Oak Creek Common Council roundup: library proclamation, business permits, leases, street projects and multiple resolutions approved

The Oak Creek Common Council met March 31 and approved a series of proclamations, permits, contracts and budget-related resolutions. Key items: a mayoral proclamation for National Library Week; a conditional-use permit for a proposed drinking establishment; approval of a lease amendment with AT&T; right-of-way acquisitions for the Liberty and Pewds roundabout; acceptance of the City Hall build‑out; a street‑lighting contract award on Rawson Avenue; termination of Tax Incremental District No. 7; and routine license and vendor approvals.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes approval (03/18/2025): Motion to approve minutes passed on roll call.

- Proclamation: Mayor Daniel J. Bakkevich read a proclamation recognizing National Library Week — informational; no council action required.

- Conditional-use permit — Swing and Sip (drinking establishment), 140 E. Rawson Ave., Suites 105–106 Rear: Resolution No. 12567‑033125 to approve a conditional‑use permit for the proposed business (applicant Jason Roberts, Lisby and Roberts LLC) passed on roll call. City staff (Christie Lane, Community Development Director) said the building has adequate parking, that the Plan Commission recommended approval on Feb. 25, and that hours would be 9 a.m.–10 p.m. daily with a maximum occupancy of 75 under building code.

- Conditional‑use permit — We Energies Elm Road generating station (conversion to LNG): Resolution No. 12554‑17‑25 approving amended local conditions passed on roll call. (See separate article for discussion and public comment.)

- Resolution authorizing termination of TID No. 7: Resolution No. 12568‑031303125 was adopted; staff estimated approximately $3.47 million to distribute to participating taxing jurisdictions and roughly $1.05 million as the city’s share.

- AT&T third amendment to Sycamore Tower lease: Resolution No. 12569‑033125 approving a third amendment to the lease with AT&T passed on roll call; Water & Sewer Utility staff explained the amendment updates rent to market rates for AT&T equipment and includes site work to install new equipment.

- Right-of-way acquisition for Liberty & Pewds intersection improvements: Resolution No. 12566‑033125 to acquire fee property rights and temporary easements for the roundabout and to send award payments to affected property owners passed on roll call; staff said three remaining parcels were being acquired to complete the project this summer.

- Acceptance of City Hall build‑out (final payment / workmanship): Resolution No. 12570‑033125 accepting workmanship and authorizing final payment to the contractor (Campbell Construction JC Inc.) passed on roll call; staff said the project stayed on budget.

- Rawson Avenue street‑lighting improvements: Motion to award the Rawson Ave. street lighting construction contract to Will Surge Electric Inc., low responsive bidder, at an estimated cost of $181,613.03 passed on roll call; related project costs noted in staff presentation bring the overall corridor work to slightly over $300,000 and within budget.

- License committee approvals, vendor summary: License requests listed on the March 31 license committee report were approved; the vendor summary for March 26, 2025 in the amount of $1,491,786.77 was approved.

Council and staff commentary

Council members praised the library and the Friends of the Library for fundraising that enables attraction passes for residents. The council also recognized outgoing First District Alderman Steve Krakowski and heard brief tributes from residents.

What’s next: Items approved by the council proceed to implementation by the responsible departments; several actions (e.g., right-of-way acquisition, street-lighting work, and TID accounting) have near‑term follow-up tasks described by staff.