West Bend council approves major street reconstruction contracts, authorizes up to $4.325 million in notes and OKs tax-case settlements

The Common Council of the City of West Bend on March 17 approved multiple measures including two street-reconstruction contracts, an easement agreement for a private fence, a resolution authorizing the sale of up to $4,325,000 in general-obligation promissory notes for 2025 capital projects, and settlement agreements in Walgreens tax-assessment cases that the council voted to refund.

The actions—carried by voice votes for most items and by roll call for the tax settlements—advance work on Kilbourne and Third avenues and Edgewood Lane, provide local funding and county reimbursement for lead-lateral replacements on the reconstruction projects, and set parameters for a competitive bond sale the city expects to hold April 16.

The council’s approvals came after presentations from city staff and the city’s municipal finance advisor. Max (Public Works/Engineering) described the street projects and recommended awarding both construction contracts to Dorner based on low bids and prior work for the city. John Cameron of Ehlers, the city’s financial advisor, walked the council through a presale report for the promissory notes.

Kilbourne and Third avenues contract: scope, cost and funding Max told the council the Kilbourne Avenue contract (Kilbourne from Main Street to Indiana Avenue) and the reconstruction of Third Avenue (Sycamore Street to Kilbourne Avenue) will upgrade underground utilities, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, replace curb and gutter and sidewalk, repair features, install asphalt and restore disturbed areas. He said the contract includes replacement of public and private lead water laterals under an agreement with Washington County so the county will reimburse the city for the private-lateral work.

Bids for Contract 2501 produced a low bidder, Dorner, at $4,527,980.22. The city recommended awarding the contract to Dorner and set a contingency allocation of about 5.68 percent for a total construction allocation not to exceed $4,785,000. Max summarized the funding sources as previously budgeted capital funds in the engineering fund and the sewer and water utilities, a city RP (reserve) funding allocation, and a Wisconsin Department of Transportation Local Road Improvement Program reimbursement for the Kilbourne portion.

Edgewoo…