West Allis council adopts sidewalk and street reconstruction assessments after public hearing

The West Allis Common Council on Feb. 11 adopted schedules of proposed special assessments for a sidewalk repair program and for reconstruction of several city streets after public hearings and questions from residents.

City Engineer Melinda Dieske told the council the sidewalk work targets defects such as cracked, heaved or settled slabs and that crews remove damaged slabs and pour new concrete. “We inspect the sidewalks, throughout the city, every 10 to 15 years,” Dieske said. She said roughly 1,900 properties were inspected in the current area and 356 properties need sidewalk repair; the sidewalk project cost was estimated at about $300,000. For street reconstruction, Dieske said water, sanitary and storm pipes underneath many candidate streets are 90–100 years old and will be replaced as part of a full reconstruction that includes curb, driveway approaches and sidewalks.

The nut of the council action is financial: the city uses special assessments to collect a share of construction costs from benefited properties. Dieske said the city will collect about $140,000 in special assessments for the sidewalk project (about 47% of city-resident-funded portion) and listed assessment rates used to calculate owner bills: $69.67 per foot of frontage for street reconstruction and $8.70 per square foot for driveway approaches (examples provided during the hearing). Bills will be mailed after construction and property owners may choose lump-sum or installment plans; for street assessments the city offered a 10-year installment option with 4% interest.

Residents asked detailed questions at the hearings. Several asked why a slab was slated for replacement rather than grinding; Dieske said the decision depends on displacement, slope and whether grinding would correct the hazard and offered one-on-one follow-ups. Property owners asked why a slab that straddles a lot line was assessed to one owner; staff said assessments are apportioned by square feet and offered to show calculations in person. People living on Mineral Street and 80th/60th-area blocks pressed the city on tree removal, unresolved stump material under prior reconstructions, parking and access during work, garbage pickup during construction, and how water and sewer work interacts with street schedules.

Retired civil engineer Francisco Gisela requested access to design plans; Dieske said plans were under development and that the utility portion (water, sanitary, storm) is covered by the utilities rather than as a special assessment. She said the city would notify residents when bid-ready plans and specs are available and encouraged signing up for the construction-in-progress web updates.

Council action and next steps: During the meeting’s recessed session the council adopted the city engineer’s reports and assessment schedules. The council also heard that bids and contracts will be brought forward after design and bid advertising; projects are planned to begin in early summer with underground work followed by surface replacement, and completion in fall.

Residents were told the city will send pre-construction notices including contractor contact, parking guidance and garbage/driveway instructions, and that staff will work with contractors to minimize lost driveway access when possible.

Ending: The council adopted the assessments and directed staff to proceed with the design and bidding process; final bills will be mailed after construction and property owners may pursue the stated payment options. Staff encouraged residents with parcel-specific questions to meet with engineering staff before the work begins.