The City of Fennimore updated their lease with the Fennimore Wrestling Association (FWA) for use of the “wrestling shed” at 1305 Bronson Boulevard during the Oct. 19 city council meeting.
The updated lease which will be five years rather than the previous year to year, will start on Jan. 1, 2027, and run through Dec. 31, 2032. The lease will continue under the same terms and conditions year to year, unless either party provides the other with written notice of its intent to non-renew the lease on or before Oct. 1 of the current lease year,” according to the agreement.
The agreement went on to state that the property may only be used for “the purpose of wrestling education, coaching, and practicing by persons participating in the Fennimore Wrestling Association.”
After taking a year off due to budget restraints, the city’s finance committee will look to returned to the city’s yearly contribution to Marsden Park. The council agreed to put the funding amount, which in previous years had been $5,000, into the proposed budget for further discussion at the next committee meeting.
Former City of Fennimore Mayor Chuck Stenner, who was in attendance at Monday’s council meeting, stated that the city’s yearly contribution has been “going on for years,” stating when he first took office in 1972, Marsden Park funding was and had been in effect.
In her report, City of Fennimore Clerk Ashley Edge stated that the library grant funding request will need to be submitted by Oct. 30, and she is working with library director Cathy Smith, project architect FEH, and McKee Construction to make sure that all funding is utilized, and allocated in the appropriate categories.
Public Power Week was Oct. 4-10, and during the week, there was an opportunity for residents to be entered in a grand prize drawing, which garnered a good response.
Edge also reported that Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. As of Monday’s meeting, 63 absentee ballots have been returned so far, with more coming in daily.
She further stated in person absentee voting started on Tuesday and will run through Friday, Oct. 30.
Edge lastly reported that she has started various budgets for 2027, and after Monday’s meeting, she hoped to have a “full picture of what next year will look like.”
City Director of Public Works Anthony Downing stated in his report that sidewalk repairs were done on Lincoln Avenue, and the streets and water departments worked on asphalt patches.
With fall in full swing, mowing season is winding down and leaf pickup has begun, and the city has started to prep equipment for winter.
He also reported soil testing on city land was completed for land application.
Downing also reported that the city is reaching for quotes on a few transmission poles in town that need to be swapped out.
Fennimore Police Chief Walt Dresen wrote in his report that the department’s 2019 squad car with the broken transmission sold for $1,213 at Wisconsin Surplus Auction.
Dresen stated the department plans to allocate the funds to their capital equipment budget to be used later for the purchase of a solar flashing speed sign, if permitted by the state, which was approved by the council per Wisconsin Department of Transportation approval.
As part of the department’s liaison program, the Fennimore Police recently presented to Fennimore Schools middle school students on drugs, alcohol, vaping, peer pressure, and making good decision at their wellness event.
The department also presented to a local daycare about law enforcement and showed them the squad car, and gave tours of the police department to Southwest Wisconsin Technical College’s first year criminal justice students.
Dresen also reported that the department had partnered with Grant Regional Health Center to host a Medication Take-Back Event on Oct. 21 at the Memorial Building, with a goal to give people a safe, convenient way to get rid of medications they no longer need or that have expired. A free brat meal was given to those who dropped off medications.
Lastly, the department’s administration completed the 24-hour public information officer course through FEMA and hosted by Wisconsin Emergency Management. The department also hosted its optional annual fitness test which is open to all city employees. Seven employees participated and Dresen reported that all seven successfully passed.
The council later went into closed session for discussion including possible EMS funding, personnel manual updates, and land rental.
The next meeting of the Fennimore City Council is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m., in the council chambers of the Memorial Building.
