WAUPUN — The Waupun City Council approved the creation of a committee to meet the CDBG’s redevelopment plan, among other items at the Special Common Council meeting on February 24, 2026.
Mayor of Waupun Rohn Bishop was absent from the meeting, attending the State of the Union in Washington DC. Waupun Utilities director Steve Brooks was also absent, being in DC with Mayor Bishop.
Council president Alderman Dan Siebers presided over the meeting in the Mayor’s absence.
First item on the agenda was the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Park and Grove Streets, which was a followup item from the February 10 meeting.
Previously, the City Council approved a service agreement with MSA Professional Services to draft engineering plans for the redevelopment of the neighborhood including N. Grove Street, Park Street, Franklin Street, and Roosevelt Street. The Council also approved the application for a grant from the State of the Wisconsin (the CDBG program) for monetary assistance with the project, specifically for N. Grove St and Park St.
However, for the grant to be approved, the City is required to develop a public participation plan. This included the formation of a review committee to address any concerns raised by citizens about the project. The committee would also be responsible for implementation of the Citizen Participation Plan (CPP).
The recommended motion was to appoint the Waupun Plan Commission as the review committee for the CDBG program’s implementation. City Administrator Kathy Schlieve noted it was unlikely that the committee would need to meet unless a concern was brought to the City, but that a public hearing would be held at the next meeting if passed.
The item passed unanimously with no questions.
Later in the meeting was a “Resolution to Adopt a Citizen Participation Plan,” as required by the grant process. The resolution formalized what was adopted earlier and also passed unanimously.
The full language of the Citizen Participation Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program was included in the agenda packet.
The second item on the agenda were amendments to a land purchase agreement with development company CTS Holdings LLC for a vacant lot in the Waupun Industrial Park.
The specific property being sold to CTS Holdings is six (6) acres of 1412 S. Watertown Street, right across the street from Heritage Ridge Travel Plaza. The combined lot is 15.85 acres, but the most easterly side will be turned into a standalone parcel for the sale.
In the original agreement, CTS Holdings was to purchase five (5) acres for $206,000. They had a project planned with a minimum valuation of $700,000.
The updated agreement in the agenda packet shows that the purchase will now be for six (6) acres, for a $225,000 purchase, with a minimum valued development project for $1 million.
City Administrator Schlieve said that the purchase was previously approved but the developers had updated their building plans to increase the size of the building project.
Schlieve noted that this was the final negotiation/offer. Closing date is set for Friday, February 27, 2026.
Motion Alderman Westphal, second Alderman Matoushek to approve the amended offer. Passed unanimously.
Third on the agenda was the purchase of a Freightliner 114SD truck for $146,855.
This new truck is to replace a current dump truck that will be 20 years old upon replacement.
Public Works Director Jeff Daane explained that prices were likely to increase in the next few years, but there is a lead time of two years to build once ordered so recommended ordering one now. The City would not need to pay for it until it is delivered in 2027, and would be included in that budget schedule.
Motion Alderman Matoushek, second Alderman Westphal. Passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was the 2026 Asphalt Paving Contract. Daane said there were three bids, but recommended the lowest bid from Northeast Asphalt of Fond du Lac. Other bids were also solicited from Kartechner Brothers of Waupun and Stark Pavement Corporation of Brookfield. Daane noted that because of the good price, the City would be able to add another street to the next project on Brown St. Motion Alderwoman Bobbi Jo Kunz, second Alderman Matoushek. Passed unan.
The Council then moved onto ordinances and resolutions.
Ordinance to Amend Ch.8.10 Fair and Open Housing — Required by the State of Wisconsin for the City to have such an ordinance, the changes made were only to update new location of respective statutes in State statutes. Passed unanimously.
Ordinance to amend Ch.6.03(2) Traffic Code-Other Intersection Controls — Daane said there was a discussion on uncontrolled intersections last year, this is part of the addition of new stop signs. The Council decided to waive first reading. Motion Kunz, second Westphal. Passed unanimously.
And the final item on the agenda was a discussion about the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Service Upgrade.
In 2019, the City created an EMR program to meet call volume and have more control compared to previous contracted ambulances. Waupun Emergency Services receives roughly 600 calls per year, which is continuing to grow as the community grows.
EMR response times from other communities can be much longer, which is not good for life threatening situations.
The new program is not looking to displace or replace the current contracted Lifestar ambulances, it is just so that City EMR staff are authorized for transport so there didn’t need to be a mutual aid call from another municipality if the Lifestar ambulances were not available.
Schlieve stated the program would be up and running by March 2.
Alderman Westphal asked about what other limitations might be placed on the program. Schlieve said that the intent is to only operate within the city limits with a residential focus.
No action was taken as it was a discussion item only. Schlieve stated that a press release would be sent out soon about the topic.
