After closed session, West Bend council authorizes administrator to sign purchase-sale agreement subject to final departmental approvals

After reconvening in open session at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2026, the West Bend Common Council authorized the city administrator to sign a purchase-sale agreement for tax parcels in Tax Incremental District (TID) 14, contingent on final approvals from the planning, engineering and legal departments.

What happened: The council conducted two separate roll-call votes to enter closed session earlier in the meeting under Wisconsin statute 19.851 to deliberate possible terms for a development agreement in TID 17 and to consider a potential purchase agreement for three parcels in TID 14. After discussing matters in closed session, the council returned to open session and, on a recorded motion, authorized the city administrator to execute the purchase-sale agreement following final departmental review.

Procedure and approvals: The motion to authorize execution was moved and seconded (acknowledged by the presiding officer on the record as Alderman Sternig and Alderman Butchlich). The presiding officer called for a voice vote; the chair announced the motion carries.

Context: The parcels and TID identifiers were listed on the council agenda; specific parcel numbers and purchase terms were discussed in closed session and are not detailed publicly in the transcript. The council specified that execution is contingent on final review and approval by planning, engineering and the city attorney’s office.

Ending: The council adjourned following the authorization. The action directs city administration to complete the purchase-sale transaction after the required technical and legal sign-offs are obtained.

Quote: "The suggested motion is to authorize the city administrator to sign the purchase sale agreement after final approval from, planning, engineering, and legal," the presiding officer said when presenting the recommended motion.