Amery, Wisconsin
Recent meetings
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission will review proposed changes to the zoning code including use district revisions, accessory structure rules (garage stall limits, sheds, carports), and fence height standards. They will also discuss fees for zoning and building permits on charity projects.
- Proposed revisions to permitted and conditional uses across nine zoning districts, including Low/Medium/High Density Residential, Downtown Mixed Use, General Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, and Conservancy.
- Removal of the three-stall garage limitation and allowance for one garage, one accessory building, one shed up to 220 sq ft, and one carport per residential lot.
- Possible increase of front-yard fence height from 3.5 to 4 feet and clarification on chain-link fencing materials.
- Discussion of zoning and building permit fees on charity projects.
City Council
The City Council is notifying the public that a quorum may be present at a candidate forum held during the hotel groundbreaking on June 25, 2026 at 120 South Industrial Park Rd. No council business will be taken at that event. The notice complies with Wisconsin Statutes 19.84.
- Potential quorum at hotel groundbreaking (no business) – June 25, 2026, 1:00 pm, 120 South Industrial Park Rd
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss a potential vehicle registration fee (wheel tax) of up to $30 per vehicle to address a $65,000 annual gap in street maintenance funding. Other agenda items include a sidewalk maintenance program, a data center development policy, Stower Seven Lakes Trail use, and amendments to the tree and shrub ordinance. No formal decisions are expected at this meeting; all items are for discussion and direction only.
- Vehicle registration fee (wheel tax) discussion — up to $30/vehicle, estimated $120,000–$150,000 annual revenue
- Sidewalk maintenance program — inventory cost $10,000–$20,000 needed before program design
- Data Center Development Policy discussion
- Stower Seven Lakes Trail Use discussion
- Municipal Code Chapter 390 Trees and Shrubs amendment
City Council
The City Council will hear the 2025 audit report from Lauterbach & Amen LLP and vote to accept it. The audit gave a clean (unmodified) opinion and showed the general fund reserve rose from near zero to $593,450. Two internal control findings were noted. The Council will also decide on alcohol and tobacco licenses, a lease for Hangar J-1 with Bunny Air LLC, and payment application #23 for the wastewater treatment plant.
- 2025 audit report: clean opinion, general fund reserve grew to $593,450 from near zero; net position improved by $2.4M
- Two internal control findings: material weakness (restatement of prior year fund balance) and significant deficiency (audit adjustments)
- Approval of alcoholic beverage, cigarette, tobacco, and vaping device retail licenses and operator licenses
- Resolution 10-2026 – Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) Year 2025
- Approval of lease for Hangar J-1 between City of Amery and Bunny Air LLC
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee will review and vote on approving the 2026 revision of the City of Amery Personnel Manual, which includes targeted amendments for legal compliance and best practices. If approved, the revised manual will be referred to the Common Council for adoption. Changes are modest and do not alter compensation or benefit levels.
- Consolidated immediate family definitions and updated non-discrimination policy to include veteran status, domestic partnership, and arrest record
- New background check authority for seasonal employees in sensitive roles
- New fraud prevention and whistleblower policy, and standalone anti-retaliation provision
- New section on artificial intelligence tool usage, restricting entry of confidential information
- Added unpaid leave for election officials and Civil Air Patrol emergency leave; reduced retirement notice from 90 to 60 days; expanded complaint filing window from 10 to 30 working days
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will meet to discuss city financials and a budget update. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific proposals or decisions listed. No rezonings, contracts, or fee changes are on the agenda.
- Review of city financials and budget update
Airport Commission
The Airport Commission will discuss and decide on approving new leases for Hangars J-1 and E-2, setting the annual hangar lease fee, authorizing tree removal at the airport, and discussing changes to federal ILJA funding. The meeting will also hear an update from the airport manager and approve previous minutes.
- Approval of lease for Hanager J-1
- Approval of lease for Hanager E-2
- Setting the annual hangar lease fee
- Tree removal at the airport
- Discussion of ILJA funding changes
Fire Committee
The Fire Committee will approve minutes from April 13, 2026, hear the chief's report, and review the fire chief hiring process. The agenda includes routine updates and discussion.
- Approval of minutes from April 13, 2026
- Chief's report on department operations and run numbers
- Review of fire chief hiring process
Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee
The Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee will first approve the minutes from the May 7, 2026 meeting. It will then hear a parks inventory and Public Works update covering York Park, North Parks, Flagpole Park, North Twin Park, Soo Line Park, South Twin Beach Park, Schumacher Park, Michael Park, and Bobber Park.
- Approval of minutes from the May 7, 2026 meeting
- Parks inventory and Public Works update for York Park, North Parks, Flagpole Park, North Twin Park, Soo Line Park, South Twin Beach Park, Schumacher Park, Michael Park, and Bobber Park
City Council
The Common Council will consider a request from Amery Congregational Church to remove a 175-ft section of sidewalk on Harriman Ave N due to tree root damage; staff recommends denial and replacement with rebar. The Council will also vote on Ordinance 07-2026, which would change fire inspection frequency for downtown zero lot line properties from every six months to annually. Other items include swearing in a new police officer and adopting consent agenda minutes.
- Request to remove 175-ft sidewalk section on Harriman Ave N (Amery Congregational Church)
- Ordinance 07-2026 amending fire inspection frequency for downtown zero lot line properties (annual instead of semiannual)
- Swearing in of Officer Duane Stine
- Consent agenda includes minutes from multiple board/committee meetings
- Department head reports from city administrator, clerk-treasurer, police/fire chiefs, library director, public works director
Recycling Committee
The Recycling Committee will appoint a Chair and Vice Chair, approve prior minutes, and receive an update from Polk County. Members will also set discussion topics for upcoming months, including a 'bring your own bags' initiative at the Farmers Market and event recycling for July.
- Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair of the Recycling Committee
- Approval of minutes from May 5, 2026
- Polk County Recycling Update
- June Topic – Farmers Market 'bring your own bags' & 'eat Organic'
- July Topic – Event Recycling
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission will discuss the zoning code rewrite, focusing on which land uses in each district should remain conditional, become permitted, or be removed under recent state law changes. The discussion is based on a memo from MSA Professional Services with specific recommendations for residential, commercial, conservancy, and industrial districts. No final decisions are expected at this session.
- Review of conditional use recommendations for R-1, R-2, R-3 (low/medium density) and R-4 (high density) districts
- Proposal to remove most conditional uses from the Conservancy district
- Discussion of uses in C-1 (Downtown Mixed Use) and C-2 (General Commercial) districts
- Combining I-1 and I-2 industrial districts with recommended permitted-by-right uses
- Reference to a draft zoning map for the City of Amery
City Council
The Amery Common Council will review a payment application for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, recommending approval of the $313,339.50 request. The meeting also includes an update on the MSA project, a discussion of Ordinance 06‑2026 amending Chapter 193 of the Municipal Code, and a kickoff for the 2027 city budget. A closed‑session item will address a nominal payment parcel report for Hillcrest Drive.
- Pay App #22 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant – requested amount $313,339.50
- Ordinance 06‑2026 to amend Chapter 193 Building Construction of the Municipal Code
- MSA Project Update (no specific details provided)
- 2027 Budget Kickoff (no specific details provided)
- Closed‑session nominal payment parcel report for Hillcrest Drive
Board of Review
The City of Amery Board of Review will hold its first meeting on May 20, 2026, to hear property assessment objections. The assessment roll is open for examination starting May 5. Property owners must follow specific procedural requirements, including providing notice at least 48 hours before the meeting and filing written objections within the first two hours. The meeting is largely procedural, outlining rules for objections and appearances.
- Assessment roll open for examination from May 5, 2026, with assessor available by phone on May 13.
- Board of Review meeting on May 20, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Amery City Center, 104 Maple St W.
- Property owners must provide notice of intent to object at least 48 hours before the first meeting.
- Written objections must be filed within the first two hours of the Board's first meeting.
- Ill or disabled persons may testify by phone with a physician's letter; others may be allowed at the Board's discretion.
Board of Review
The Amery Board of Review will convene to select officers, adopt procedural policies, and review the annual assessment roll. They will certify corrections of error and consider property owner objections. The meeting includes standard statutory duties such as examining the roll, adding omitted property, and eliminating double assessments.
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the Board of Review
- Adoption of policies for sworn telephone testimony and waiver of hearing requests
- Review and certification of the Assessment Roll including corrections of error under state law
- Consideration of waivers of 48-hour notice for objections and requests to testify by telephone
- Scheduling of additional Board of Review dates if needed
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will meet to discuss city financial status and a budget update. The meeting includes an adoption of the agenda before adjournment.
- City Financials and Budget Update
Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee
The Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee will discuss proposed amendments to Chapter 321 of the Municipal Code, which would update park rules, formalize North Park RV Campground regulations (nightly $35, seasonal $650/month), and establish minimum standards for all city campgrounds. The committee will provide direction on policy questions—such as quiet hours, maximum stay, and drone use—before a final draft goes to the Common Council. They will also approve prior meeting minutes and receive updates on public works and a community clean-up event.
- Review and discussion of amendments to Chapter 321 (Parks and Recreation), including new fireworks and drone prohibitions and an overnight camping exception for campgrounds
- Policy questions on quiet hours (10 p.m.–7 a.m. vs. 11 p.m.–6 a.m.), maximum nightly stay (7 vs. 14 days), seasonal site end date (Oct. 31 vs. Nov. 1), and generator restrictions
- Proposed formal rules for North Park RV Campground: $35/night, $650/month seasonal, limit May 1–Oct. 31, no use as permanent address
- Proposed minimum conduct standards for all campgrounds (public and private) covering quiet hours, fire safety, trash, emergency access, and prohibition on permanent residence
- Approval of minutes from March 5, 2026, and recap of the May 2 Community Clean Up Volunteer Event
Public Hearing
The City Council will hold a public hearing to consider a conditional use application from Partners Properties LLC to construct a campground on the Soldiers Field property in Amery. No other items are on the agenda for this meeting.
- Conditional use request for a campground at Soldiers Field by Partners Properties LLC
City Council
The Amery Common Council will hold a public hearing and decide on a Conditional Use Permit for Partners Properties LLC to construct and operate a campground and RV park on the Soldier’s Field property (PID 201-01065-0000 and 201-01070-0000). The agenda also includes appointments to city committees, selection of the Council President, repeal of Municipal Code §47-13 (Ethics Board), adoption of a revised Gifts and Memorials Policy, and approval of a contract with West Wisconsin Inspection Agency, LLC for building inspection services.
- Public Hearing and discussion on Conditional Use Permit for Soldier’s Field and Resolution 09-2026 approving it
- Appointments for City Committees, Commissions and Special Appointments
- Selection of Council President
- Ordinance 05-2026 repealing Municipal Code §47-13 Ethics Board
- Approval of contract with West Wisconsin Inspection Agency, LLC for building inspection services
Recycling Committee
The City of Amery Recycling Committee is meeting to discuss upcoming educational topics: lawn care waste disposal and non-pesticide promotion for May, a 'bring your own bags' and 'eat organic' campaign for the June farmers market, and event recycling for July. They will also receive a Polk County recycling update and approve prior meeting minutes.
- Discussion of May topic: lawn care waste disposal and non-pesticide promotion
- Discussion of June topic: Farmers Market 'bring your own bags' and 'eat organic'
- Discussion of July topic: Event recycling
- Polk County Recycling Update
- Approval of minutes from April 8, 2026