Lake Geneva meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Lake Geneva agendas: City Attorney question, 2027 budgets, and a canceled Hillmoor meeting

Lake Geneva's city committees, commissions and boards listed budgets, job descriptions, permits and departmental bills across meetings dated October 5 through October 15. Minutes for those meetings have not been published, so this roundup reports what was scheduled, not what was decided — no votes, tallies or outcomes appear in the available records. One scheduled meeting, the Hillmoor Commission on October 8, was marked "Canceled."

City Attorney: elected or appointed?

The Committee of the Whole's October 5 agenda, for a 6:00 PM meeting at City Hall, listed a presentation by City Attorney Dan Draper on changing the City Attorney from an elected position to an appointed one, followed by question-and-answer sessions with alders and the public. The same agenda listed discussion or a possible referral on the agenda item request process for alders under Chapters 2 and 54 of the Municipal Code. A Council quorum could have been present, but the agenda stated no official Council action would be taken. The Common Council's October 12 agenda separately listed a charter ordinance regarding the City Attorney's office.

Budget season

The Common Council's October 12 agenda listed review of 2027 proposed budgets for the library, police, fire and emergency management departments. A special Council budget workshop on October 15 listed presentations on the General Fund, Debt Services Fund, Lakefront Fund, Parking Fund and Capital Projects Fund. The Avian Committee listed review of its 2027 operating budget, and the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency board listed action on September 2026 financial statements plus discussion of its 2027 budget.

Money items on the agendas

The Police and Fire Commission agenda listed Police Department September bills totaling $488,948.79 and Fire Department September bills totaling $429,491.18. The Common Council agenda listed Pay Request #1 from Wolf Paving for Cemetery Paving Phase 1 in the amount of $107,053.21. The Library Finance, Building & Grounds Committee listed a proposed use of $2,200 from Steffgen endowment funds to frame and install a Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass piece; the Library Board's own October 15 agenda listed discussion or action on Steffgen funds for that installation.

Personnel and policy

The Personnel Committee's October 5 agenda listed discussion or recommendation on the Riviera Events Coordinator job description, continued review of the public works Mechanic job description, and possible amendments to the Training and Development Policy Framework. The Mechanic and Training items were continued from the September 9, 2026 meeting. The Police and Fire Commission listed the resignation of Officer Bradley Potter, the hiring of Administrative Specialist Carey Denecke, the hiring of full-time Firefighter/Paramedic Jaemie McDonough, and approval of Lexipol Policies including a Wellness Program and Fire Officer Development. The Council agenda included Proposed Ordinance 26-11 to televise and livestream Personnel Committee meetings.

Permits, property and the lakefront

The Council agenda listed Resolution 26-R57, a Conditional Use Permit for a 4-foot open fence at 533 Spring Street; Resolution 26-R58 on required sidewalk repair adjacent to 222 Center Street; and a Public Event Permit and alcohol license for Winterfest 2027. The Piers, Harbors, and Lakefront Committee listed discussion or recommendation on amendments to Ch. 90 – Waterways City of Lake Geneva Municipal Code, a Harbormaster Report and an update on future Capital Improvement Projects. The Historic Preservation Commission listed establishing a historic garden at the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel using carry-over funds and funding an Avian Committee sign at the Geneva Lake Museum for the Chimney Swift program. The Tree Board listed wording for an Arbor Day plaque and participation in the museum's Christmas Tree Walk.

Hillmoor meeting canceled

The Hillmoor Commission was scheduled for October 8 at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Its agenda listed updates on the Geneva Lakes Astrophysics and Steam Project, the City budget process regarding Hillmoor, and next planning steps for the Hillmoor Project. The agenda text is marked "Canceled," so no decisions or discussions are recorded.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19 – Utility Commission:** sanitary sewer extension request for 829 Sage St, an amendment to the MSA Professional Services agreement for Hwy 50 Utilities Reconstruction, a rate study proposal from Ehlers, purchase of a Wachs valve maintenance trailer, and preliminary 2027 operating and maintenance budgets.
• **Oct. 19 – Plan Commission:** public hearings on a commercial structure at 140 Broad St. and a billiard parlor Conditional Use Permit at 772 W Main Street; a land use map amendment at 7240 Peller Road; Resolution PC-2026-073 to vacate a portion of an alley in Watson's Boulevard Addition; and site plan review for a mural at 600 N Edwards Boulevard.
• **Oct. 20 – Board of Park Commissioners:** a YMCA budget request for 2027, an Alliant Energy utility easement request near Symphony Bay park, the 2027 operating budget and 2027-2031 capital project prioritization.
• **Oct. 20 – Tourism Commission:** action on the proposed 2027 budget and the Tourism Promotional Grant Program for the remainder of 2026.
• **Oct. 27 – Quorum notice:** Library Board members invited to the Visit Lake Geneva Impact Awards Dinner at 7036 Grand Geneva Way; no formal action will be taken.

Lake Geneva agendas: 2027 budgets, City Attorney charter change, $107K paving request — but no decisions recorded yet

Lake Geneva's recent government meetings produced agendas, but no recorded decisions. Minutes for the Oct. 5 Personnel Committee, Oct. 5 Committee of the Whole, Oct. 8 Police and Fire Commission and Oct. 12 Common Council meetings have not been published, so no votes or outcomes are available from those sessions. One scheduled meeting, the Hillmoor Commission on Oct. 8, was canceled.

City Attorney: elected or appointed?

The Common Council's Oct. 12 agenda listed a charter ordinance regarding the City Attorney's office. The subject was presented Oct. 5 to the Committee of the Whole, where City Attorney Dan Draper gave a presentation on changing the position from elected to appointed, followed by question-and-answer sessions with alders and the public. The Committee of the Whole agenda states a Council quorum may be present but that no official Council action would be taken.

2027 budgets on the table

The Council's Oct. 12 agenda listed review of 2027 proposed budgets for the library, police, fire and emergency management departments. A separate special budget workshop is scheduled for Oct. 15, covering the General Fund, Debt Services Fund, Lakefront Fund, Parking Fund and Capital Projects Fund.

Police and Fire Commission: September bills

The commission's Oct. 8 agenda listed approval of September bills: $488,948.79 for the Police Department and $429,491.18 for the Fire Department. Also listed were the resignation of Officer Bradley Potter, the hiring of Administrative Specialist Carey Denecke, the hiring of full-time Firefighter/Paramedic Jaemie McDonough, and approval of Lexipol policies including a Wellness Program and Fire Officer Development. A closed session was scheduled to discuss a School Resource Officer Agreement and fire department personnel health.

Council agenda: paving, permits, ordinances

Other items on the Oct. 12 Council agenda: Pay Request #1 from Wolf Paving for Cemetery Paving Phase 1 in the amount of $107,053.21; Resolution 26-R57, a conditional use permit for a 4-foot open fence at 533 Spring Street; Resolution 26-R58, required sidewalk repair adjacent to 222 Center Street; proposed Ordinance 26-11 to televise and livestream Personnel Committee meetings; and a public event permit and alcohol license for Winterfest 2027.

Hillmoor Commission canceled

The Hillmoor Commission was scheduled to meet Oct. 8 at 6:00 PM in Lake Geneva City Hall Council Chambers. Its agenda listed updates on the Geneva Lakes Astrophysics and Steam Project, the city budget process regarding Hillmoor, and discussion of next planning steps for the Hillmoor Project. The agenda text is marked "Canceled," so no items were acted on.

Personnel Committee

The Oct. 5 Personnel Committee agenda listed discussion and possible recommendation on the Riviera Events Coordinator job description, continued review of the public works Mechanic job description, and possible amendments to the Training and Development Policy Framework. The Mechanic and Training and Development items were continued from the Sept. 9, 2026 meeting.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13, Tree Board:** wording for the Arbor Day plaque, participation in the museum's Christmas Tree Walk, and 2027 meeting dates.
• **Oct. 13, Historic Preservation Commission:** establishing a historic garden at the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel using carry-over funds, and funding an Avian Committee sign at the Geneva Lake Museum for the Chimney Swift program.
• **Oct. 13, Piers, Harbors and Lakefront Committee:** amendments to Ch. 90, Waterways, City of Lake Geneva Municipal Code; Harbormaster report; update on future Capital Improvement Projects.
• **Oct. 13, Avian Committee:** review of the 2027 operating budget and a recommendation on a Bird City application.
• **Oct. 15, Common Council special budget workshop:** presentations on the General Fund, Debt Services Fund, Lakefront Fund, Parking Fund and Capital Projects Fund.
• **Oct. 15, Library Board:** discussion or action on Steffgen funds for a Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass installation. A related committee item proposes using $2,200 from Steffgen endowment funds to frame and install the piece.
• **Oct. 15, quorum notice:** Library Board members attending the Prairie Lakes Library System Fall Banquet at Evergreen Golf Club; no formal action will be taken.
• **Oct. 27, quorum notice:** Library Board members invited to the Visit Lake Geneva Impact Awards Dinner at 7036 Grand Geneva Way; no formal action will be taken.

Lake Geneva boards weigh budgets, permits, and infrastructure; no decisions yet

Lake Geneva city boards and commissions held a busy week of meetings, but none of the items discussed were formally decided. All meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential items on the table include a wedding venue permit, a YMCA partnership, and a lead service line replacement project, all of which will come before the Common Council or other bodies in the coming weeks.

Common Council

The Common Council met Aug. 19 and will consider several conditional use permits and planned developments, including:

• A conditional use permit for a wedding venue at 625 S Wells Street.
• A planned development for a commercial building at 140 Broad Street.
• A planned development for a culinary campus along Sheridan Springs Road.
• Pay Request #3 for the 2026 Street Program in the amount of $58,230.02.
• A discussion to initiate a Public Facilities Partnership Initiative with the YMCA.

No votes were taken at this meeting; these items are pending future action.

Infrastructure and Utilities

The Utility Commission met Aug. 17 and considered awarding the 2026 Lead Service Line Replacement Project. It also discussed amending professional services agreements for the 2026 Sewer Lining Project and the lead service line replacement, a request to WisDOT for non-participating utility improvements within project 3170-09-00/70, and funding options for STH 50 utility improvements. No action was taken.

Budgets and Planning

Several boards discussed budget requests for 2027 and beyond:

• The Hillmoor Commission (Aug. 13) discussed the 2027 operating budget, capital improvement priorities for 2027-2031, and future planning for Hillmoor Zones 2-5. It also heard presentations on the Geneva Lakes Astrophysics and Steam Project and a proposal to form a parks foundation.
• The Library Board (Aug. 17 and Aug. 20) discussed the 2027 operating budget, capital budget requests for 2027-2029 or 2031, a planned lakeside patio at the library's east end, and a request from Dragon Days (Oct. 2-4, 2026) to use the library building and grounds.
• The Board of Park Commissioners (Aug. 18) discussed native plantings, an easement for Alliant Energy in the Conservation Area near Symphony Bay, and the 2027 operating budget and 2027-2031 capital improvement plan.
• The Tourism Commission (Aug. 18) discussed pausing its promotional grant program for the remainder of 2026, changes to the grant guide, and two grant requests from ASR Events, LLC for the Abominable Trail Race and Abominable Snow Race.

Other Boards

• The Tree Board (Aug. 11) reviewed storm damage from July 3, 2026, and discussed fall plantings of oaks and maples.
• The Historic Preservation Commission (Aug. 11) discussed a digital platform for historical records at Pioneer and Oak Hill Cemeteries, including potential Heritage Trails markers with QR codes.
• The Avian Committee (Aug. 11) discussed 2027 budget recommendations for purple martin houses, a possible dark sky ordinance, and climate-related topics.
• The Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (Aug. 20) reviewed July financial statements, water quality testing, pier decking, runoff issues, and the Abbey Marina.

Coming up

• **Police & Fire Commission Budget Workshop** – Aug. 24, 2026. Discussion of 2027 Police and Fire Department budgets. No action will be taken.

All meetings are open to the public. Check the city website for agendas and minutes.