CITY OF MERRILL COMMON COUNCIL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:30 PM I. Call to Order Mayor Hass called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present: D1 Alderperson A. Caylor, D2 Alderperson M. Caylor, D3 Alderperson Meyer, D4 Alderperson Fermanich, D5 Alderperson Holdorf, D6 Alderperson Sukow, D7 Alderperson Weix Jr., D8 Alderperson Rutkowski Present Not Voting: City Administrator Akey, Finance Director Ley, City Clerk Anderson-Malm, Facilities Maintenance Manager Brunett, Fire Chief Klug, Library Director Ollhoff, Park & Recreation Director Wendorf, Police Chief Bennett, Street Superintendent Bonack, Utility Operations Manager Steinagel, Pastor Johanna Doyle, Sara Brooks - Chamber of Commerce, Caleb Novitch Excused: Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator Pagel II. Invocation - Pastor Johanna Doyle - The Gathering Table III. Pledge of Allegiance The pledge was recited. IV. Roll Call Roll call was taken. All 8 were in attendance. V. Common Council Meeting Expectations - The City of Merrill respects the role of our elected officials. Alderpersons and Department Heads are committed to working in collaboration to provide our citizens with the best decision- making for our city's future. This meeting is a formal event and professional conduct is the expectation of all in attendance. The expectations were read. VI. Public Comment There was no public comment. VII. Minutes from Previous Meeting 1. Consider placing the minutes from the August 12th meeting on file. - (D3 Alderperson Meyer/D7 Alderperson Weix Jr.) motion/second to place minutes on file. The motion passed. VIII. Revenue and Expense Reports 1. Consider the August 2026 Revenue and Expense Report - (D1 Alderperson A. Caylor/D4 Alderperson Fermanich) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. IX. Communications and Petitions 1. Consider the claim filed by Rick Ament regarding paint on his vehicle on July 31, 2026. The City's insurance carrier is recommending that this claim be disallowed. This recommendation is based on the fact that an investigation found that the City was not negligent because reasonable precautions were taken to prevent the loss. - (D3 Alderperson Meyer/D6 Alderperson Sukow) motion/second to deny the claim per the insurance carrier's recommendation. The motion passed. X. General Agenda Items for Consideration 1. Employee Recognition: Tyler Mueller - 15 years - Fire Department - Tyler Mueller was recognized and will receive a certificate. 2. Discuss and consider a request to lift the hiring freeze for a position in the Treasurer's office due to an upcoming retirement. This is being brought directly to the Common Council. - (D2 Alderperson M. Caylor/D3 Alderperson Meyer) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. 3. Discuss and consider lifting the hiring freeze to fill the Wastewater Operator position due to an upcoming retirement. This is being brought directly to the Council. - (D3 Alderperson Meyer/D8 Alderperson Rutkowski) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. XI. Health & Safety 1. Discuss and consider a Class "A" Beer license application for Hollandtown Minimart LLC dba Merrill Cenex, 504 E 2nd St. The Health & Safety Committee recommends approval. - (D8 Alderperson Rutkowski/D7 Alderperson Weix Jr.) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. 2. Discuss and consider a temporary "Class B" wine license for the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce on October 17, 2026, from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm at various locations and businesses throughout the City of Merrill in conjunction with a Sip & Stroll Merrill event. The Health & Safety Committee recommends approval. - (D7 Alderperson Weix Jr./D5 Alderperson Holdorf) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. XII. Personnel & Finance 1. Discuss and consider writing off uncollectible balances; SDC returns. The Personnel & Finance Committee recommends approval. - (D3 Alderperson Meyer/D8 Alderperson Rutkowski) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. XIII. Acknowledge Committee Reports 1. Discuss and acknowledge the following monthly reports: Merrill Housing Authority, Park & Recreation, Committee of the Whole, Health & Safety, Personnel & Finance, Redevelopment Authority and Fairgrounds Committee. - The reports were acknowledged. There were no questions. XIV. Resolutions 1. A Resolution authorizing the vacation of an alley located south of E 9th Street and west of N Kyes Street. The Board of Public Works and City Plan Commission recommend approval. - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VACATION OF AN ALLEY LOCATED SOUTH OF E 9TH STREET & WEST OF N KYES STREET WHEREAS, The City of Merrill Engineering Department has requested the vacation of a portion of an alley; and, WHEREAS, the alley to be vacated is described as: In the City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin: The first alley South of E 9th Street, West of N Kyes Street, East of Chestnut Street, in the City of Merrill, Wisconsin, more particularly described as follows, to-wit: That certain east-west alley south of Lots Five (5), Six (6), Seven (7), and Eight (8), of Block Six (6) of the McCord and Kollock’s Addition, being part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SE ¼ NE ¼), Section Twelve (12), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works on June 24, 2026, and the City Plan Commission on July 7, 2026, have recommended such a vacation; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 8th day of September 2026, that the following described alley be vacated: The first alley South of E 9th Street, West of N Kyes Street, East of Chestnut Street, in the City of Merrill, Wisconsin, more particularly described as follows, to-wit: That certain east-west alley south of Lots Five (5), Six (6), Seven (7), and Eight (8), of Block Six (6) of the McCord and Kollock’s Addition, being part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SE ¼ NE ¼), Section Twelve (12), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. RESERVING an easement for construction and maintenance purposes related to utilities located in, on, or around the vacated area. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City hereby declares that the alley being vacated is not needed for public purposes and hereby declares that the portion vacated shall revert, to the extent permitted by law, to the adjoining property owners. City Clerk Anderson-Malm read the resolution. (D1 A. Caylor/D3 Meyer) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. 2. A Resolution authorizing the vacation of an alley located south of River Street and west of S. Nast Street. The Board of Public Works and City Plan Commission recommend approval. - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VACATION OF AN ALLEY LOCATED SOUTH OF RIVER STREET & WEST OF S NAST STREET WHEREAS, The City of Merrill Engineering Department has requested the vacation of a portion of an alley; and, WHEREAS, the alley to be vacated is described as: In the City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin: The first alley South of River Street, West of South Nast Street, East of South Van Rensselaer Street, in the City of Merrill, Wisconsin, more particularly described as follows, to-wit: That certain north-south alley west of Lots One (1), and Four (4), of Block One (1) of the Mary Poor’s Addition, of Government Lot Five (5), Section Twelve (12), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works on June 24, 2026, and the City Plan Commission on July 7, 2026, have recommended such a vacation; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 8th day of September 2026, that the following described alley be vacated: The first alley South of River Street, West of South Nast Street, East of South Van Rensselaer Street, in the City of Merrill, Wisconsin, more particularly described as follows, to-wit: That certain north-south alley west of Lots One (1), and Four (4), of Block One (1) of the Mary Poor’s Addition, of Government Lot Five (5), Section Twelve (12), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. RESERVING an easement for construction and maintenance purposes related to utilities located in, on, or around the vacated area. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City hereby declares that the alley being vacated is not needed for public purposes and hereby declares that the portion vacated shall revert, to the extent permitted by law, to the adjoining property owners. City Clerk Anderson-Malm read the resolution. (D8 Rutkowski/D2 M. Caylor) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. 3. A Resolution authorizing the vacation of an alley located east of S. Kyes Street and south of Logan Avenue. The Board of Public Works and City Plan Commission recommend approval. - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VACATION OF AN ALLEY LOCATED EAST OF S KYES STREET & SOUTH OF LOGAN AVENUE WHEREAS, The City of Merrill Engineering Department has requested the vacation of a portion of an alley; and, WHEREAS, the alley to be vacated is described as: In the City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin: A part of Block Three (3) of Mrs. Stewart’s Addition to Jenny (now Merrill) is located in Government Lot Five (5) of Section Twelve (12), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin; more particularly described as follows: The East-West 20-foot wide alley lies adjacent to and south of Lots One (1), Two (2), Three (3), Four (4), and Five (5) of said Block Three (3), all in said Mrs. Stewart’s addition to Jenny (now Merrill). WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works on June 24, 2026, and the City Plan Commission on July 7, 2026, have recommended such a vacation; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 8th day of September 2026, that the following described alley be vacated: A part of Block Three (3) of Mrs. Stewart’s Addition to Jenny (now Merrill) is located in Government Lot Five (5) of Section Twelve (12), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin; more particularly described as follows: The East-West 20-foot wide alley lies adjacent to and south of Lots One (1), Two (2), Three (3), Four (4), and Five (5) of said Block Three (3), all in said Mrs. Stewart’s addition to Jenny (now Merrill). RESERVING an easement for construction and maintenance purposes related to utilities located in, on, or around the vacated area. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City hereby declares that the alley being vacated is not needed for public purposes and hereby declares that the portion vacated shall revert, to the extent permitted by law, to the adjoining property owners. City Clerk Anderson-Malm read the resolution. (D1 A. Caylor/D3 Meyer) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. 4. A Resolution authorizing the vacation of a street located at Pleasant Acres, City Street - Jessie Court. The Board of Public Works and City Plan Commission recommend approval. - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VACATION OF A STREET LOCATED AT PLEASANT ACRES CITY STREET – JESSIE COURT WHEREAS, The City of Merrill Engineering Department has requested the vacation of a portion of a street; and, WHEREAS, the street to be vacated is described as: In the City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin: The parcel of land is described as Pleasant Acres City Street – Jessie Court, is part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (NE ¼ NE ¼) and the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SE ¼ NE ¼), Section Twenty-three (23), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works on June 24, 2026, and the City Plan Commission on July 7, 2026, have recommended such a vacation; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 8th day of September 2026, that the following described street be vacated: The parcel of land is described as Pleasant Acres City Street – Jessie Court, is part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (NE ¼ NE ¼) and the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SE ¼ NE ¼), Section Twenty-three (23), Township Thirty-one (31) North, Range Six (6) East, City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin. RESERVING an easement for construction and maintenance purposes related to utilities located in, on, or around the vacated area. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City hereby declares that the street being vacated is not needed for public purposes and hereby declares that the portion vacated shall revert, to the extent permitted by law, to the adjoining property owners. City Clerk Anderson-Malm read the resolution. (D3 Meyer/D8 Rutkowski) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. XV. Mayor's Appointments 1. Keith Donner to the Redevelopment Authority, replacing Clyde Nelson, term to expire 09/2029 - D3 Meyer thanked Clyde for his work with the City and community. (D7 Weix/D2 M. Caylor) motion/second to approve. The motion passed. XVI. Mayor's Communications Mayor Hass stated the Labor Day Parade went well, and the car show was well attended. He thanked all who were involved. XVII. Adjournment (D3 Meyer/D6 Sukow) motion/second to adjourn. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lori L Anderson-Malm - City Clerk The minutes are in draft form until approved at the next scheduled meeting. Meeting minutes are available in the City Clerk's office and on the City of Merrill website. Complete Ordinances are available on the City of Merrill website. https://www.ci.merrill.wi.us