PESHTIGO – The City of Peshtigo Common Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The meeting opened with a public hearing on four ordinances.

This included: Ordinance No. 2026-06 — Sewer usage charge updates; Ordinance No. 2026-07 — Regulating licensing and permitting fees for manufactured and mobile homes; Ordinance No. 2026-08 — Prohibiting disorderly conduct with a motor vehicle, such as unnecessary noise and smoke; and Ordinance No. 2026-09 — Regulating temporary storage containers on residential properties.

No comments were made on these ordinances and all four were later approved by the council.

The council then moved into general public comments, where the owner of Extreme Transport Warehousing LLC encouraged the council to approve his purchase of lot 48 in the industrial park adjacent to his current properties, lots 43 and 44. He shared that he would expand the business by building a larger storage facility, adding that Extreme Transport Warehousing has already grown from 10 employees to 30 and that this next step would add 10 more employees. Later, the council approved the purchase of the property.

A main focus of the meeting regarded the Landmark property at 310 Oconto Ave.

Mayor Katie Berman explained that the city still has $29,266 left from a $116,000 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Site Assessment Grant (SAG) award. The grant was used for environmental work associated with the property and may be used for demolition bids.

“The city has completed asbestos abatement and environmental assessment work. The building has since had a partial roof collapse, unstable floor conditions and continued concerns regarding people entering the unsafe structure. Demolition is now necessary to address the public safety concern and prepare the property for future redevelopment,” Berman wrote in a letter.

The city has been working with Peters Concrete, which submitted the demolition low bid of $182,000, leaving a funding gap between $152,000 and $200,000 for the work and any additional expenses incurred.
Since no additional grant funding is available at this time, the city has two options — pursue future grant funding or borrow the funds and move forward with demolition.

“The city could continue seeking state, federal or other grant opportunities over the next year. This may reduce the amount ultimately paid with local funds, but it would delay demolition while additional funding is pursued. There is also no guarantee that another grant application would be successful or when funding might become available,” Berman shared.

She continued, “Delaying demolition would not be without cost. As the building continues to deteriorate and people attempt to enter the property, the city will need to install security fencing or take other measures to secure the site. Continued consulting services, administrative work, and the use of employee time and city resources would also create additional expenses while the property remains in its current condition.”

If the city were to go forward with demolition, short-term borrowing could be used for funding and repaid by levying property taxes.

“Based on preliminary calculations for borrowing up to $200,000, the estimated one-year tax impact would be approximately $90 for each $100,000 of assessed property value. This is an estimate only and is intended to provide a general understanding of the potential impact.”

“This would be one specific loan with a defined amount, repayment term, and end date—not a permanent or recurring tax increase,” she added.

In order to make a decision that aligns with the goals of the citizens, the public is invited to a special city council meeting at city hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. The meeting will allow time for public comments, questions and discussions.

Those unable to attend may submit written comments by emailing katieb@ci.peshtigo.wi.gov by 4 p.m. on Sept. 15. To verify that comments are coming from property owners, please include name and home address in the email. Comments left on Facebook are not officially submitted comments.

Additional council actions

The council approved the acceptance of a $42,504 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Transportation Alternatives Program.

Mayor Berman shared that this funding is not for construction itself, but is meant to identify safety gaps and update the city’s outdated bike map. This will be completed with the Peshtigo School District and Bay Lake Regional Planning.

Next, the council approved a payment of $175,682.97 to Peters Concrete Company for the West Park Drive project. The work is nearly complete, with the installation of park fencing, street lights and planting trees scheduled for October.

They also approved upgrading the purchase of a streets department truck to a 2027 Ford F-150 from Ewald Automotive Group for $42,693. Since the 2026 model sold out, this truck was selected at an additional $1,723. It will be funded by the Capital Improvement Plan and the sale of a 2019 pickup truck to the sewer department.

In other financial items, a $4,902 proposal from Tri-City Glass & Door to replace, paint and install an exterior door at the Drees Community Center was approved.

Finally, the council approved a street use and special event permit for Peshtigo Historical Day on Sept. 26. This includes the parade, events at Badger Park and fireworks in the evening.