WAUPUN — The Waupun City Council debated whether it would be worth paying the State of Wisconsin for more decorative fencing, among other items, at the City Council meeting last week.
The Special Common Council meeting was held January 27, 2026.
From ordinances and resolutions, the first item on the agenda was for changes to downtown parking restrictions.
Ordinance to amend Ch. 6.05 entitled Traffic Code-Parking Limitations — From Board of Public Works, to change downtown parking limit from 2 hours to 4 hours.
According to the agenda packet item, the City has been in discussion with downtown businesses for parking improvements and received feedback to extend parking limits downtown. This is part of a wider project for the downtown revitalization project, which includes improvements to the alleys and park on the north blocks of 300 and 400 E Main St.
The list of streets increased from 2 hours to 4 hours includes most downtown streets, notably all of E Main St between Watertown St and the railroad tracks. The full list of drafted changes are included in the agenda packet.
The Council voted to waive the first reading. The motion passed unanimously.
The second item was a resolution for carrying forward unexpended budget appropriations 2025.
Projects and purchases budgeted for 2025 but not completed include: Public Safety New Facility Plan/Design Work, Sidewalk Program to complete in 2026, Stormwater pond, Fire Department equipment, Information Technology Services. A total carryover of $1,070,035 is being requested to fund these projects/purchases in 2026. The item was passed unanimously, with no discussion.
The third item was another resolution, this time authorizing budget advances from the General Fund to TID 7.
The City identified a need for incentive payments for a development project in TID 7 in 2026. This resolution allows for the advance of $400,000 from the General Fund to TID 7 for development incentive payments. This also passed unanimously with no discussion.
The Council then moved on to consideration/action.
The review and approval of Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map Review for Parcel #T21-14-15-31-07-007- 00. This was previously reviewed at the Plan Commission meeting held January 21, 2026. The parcel is owned by the Rachel J. Navis Revocable Trust, and is located along County Park Rd across from the intersection with Birdie Blvd.
Currently, the lot is one parcel that the owners are seeking to split in half. This requires approval from the City due to it bordering city limits.
This lot is a significant part of a township island within the city limits on the northwest quadrant of town. Mayor Rohn Bishop expressed concern about it fitting into the City’s general plans, saying that he didn’t like when there are landlocked township properties. The item passed unanimously without further discussion.
Next was another item from the January 21 Plan Commission meeting, a Certified Survey Map for the removal of the driveway easement near the Industrial Park entrance on Shaler West. Passed unanimously.
Finally, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is planning to upgrade fencing along Highway 151 near Waupun. The WIS-DOT was looking for input from the City of Waupun whether the City had a preference to making it more decorative.
Regardless of the City’s decision, the DOT would cover the cost for a basic chainlink fence. But if the City opted for a more decorative fence or more expensive feature, the City would have to pay the difference.
Alderman Pete Kaczmarski asked about the types of fence that the DOT uses. Director of Public Works Jeff Daane explained that it’s mostly farm style fencing on the north by Homan Chevrolet and chainlink near the High School. But the new fencing will likely all be chainlink soon unless the City would like to put in a more decorative style of fence.
Alderman Dan Siebers said it didn’t make sense to upgrade something that won’t be seen after foliage grows on it. Additionally, the City would also have to maintain it if a more decorative fence would be purchased.
Costs were included in the agenda packet. The standard chainlink fence would cost the State $220,000 at no direct cost to the City of Waupun.
If the City opted for poly coated chainlink, it would cost a total of $580,000. This would be a cost of $360,000 for just the City.
Recommendation was to keep the standard chainlink and not upgrade. Passed unanimously.
