Oak Creek council approves special assessment to fund East Sharon Drive water main loop

The Oak Creek Common Council on May 6 adopted a final resolution authorizing water-main improvements and levying special assessments on benefited properties along East Sharon Drive from 2520 to 2636 East Sharon Drive.

The measure implements a project described by city staff as a “looping project” to close a gap in the water main that will connect two ends of the system, add a hydrant and improve fire protection and water quality for several properties in the area. Mike, a city staff member who presented the project at the public hearing, said about five houses on one side and one house on the other currently lacked a flushable loop and a hydrant.

The council opened a public hearing on the proposal; no members of the public spoke. The project was estimated to cost $87,000, with special assessments expected to recover about $50,000 and the city (facility) funding the remaining roughly $37,000. City staff said the county owns both properties that would be assessed and that assessments could be placed on a 5- or 10-year payback schedule depending on frontage and parcel size.

The council adopted the final resolution (Res. No. 12575-050625) by roll call vote with all members present voting aye. The motion to adopt the resolution and levy assessments was seconded by Alderman Guzikowski. The council closed the public hearing before taking the vote.

Because this is a special-assessment project, the council’s action authorizes the city to levy assessments under section 3.2 of the City of Oak Creek municipal code, as stated during the hearing.