Summary

Common Council approves park namings and playground/ATM contracts; reviews EMS MOU and Fire Rescue annual update

De PereApr 8, 20264 min read

At a glance

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Council approved minutes and several unanimous actions including naming the Waterview Heights park 'Volunteer Park', an ordinance prohibiting power loading at city boat launches, an ATM site agreement, and three professional services agreements for playgrounds and dock design. The Council considered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Lawrence to cross-credential EMS personnel (no vote outcome specified) and received De Pere Fire Rescue’s 2025 annual update addressing staffing, rising call volumes, revenues, and 2026 strategic priorities.

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Common Council

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LaborPublic SafetyHealthcareCommerceEnvironmental

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the March 17, 2026 Common Council meeting (unanimous).
Approved naming the new park in the Waterview Heights Subdivision 'Volunteer Park'; a plaque will explain the name's origin (unanimous).
Considered Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Lawrence to cross-credential Lawrence paramedics/EMTs under the City's Department of Health Services license; MOU indemnifies the City and carries no budget impact for De Pere; council action/result not specified in the minutes.
Approved premises description change for El Bistro Taco, 400 Reid St Suite M (unanimous).
Adopted Ordinance #26-11 amending Municipal Code Chapter 30 to prohibit power loading at city boat launches (adopted by roll call, unanimous).
Adopted Resolution #26-26 approving ATM Site/Location Agreement with Convenient ATM Services, Inc. (adopted by roll call, unanimous).
Adopted Resolution #26-27 authorizing agreement with Minnesota Playground, Inc. (MWP Recreation) for modular playground design and installation at Carney Park; poured-in-place surfacing will be bid separately and installation is expected in September (adopted by roll call, unanimous).
Adopted Resolution #26-28 authorizing agreement with Lee Recreation, LLC for modular playground design and installation at the Waterview Heights Subdivision park (adopted by roll call, unanimous).
Approved Resolution #26-29 authorizing professional services agreement with GRAEF-USA, Inc. for design and specification services for Voyageur Park dock system replacement; project is not funded by a DNR grant (approved by roll call, unanimous).
Received De Pere Fire Rescue annual update: 2025 saw six retirements, seven internal promotions, six full-time hires, two paid-on-premise hires, a 36% increase in call volume since 2014 (highest on record), staffing challenges, one additional full-time position planned for 2026, and 2026 strategic priorities including turnout times, staffing overlaps, public education, detector initiatives, and staff health programs.

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Meeting information

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Common Council Meeting

Apr 8, 2026, 7:30 PMCouncil Chambers/Virtualcompleted

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. PRESENTATIONS/AWARDS/RECOGNITION
A. Presentation to Alderperson Dan Carpenter in recognition of his service to the City of De Pere.
reports=1
Decision: PRESENTATIONS/AWARDS/RECOGNITION
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Comments made during the public comment period shall pertain only to matters under the jurisdiction of the Common Council. §6-3(f) DPMC
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of the minutes of the March 17, 2026 Common Council meeting.
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: NEW BUSINESS
B. Recommendation from the Board of Park Commissioners to approve the name Volunteer Park for the new park in the Waterview Heights Subdivision.
The Board of Park Commissioners, at the March 19, 2026 meeting, approved Volunteer Park as the name of the new park in the Waterview Heights Subdivision. The motion passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: NEW BUSINESS
C. For consideration and possible action on Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Lawrence to enhance emergency medical services.
Consideration and Possible Action on Memorandum of Understanding Approval with the Town of Lawrence. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: NEW BUSINESS
D. Recommendation from the License Committee on an application for a premises description change submitted by El Bistro Taco, 400 Reid St Suite M.
El Bistro Taco wishes to expand their premises to include an outdoor seating area located in the former drive-thru lane that is adjacent to the building. The patio area will have a barrier and the applicant has received a permit from the Building Inspection department for the structure. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: NEW BUSINESS
7. ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance #26-11 Amending De Pere Municipal Code Chapter 30 - Parks, Recreation and Tree Management (prohibiting power loading at city boat launches).
The Board of Park Commissioners, at the March 19, 2026 meeting, approved implementing an ordinance regarding power loading at the boat launches. The motion passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
8. RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution #26-26 Approving ATM Site/Location Agreement with Convenient ATM Services, Inc.
The Board of Park Commissioners, at the March 19, 2026 meeting, approved the ATM Site/ Location Agreement with Convenient ATM Services to proved an ATM at the Nelson Family Pavilion for the 2026 Beer Gardens. The motion passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
B. Resolution #26-27 Authorizing Agreement for Professional Services with Minnesota Playground, Inc., d/b/a MWP Recreation (modular playground design and installation-Carney Park).
The Board of Park Commissioners, at the March 19, 2026 meeting, approved the MWP Option 1 proposal for the playground equipment at Carney Park. The motion passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | attachments=22 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
C. Resolution #26-28 Authorizing Agreement for Professional Services with Lee Recreation, LLC (modular playground design and installation - Waterview Heights Subdivision park).
The Board of Park Commissioners, at the March 19, 2026 meeting, approved the Lee Option 1 proposal for the new playground equipment at the Waterview Heights Subdivision Park. The motion was approved unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | attachments=23 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
D. Resolution #26-29 Authorizing Professional Services Agreement with GRAEF-USA, Inc. (design and specification services for Voyageur Park dock system replacement).
The Board of Park Commissioners, at the March 19, 2026 meeting, approved the proposal from Graef, in the amount of $7,200, for the Voyageur Park dock project. The motion passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | attachments=6 | reports=1
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
9. INFORMATIONAL
A. De Pere Fire Rescue - annual update.
attachments=1
Decision: INFORMATIONAL
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
11. ADJOURNMENT