City staff to seek state Harbor Assistance funds to address harbor shoaling

City staff said the city will submit a letter of intent by Aug. 1 to apply for the Wisconsin Harbor Assistance Program to help pay for maintenance dredging of the municipal harbor. City staff estimated the grant would cover roughly 80% of eligible costs, with a 20% local match if awarded. The application would aim to fund maintenance dredging and partial mobilization costs rather than a Corps of Engineers full-dredge project, staff said. That approach, staff added, could postpone a full Corps dredge until 2027 or later, depending on federal scheduling and funding. City staff framed the work as a safety and navigation issue, noting residents and boaters have reported vessels running aground. "It's 80% of the cost, 20% would be our match," a city staff member said during the council discussion. Staff also said a resolution from the council would be required later if the city sought to accept awarded funds. Why this matters: the harbor serves local commercial and recreational boaters and city staff said shoaling has created navigation hazards. Staff told the council that the Harbor Assistance Program'funds are typically targeted at maintenance dredging and that contractor mobilization costs can make individual projects expensive. Supporting details: staff said the city consulted a retired consultant, Brian Emerick, who previously helped the city with federal and state funding, and that a staff member named Matt has been assembling numbers for the application. Staff cautioned there is no guarantee of federal or state funding timing and that the Army Corps of Engineers has not guaranteed a Corps-funded full dredge in 2027. Staff also noted permitting and DNR clearances can take many months and that mobilization costs for dredging contractors are a significant portion of overall expense. Discussion vs. decision: Council members asked whether local stakeholders, including commercial fishing advisory members, could help lobby legislators. Staff recommended pursuing the HAP application in parallel with continued outreach to the Corps and legislators. No motion or vote was taken on accepting or obligating funds; staff said council would have the opportunity to approve or reject a future resolution to accept funds if an award is offered. Next steps and timeline: staff said the letter of intent and application are due Aug. 1 and that, if the city is offered funds, council would consider a resolution before accepting a grant. Staff also said the city will follow up with the Corps of Engineers' Chicago office and with state DNR permitting offices for timeline estimates.