[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"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","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_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,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6123358,"mediaKeyId","2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba","parentId",2690001,"title","Council approves safety building guarantee, annexation, union representation, murals and Valley Creek grant in voice votes","audioSeconds",211,"startMs",5773000,"endMs",5984000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba&start=5773&end=5984","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba/thumbnail_5773000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123358/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-safety-building-guarantee-annexation-union-representation-murals-and-Valley-Creek-grant-in-voice-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123358-ca1d47873a122190022b7d304f3323ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693692&Signature=P0U7IvaiGmdyHCD3dJjLLKgb0xG59xe6inj9E9ooAftUVxo3oTu8mN3kbYBzGbV2M6x5dQiz4J7LjS9Biee58wQyk6015tLjZiRzl1E1~OAMAoN9RUct-3g3FU5O~1gVFeo5qUElPt0vnei~bM2f83dXZMqrsRZBANGnYNBRb~Mjc8Ggo~73Lf9PjF~5keypMx6Jb-27ACSbEcmKaJnJh6IoB6QkpuR9kIdUIrTB7oItgqQeIngGXRbSsvDUdN61gJJIMAwN~b~50sy4KBOCnNGqznz4XMsNKp9QXKGg6cz1P-mprNX36uoVSjs5LHr3-HdBzoh3QGrgT3Atl4GyyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-19T13:29:10Z","article","The Port Washington Common Council took multiple formal actions on March 18. All votes were conducted as voice votes unless a roll‑call tally was recorded in the minutes; the meeting record shows motions, seconders and that each motion carried.

Guaranteed maximum price for Public Safety Building
Rob and city staff presented the construction recommendation and bid tabulation; Rick Miller of MC Group described how bids and escalation risks (tariffs) would be handled under contract terms. Alderman Benning moved to approve a guaranteed maximum price amendment with CD Smith Construction Inc. for construction of the proposed Public Safety Building, \"not to exceed $31,874,137,\" and the motion was seconded (second recorded in the minutes). The council approved the amendment by voice vote; the packet and staff memo indicate the total work and soft costs remain under the council‑approved $33,500,000 budget.

Annexation and temporary zoning — Highland Point North (Ordinance 2025‑4)
The council held a public hearing (no speakers) and then considered second reading of Ordinance 2025‑4 to annex approximately 38.28 acres from the Town of Port Washington for a proposed 97‑lot single family subdivision (Highland Point North) and to assign temporary RS single‑family zoning for the property. Staff noted plan commission review and a condition regarding certified survey maps being recorded. Alderman Benning moved to approve staff’s recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff reported a Sewerage District (SEWRPC/SEWRPAC) recommendation is expected in May with final action in June per developer representative.

Recognition of Wisconsin Professional Police Association (collective bargaining representation)
The council formally recognized the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) as the exclusive bargaining representative for Port Washington police employees, replacing the Labor Association of Wisconsin. Alderman Neumeier moved to follow staff recommendation; Alderman Pleitner seconded and the council approved the recognition by voice vote.

Mural agreement (Jackson Street retaining wall)
Council considered a grant/maintenance agreement with Port Washington Main Street Inc. (Paint on Port) to place a mural on a Jackson Street retaining wall. Eileen Grace described the third year of the program and a fundraising/maintenance plan. Alderman Gasper raised a concern about notifying the property owner above the retaining wall because the mural agreement includes a five‑year limitation on removal. The council added legally drafted contingency language that would allow the five‑year protection to be nullified if the property owner proceeds with development that would require removal. The amended agreement was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; minutes show staff will confirm the owner notification and that legal language will be included in the final agreement.

Acceptance of Wisconsin Coastal Management grant for Valley Creek design ($500,000)
Council was asked to accept a $500,000 grant from Wisconsin Coastal Management to advance Valley Creek design from roughly 60% to 90%. The staff recommended acceptance; a motion to accept the grant was seconded and approved by voice vote. (This acceptance implements a portion of the corridor design work discussed earlier in the Valley Creek presentation.)

Closed session: Shannon Farm negotiations
The council moved to convene in closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e) to deliberate negotiating strategies and terms for sale and development of an approximately 39‑acre city parcel known as Shannon Farm (tax parcel 16030‑15‑002). The motion to go into closed session was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the mayor called the wards for the closed session meeting.

Why it matters: these votes authorize major capital spending and land‑use changes (public safety building, annexation for 97 homes, property‑level negotiation strategy for Shannon Farm), set labor representation for the police department, accept substantial design funding for a watershed restoration program, and permit another mural under a condition that protects property‑owner redevelopment options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-03-18 City of Port Washington, WI Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Port Washington Common Council approved several measures in voice votes on March 18, including a guaranteed maximum price for the Public Safety Building, an annexation for a proposed 97‑lot subdivision, recognition of a new police union representative, a mural agreement with property‑development contingency, and acceptance of a $500,000 coastal grant for Valley Creek design.","taxTitle","Port Washington, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",70176,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6123363,"Port Washington advances Valley Creek resilience plan with federal and state grants and 30% design work",240,2420000,2660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba&start=2420&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","/articles/6123363/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Port-Washington-advances-Valley-Creek-resilience-plan-with-federal-and-state-grants-and-30-design-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123363-1d6d6b9caad57fbb12be955541e7ff94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693692&Signature=KxT2tq6TxBcW2ICrExkCgqdzwnhgsiPDORv8~eUUm0DZvzx~iLLR2nyWj9RLcS4JLhh5C-79RZcFDguDBl8756SivjN4IIgtS0lAcrs-cH9YQauYbUSKlagX8OzlcbvDE2Ek2e~iecXrV8f-OV~A838pTE0~q89F0aUiats9ajvAAYozeY5b7MlQ7ASBQaF5dKsijETxtbbbMtaMMrWmj7q6UTHGXPchyGepHyaTxm6UjHz7uSb-wStnnIuxfgwV4dXf8SZXaaVtq2~aMBAANuo-tXq62fmPkBRuKBC3cwfGZoG6tj3vIjwffyj4iiqKlBwyqJOa--dlQJH16N8CpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and consultant representatives updated the Port Washington Common Council on March 18 about the Valley Creek corridor resiliency project, a multiyear effort that combines ecological restoration, green infrastructure and stormwater management to reduce flooding and improve habitat.

Melissa, a city project lead, told the council the corridor effort is funded through several grants and partnerships and is moving from planning to preliminary design. She listed recently awarded and anticipated funding: a $915,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), $500,000 from Wisconsin Coastal Management, $150,000 from Fund for Lake Michigan (planning funds), a $135,000 Fish and Wildlife Service coastal program award and smaller foundation awards (including a $30,000 Bruce Kreer charitable foundation grant). She said the city has a signed federal grant agreement for a portion of the work and Stantec is under contract to perform the initial 30% design.

Melissa described the programmatic approach: continued invasive species control and native tree plantings overseen by partners such as the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and American Bird Conservancy, water‑quality monitoring supported by UW–Milwaukee School of Freshwater Science, and a public engagement program that included more than 500 online respondents and school‑based education and volunteer events.

Stantec and city staff highlighted one near‑term construction concept, the Upper Lake Park bioretention basin. That project would capture stormwater that currently discharges over the bluff into Valley Creek, reduce erosion and trap sediment before it reaches the stream and Lake Michigan. The bioretention concept includes a rain garden, a dry basin on the lower slope and a stabilized discharge point. Melissa said the city has submitted a pre‑proposal to a Sustainer Great Lakes grant for the project and could layer Fund for Lake Michigan money if additional funds are required.

Melissa said the goal of the current grant awards is to advance design from roughly 60% to 90% for the stream restoration elements and to complete a watershed plan that identifies green‑infrastructure project opportunities in the Valley Creek watershed. She told council that Stantec’s work is being phased to limit risk given uncertainties in federal funding availability, but that the recently signed grant agreement is a positive sign for moving forward.

Why it matters: Valley Creek restoration is intended to reduce localized flooding, improve water quality and restore habitat for birds and pollinators while increasing public access and long‑term resilience to extreme weather. The plan ties design work to community outreach and school‑based monitoring.

Council later approved a separate agenda item to accept a $500,000 Wisconsin Coastal Management grant to help fund design work for the corridor; that formal vote is recorded in the meeting’s actions summary.","Council heard updates on a multiyear Valley Creek resilience and restoration effort; Stantec and city staff outlined a layered funding strategy including a $915,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation award and a $500,000 Wisconsin Coastal Management grant to advance design work.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6123368,"Port Washington public works staff outlines street, water and wastewater projects and equipment purchases",2179,174000,2353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba&start=174&end=2353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690001-fb5f23f4c798e4e9d5db6c002dd544ba/thumbnail_174000.jpg","/articles/6123368/Port-Washington/Ozaukee-County/Wisconsin/Port-Washington-public-works-staff-outlines-street-water-and-wastewater-projects-and-equipment-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123368-1d3b8f71f73fdd1713095cfd90032440/orig.mp4?Expires=1770693692&Signature=C5eVoYRH2YH0E9xxDP3z~zGefgkLqRDZV54zl8IlZeKWeKojezDADwHw6mBSwYAXwCHfoeWAlKqX0I1c~ZuxTC425IICoowseMcvf74PU00LifSw~jT3P7wuRb5Vc9pogNJpiaQzm2QstadQroBkltOQ~T2PnF5oPzpEg68ukwkF6yuMzmtz3lPAp6u~SgHZ1-9ft6O4L6QUpKwillIERFv81yIaHSvLmEdsX6iFt1euKcSjlIlc~U5RhCDTVmI9iDceiGUFXsJwbWfbNuEuxriY1n8FeSWdLPKq64ifiWzRC8UBFyjOPq~9KnwIwYAvfBv3Qr7s297GwmSDcybj7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rob, a public works presenter for the City of Port Washington, gave a detailed report on the work of the city’s Department of Public Works on March 18, summarizing accomplishments from 2024 and projects and purchases planned for 2025.

The presentation covered the streets division, water and wastewater utilities, parks and forestry, the marina and engineering. Rob said the streets division has nine full‑time employees, maintains “approximately 58 miles of streets and highways,” and performs in‑house paving and crack‑filling that stretches larger project dollars. “We cleaned 400 catch basins annually. That’s part of our MS4 requirement,” he said.

The report noted several capital and maintenance highlights from 2024: in‑house construction of a pedestrian stair project, fabrication and painting of moorings at the Coal Dock, construction of boardwalks and the Heart of the Harbor project funded partly by a $40,000 coastal management grant and $230,000 in private contributions, and numerous alley and path repairs. Rob said the department completed about 19 miles of sanitary sewer cleaning and televised roughly 10 miles of sanitary sewer last year.

Water utility items included a new emergency generator paid in large part by an $850,000 Economic Development Administration grant, construction of a clear well and upgrades to pumps and controls in response to a Department of Natural Resources requirement, and a meter replacement program that the city intends to finish by 2028. “We pump an average of 1,160,000 gallons a day,” Rob said while reviewing water‑use trends.

Wastewater highlights included a new SCADA system, energy‑saving equipment that has produced revenue and operating savings, installation of grit classifiers and a ferrous chloride tank, and ongoing work on a roughly $14 million plant modernization expected to be substantially complete by October 2025.

Rob also described parks and urban forestry work led by John Crane and his team: the city now manages more than 15,000 street and park trees, maintains an in‑city tree nursery with over 600 trees, and plants between 300 and 500 trees in strong years. Rob said the city carries out emerald ash borer control in‑house and has received state DNR support for many tree purchases.

Engineering updates covered the annual street improvement program, ADA and streetscape projects supported by DOT grants and the city’s complete‑streets policy, and several grant‑funded harbor and lighthouse projects the city is pursuing or constructing.

Rob listed planned 2025 work including construction of the new Public Safety Building (the council later acted on a separate item on that project), a sanitary sewer relay contract for South Spring Street, library HVAC renovations paid with federal funds, continued phases of Lakeview and other street reconstructions, a municipal garage space needs study, and updates to municipal stormwater ordinances under a DNR nonpoint grant.

The presentation included equipment purchases planned for 2025 such as a new street sweeper (already purchased), a broom and bucket skid loader attachment, a forklift and a loader plow, and additional dump trucks to rotate the fleet. Rob also noted staff changes and retirements in the street division and said seasonal hiring will continue.

Why it matters: the report laid out near‑term capital work that affects day‑to‑day services (street sweeping, snow and ice management, sewer cleaning), longer‑term infrastructure investments (water and wastewater plant upgrades), and grant‑dependent projects that shape public access to the waterfront and parkland.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation itself; staff said they would return with additional details and follow‑up items such as the municipal garage needs analysis and the water system master plan.

Rob closed by inviting questions; none were raised that changed the content of the report.","City public works staff presented a wide-ranging report on streets, water, wastewater, parks and engineering work, highlighted recent grants and noted equipment purchases and staffing changes for 2025.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves safety building guarantee, annexation, union representation, murals and Valley Creek grant in voice votes

Port Washington advances Valley Creek resilience plan with federal and state grants and 30% design work

Port Washington public works staff outlines street, water and wastewater projects and equipment purchases