The Municipal Services Committee met 07/22/2024. The action items were all straightforward and they unanimously approved them after minimal discussion and questions.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
ITEM 24-0948: Approve State/Municipal Agreement for the design and construction of the Lawe Street Bridge over the Navigational Canal – The project is not slated to start until 2027. The total cost was estimated to be $1,736,520. The agreement was that the state would cover $1,389,216 of that cost which was 80% of the estimated cost, and the City of Appleton would cover $347,304 (20% of the estimated cost) plus any additional balance that might arise.
In light of the cap on the state portion of the project, the cost increases in the construction industry over the last couple years, and the fact that the project was still 2 years away from beginning, Alderperson Denise Fenton (District 6) wanted to know what risk the city had for experiencing a big cost increase.
Deputy Director of Public Works Pete Neuberger said that the DOT cost estimates do try to factor in anticipated construction cost increases, but those increases can be somewhat volatile so there was some risk to the city. Based on past experiences, there were two ways cost increases might be handled. (1) The city could submit a request for relief from the DOT to see if additional federal funding could become available to cover unforeseen cost increases. (2) If additional funding was not available, the local cost share became greater.
ITEM 24-0946: Approve the request from The 513 Appleton, LLC for a permanent street occupancy permit at 513 W. College Avenue for five exterior sconce lights to extend into the College Avenue right-of-way approximately 5 inches at a height of approximately 11 feet and greater – Deputy Director Neuberger indicated that the granting of a street occupancy permit was only one step in the approval process, and the business would still need to the appropriate building permits for the construction.
ITEM 24-0947: Approve Utility Easement Release of Rights for I-41 Project Water Main Relocation – This item was a different aspect of the same issue/project that was brought to the Finance Committee on 07/08/2024. Both of the items were related to the relocation of the watermain near Ballard Road/I-41 as part of the I-41 expansion project.
Deputy Director Neuberger said that there would be a 100% reimbursement by the DOT to the City of Appleton. This approval by the Municipal Services Committee was necessary to allow the DOT to do the work. The new watermain was going to end up underneath what would be the DOT’s future right-of-way, and so the DOT needed to acquire the rights to that area in order to do the work.
ITEM 24-0949: Approve ordinance changes related to the B-24 Summit St Reconstruction Project (Packard St to Elsie St) – This item was codifying already approved parking changes related to the reconstruction of the street.
ITEM 24-0950: Approve ordinance changes related to the B-24 Summit St Reconstruction Project (Prospect Av to Fourth St) – This item was also codifying already approved parking changes related to the reconstruction of the street. The design for that street reconstruction was approved back in 2021 over the objections of the residents who did not want their street narrowed or the associated loss of parking associated with that narrowing. At the same time, they also did not want to lose any of their trees, but maintaining the former width of the street would damage the roots of the existing trees and result in their loss. At the time, the Council approved the narrowing of the street by a vote of 7-6, and that work has now been completed and the parking restrictions on one side implemented.
All items were approved by the Municipal Services Committee by a vote of 5-0.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1214076&GUID=0ADBDDDF-9EBF-4512-841A-A0B14A634EE7
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