Menasha · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Menasha public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Unison Credit Union Electronic Message Center Sign
Unison Credit Union wants to add a digital message center to its monument sign at 1133 Province Terrace, which requires a special use permit because it sits within 300 feet of homes. The council held a formal public hearing before deciding.
Long-Term Power Supply Contract Amendment No. 3
Amendment No. 3 to the long-term power supply contract for participating members was up for approval, affecting how the city's electric utility buys power going forward.
Midway Place Resurfacing and Utility Construction Payments
Midway Place is getting a full asphalt resurfacing from Midway Road to its terminus, with Northeast Asphalt recommended as the low bidder at about $117,853.
City Attorney Appointment — David Rashid
The council was set to appoint David Rashid as City Attorney for an interim term from December 7, 2026 through April 20, 2027, following the hiring committee's recommendation.
2026 Street and Utility Project Wrap-up
The city wrapped up this year's chip sealing of residential streets, swapping some streets out of the program (Ida Street in; Lincoln and Manitowoc streets out) at no extra cost. The final $55,716 payment closed out the contract.
Bond consent for Alexander & Bishop 1, LLC retail center financing
The city is consenting to a $15 million Public Finance Authority bond issuance for the retail center at 1604 S. Appleton Road. It costs taxpayers nothing — the debt is the company's, not the city's.
Downtown Business Incentive Program grant — 200 Main Street
The committee approved a $50,000 grant from the downtown incentive program to support reinvestment at 200 Main Street, continuing the city's effort to bolster its downtown business district.
Employee Bonus Program Proposal
A resident urged the council to create a standing bonus program for salaried public works staff who worked massive overtime during tornado response, suggesting at least $2,500 for two employees.
Senior Care Conversion at 1284 Midway Road
The former UW-Fox Cities student apartments can become a supervised senior care facility, addressing a growing need for senior housing.
Homecoming Parade route change
The Fox Valley Labor Council got permission to use city streets for its Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 7, 2026, from 9 to 11 AM — expect some street closures that morning.
Police-School District Agreements
Renewed agreements for school resource officers and crossing guards with the school district, with one alder abstaining over her district job.
Third Street deferred paving
Instead of fully paving Third Street, the city will patch it now and finish it later, after redevelopment and possible sewer lateral work — saving about $69,700 today but leaving the street temporarily patched.
2027 Budget Review Timeline Pushed Back
A reconsidered resolution moves the 2027 budget review sessions to November 11, 12, 18, and 19, and sets a special council meeting for November 23 to adopt the budget — giving the council and public more time after the October 26 budget release.
Rally for the Valley street closure and downtown access
Council approved the October 3 festival permit after hashing out Chute Street closure logistics, access for Marina Place residents, insurance coverage, and communication with downtown businesses.
Fall Street Closures for Community Events
The marathon route will use Menasha streets on race day, September 20, 2026, from early morning into the afternoon. Residents along the course should plan for temporary closures.
TIME System law-enforcement data access renewal
The TIME System is the secure messaging network that lets Menasha police pull warrant and DMV records, with the county covering access when the police front desk is closed. It's renewed annually.
Tornado Cleanup Volunteer Effort
A tornado hit Menasha, and Volunteer Fox Cities is recruiting people to help with cleanup. If you have a free afternoon, you can directly help neighbors get back on their feet.
Local 275 labor agreement
The council went into closed session to review the tentative bargaining agreement between Neenah, Menasha, and Local 275.
E-bike and e-scooter regulation
Area community leaders, including Menasha, are working on rules for e-bikes on shared bike trails — an ongoing regional project with no decision yet.
Ongoing city curfew
A Winnebago County supervisor raised concerns about the curfew still in place after the tornado.
2026 Budget Amendment for Emergency Software
The city is spending up to $9,000 on a maintenance agreement with Constructive Analytics to keep police department software running — programs that handle overnight parking approvals, fleet tracking, and landlord notifications. Officials discussed the vendor's longevity and long-term software planning.
National Guard Deployment
The National Guard is now in Menasha, and city officials are expected to explain at an afternoon press conference why they’re here and what it means for residents. Details are still thin, so the practical impact—on safety, traffic, or daily routines—isn’t clear yet.
Eighth Street paving payment
The city cut its first check — $67,174.65 — to MCC Inc. for paving work on Eighth Street as part of this year's street construction contract.
Declining general fund balance
Menasha's general fund balance dropped in 2025, and staff traced it to 2024 carryovers, municipal court debt, and a revenue shortfall. City code requires keeping at least 10% of annual general fund spending in reserve, so the trend matters for future budget decisions.
Jefferson Park Boat Launch completion
The city added about $19,400 to its Northeast Asphalt contract and paid $67,228 for work done this fall on the Jefferson Park boat launch. More payments are expected before spring finishing work.
Nicolet Boulevard intersection study with Neenah
Menasha and Neenah are moving ahead with a formal study of the Nicolet Boulevard intersections at Washington Street and Ahnaip Street, following up on last year's roundabout feasibility study. Menasha leads the study, splits costs 50/50 with Neenah, and Neenah pays a 10% administrative fee. Actual reconstruction of Nicolet Boulevard is planned for 2028.
Police union MOA amendments and overtime savings
The 2024 patrol schedule change appears to be cutting police overtime costs, letting the city restore fitness incentives officers lost as part of the test of that schedule. The committee signed off on fixing the 2026 deal and a clean 2027 agreement.
'Promise of a Prairie' sculpture donation
The council accepted the Bergstrom family's donated sculpture for the Racine-Ahnaip roundabout on a divided 5-2 vote, and one resident spoke against it. It's a free gift, but the split vote shows not everyone thinks it fits.
Downtown Building Incentive Grant Program
Menasha is creating a matching grant program — up to $50,000 at a 1:1 match — to help property and business owners fix up aging downtown buildings in the historic districts. Work could include facades, roofs, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural repairs, and ADA upgrades. The idea is to get vacant and underused downtown buildings back into productive use.
Housing market trends
A new market study shows apartments are scarce and incomes are rising faster than housing costs — data the city will use to guide future development decisions.
Firefighter hiring
One new Neenah-Menasha firefighter will be hired no earlier than June 6, 2026, to ease overtime and coverage strains.
2026 Street Crack Sealing Program
Chip sealing — a protective asphalt-and-gravel layer — is planned for streets including Birling Drive, Silverbirch Drive, Railroad Street, and Jefferson Street. The board recommended the $55,716 contract, the only bid received.
Jefferson Park Boat Launch construction progress
The city paid its sixth progress payment on the boat launch rebuild, part of a contract now totaling about $1.34 million with change orders.
Q1 Community Development report and redevelopment sites
Staff walked through the quarter's work: the Comprehensive Plan update, Water Street corridor improvements, and key redevelopment sites like the former Whiting Paper Mill and UW-Fox Valley campus.
Flooding impacts and 2026 assessment roll
A resident raised concerns about recent flooding affecting the Menasha community and commented on the 2026 property assessment roll.
Jefferson Park softball field promotional fees
The new Jefferson Park softball field is playable but still missing a scoreboard, warning track, and drainage fixes. The city set a discounted 2026-2027 rental rate to draw leagues in while the work finishes.
Fox Valley Athletics softball partnership
A three-year MOU hands the adult softball program to Fox Valley Athletics, with a discounted combined-league rate to rebuild participation and offset costs.
Street construction on Eighth, Third, and DePere Streets
The board is pushing forward a nearly $196,000 street construction contract for three corridors. The council has the final say.
Fleet replacement strategy amid cost increases and supply chain delays
New snow plow equipment now costs more and takes 20-24 months to build. The city is shifting to buying two chassis up front and paying for snow packages later to protect its fleet replacement schedule and keep snow removal reliable.
Comprehensive Plan Update — development visioning
Staff are moving ahead on the city's Comprehensive Plan update, focusing visioning work on areas with strong development potential.
Alcohol consumption in City parks (O-3-26)
The council changed city code to allow drinking in parks, mainly to support a new multi-community festival along the Loop the Lake Trail with Neenah and Fox Crossing. It also opens Shepard Park to alcohol service for other events and rentals.
Lodging license fee increases
Hotel, motel and bed & breakfast operators in Menasha will pay updated annual license fees starting April 1, 2026, with new categories added for smaller tourist rooming houses. The change follows a State of Wisconsin fee update and rising reimbursement rates.
City litigation: Cordell Howze v. Derrick Rotta, et al. (24CV01661)
The city is defending or advising on a lawsuit filed by Cordell Howze against Derrick Rotta and others. The committee met privately with lawyers to discuss strategy, which is allowed under state open meetings law.
Police Chief Thorn Resignation
Chief Thorn is stepping down after 17 years; council and staff heaped praise on his tenure.
Village of Harrison Fire Protection Fee Settlement
The city settled a 2019 dispute over public fire protection charges with the Village of Harrison for $72,749.30, closing out a years-old claim.
Pleasants Park Playground Replacement
A new playground goes in on the north side of the parking lot, and the old one comes out — leaving one playground instead of two in the park.
204 Railroad Street brownfield cleanup grant
A resident urged support for a Winnebago County resolution to apply for an EPA brownfields cleanup grant to clean up the 204 Railroad Street site. The county board votes January 20.