Council approves safety building guarantee, annexation, union representation, murals and Valley Creek grant in voice votes

The Port Washington Common Council took multiple formal actions on March 18. All votes were conducted as voice votes unless a roll‑call tally was recorded in the minutes; the meeting record shows motions, seconders and that each motion carried.

Guaranteed maximum price for Public Safety Building Rob and city staff presented the construction recommendation and bid tabulation; Rick Miller of MC Group described how bids and escalation risks (tariffs) would be handled under contract terms. Alderman Benning moved to approve a guaranteed maximum price amendment with CD Smith Construction Inc. for construction of the proposed Public Safety Building, "not to exceed $31,874,137," and the motion was seconded (second recorded in the minutes). The council approved the amendment by voice vote; the packet and staff memo indicate the total work and soft costs remain under the council‑approved $33,500,000 budget.

Annexation and temporary zoning — Highland Point North (Ordinance 2025‑4) The council held a public hearing (no speakers) and then considered second reading of Ordinance 2025‑4 to annex approximately 38.28 acres from the Town of Port Washington for a proposed 97‑lot single family subdivision (Highland Point North) and to assign temporary RS single‑family zoning for the property. Staff noted plan commission review and a condition regarding certified survey maps being recorded. Alderman Benning moved to approve staff’s recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff reported a Sewerage District (SEWRPC/SEWRPAC) recommendation is expected in May with final action in June per developer representative.

Recognition of Wisconsin Professional Police Association (collective bargaining representation) The council formally recognized the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) as the exclusive bargaining representative for Port Washington police employees, replacing the Labor Association of Wisconsin. Alderman Neumeier moved to follow staff recommendation; Alderman Pleitner seconded and the council approved the recognition by voice vote.

Mural agreement (Jackson Street retaining wall) Council considered a grant/maintenance agreement with Port Washington Main Street Inc. (Paint on Port) to place a mural on a Jackson Street retaining wall. Eileen Grace described the third year of the program and a fundraising/maintenance plan. Alderman Gasper raised a concern about notifying the property owner above the retaining wall because the mural agreement includes a five‑year limitation on removal. The council added legally drafted contingency language that would allow the five‑year protection to be nullified if the property owner proceeds with development that would require removal. The amended agreement was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; minutes show staff will confirm the owner notification and that legal language will be included in the final agreement.

Acceptance of Wisconsin Coastal Management grant for Valley Creek design ($500,000) Council was asked to accept a $500,000 grant from Wisconsin Coastal Management to advance Valley Creek design from roughly 60% to 90%. The staff recommended acceptance; a motion to accept the grant was seconded and approved by voice vote. (This acceptance implements a portion of the corridor design work discussed earlier in the Valley Creek presentation.)

Closed session: Shannon Farm negotiations The council moved to convene in closed session under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e) to deliberate negotiating strategies and terms for sale and development of an approximately 39‑acre city parcel known as Shannon Farm (tax parcel 16030‑15‑002). The motion to go into closed session was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the mayor called the wards for the closed session meeting.

Why it matters: these votes authorize major capital spending and land‑use changes (public safety building, annexation for 97 homes, property‑level negotiation strategy for Shannon Farm), set labor representation for the police department, accept substantial design funding for a watershed restoration program, and permit another mural under a condition that protects property‑owner redevelopment options.