February 24, 2026
Common Council meeting was called to order by Mayor TeStrake at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall.
PRESENT: Mike Feirer, Derek Wehrman (via Zoom), Natasha Tompkins, Brian Varsho, Scott Koran, Jen Delis, Brian Giles, Rebecca Spiros (via Zoom), and Mike O'Reilly.
ABSENT: Andrew Reigel
The flag was saluted and the pledge given.
IDENTIFY POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
• None
CITIZEN COMMENTS
• Richard Kranz, 312 S. Cherry Avenue, Weinbrenner building future use
• Matt McLean, 609 N. Hume Avenue, representing Visit Marshfield with quarterly update
• John Tracy, 211 S. Central Avenue, downtown plowing and parking over weekend
• Sarah Venzke, 907 Erickson Avenue, downtown plowing and parking over weekend
• Denise Sonnemann, 700 S. Central Avenue, downtown plowing and parking over weekend
• Vicki Tracy, 211 S. Central Avenue, Wenzel Plaza event programming
CC26-029 Motion by Tompkins, second by Koran to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2026 Council meeting.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
STAFF UPDATES
• None
MAYOR'S COMMENTS
• Congratulations Josh Mauritz, Director of Public Works.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
• None
CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S UPDATE
• Strategic planning meetings will be March 5th at UWSP, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and March 12th at 2nd Street Community Center, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
REPORTS from COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, and COMMITTEES
• None
CONSENT AGENDA
CC26-030 Motion by Varsho, second by Giles to receive and place on file, approving all recommended actions for the items listed on the consent agenda: Committee on Aging of January 15, 2026; Fire and Police Commission of January 15, 2026; Communications Committee of January 22, 2026; Community Development Authority, Finance of January 26, 2026; Community Development Authority, Board of January 26, 2026; Central Wisconsin State Fair Board of January 26, 2026; Marshfield Utility Commission of February 9, 2026; Finance, Budget & Personnel Committee of February 17, 2026 (1. Approve changes to Library staffing hours. 2. Approve MOU with Wood County, Mass Dispensing Site at Oak Avenue Community Center. 3. Approve Resolution No. 2026-03, EMS account write-offs. 4. Approve appointment of Tim Cassidy to City Engineer. 5. Approve $5,000 contribution to Centergy project.); Board of Public Works of February 17, 2026 (1. Approve purchase of player shelters for Griese Park); City Plan Commission of February 17, 2026 (1. Resolution No. 2026-04, approve conditional use permit for North Central Avenue just north of West Kalsched Street for, Parcel 33-03216A).
Roll call vote; all ayes.
Motion carried
Mayor TeStrake congratulated Tim Cassidy on the appointment.
CC26-031 Motion by Tompkins, second by Giles to enter into an agreement with Visit Marshfield for 2026 Wenzel Plaza Concert series.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-032 Motion by Koran, second by Varsho to refill the vacant position Event & Program Coordinator position.
Roll call vote, Ayes – 8, Nays – 1 (O'Reilly).
Motion carried
James Lieven, City Planner, presented information regarding the development of the City's 2027-2047 Comprehensive Plan.
CC26-033 Motion by Giles, second by Koran to approve Budget Resolution No. 03-2026, accepting donation of $11,440 for the purchase of player shelters for Griese Park.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-034 Motion by Feirer, second by Delis to approve Budget Resolution No. 04-2026, for Urban Non-point Source & Storm Water Construction Grant services.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-035 Motion by Tompkins, second by Feirer to approve submitting revised job descriptions for Fleet Services Coordinator and Inventory Assistant/Operator to the City's compensation consultant for evaluation.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-036 Motion by Feirer, second by Giles to authorize the execution of a grant agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for purchase of one van for the City's shared ride program.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-037 Motion by Tompkins, second by Giles to invite J. Jeffers to the next Council meeting to review their proposal for the Weinbrenner property with any updated data they can provide.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-038 Motion by Varsho, second by Koran to direct staff to develop a stabilization plan for the Weinbrenner property when the City takes back possession.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
Future Agenda Items
• Alderperson Varsho would like an update on the Braem Park tree project.
• Alderperson Tompkins would like a report from Street Department regarding the snow plowing plan for Central Avenue.
• Alderperson Koran would like a town hall, including MACCI and Main Street, regarding downtown snow plowing.
CC26-039 Motion by O'Reilly, second by Delis to adjourn to closed session under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19.85(1) (g), "Conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved."
• Mill Creek Youth Foundation claim for unlawful assessment
AND
Closed session under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 19.85(1)(e), "Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session."
• Acquisition of easements related to West 5th Street reconstruction
• Possible disposition of City-owned property
• Development assistance for project at Frey Court and Veteran's Parkway
Roll call vote; all ayes. (Time: 7:49 p.m.)
Motion carried
Present in closed session: Alderpersons Feirer, Wehrman (via Zoom), Tompkins, Varsho, Koran, Delis, Giles, Spiros (via Zoom) O'Reilly, Mayor TeStrake, City Administrator Barg, City Attorney Wolfgram, Jessica Schiferl, Steve Shepro.
Shepro left closed session and Josh Mauritz joined closed session at 8:03 p.m.
CC26-040 Motion by Delis, second by Varsho to return to open session. Roll call vote; all ayes. (Time: 8:19 p.m.)
CC26-041 Motion by Delis, second by Varsho to disallow the claim for unlawful assessment of Mill Creek Youth Foundation Corporation.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
CC26-042 Motion by Tompkins, second by Varsho to approve Nominal Payment Parcel Report for West 5th Street project and authorize Josh Mauritz to sign on behalf of the City.
Roll call vote, all ayes.
Motion carried
Motion by Delis, second by Giles to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m.
Roll call votes; Ayes – 8, Nays – 1 (O'Reilly).
Motion carried
Respectfully submitted,
/s/Jessica Schiferl
City Clerk
WNAXLP
March 13 2026
LWIX0477422