Bid Board discusses downtown maintenance, awards vendor for hanging baskets and approves Roots and Branches funding

The West Bend City Bid Board on March 4 reviewed downtown maintenance contracting, confirmed a hanging-baskets vendor, and approved a small grant request from a volunteer planting group.

Carissa (staff member) said the city budget includes $10,000 for marketing this year and that the hanging-baskets contract was awarded to Bemis Upland Spring Floral LLC because their bid was slightly lower than Shady Lane Greenhouse and the contract terms matched last year’s arrangement with added fertilizer.

John (staff member) described the downtown maintenance plan that the Parks Department and staff compiled. He said a detailed scope—including perennial maintenance, seasonal plantings and weed/crack control—had been posted for bids for about a week and several contractors had expressed interest. John noted last year’s maintenance line item for weed and crack control was about $6,000 and staff hope competitive bids will reduce that cost.

Lisa Kitske, representing the group Roots and Branches, requested $971.50 for annual plants from Bemis and an additional $500 to plant larger perennials (hydrangeas and similar) to reduce future annual costs. A motion to approve $1,471.50 for Roots and Branches carried by voice vote. The transcript records the motion, a second and “all in favor”; the exact tally was not specified in the meeting.

Board members asked for documentation and confirmed when baskets and annual plantings would be installed; Bemis is scheduled to start in May and will provide annuals for summer pots. John said the winter greens and mums contracts will continue with the lowest bidders (Shady Lane Greenhouse for mums last year) and staff will seek pricing for winter plantings in November.

Staff will circulate the maintenance bid documents and the hanging-baskets contract details to the board.