Monroe · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monroe public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Rear setback variance at 1121 21st Avenue
A homeowner wants to build a two-story garage addition that encroaches into the required 25-foot rear setback on a shallow 85-foot-deep lot. The board weighed the unusual lot shape against precedent and neighbor drainage concerns.
2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment to Pay Scale
The committee was scheduled to weigh a COLA increase to the 2027 compensation pay scale, with 2.5% and 3.5% scenarios among the options. The decision shapes city employee pay and the city's future budget.
2026-2027 Downtown Snow Removal Contract
Carrousel Excavating won the contract to haul snow off the downtown square this winter, beating five other bidders on price. The city has worked with them before and their crew is local.
Outdated parking signs around the old high school
With the high school gone, roughly 23 no-parking signs in surrounding blocks no longer serve a purpose and will be removed, with seven kept on 14th Avenue for elementary school traffic. Members also flagged the neighborhood's many stop signs for possible future review.
Sale of city property on 21st Street
The committee discussed a land contract and possible sale of city-owned property on 21st Street behind closed doors. No details or action were made public.
2027 City Administrator Compensation
The committee planned a closed session to discuss City Administrator compensation for 2027, using WCMA salary survey results as a benchmark. Outcomes were not disclosed because the discussion was held in executive session.
Max Fire Box Phase II fire training system purchase
The fire department is buying a Max Fire Box Phase II system so firefighters can safely train on fire behavior with just two people instead of the eight to ten needed for the old flashover simulator. It will be used for ongoing training of current and new firefighters, and the department may invite other departments to joint trainings.
Downtown liquor license expansions
Baumgartner's can serve alcohol in the Eugene Hotel's dining room year-round, and Suisse Haus gets a temporary Cheese Days beer garden — both seen as downtown vitality wins.
Main Street Monroe grant funded through TID No. 7
The city will commit $40,000 a year to Main Street Monroe through Tax Incremental District No. 7 for the district's remaining life — a $5,000 raise from 2026, shifted off the general tax levy. Committee discussion flagged that any future increase beyond $40,000 would come from the general levy or need another resolution.
Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Monroe is spending a $1 million federal grant (plus about $200,000 city match) to replace lead water lines on both public and private sides, starting with grant-designated streets. The full city replacement is expected to take until the EPA's 2037 deadline, and residents can check the city's online inventory to see what their property has.
Pedestrian crosswalk beacons on 9th Street
The city is weighing $20,601 in rapid flashing beacons at two 9th Street crossings that children and pedestrians struggle to cross. There have been no pedestrian injuries there, and the recommendation came from a student study, prompting cost concerns — but TID 7 funds can cover it without touching the general levy.
2027 Budget
City employees would see a 2.8% cost-of-living raise on the pay scale in 2027, on top of their roughly 2.5% annual step increase. The figure falls within the 2.5%–3% range the committee directed in September.
Water Utility PILOT payment increase
The city has been collecting about $12,000 less from the water utility in lieu of taxes than the state allows. The resolution sets the payment at the full PSC-permitted amount going forward, giving the city more revenue without a new tax on residents directly.
Industrial Park contamination investigation on 3rd Street North
The city is moving forward with reporting contamination at its Industrial Park property on 3rd Street North to the Wisconsin DNR, with Fehr Graham handling the site investigation work plan and report. Cleanup obligations could carry cost implications for taxpayers depending on what the investigation finds.
Cancellation of November 2 council meeting due to election
In-person voting for the November election starts October 20 at City Hall, and the county is considering new voting machines — officials were invited to view them Wednesday evening.
RDA fund financial status
The RDA got its final $60,000 payment from the city, meaning no new revenue is coming in until new sources are found. After paying the EMC residential and Eugene Hotel agreements, the fund is projected to end the year at $220,832.
Residential development incentive in RDA #1
The RDA considered extending its grant program to non-owner-occupied properties but instead will explore a revolving loan option due to limited funds.
Flooding damage at the Monroe Golf Course city easement
Recent flooding silted up the Monroe Golf Course land the city uses for stormwater overflow, and under the easement the city may be responsible for repairing the damage. An alderperson asked staff to look into the city's obligations.
Monroe Botanical Garden project support
A nonprofit botanical garden with free admission is proposed for 1311 13th Avenue, featuring gardens, greenhouses, and an education center designed to be walkable from downtown. Commissioners must weigh reduced parking and zero setbacks against the community benefit of a downtown destination attraction.
2027 City Budget and Fee Schedule
A presenter explained that state levy limits cap Monroe's tax increases at net new construction (1.443% in 2025), forcing the city to bond for capital projects as costs outpace allowed revenue. The council also adopted an intent-to-reimburse resolution to preserve flexibility for future bonding up to $60 million.
2026 BID Operating Plan Levy
The BID levy stays at $1.50 per thousand of property value with a $50 minimum and $3,000 maximum per parcel, raising $62,982 for downtown programs. Property values held steady this year, but a full city revaluation in 2027 could push the assessment total higher next year.
Historic district exterior alterations
Members questioned whether white vinyl windows are allowed downtown, recalling past guidelines requiring dark bronze or black for storefronts and banning mill-finish aluminum. They approved the project but asked staff to verify the rule first.
Comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for Monroe Bible Church parcel
A rezoning request came in that doesn't match the future land use map, triggering the required public participation plan before a comp plan amendment can be considered. A public hearing is expected in September.
Vacancy on Historic Preservation Commission
Member Donna has resigned, leaving a seat open. Members want to reach out to Sharon Reese, praised for her sense of history, so the mayor can nominate her for appointment.
Short-term rental regulations and licensing
State law stops Monroe from banning Airbnb-style rentals, so the city is pivoting to allow them by right while adding an annual license so officials know where they operate and can hold owners accountable. Commissioners weighed fees, enforcement capacity, and whether inspections make sense.
2027 Fee Schedule
The airport's draft 2027 budget now goes to the Finance & Taxation Committee before any final city approval. With fuel sales down about 22% from last year, revenue trends could shape the fees and spending that end up in the final budget.
Fall 2026 Yard Waste and Leaf Grinding Services
The city collects leaves curbside and takes brush at its drop-off, then hires a contractor to grind it all into compost for residents. This year only one company bid — Urben Forest Services — and the price per hour went up about $10, but the total should be similar to last year's $11,000. The material is stockpiled at airport land on Greenbush Road and ground once each fall instead of twice, which mixes leaves with brush for better compost.
North Industrial Park site investigation
After closed session, the committee recommended moving the North Industrial Park site investigation proposal to the council — a step in developing the city-owned industrial park.
Election Equipment and Voter Information
In-person absentee voting starts Oct. 20 at City Hall, and the county is shopping for new voting machines — alderpersons were invited to a Wednesday demonstration, followed by a UW-Extension public education session on the data center moratorium.
2027 Employee Health Insurance Renewals
Renewal of the city's employee health benefits package was up for discussion, with a USI presentation and a draft resolution in the packet. Premium changes here affect the city's budget and what employees pay out of pocket.
Water and Wastewater Equipment Purchases
The Water Department gets a new 2027 GMC Acadia to replace a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Wastewater buys a new sewer main inspection camera. The old camera is broken — a repair would have run $11,000 — and the new one helps the city inspect 66 miles of sewer main before street projects.
Artificial intelligence use in city government
The committee was scheduled to consider an AI policy governing how city staff may use artificial intelligence tools, with a possible recommendation to the Common Council. If adopted, it would set rules for a technology many local governments are just starting to regulate.
November Fall Wine Walk
Main Street Monroe wants to serve beer and run a beer garden during the November Wine Walk, a downtown event with participating stores. The License Committee endorsed the temporary licenses, and the Common Council makes the final decision.
New Sewer Line Camera Purchase
The board was set to discuss buying a new sewer line camera, which helps crews inspect underground pipes for cracks and clogs without digging. The purchase would need Common Council approval.
Cheese Days and Special Event Approvals
Cheese Days, a summer series, a Latino health fair, and a Bartel's fire fundraiser all got the green light, along with temporary beer licenses and an outdoor beer garden for Cactus & Co.
Interzone Booster Station Booster #1 Rebuild
Booster #1 at the Interzone Booster Station may need a rebuild to keep water pressure reliable. Repair quotes were presented for the board's review.
Replacement of 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The utilities department wants to swap out its 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2027 SUV quotes were gathered for the board to consider. Any purchase would go to the Common Council for final approval.
Airport runway reconstruction
One of the airport runways is being rebuilt, mostly with fuel tax money, which should smooth out landings.
Declining Fuel Sales
Airport fuel sales dropped from 70,035 gallons to 54,685 gallons through late August compared with the same stretch of 2025. Lower fuel revenue could pressure the airport's 2027 budget.
Urban Forestry Grant Programs
The city will seek state cost-share grants that help pay for removing and treating ash trees and planting new terrace trees — money it wins about half the time it applies.
Alliant Energy substation expansion rezoning
Alliant Energy wants to use a vacant lot next to its substation for utility storage, which required flipping the city's future land use map and rezoning it from residential to light industrial. Alders worried the new zoning lets the utility build bigger things later without further council sign-off.
Wisconsin Power and Light Rezoning
The council kicked off a 30-day public comment window on a plan to rezone Wisconsin Power & Light land to light industrial for a substation expansion. The actual rezone and comp plan amendment vote comes in September, so residents can still weigh in.
E-bike and e-scooter safety
After complaints about fast e-bikes and scooters nearly hitting pedestrians downtown, the city and police chief are rolling out 'walk, don't ride' posters and working with schools and the YMCA on safety training.
Awning sign lettering limit hurting relocating businesses
The zoning code and historic guidelines disagree on how big letters can be on awnings and canopies — 12 inches vs. 20 inches — and the definitions are easy to game. Staff will draft unified downtown signage rules.
Downtown LED lighting standards
Permanent programmable LED lights on downtown buildings raise questions about brightness, color and how long they can stay up. Scott Thompson withdrew his application, but more are expected, so staff will draft clearer guidelines.
Political sign ordinance amendments
Court rulings mean the city can't regulate signs based on their message, so staff propose dropping the election-window rules for yard signs and hand-held sign limits. Signs could legally stay up indefinitely.
Housing and economic development update
GCDC reported on its housing push — including a new $10,000 first-time homebuyer grant — plus student home-building and business loan programs, and asked the city for more funding next budget year.
Family child care zoning limits
State law now allows in-home daycares up to 12 kids; Monroe's code said 8. The council fixed the mismatch, which could mean more childcare spots for local families.
Sign rules in the historic district
Downtown property owners in the historic overlay can recreate signs that historically hung on their buildings, with two separate commission approvals required.
ATV traffic downtown
Alder Thoman noted ATV traffic at a local hotel is down and wants ideas to draw more ATV riders to Monroe.