In the Consent Agenda, approved was a special event license for the following events: Babies Gone Too Soon Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Memorial Walk hosted by Babies Gone Too Soon on May 23, 2026, at Ley Pavillion, and for The All-American Circus for July 6, 2026, at Ley Pavillion.
Also approved was a Temporary B Alcohol Beverage License for the 2026 Dodgeville Mat Club Fundraiser hosted by the Dodgeville Mat Club, Inc. on May 9, 2026, at Ley Pavillion.
Under public comment, resident Wendy Nipple expressed concern that Dodgeville currently does not have an ADA coordinator since last year. She wanted to make sure the Council appoints someone to be that person. She also brought to the council’s attention regarding snow removal on downtown streets, and that the police station should have a handicap spot. Alderman Mike Olson said the Public Works Committee thanked Nipple for looking into those matters and will invite her to a future meeting for her input on the matters.
Chief Brandon Wilhelm mentioned in his Police Report that he wanted to know if Dodgeville has an official storm shelter. After last week’s severe weather, he recommended that the city develop plans for future storms and decide which buildings should serve as public shelters. This recommendation will be discussed at the next Public Works Committee Meeting.
In her Recreation Update, Director Megan James reported that a lot has been happening in her department. In her highlights she said her recent family event, the flashlight egg hunt, was a huge success with over 150 kids and their parents participating in and finding 1200 eggs. She said she is looking forward to it becoming an annual event.
Summer registration is open for Parks and Recreation, and she reported her department has already reached 68.68% of her budget revenue, and 227 family pool passes have been purchased and 17 individual pool passes. The pool opens June 1, 2026. A new sponsorship program for businesses interested in a fence sign at Harris Park are encouraged to contact the department. She also reported 10 youth sponsors already, and some donations have been made for the Financial Assistance program to help families who may need some assistance to partake in some of the programs.
In her Interim Clerk/Treasurer Report, Emily Wolfe said her clerk training in Eau Claire was very beneficial and between that training and the election, she is doing a lot of odds and ends to get caught up.
In the Mayor Report, for discussion purposes, Barry Hottmann suggested the council consider Zoom options for future council meetings, decorum training for council members to learn and improve, and adding committee reports to members of council for review.
He said at the last Plan Committee Meeting they discussed the Vibrant Space Grant potential site and he said they are planning a community conversation at the site in May. The date and time have not yet been determined, but the purpose is to invite the public to discuss what that space could be for, or for those not thinking it’s a good idea, to come share your thoughts as well. The discussion would take place at the site.
He said discussions are continuing with developers for Pizza Ranch and Hilton and he is hoping this will be concluded no later than the second council meeting in May for discussion and final approval.
And in an update on the City Administrator position, Alderman Tom De Voss reported they have received the job posting, the job description, and the ordinance from Public Administration Associates, LLC. PAA was hired by the city to help with the consulting and recruitment of a new City Administrator. The city attorney has looked over the information and De Voss said information will be distributed to the council in one of the May meetings, at which point the job position would be posted.
In New Business, in possible action to approve an agreement with Vierbicher for engineering consulting services related to TID No.3 – Bennett Road and USH 18 Infrastructure project, Logan Hansen from Vierbicher, who works with Pizza Ranch on scope and design of their projects, presented a proposal to amend the current agreement for additional services. The original agreement was for $14,400. Now, with additional services to include a Certified Survey Map, Design Phase, Bidding Phase, Contract Administration and Construction Observation and Staking, the current agreement amount would be $64,150.
Olson suggested the Developer’s Agreement would need to be signed in order to approve this amendment. Roxanne Reynolds-Lair said she would approve it if the language said contingent with a signed Developer Agreement. The motion passed 8-0. In possible to action to approve a proposal from Heartland Ecological Group for professional consulting services related to wetland delineation and the TID No.3 – Bennett Road and USH 18 Infrastructure project, the council voted 8-0 to approve the proposal contingent on a signed Developer Agreement.
From a recommendation from the Public Works Committee to approve Change Order #3 – Final for 2023 Water System Improvements Project, Public Works Director Dylan Wadzinski said Change Order #3 includes an additional scope of $16,660, he said it was an honest mistake, and it was inadvertently omitted from the previously approved change order, but added the overall change in contract price is a deduct of $11,886.15 from the originally approved bid price of $2,177,562. The council Approved the change order.
Also Approved from a recommendation from the Public Works Committee to approve changes to Section 8.03 Street and Sidewalk Excavations and Openings. Rule Construction was approved for the 2026 Truck Stop Concrete Removal Project for $58,331.
Resolution 2026-06 was approved designating The Dodgeville Chronicle as the Official Newspaper.
Regarding Designating Public Depositories, Farmers Savings Bank, Mound City Bank, State of Wisconsin Local Government Investment Pool, Ehlers Investments (via Pershing) be and are designated for public monies coming into the hands of the Treasurer of the City of Dodgeville. Reynolds-Lair suggested BMO Harris Bank be added to the list and the motion passed 8-0.
By a recommendation of Mayor Hottmann, the council voted 8-0 to appoint Utility Clerk/Administration Assistant Danielle Reddell to Interim Deputy Clerk for the City of Dodgeville. Also Approved was the appointment of 2026-27 Boards, Committee’s and Commissions.
At the beginning of the meeting the Minutes of April 8, 2026, and Claims were Approved as follows:
General $883,317.89 Water $12,126.75 Sewer $23,242.95 Total $918,687.59
The next Common Council Regular Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the Administration Building beginning at 5:30. For more City news and updates, go to www.dodgevillewi.gov.