Ladysmith public meetings in 2023
10 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Council Prior
The Ladysmith Common Council approved a $233,191.32 council chamber remodel and City Hall server wiring project, funded with ARPA money, by a 4-2 roll call vote. They also approved a purchase contract with Rosenbauer for a new fire pumper truck at a discounted price of $631,379, with a 6-0 vote. An operator license for Jennifer Pestel was approved pending police department approval. In closed session, the council approved a contract with Rowe Law Office for city attorney services.
- Approved $233,191.32 council chamber remodel and server wiring project (4-2)
- Approved $631,379 fire pumper truck purchase contract with Rosenbauer (6-0)
- Approved operator license for Jennifer Pestel, pending PD approval (5-0, 1 abstention)
- Approved city attorney services contract with Rowe Law Office in closed session
Tourism Commission
The joint city/county tourism committee will review its budget and approve bills, discuss updates on the visitor center and economic development, and plan 2024 marketing activities including the WI Great Outdoors campaign. Partner reports and programming ideas for arts and culture will also be discussed.
- Budget review and bill approval
- Update on Economic Development Position
- Visitor Center update
- MOU with Rusk Area Chamber of Commerce
- WI Great Outdoors Campaign for 2024
Council Prior
The Ladysmith Common Council will hold its annual public hearing on the 2024 general operations budget and consider adopting Resolution 2023-26, which sets the 2023 tax levy. The council will also act on several other items, including a parking ordinance amendment, filling a vacant council seat, and various project approvals. A closed session is scheduled to discuss a lease agreement for industrial property.
- Public hearing and possible adoption of 2024 budget and 2023 tax levy (Resolution 2023-26)
- Ordinance 2023-08 amending parking requirements (Sec. 13-1-92)
- Action to fill vacant District 3 council seat until April 2025 election
- Possible action to authorize up to $2,000 for billboard project
- Approval of $5,000 Catalis website upgrade contract starting January 1, 2024
Council Prior
The Ladysmith Common Council will hold its annual public hearing on the 2024 general operations budget, then consider adopting the budget and setting the 2023 tax levy. The council will also act on a parking requirements ordinance amendment, fill a vacant District 3 seat, and discuss several public works and administrative items, including a potential $5,000 website upgrade contract. A closed session is scheduled to discuss a lease agreement for industrial property.
- Public hearing on 2024 budget and possible adoption of Resolution 2023-26 setting the 2023 tax levy
- Action on Ordinance 2023-08 amending parking requirements (Sec. 13-1-92)
- Possible action to authorize up to $2,000 toward a billboard project
- Possible approval of $5,000 Catalis quote for city website upgrade starting January 1, 2024
- Discussion on bringing in refugees through NGO World Relief Organization
Board of Ethics
The scheduled meeting of the Ladysmith Board of Ethics for October 30, 2023, was canceled. The original agenda included the election of a Board Chairman and a potential closed session regarding an ethics code violation.
- Meeting cancellation
Council Prior
The Ladysmith Common Council is meeting to consider several items, including authorizing up to $195,956 in sewer and water system revenue bonds, amending R-1 zoning to add non-conforming fences as a conditional use, and discussing an advisory referendum on street reconstruction. The council will also consider establishing closing times for public spaces that are not parks, and will hold closed sessions to discuss a developer agreement for the old elementary school property and police department staffing.
- Resolution 2023-24: Authorizing issuance and sale of up to $195,956 Sewer System and Water System Revenue Bonds, Series 2023B
- Ordinance 2023-07: Amending conditional uses in R-1 Single Family Residential Districts to add non-conforming fences
- Consideration of advisory referendum on street reconstruction
- Consider establishing closing times for public spaces that are not parks
- Closed session: developer agreement and offer to purchase for old elementary school property
Council Prior
The Ladysmith Common Council approved the $25,000 MSA Professional Services Agreement for the 2023 CDBG Miner Avenue project, adopted four resolutions to vacate undeveloped alleys and roadways, and approved a Certified Survey Map for the former elementary school grounds. The council also approved a $29,575 geotechnical report for water main work under the CN railroad, a $5,000 TIF #8 marketing allocation, and several licenses and permits. No action was taken on the fence ordinance amendment, and closed sessions on developer agreements resulted in no action.
- Approved $25,000 MSA Professional Services Agreement for 2023 CDBG Miner Ave project (7-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2023-20 to vacate a portion of platted but undeveloped alley (7-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2023-21 to vacate portions of platted but undeveloped roadway and alley (7-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2023-22 Certified Survey Map for the City of Ladysmith (7-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2023-23 to vacate a portion of platted but undeveloped alley (7-0)
- Approved $29,575 American Engineering Testing proposal for soil borings and geotechnical report (7-0)
- Approved $5,000 from TIF #8 for downtown marketing in 2023 (7-0)
- Approved $400 from Council Grants & Aids for Leaf it to Rusk Beer, Wine & Cheese tasting (7-0)
Park Board
The Ladysmith Park Board voted to recommend council approval of a 2024 Canada goose round-up in Memorial and O.J. Falge Parks, with one dissenting vote. The board also approved adding two dog waste stations to Memorial Park and recommended that Ray Carlson turn over Corbett Lake folders 6, 7, 8, and 10 to city hall staff. Minutes from May 10, 2023, were approved.
- Recommended 2024 goose round-up in O.J. Falge and Memorial Park (voice vote, one no)
- Approved adding two dog waste stations to Memorial Park (unanimous roll call)
- Recommended Ray Carlson turn over Corbett Lake folders 6, 7, 8 & 10 to city hall staff (unanimous)
- Approved May 10, 2023 Park Board minutes (voice vote)
Community Development Committee Prior
The Ladysmith Community Development Committee will review and possibly recommend actions on several items, including ADA improvements at the Rusk County Historical Society Museum, changes to the Business Renovation Program, downtown garbage receptacles, and marketing materials. The committee will also enter closed session to discuss opportunities for single-family and multi-family housing development.
- Review and possible recommendation to assist with ADA improvements at Rusk County Historical Society Museum
- Review and possible recommendation on changes to Business Renovation Program to include properties under possible future historic preservation ordinance
- Review and possible recommendation on garbage receptacles for downtown business district
- Review and possible recommendation on area marketing material including signage, print media, radio and digital
- Closed session to consider opportunities for creating or encouraging single family and multi-family housing development
Council Prior
The Ladysmith Common Council will consider resolutions for state financial assistance regarding Corbett Avenue and Lindoo Avenue projects. The meeting also includes reviews of construction bids for sidewalks and chip-sealing, as well as discussions regarding the acquisition of downtown and hospital complex properties.
- Resolution 2023-11: Authorizing applications for State of Wisconsin Environmental Improvement Fund
- Resolution 2023-12: Intent to reimburse DNR Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Fund loans
- Bid review for sidewalk, curb, and gutter replacements from D. C. Crete
- Review of chip-seal bid award
- Approval of $150 for building renovation cost estimate