Antigo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Antigo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Potential Property Purchase or Sale
The city owns four lots from Langlade County tax deeds and is getting two ready for bid, while recommending buyers be required to build so small lots stay available for starter homes.
Zoning Ordinance Revisions
A former neighborhood store on Pine Street gets reclassified from business to two-family residential, clearing the way for it to be sold as a home.
Handicap Parking at Mendlik Park
A new ADA-accessible pathway to the basketball courts at Mendlik Park needs a handicap parking sign on the south side of Mendlik Street. It's a small-cost accessibility improvement for park users with disabilities.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Alternatives Selection
The council approved a batch of fixes at the wastewater and water plants — a pump, a booster pump, a blower, and a UV disinfection evaluation — totaling roughly $78,000, plus lime slurry hauling.
Lincoln Street Water Main Engineering Work
The committee considered hiring Ayers and Associates for survey and engineering on a water main project on Lincoln Street between 7th and 8th Avenue, plus the Dixie Lunch parking lot. It's the groundwork phase for an infrastructure upgrade.
Hudson Street and Pearl Avenue CDBG Street Project
The street reconstruction project expanded to include more of Hudson Street after income surveys showed more residents qualified for the CDBG grant — a contract amendment with Ayres Associates for $74,770 was on the consent agenda.
Ordinance 1390B — Where Bikes and E-Scooters May Operate
The city wants to crack down on e-bikes and scooters zooming through downtown intersections, but riders — including mobility-impaired seniors on trikes — say the rules would ban them from the only safe crossing downtown. The ordinance got tabled 6-3 so a committee can gather community input before the next meeting.
Deteriorating Utility Poles and Dam-Area Repair
Alderman Wagner flagged moth-eaten electric poles in his ward — one tipping near his building — and a resident raised concern about a pothole-like depression near the dam. The dam work is already budgeted for next year; WPS was asked to check the pole.
Wastewater and Water Plant Equipment Repairs
The council approved a batch of fixes at the wastewater and water plants — a pump, a booster pump, a blower, and a UV disinfection evaluation — totaling roughly $78,000, plus lime slurry hauling.
Rezoning of 950 Pine Street for Residential Sale
A former neighborhood store on Pine Street gets reclassified from business to two-family residential, clearing the way for it to be sold as a home.
Tandem Dump Truck Purchase Funding
The street department moved $45,000 from its roof repair account to buy a tandem dump truck, taking advantage of a dealer incentive — the roof money goes back in next year's budget.
Guidelines for Nonprofit Contributions
Alderperson Edwards is pushing for clear rules on which nonprofits get city money, with a proposal coming to the finance committee.
Sewage treatment plant rehabilitation and Clean Water Act funding
Three separate problems at the wastewater plant: an influent pump needing repair, Blower Number 5's motor burned out, and the UV disinfection system completely down during its summer operating season. The state DNR is aware of the UV problem and wants it fixed quickly.
Grease Trap Sewer Code Revision
A first step toward cutting the grease and fats flowing into the wastewater plant, which are over-taxing city equipment. Restaurants with grease traps will get official notice.
2027 City Budget Development
The 2027 budget is delayed by new staff and rising costs, with levy limits blocking revenue growth without new construction. A full budget discussion is set for September 30.
July 4th Fireworks Celebration Support
The city's fireworks show stays with My Uncle's Fireworks at $18,000 — a $1,500 bump for a bigger show, funded mostly by hotel/motel tax.
Capital Equipment/Improvement Plan (CIP) draft
The city's multi-year equipment and improvement plan is still in rough draft. Expect this to come back for discussion before the budget is finalized.
Saratoga Street renamed to Deleglise Street
The stretch of Saratoga Street near Highway 64 in the industrial park will be renamed Deleglise Street — no buildings have Saratoga addresses, so no residents are affected.
Williams House of Hope loss of major funders
The group serving unhoused residents lost Newcap and Salvation Army funding in the past eight months and is asking the city for $30,000. The school district reports 29 homeless kids.
Habitual ordinance violations at 724 Dorr Street
City staff have responded to this property ten times since 2019 for ordinance violations, and the committee unanimously kept the special assessment charging the owner for a couch removal. The owner didn't attend to argue otherwise.
Hogan Street CDBG project expansion
The income survey for the Hogan Street Community Development Block Grant project was widened from Fifth Avenue to Field Street and certified, securing a million-dollar grant — but it means extra engineering and surveying costs.
Ambulance Engine Replacement Funding
One of Antigo's ambulances suffered major engine damage that couldn't be diagnosed locally, costing about $35,000 to fix. The council was asked to dip into the ambulance replacement fund rather than the regular maintenance budget.
Langlade County Forest Conservation Easement
The Ice Age Trail Alliance and the state DNR are seeking federal grant money to put a conservation easement on roughly 1,800 acres of private forest in Langlade County. The city signed a letter of support but isn't on the hook financially.
Buckthorn Removal Near Elmwood Cemetery
The city wants grant money to bring in goats to eat the invasive buckthorn south of Elmwood Cemetery, teaming up with its usual mechanical clearing. Wausau has used the same company with good results.
Park Vandalism, Splash Pad Incidents, and Cemetery Theft
Vandalism in park bathrooms, suspicious activity at the splash pad, and theft at Elmwood Cemetery have led the city to keep most restrooms locked except during reservations — a real inconvenience for park users.
Park Improvements and Operations Update
Playground equipment at Cherry Street Park is being removed, plans are moving for Peaceful Valley Park and the Lake Park shelter, robotic mowers are saving staff time, and the Hwy 45 Trading Post is soft-opening with donated decor.
Audit Closing-Entry Deficiencies
The city's finances got a clean bill of health: a clean audit opinion, no federal single-audit findings, and about $4.5 million in general fund reserves. The one warning: stormwater revenue is thin, and a rate increase may be coming.
Automated License Plate Reader Policy
The council put official rules in place for how police can use and access license plate reader data, aimed at protecting privacy while supporting investigations.
Land Surveyor/Project Manager Position Transition
Land Surveyor/Project Manager Charley Brinkmeier is leaving. A July 15 committee meeting will address the position's future, and a July 29 Committee of the Whole meeting will kick off budget season.
Opportunity Zone Application
Antigo could become a federal Opportunity Zone 2.0, letting private investors put capital gains money into vacant land and downtown storefronts with big tax breaks. The first version of the program bypassed rural areas almost entirely; the 2025 overhaul aims to change that. Applying is free, and the city can decline if selected.
Langlade County tourism growth and business support
Tourism in Langlade County has climbed for four straight years — the last two were record years — and the county ranks 10th of 72 in Wisconsin for tourism dollars. Local assets like the baseball diamonds, pickleball courts, and the Ice Age Trail are drawing visitors, and WEDC offers programs to help local businesses grow and attract new investment.
Transient Merchant Ordinance Update
Rules for traveling vendors were overhauled: the waiting period drops from 10 days to 5, permits now run on the calendar year, and the clerk can issue them without a council vote — easier for summer sellers.
City Hall Repairs and Storm Damage Funding
City Hall has a moisture problem, and the council approved an $11,580 assessment by Building Envelope Consultants to figure out what's wrong before repairs.
Hiring a Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator
The city filled its long-open building inspector and zoning administrator post, hiring Luke Schmidtke at $78,000 a year starting July 6 — meaning permits, inspections, and zoning reviews will have a full-time point person.
Urban Search and Rescue Agreement Renewal
The fire department stays in Wisconsin Task Force 1 through 2028, giving the region extra rescue capability during disasters, with the state reimbursing costs.
Sale of Vacant Industrial Park Parcel to TSI Power and Innovative Industries
A city-owned parcel that's sat empty for over 30 years finally goes back on the tax roll as two growing local businesses split it and expand. Each pays $23,250 for its half.
Ward Consolidation for August Primary
To save money on a low-turnout primary, the city's nine wards will vote at just three combined reporting districts on August 11. Voters should check where their polling place is.
Hogan Street Trail Named for D. Wayne Lukas
The half-mile Hogan Street trail segment will be named for horse racing legend D. Wayne Lukas, with racetrack-milepost-style informational posts planned along the route.
Incoming police chief salary
After 28 years with the department, Chief Daniel Duley retired, and Joseph Husnick was sworn in as the new chief, pledging continuity and professional service.
Pump Track Lease in Railway Activity Park
The city is leasing part of Railway Activity Park to a nonprofit for $1 a year to run a pump track/bicycle park; the club handles maintenance, mowing, and insurance.
Livestreaming Council Meetings
Council meetings will be live-streamed starting in June, with new name tags and a requirement that audience speakers state their name and address on camera.
Dollar General Liquor License and Quota Increase
Dollar General needs a Class A liquor license for its new Superior Street store, but the city's quota was capped at ten. The council raised the quota to eleven so the store can be licensed before it opens.