The Stanley Common Council met Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in city hall. On the night’s agenda were several items, including an Arbor Day proclamation, fire truck purchase, several pay applications, city variance request on prohibited residence location, library items, and a modest sewer rate increase.
Starting with the Arbor Day proclamation, members approved a resolution in the consent agenda calling on residents to celebrate Arbor Day Friday, April 24, the proclamation reading as follows:
“Whereas in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for the planting of trees, and
“Whereas this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and
“Whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and
“Whereas trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife, and
“Whereas trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fire, and countless other wood products, and
“Whereas trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community, and
“Whereas trees--wherever they are planted--are a source of joy and spiritual renewal,
“Now, therefore, I Mike Henke, Mayor of the city of Stanley, do hereby proclaim April 24 as Arbor Day in the City of Stanley, and I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
“Dated this 20th day of April, 2026
“(signed) Mayor Mike Henke.”
Signed Monday night, the proclamation was Henke’s final act as mayor.
Also in news from Monday council, members approved several consent items, including meeting minutes for committee of the whole, common council, and the parks committee, as well as the resignation of Ben Wald as wards 1 and 8 alderperson to become mayor immediately following the April 20 council meeting.
Wisconsin state statute 64.28(2) directs terms for mayor and council posts to start on “the third Tuesday of April next succeeding the election,” thus leaving an open council seat for Wards 1 and 8.
Also from Monday consent agenda, council members approved the removal of city employees Timothy Zimmerman, Joe Schmitt, and Jacob Lukes from probationary status.
As for other business from Monday, the council approved two pay applications, one for payment number 5 to Market and Johnson in the amount of $481,192.04 for the Central Water Treatment Plant, as well as another payment number 9 in the amount of $275,407.40 to Hoeft Builders for work on the D.R. Moon Library. The council also approved accounts payable checks for April 20 in the amount of $1,654,145.40, broken down as follows:
General Fund - $720,393.14
Library Fund - $388,846.71
Water Fund - $522,514.98
Wastewater Fund - $22,290.57
Continuing the council update from Monday, members approved the purchase of a Reliant Pierce 4-door second generation pumper for $661,246 as recommended by the police and fire committee, also approving the hire of new fire member Dakota Carroll as recommended by the committee. The new truck offers increased water pumping capability to the city and would be paid for using part of the $4,000,000 borrowed recently, but would then be paid back with fire inspection funds. Failure to approve the purchase would result in an $8,000 jump in price by May 1st as well as potential inflation in coming years.
Shirting to a ordinance variance, council members considered a variance request from Evan Clark for city ordinance 11-2-19 related to prohibited location of residence for sex offender within 1,000 feet of a safety zone, as recommended by the zoning and ordinance committee. The variance comes as the registrant to the state sex offender registry with home at 641 Emery Street sought a city ordinance variance to remain in his permanent residence, stating that moving would be devastating to the family and minor children, one of whom had problems at a previous school. Council members took time to ask questions before granting the variance, necessary as the residence is within the 1,000 foot exclusion zone for nearby Faith Free as well as a nearby foster home, among places designated as “safety zones” in the city of Stanley. Clark was convicted in April 2012 of third degree sexual assault for an action committed as a teenager and spent a year in jail, but has not had police contact and is otherwise in compliance with the state sex offender registry as required by law through 2032.
The Wisconsin state sex offender registry can be accessed at https://appsdoc.wi.gov/public, with both geographic and name search available, with “specific location” allowing for a zip code search of offenders in a given zip code.
Motion to approve the ordinance variance as requested was made by Wards 4 to 7 and 9 Alderperson Laurie Foster and seconded by Wards 4 to 7 and 9 Alderperson Aaron Dickson, all present voting in favor.
Also from Monday council meanwhile, members moved to accept bimonthly department reports as well as several multiple parks-related items, including the Chapman Park usage agreement, campground expansion funding, updated reservation and cancellation policies, and a temporary $20 non-electric campsite rate. Equipment-related approval included a $6,150 lawn mower trade-in with Lube Suppliers, allowing the city to save on maintenance costs.
Library project actions from Monday included rescinding a previous motion and approving updated ductwork and lighting modifications totaling $60,500, along with a $2,528.03 change order for additional power outlets. A separate structural steel change order was denied, due to the necessary materials being in plans submitted to Hoeft builders prior to bid. The council also approved an item for removal of lead paint removal in the library attic (listed in materials as asbestos related because tied to abatement) not to exceed $15,000 plus administrative costs.
Winding down the update from Monday council, members approved a modest increase to city sewer rates following a recommendation from the Finance Committee aimed at maintaining the financial stability of the sewer utility. The usage rate will increase from $7.18 to $7.90 per 1,000 gallons, a rise of $0.72, while the quarterly fixed charge will increase slightly from $19.58 to $20.00, an additional $0.42 per quarter. For the average household using approximately 10,000 gallons per quarter, this results in an estimated increase of about $8 per billing cycle.
Council members noted that the increase is necessary as sewer revenues have begun to fall behind rising operational costs. Contributing factors include a new phosphorus treatment agreement costing roughly $14,900 annually, increased chemical expenses projected to exceed the budget by about $14,000, interest on sewer-related debt of approximately $20,300, and an additional $5,000 in sludge hauling costs. Altogether, these factors create a projected shortfall of about $54,200, which the approved rate increase is expected to remedy while resulting in a $110 surplus.
Last but not least, the city will soon be hiring additional office help. Watch the paper in coming weeks for details, and get ready to apply if interested.
City of Stanley council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m in city hall. The public is welcome and invited to attend.