Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Antigo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
19 issues with low priority
Tandem Dump Truck Purchase Funding
The street department moved $45,000 from its roof repair account to buy a tandem dump truck, taking advantage of a dealer incentive — the roof money goes back in next year's budget.
Habitual ordinance violations at 724 Dorr Street
City staff have responded to this property ten times since 2019 for ordinance violations, and the committee unanimously kept the special assessment charging the owner for a couch removal. The owner didn't attend to argue otherwise.
Saratoga Street renamed to Deleglise Street
The stretch of Saratoga Street near Highway 64 in the industrial park will be renamed Deleglise Street — no buildings have Saratoga addresses, so no residents are affected.
Buckthorn Removal Near Elmwood Cemetery
The city wants grant money to bring in goats to eat the invasive buckthorn south of Elmwood Cemetery, teaming up with its usual mechanical clearing. Wausau has used the same company with good results.
Park Improvements and Operations Update
Playground equipment at Cherry Street Park is being removed, plans are moving for Peaceful Valley Park and the Lake Park shelter, robotic mowers are saving staff time, and the Hwy 45 Trading Post is soft-opening with donated decor.
Transient Merchant Ordinance Update
Rules for traveling vendors were overhauled: the waiting period drops from 10 days to 5, permits now run on the calendar year, and the clerk can issue them without a council vote — easier for summer sellers.
Livestreaming Council Meetings
Council meetings will be live-streamed starting in June, with new name tags and a requirement that audience speakers state their name and address on camera.
Hogan Street Trail Named for D. Wayne Lukas
The half-mile Hogan Street trail segment will be named for horse racing legend D. Wayne Lukas, with racetrack-milepost-style informational posts planned along the route.
Pump Track Lease in Railway Activity Park
The city is leasing part of Railway Activity Park to a nonprofit for $1 a year to run a pump track/bicycle park; the club handles maintenance, mowing, and insurance.
Noise Ordinance Extension for Motorplex Races
Racing fans get later race nights May 28-31 — noise rules extended to midnight as a weather-delay buffer, though races typically end by 7 p.m.
Bio-degradable bags for brush pick-up
A resolution would require residents to use bio-degradable bags for curbside brush and mulch pick-up, changing how households handle yard waste.
Sale of 1035 8th Avenue
The city was set to consider selling a property it owns at 1035 8th Avenue through an offer to purchase.
HWY 45 Trading Post fee schedule
A fee schedule for the HWY 45 Trading Post was up for approval, contingent on the Park, Cemetery, and Recreation Commission's March 9 action.
Spring clean-up tipping fees
A bid from GFL Environmental at $95 per ton for spring clean-up tipping fees was on the agenda — this affects the cost of the city's annual spring clean-up program.
Three-year fuel contract award
The city will buy its gasoline and diesel from local Wagner Shell for three years at a $0.14 discount — less generous than Kwik Trip's $0.18 offer — on the theory that supporting a local company pays off for the community.
Winter road conditions and Hwy 64 signage
Alderpersons praised the street crew's snow removal and raised safety concerns about drifting near Hwy 64/Fifth Avenue, confusing signage for Deleglise Street's highway connection, and hard-to-spot lighting at the Hwy 64 turnoff.
Bill Pay Vendor Change Consideration
The city may switch credit card and utility bill processing from PSN to Springbrook's Xpress Bill Pay — but only if staff can negotiate the higher price down.
Committee Structure and Open Meeting Law Questions
Alderperson Dieck raised whether having a majority of council members on a single committee raises open meetings law concerns; the city attorney cited a League of Municipalities opinion saying communities can set their own committee composition.
Community Participation Policy Change
City employees can now spend up to 12 hours a year of work time helping at community events, and those events no longer have to be inside city limits.