Council approves emergency storm sewer repair on South Kinney Coulee Road and declares emergency

The Onalaska Common Council approved an emergency repair contract estimate and unanimously adopted a resolution declaring an emergency for the South Kinney Coulee Road storm sewer outfall repair.

Public Works staff reported the outfall had lost roughly 40 feet of pipe after a recent rainstorm and that previous inspections had placed the repair on the city’s capital improvement list for years. Staff presented two quotes: Gehrke Excavating at $84,009.65 and a competing quote from Ellison at $110,003.56. The council approved the lower Gehrke quote and agreed to use capital improvement fund balance stormwater monies to pay for the work.

Because the failure is progressing and could threaten the roadway, staff recommended emergency procurement under Wisconsin statutes. The council then approved Resolution No. 16‑2025 declaring the repair an emergency under state statute; staff said emergency designation allows the city to authorize immediate work without following typical public works bidding timelines when the condition threatens public infrastructure.

Council members asked about timing and staff said crews will schedule the repair as soon as practicable; staff explained a second quote had been solicited and presented prior to action. The motion to approve the Gehrke quote and the subsequent resolution both passed unanimously.