Common Council committee members and duties

The Common Council Committee meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Agendas and minutes

Common Council agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval. View Agendas and Minutes

Members

• Dave Herbst, term expires 2027, Alder District 1 (Seat 1), phone: 608-516-7173, email: Dave.Herbst@fitchburgwi.gov
• Joe Maldonado, term expires 2026, Alder District 1 (Seat 2), phone: 414-339-4574, email: joe.maldonado@fitchburgwi.gov
• Bill Jetzer, term expires 2027, Alder District 2 (Seat 3), phone: 608-212-9954, email: bill.jetzer@fitchburgwi.gov
• Gabriella Gerhardt, term expires 2026, Alder District 2 (Seat 4), phone: 608-285-2586, email: gabriella.gerhardt@fitchburgwi.gov
• Logan Reigstad, term expires 2027, Alder District 3 (Seat 5), phone: 608-509-7422, email: logan.reigstad@fitchburgwi.gov
• Donald Dantzler, term expires 2026, Alder District 3 (Seat 6), phone: 815-250-6387, email: donald.dantzler@fitchburgwi.gov
• Micah LaDousa, term expires 2027, Alder District 4 (Seat 7), phone: 917-279-4245, email: micah.ladousa@fitchburgwi.gov
• Jake Lepper, term expires 2026, Alder District 4 (Seat 8), phone: 414-758-3250, email: jake.lepper@fitchburgwi.gov
• Julia Arata-Fratta, term expires 2026, mayor, phone: 608-270-4215, email: julia.arata-fratta@fitchburgwi.gov

Composition

The Common Council consists of the mayor and eight alderpersons elected for seats numbered as follows: District 1, seats 1 and 2; District 2, seats 3 and 4; District 3, seats 5 and 6; and District 4, seats 7 and 8. For purposes of nominations, primaries, ballots, election procedures and filling of vacancies, each numbered seat is considered a separate office. The mayor and all alderpersons are elected in the spring election.

Summary of duties

(a) General powers. The Common Council has the management and control of city property, finances, highways, streets, navigable waters and the public service, and has the power to act for the government and good order of the city, for its commercial benefit and for the health, safety, welfare and convenience of the public. The Common Council may carry out its powers by license, regulation, suppression, borrowing of money, tax levy, appropriation, forfeiture and other necessary or convenient means. The powers referred to here are in addition to any other statutory and constitutional powers the Common Council may have and are limited only by express language.

(b) Powers regarding property. The Common Council may acquire property, real or personal, within or without the city, for parks, libraries, historic places, recreation, beautification, streets, waterworks, sewage or waste disposal, harbors, improvements of watercourses, public grounds, vehicle parking areas and for any other public purpose; may acquire real property within or contiguous to the city, by means other than condemnation, for industrial sites; may improve and beautify the same; may construct, own, lease and maintain buildings on such property for instruction, recreation, amusement and other public purposes; and may sell and convey such property.

(c) Powers to finance city government. The Common Council may levy and provide for the collection of taxes and special assessments; may refund any tax or special assessment paid, or any part thereof, when satisfied that the same was unjust or illegal; and generally manage city finances in accordance with this chapter.

(d) Emergency powers. All powers enumerated in Wis. Stats. § 323.14(2) are reserved and exercised by the Common Council, or the mayor, as provided in that statute. The mayor may designate temporary and permanent emergency routes and may designate or suspend traffic control restrictions along those routes.

(e) Construction of powers. All powers given here are liberally construed in favor of the rights, powers and privileges of the city to promote the general welfare, peace, good order and prosperity of the city inhabitants.