By John Dalton
With spring and summer activities approaching fast, many special event licenses and temporary alcohol beverage licenses were approved in the Consent Agenda.
The 2026 WI Grilled Cheese Championship hosted by the Dodgeville Chamber of Commerce on April 25, 2026, and the Dairyland Dare Bicycle Race hosted by Race Day Events on August 1, 2026, were approved for temporary beverage licenses.
Special Event licenses were approved for the following: The 2026 Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship hosted by the Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce on April 25, 2026 ; the Dairyland Dare Bicycle Race hosted by Race Day Events on August 1, 2026 ; Cruisin’ the Courthouse hosted by Cruisin’ the Courthouse for the following dates, May 14, June 11, July 9, and August 13, 2026 ; the Dodgeville Kiwanis Chicken BBQ hosted by the Dodgeville Kiwanis Club on August 20, 2026 ; No Kings III March & Rally hosted by Indivisible Southwest Wisconsin on March 28, 2026 ; and the Dodgeville Mat Club Scholarship Fundraiser hosted by the Dodgeville Mat Club on May 9, 2026.
In her Chamber of Commerce Update, Chamber Executive Director Jenna Vondra reported her quarterly update, and she announced that the Chamber Dinner at Hi-Point Steakhouse was a huge success and that since she has been the Director it was the biggest turnout yet with 143 in attendance. She said Business of the Year was Quality Bakery, Volunteers of the year were Alan Holter and Janice Grayson, and the student volunteer of the year award was given to the Dodgeville baseball team. Organization of the year was The Dodgeville Key Club and the Dodgeville Food Locker. She said the Bob McNeill Legacy Award was presented to the Crubaugh/Mallon family.
She said 4,000 tourism brochures will be sent out in April to various locations in the tri-state area to include visitor centers, hotels, chamber and city offices. The Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship preparation is underway, and she said more local competitors are welcome, young chefs between 12-17 are encouraged to sign-up, and volunteers are always needed so if anyone is interested contact the Chamber office for more details.
In his Police Report, Chief Brandon Wilhelm reported he submitted a Wisconsin Department of Justice Law Enforcement Drug Trafficking Response Grant, and his department was awarded $5,000. There is no local match required, and he said his department will be investing the money in newer digital forensics software programs which can assist his department.
He said Ordinance checks will start up later this month advising some property owners to take advantage of the upcoming Spring Clean-up Days in Dodgeville. The dates for this spring’s clean-up is April 30 through May 3.
In her Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Report, Emily Wolfe reported and reminded citizens that the Spring Election is April 7, 2026, and voting this year will be held at the Iowa County Law Enforcement Center this year. She said park reservations started late February and to date 25 reservations have been made, and that her department is getting ready for its annual audit.
In his Mayor Report, Barry Hottman reported he met with Upland Hills Health in a Design Review meeting. He said the Emergency Room design on the East side of the building should be completed in July of 2026. He shared with the Council a rendering of how the Assisted Living Facility building will look like. The building will have low acuity and high acuity patients. He said the ER project costs $19.5 million, the assistant living project is in the $15- 20 million range, and that the original tower portion of the building on the North side which has been standing since 1983, will be torn down and he shared with the council renderings of what will take its place, that project will range between $22 – $28 million dollars and will begin October 1st. He pointed out that Upland Hills Health is investing $60 million dollars in our community which he says speaks volumes of their commitment to the City of Dodgeville and surrounding area.
He went on to say the Idle Site Grant will be submitted this week and that the city should hear back in 30 days or less to help move forward with the projects that were presented at the old truck stop location. Depending on Developer Agreements, both developers felt comfortable announcing the two projects at the site: one for a Pizza Ranch and FunZone Arcade, and the other for a Tru Hotel by Hilton.
In New Business, Ambulance Chief Brian Cushman suggested the council approve a discount purchase agreement with Zoll Medical Corporation for EMS supplies. For years Dodgeville EMS has been purchasing from Zoll, and this year Zoll is offering a 20% discount for all supplies. EMS had been paying 100% and Cushman said the city should take advantage of the 20% savings. The council Approved the discount purchase agreement.
Fire Chief Brian Whitehouse was next to ask the council to approve the purchase of a Tender 9 replacement for the Dodgeville Fire Department. The Council Approved his request not exceeding $160,000 for a used tank as the current steal tank is old and leaking. Whitehouse said he has seen a few that have been pump tested and is confident a used one will be just fine for his department. His department has the money to purchase it, and the old Tender 9 truck, which has over 500,000 miles on it, could be sold at a minimum of $20,000.
The Council Approved $15,750 to Public Administration Associates, LCC (PAA), an Executive Search Service, for 90-day assistance with professional recruitment and selection of a new City Administrator.
The Council Approved the City of Dodgeville Emergency Response Plan, primarily updating phone numbers and page numbers.
The Council Approved Resolution 2026-04 regarding the No Mow/Low Mow May on a roll call vote 6-2. The approval means the City of Dodgeville suspends the enforcement of the 8-inch height restriction during the month of May. No Mow/Low Mow May is a conservation initiative which encourages people to stop mowing, mow less often, or mow to a height for the month of May to create habitat and provide resources for bees and other early-season pollinators and is a voluntary program for City residents.
The Council Approved a two-year service agreement at an annual guaranteed price of $2,200 with Advanced Chemical System relating to HVAC maintenance at the Administration Building. The building has a three-boiler system that has been neglected for a while. The closed/hot water loop system was found to have metallic pieces and plastic in it and this agreement will treat the loop system and bring it back to normal function.
After an Executive Closed Session, in Open Sesson a Motion was made to approve a letter of engagement with the firm Constangy Brooks Smiths & Prophete for professional services.
At the beginning of the meeting the Consent Agenda was approved to include the Common Council Minutes from February 17, 2026, the Common Council Minutes from February 19, 2026, and the Approval of Claims as follows:
General $893,416.37 Water $36, 750.49 Sewer $19,092.82 Total $948,259.69
The next Common Council Regular Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building. Residents interested in reviewing the minutes of this meeting, or other city information, can log into dodgevillewi.gov.