gabriel's Taqueria at 524 E. Wisconsin Avenue and Taqueria Doblado at 202 E. Wisconsin Avenue, a certified survey map to divide a 2-acre lot at W394 N5026 Reddelien Road, a final plat for Weston Acres Phase I creating 25 single-family lots and 6 duplex lots, and design guidelines for Harvest at Pabst Farms.
• **Aug. 7 – Common Council:** Will attend a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for Costco at 1855 Kirkland Way. No formal action will be taken.