[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6299587,"mediaKeyId","2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d","parentId",2496656,"title","District 2 Alderman candidates introduce themselves; Downtown West Bend Association and The Bend outline 2025 event calendar","audioSeconds",1860,"startMs",224000,"endMs",2084000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d&start=224&end=2084","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d/thumbnail_224000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299587/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/District-2-Alderman-candidates-introduce-themselves-Downtown-West-Bend-Association-and-The-Bend-outline-2025-event-calendar","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299587-af2a4e6ad014928a6015149986aa9d06/orig.mp4?Expires=1769695876&Signature=O9OiItQQ~c8xoOxR4broyoi10jh-XL-ry0D0dbqh8mcwIL-SVxQBn9LpVV9yy8u7qfAeyx-gfqe1Azud5NkbpR3DOYBSKAw5rgR6bRdRgZSEIyKICNRCGsK9IeZG-RNNhpbxJxYWCONYgN8UCseV5G2fgAgh~u4ypAvlRFt~mpHKrfxZtHihoI143vKG0LR-TGPlvf-izMsRbiv1O3KZB15icpbPe-GZ9VO1U3L0JWqQRdcz~jQhmvcrIJwqmYZi~1rfhd63B22aqKdNDCoU4pzmPt~VBNbM6FgqQeRTu-r3zojw82Ez8I-9vnWs0anpwbLP1SQ7PBlVuPqTDPsmQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Bend, WI","date","2025-03-04T17:14:06Z","article","Two candidates for West Bend’s District 2 Alderman seat introduced themselves to the Bid Board on March 4, and representatives from the Downtown West Bend Association and The Bend theater outlined a busy spring and summer events schedule for downtown.

“Hello. My name is Rhett Engelking,” Rhett Engelking said in brief remarks. Engelking told the board he is “running for District 2 Alderman” and described himself as “primarily, running as a father of 2” who wants West Bend to be “safe” and attractive to young families. He noted prior volunteer experience and work in restaurant and retail businesses.

“Good morning. I’m Mike Hartwell,” Mike Hartwell told the board. Hartwell said he worked for the city of West Bend as a police officer for 28 years and retired in 2015 as a lieutenant; he added he is a 20-year military veteran and serves on several local nonprofit boards. Hartwell said his experience with the city gives him institutional knowledge he would bring to the council.

Downtown events: Noel and Leona, representing the Downtown West Bend Association, reviewed this spring’s schedule: Spring Bling (April 5), a Wine Walk (April 12), an Art Walk / banner premiere at the Museum of Wisconsin Art (May 3), and a Farmers Market opening May 17 and continuing Saturdays through October. The association is partnering with The Bend and Parks and Rec on Music on Main (12 Thursdays between late May and early September) and block parties on May 29 and Sept. 4. The association said it expects to hang roughly 42–43 artist banners between May and October and that businesses can sponsor banners for $100 each.

The Bend theater representative outlined the theater’s March–April lineup and confirmed its partnership on the block parties and other nonprofit partnerships through the season; the Bend said it has been working with sponsors and hopes to repeat the high community turnout from last year’s block parties.

Why it matters: candidate introductions and the event calendar provide public notice of upcoming civic activity and community planning that affect downtown traffic, vendor placement and city services.

No formal action was required on either the candidate introductions or the events calendar; board members thanked the presenters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BID Board - March 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two candidates for District 2 introduced themselves to the Bid Board. Downtown West Bend Association and The Bend theater outlined a slate of spring and summer events including Spring Bling, Wine Walk, Art Walk, Farmers Market, Music on Main and GlobalFest.","taxTitle","West Bend City, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",5138,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6299591,"City staff explains downtown hatch markings, loading zones and EV stall rules after reconstruction",167,533000,700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d&start=533&end=700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d/thumbnail_533000.jpg","/articles/6299591/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/City-staff-explains-downtown-hatch-markings-loading-zones-and-EV-stall-rules-after-reconstruction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299591-6bb459790d3afce74b0bd678040ef185/orig.mp4?Expires=1769695876&Signature=g8FgJmbLvO1WB23y3TeZYjhhUVLpDtbHXZOnK5DZQlnt1umu7raeeJnwTNYAlLRhIlAOnE3Cn8AVEbtJXNuDYMyd8BLGZrazX2dEy9E4a6ESvulXsCDsuqjjnA7r2uZl5BI9lIxXaq7fVTPxdyCgvsdajsvsPDDSR6j5ZqMwiK2X3j3tYCRRNsi48lZLDhu52Ie0SCs~f1L5xN6vq4u0hMnrwYbb3-kCx-GL4NnhK6aS9rNdet5ndA9tTKrh64t31pYfhLYzjuLhWUmRIsHcS0o0x5Fp8xl9b0ceiYpve9OqLLOJVM72NyK5QZSz0HqMb1sSJPSNWK4gv1Q1aaznGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff explained to the West Bend Bid Board on March 4 how the downtown reconstruction determined hatch-marked areas, loading zones, ADA stall groupings and electric vehicle (EV) stall rules.

Max (staff) presented a PDF map showing hatched areas across downtown and explained the reasons for each marking. “The ones with the letter A … we had to install because there's an existing driveway or an alley coming to those areas, and we had to provide that access,” Max said. He said blue-hatched areas labeled B indicate small leftover spaces too small for an additional full parking stall and that pink hatched areas labeled C were to comply with a state statute: “State statute 3 46.53 that prohibits parking within 50 feet 15 feet, of the near edge of a crosswalk,” he said. Green hatch areas labeled D accompany ADA-accessible stalls.

Max said some hatch areas serve multiple functions — for example, using the crosswalk-clearance painted area to also serve an adjacent ADA stall — to conserve painted area and maximize parking efficiency. He also said where two ADA stalls are close together the design groups them so they “share that one area” and reduce total painted hatch area.

On loading zones, Max said a transportation group recommended designating specific stalls as loading (for example, the area in front of the theater and a block north of Walnut Street). Those stalls are restricted to loading during designated hours but revert to general parking outside posted loading hours so they remain usable for evening shoppers and restaurant patrons.

Regarding EV stalls, Max said the city’s rule for the marked EV spots is that vehicles must be actively charging to use the spot. “The rules for those electric vehicle spots is that vehicles that are not actively charging are not permitted to park in those spots,” he said, and staff acknowledged some employees were worried about daytime charging and potential tickets; staff said active charging would be legal.

Board members asked whether overall parking counts met earlier estimates. Max said he did not do a final count; one board member said construction outcomes were “pretty close to our target of between 35 and 40” parking stalls, with an estimate around 36.

Board direction: Max agreed to email the board the PDF map and a document with the questions and his answers; the PDF links include Google Street View anchors so board members can jump to specific locations.

The discussion will return to the Traffic Safety Commission as needed for any additional operational adjustments.","City staff walked the Bid Board through new downtown parking markings: hatched areas to preserve access, grouped ADA stalls, loading zones with time limits, and electric vehicle stalls reserved for active charging.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6299597,"Bid Board approves $1,471.50 for Roots and Branches; reviews downtown contracts and maintenance plans",1603,43000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d&start=43&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2496656-f6024492946172d47a7f9e45e734329d/thumbnail_43000.jpg","/articles/6299597/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Bid-Board-approves-147150-for-Roots-and-Branches-reviews-downtown-contracts-and-maintenance-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299597-2523e70189ec6a38261478db1f3e4288/orig.mp4?Expires=1769695876&Signature=FcFBwi2hX0kL64uEuoarlXCSTgzQuTecDhriltPruCWsrwCQlnF4n8d6-AysucFV2G1qtPODyje5M7oXjocONjIkey0C8EWVNDL1sJZl9~0NCr1MYv3CRscFDsCmFzaXCdLGnCseghrefuHkuGPFyVwsMh346csM~Zvr6FUmxFMQTatw2GlUF2ntB9fyfWvQJ4TEh4RgvfnKNLtRch0iovjF1PyHPo7xuv4QI0RLAbhsFszAshrntjl11H0YSLwiEuWsVAjwii~QuNhtQ-XN56lQGXquoNCb6IAkF05DEpi~WjRuiFKLd4zdCx8qUZiK79ptC-1Qe5R-hP9bIQgI5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Bend Bid Board on March 4 approved a $1,471.50 disbursement to Roots and Branches to buy annuals and a limited number of perennials, and reviewed downtown landscaping, hanging-basket and maintenance contracts while discussing adjustments to the board's meeting schedule.

The Roots and Branches representative, Lisa Kitske, told the board she had ordered annual plants for $971.50 and requested an additional $500 “so that we can supplement with some hydrangeas and some other perennials” that would reduce recurring annual costs. The board moved and seconded the request and approved it by voice vote; no nays were recorded.

Why it matters: the payments and contracts discussed fund downtown plantings, maintenance and seasonal decorations that the board and local businesses say drive foot traffic and support retail and restaurant activity.

Board members reviewed a contract award for 2025 hanging baskets to Bemis Upland Spring Floral LLC, which staff said was slightly cheaper than the other bidder (Shady Lane) and is “pretty much exactly the same as last year, just making sure that we have fertilizer added this year.” The contractor will install baskets beginning in May, staff said.

John (staff) reported that a downtown maintenance plan has been put out for bid; the specification is detailed and includes perennial and seasonal plant upkeep and weed/crack control. Staff said they have received interest from multiple contractors and expect competitive bids. The bid scope includes some tasks previously budgeted by the board (staff said last year’s bid pays covered roughly $6,000 for crack and weed care).

The board also received a brief update on façade grants. Mark (committee) said the board awarded one grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters for work on the river-facing rear of their building, asked several applicants for additional materials, and will meet March 11 to act on the outstanding responses; an earlier extension for a grant to Hussar’s House of Fine Diamonds was noted.

Administrative items: Carissa announced her resignation, saying, “my last day is, March 5, tomorrow.” She told the board that John Fellows and his team will help facilitate bid meetings until a replacement is in place. Members discussed changing the meeting cadence; staff said the city would allow meeting frequency to be reduced to about six times a year, but several board members preferred keeping monthly meetings and canceling those with light agendas.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to approve minutes from prior meeting — approved by voice vote.
- Motion to approve the financial report (including carry-forward from the bid façade grant) — approved by voice vote.
- Motion to approve Roots and Branches request ($971.50 + $500 = $1,471.50) — motion carried by voice vote; no opposition recorded.

The board left other budget and contract items pending competitive bids and follow-up reports from staff; members asked that staff circulate the maintenance bid documents and hanging-basket contract details when available.","The West Bend Bid Board approved a $1,471.50 payment request from Roots and Branches and reviewed contracts and bids for downtown floral displays and maintenance; staff resignation and a proposed meeting schedule change were also discussed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District 2 Alderman candidates introduce themselves; Downtown West Bend Association and The Bend outline 2025 event calendar

City staff explains downtown hatch markings, loading zones and EV stall rules after reconstruction

Bid Board approves $1,471.50 for Roots and Branches; reviews downtown contracts and maintenance plans