Madison commission approves Kwik Trip liquor license, road contract, water change order and seeks Army Corps flood study

Madison City Commission members approved a series of infrastructure and public‑safety items at a regular meeting, including a package off‑sale liquor license for Kwik Trip Incorporated, the award of a multi‑community asphalt surface treatment contract, authorization of a change order on a water main project and a request to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin a Section 205 feasibility study for Park Creek.

The votes moved forward multiple projects the city said will affect streets, utilities, flood mitigation and public‑safety technology. Staff also presented proposed 2025 rates for the Madison Aquatic Center and reported that the city has again met state Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

Commissioners voted to approve the package off‑sale liquor license application for Kwik Trip Incorporated. Jamieson (city staff) told the commission the community currently has one license available and Kwik Trip is requesting it; another license “may be available effective July 1 due to legislation changes,” Jamieson said, but staff had no final confirmation. The application fee for the license was stated in the packet as $500.

On roads, City Engineer Ryan Hague recommended awarding the 2025 multi‑community asphalt surface treatment (chip‑seal) project to Aztec Corp. as the lowest bidder. Hague said three bids were opened and Aztec’s low bid produced a total contract amount of $599,711.92; he stated Madison’s portion as $312,455.60 and noted that figure is lower than the city’s estimate of $351,740. The commission approved awarding the contract to Aztec.

The commission authorized Mayor Lindsay to sign change order No. 1 for the Madison Water System Improvements, Segment 4, with Metro Construction Incorporated. Ryan Hague said the change order addresses private utility crossings that were not identified in construction drawings; Metro installed water main across 19 previously unknown utility locations, which added 41.5 hours of contractor time. Hague said the contractor’s initial request for additional compensation was $73,470; after negotiation the agreed extra payment is $47,912.50. Banner Associates and city staff recommended the payment as fair given the missed utility locations.

On flood mitigation, the commission authorized staff to send a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to request a Section 205 study focused on reducing flood damages along Park Creek and a tributary. Hague described the approach: the Corps typically pays the first $100,000 of a feasibility study, then feasibility study costs are shared 50/50 between the federal government and the project sponsor (the city); if the project proceeds to construction the anticipated split is roughly 65% federal and 35% local. Hague said the Corps’ feasibility cost was ballparked at $700,000–$800,000 and emphasized that submitting the letter is not a binding commitment and the Corps could find a project not feasible after study.

The commission approved use of up to $25,300 from the Police Department Technology Reserve for two public‑safety purchases. Justin (police department staff) said the department will purchase an Axon interview‑room recording system that integrates with existing Axon body and in‑car camera systems; the cost this year is $14,297.86 and the city would pay the remainder via a five‑year program. The commission also authorized up to $11,000 for a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at the Ninth and Chicago crosswalk near the elementary school; Justin said the RRFBs would use push buttons, be installed for both directions and be red flashing beacons that require motorists to stop while flashing. Justin added staff would man the crossing for the first weeks after installation to ensure proper use.

The commission reviewed and accepted the Parks Board’s proposed 2025 rates for the Madison Aquatic Center. Jamieson said the Parks Board recommended small increases to family passes: non‑member family annual passes rise from $150 to $175, and member family passes (community center members) rise from $125 to $150. Jamieson said operating costs such as labor and chemicals have increased; the packet included peer comparisons and the Parks Board supported the modest adjustment. Staff stated the pool operates at a deficit and cited last year’s shortfall at about $204,000.

Staff also reported that Madison met state Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for the tenth consecutive year and reviewed active and upcoming infrastructure projects, including water‑main work, South Union and Highland projects and an open house scheduled to present this year’s infrastructure work. Jamieson invited the public to a city circle event on infrastructure and an infrastructure open house.

Votes at a glance • Package off‑sale liquor license (Kwik Trip Incorporated): motion to approve; outcome: approved. • 2025 multi‑community asphalt surface treatment project (award to Aztec Corp.): motion to approve award; outcome: approved; total bid amount $599,711.92; Madison share stated as $312,455.60 (transcript contains a later inconsistent restatement of Madison’s share as $312,004.05). • Change Order No. 1, Madison Water System Improvements Segment 4 (Metro Construction Inc.): motion to authorize mayor to sign; outcome: approved; negotiated additional amount $47,912.50 (contractor initially requested $73,470); 19 undocumented private utility crossings; 41.5 additional contractor hours recorded. • Letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to initiate Section 205 feasibility study (Park Creek): motion to authorize staff to send letter; outcome: approved; Corps pays first $100,000; feasibility cost ballparked $700,000–$800,000; feasibility study costs are typically 50/50 federal/local; construction cost share if advanced roughly 65% federal / 35% local. • Use up to $25,300 from Police Department Technology Reserve: motion to approve use of funds; outcome: approved; Axon interview room system $14,297.86 (5‑year payment plan); RRFB bid ~ $9,900 (authorized up to $11,000 including incidentals) for Ninth and Chicago crosswalk. • Parks Board 2025 Madison Aquatic Center rates: motion to accept Parks Board recommendation; outcome: approved; family non‑member annual pass $150 → $175; family member pass $125 → $150.

What remained open or not specified • Whether an additional liquor license will be available after July 1 depends on pending legislation and was not confirmed. Jamieson said staff did not have a final determination. • The transcript contains two different stated figures for Madison’s share of the asphalt project ($312,455.60 in staff presentation; later restated as $312,004.05). The record is inconsistent on that point. • Vote tallies were recorded by voice (“aye”/“opposed”); individual roll‑call tallies by name were not read into the record for each motion.

The commission closed the meeting after public announcements and project updates. Staff said residents can view meeting video online and were reminded of upcoming community events and the citywide cleanup schedule.