During public comments, Dodgeville resident Steve Demuth reiterated his position on the Fountain Street property that could be used as a park. Mayor Hottmann said the city is waiting to set a date for the public to share how they would like the property to be used. Demuth noted that the city already has 60.3 acres of parkland, and the schools have 70 acres of park space and said he believes the Fountain Street lot should be placed on the tax roll for residential or commercial development.
Beth Mikrut-Gilles, owner of In the Beginning Childcare in Dodgeville, addressed the council at its previous meeting to request that her school be notified in the event of a lockdown. At Tuesday’s meeting, she thanked the council and Police Department for responding so quickly and said their efforts did not go unnoticed. Officer Pepper will meet with the In the Beginning staff in June to review lockdown procedures and training to help protect students and staff. She also thanked the council for investing in the community and helping make Dodgeville a better place for families, businesses, and future generations.
Wendy Nipple again raised concerns that Dodgeville does not have an ADA coordinator, which she believes a city of its size should have, and said her previous requests to the council on this issue have not been addressed. She also urged the council, if it chooses to livestream meetings on Zoom, to invest in accommodations for people who are hearing impaired. In addition, she repeated her concerns about the lack of some accessible parking stalls and about snow removal on downtown streets during the winter.
Hotel owners from the Pine Ridge Motel, Best Western, and Dodgeville Inn and Suites spoke concerned about another hotel being built as they potentially could lose business. They also hear complaints that the hotel tax rate went from 5.5% to 8% saying it is too high. Mayor Hottmann said he was empathetic to what they were talking about and said the Council has heard feedback from other organizations and businesses who were looking for better hotel accommodations in Dodgeville. Alderman Sersch also said the Council is following a hotel study suggesting the Dodgeville community has a need for a different price-range hotel.
And though Library Director Carrie Portz was not in attendance, she did provide the council with an update. You can review the Library Update which is published on page 7 in this week’s newspaper.
Mayor Hottmann read a Proclamation designating the week of May 17- 23, 2026, as Emergency Medical Services Week (EMS Week). The 52nd anniversary of EMS Week theme is EMS WEEK: Improving Outcomes, Together. The Mayor encourages the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the EMS profession and the essential service it provides.
In Old Business the council Approved a request from Mary Jo Benish for a liability insurance waiver for the Argall/Hessling Graduation party special event to be held on May 23, 2026.
In New Business, the Council Approved a contract with WEDC (Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation) for a $250,000 grant as it relates to the development of Pizza Ranch and TRU Hotel by Hilton at the former truck stop.
Developer agreements for Pizza Ranch with Fun Zone and the TRU Hotel by Hilton were both on Tuesday night’s agenda. In separate 6-0 roll call votes, the council decided to take no action until a June meeting or a special council meeting while a few minor legal matters are resolved. Jorn Kaashagen of Cambridge, Wisconsin, attended to provide an update on the Pizza Ranch and Fun Zone project. He said he has been with Pizza Ranch for 15 years and owns 33 franchises. According to Kaashagen, Pizza Ranch Corporation reviewed the Dodgeville site in fall 2025 and approved it in January 2026. He added that a few legal issues are still being resolved and are expected to be settled by the next meeting, when the council could approve the developer agreement.
He said Pizza Ranch is excited to build in Dodgeville. With 255 franchises in the United States, primarily in the Midwest, he noted that Pizza Ranch not only has good pizza, but their best product is their chicken. The establishment will not sell alcohol, and it is primarily for young families and seniors. He added the Fun Zone is great for kids, they will have separate areas and rooms for parties.
Alderman Shaun Sersch asked how the Prairie du Chien Pizza Ranch is performing, noting that its community is similar in size to Dodgeville. Kaashagen said the restaurant has done very well and exceeded expectations, which he believes could also happen in Dodgeville because of the city’s many events and ball and hockey tournaments. He said the project is expected to create about 50 jobs, including 12 full-time positions and mostly part-time roles likely to be filled by high school students. He added that the restaurant could open about six months after construction begins.
In other New Business, the Council Approved the renewal of the 2026- 27 contract with Family Service Madison to provide employee assistance program for City of Dodgeville employees.
Also Approved was a resolution declaring intent to exercise special assessment powers relative to the installation of sewer equipment improvements along West Washington Street.
In the Consent Agenda Special
Event Licenses for the following events were Approved: Town Square hosted by Dodgeville Revitalization/Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce July 10, 2026 thru July 27, 2026; Ball to Life Games hosted by Ball to Life at Wilson Park on June 20, 2026; and DodgeFest hosted by Dodgeville Revitalization/Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce July 31, 2026 thru August 2, 2026, with the day of the event being August 1, 2026.
Also Approved were Temporary B Alcohol Beverage Licenses for DodgeFest hosted by Dodgeville Revitalization/Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce in the Iowa County Courthouse Parking Lot on August 1, 2026, and Town Square hosted by Dodgeville Revitalization/Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce located in downtown Dodgeville July 10, 2026, thru July 26, 2026.
Also Approved were the Minutes of the May 5, 2026, meeting, and Claims were Approved as follows: General $365,800.59 Water $16,321.97 Sewer $12,870.12 Total $394,993.12
The next scheduled Common Council Regular Meeting is June 2, 2026, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building. For more City news and updates, go to www.dodgevillewi.gov.