Monona committee recommends approval of Walgreens settlement, forwards mutual-aid item to council

The City of Monona Finance and Personnel Committee recommended that the full City Council approve a settlement with Walgreens over the assessed valuation of 5310 Monona Drive and forwarded a separate mutual-aid and risk-management resolution to the council without recommendation.

A staff member told the committee that the city had sent a final offer to Walgreens and that "Walgreens has accepted that offer with conditions included" reflected in the resolution and agreement. The committee discussed whether policy debate should be held at council rather than at this committee and reserved the option for a closed session on litigation matters.

The committee convened briefly in closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel about strategy on matters in which the city is or is likely to become involved, then reconvened and acted on both items. A committee member moved to forward the mutual-aid resolution to the council without recommendation and to recommend approval of the Walgreens settlement; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Why it matters: Approving the settlement would resolve a property-valuation dispute for a downtown parcel and avoid further litigation costs if the council concurs; the mutual-aid item will go to the full council for policy consideration.

What’s next: Both items will appear before the full City Council for final action.