Neenah council confirms mayoral appointments and approves equipment, vehicles

The Neenah Common Council on March 18 confirmed mayoral appointments and approved a slate of capital purchases and contract awards recommended by standing committees.

Appointments and consent: by unanimous consent the council confirmed Flo Bruno to the Landmarks Commission to complete Amy Morfield's term (expires July 2027), Frank Cuthbert as alternate #1 to complete Flo Bruno's term (expires July 2027), and Miranda Reedner as alternate #2 for a three-year term (expires July 2029).

Police equipment and vehicles: the Public Services & Safety committee recommended and council approved a purchase not to exceed $300,000 for evidence lockers and HVAC-connected wardrobe lockers designed to preserve evidence and officer gear. Captain Van Zambique said the lockers allow secure, individually keyed electronic access and moisture control that will reduce equipment corrosion.

The council also approved replacement vehicles in the police fleet: two 2026 Ford police utility vehicles and one 2024-or-newer Chevrolet Tahoe (with upfitting and changeover) not to exceed a combined total of $175,000. Greg Howitt, fleet manager, said continuing with the Ford utility platform allows reuse of existing upfitting equipment and generated modest per-unit savings this year.

Other equipment and contract approvals: council approved purchases of multiple 2026 pickup trucks and associated safety equipment (dollar amounts for each purchase were listed in committee minutes) and approved a contract award for a roof replacement on the city services building vehicle storage bays (Contract 3-26) to Custom Corporation. The council also approved the conditional transfer of a Class B combination intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverage license to AA Signature Bar and Grill LLC, contingent on a March 23 closing. All motions in the consent and committee reports recorded in the meeting passed by recorded unanimous votes (9-0).

Finance committee actions: the Finance & Personnel committee recommended carry-forward of certain 2025 general fund operating items to 2026 and the use of $56,988 from the 2025 estimated general fund surplus to cover $6,988 toward the municipal court deficit and $50,000 to rebuild the liability insurance fund; council approved those recommendations. City finance staff reported an estimated 2025 surplus and proposed removing a $300,000 transfer from the Alliant Energy Pilot Fund to the general fund this year to allow the pilot fund balance to grow.

What happened next: motions were typically made and seconded in committee and then approved by council, recorded as passing 9 to 0. The meeting record shows committee recommendations, brief presentations by staff (police captain, fleet manager, finance director) and unanimous council approval on the items presented.