Council approves rezones, bids, event permits and ordinances; several procurement awards granted

The New Richmond City Council took several formal actions including rezoning approvals, contract awards, event permits and adoption of a tourism committee ordinance during its regular meeting.

Rezoning approvals: The council approved a rezoning request by Adam Nerby to rezone a 10‑acre parcel at 1690 County Road K from Z1 (Agriculture Preservation) to Z2 (Suburban District). Staff told the council the parcel’s future‑land‑use designation is low‑density residential and that public water/sewer mains are approximately 3,200 feet away; staff recommended approval with no conditions. The council also approved a rezoning request by Twin Cities Land Development on behalf of Creative Home Construction Investments to rezone three remaining parcels of the Gloverdale property from Z1 to Z3 (Multi‑Use Corridor). Staff said the proposal aligns with the comprehensive plan and recommended approval with no conditions.

Event permits: The council approved the 2025 Fun Fest permanent applications submitted by the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce with staff’s recommended conditions (the memo listed 13 recommendations). The conditions include specified street‑closure timing, requirements for dumpster and porta‑potty locations, handicap parking and sidewalk accessibility plans, emergency‑lane/ alleyway access maintenance, clear end times for amplified sound on Sunday and required submission of insurance, permit fees and temporary alcohol‑service licensing with licensed bartenders.

Procurements and awards: The council accepted the low bid for the 2025 Street Utility project (primary Biltmore Avenue reconstruction, Oaks Trail, alley reconstruction, and lead service‑line replacement) and awarded the contract to Total Excavating for $1,898,872. The council also awarded a miscellaneous concrete work contract to Concrete Flooring (low bid $35,633) and approved purchasing replacement wood poles for the electric department from Bell Pole for $31,609. Staff noted lead times on poles of six to eight weeks and said pole replacement is an on‑going capital activity.

Special assessment resolution: Following the alley reconstruction bid results, the council adopted a final resolution of intent to levy special assessments; staff said affected property owners will be notified of final assessment amounts and may pay up front or spread the costs over five years via property tax. Staff indicated assessed amounts along the alley range roughly from $600 to $1,500 depending on frontage.

Pre‑demolition survey: The council approved a proposal from SEH, Inc. for a pre‑demolition asbestos and regulated‑materials survey related to a planned controlled burn of an old farmhouse and barn. The SEH proposal was listed at $8,106.60; staff explained sampling is required before demolition/abatement contractors can provide final bids.

Ordinance 6-22: The council approved changes to the tourism committee ordinance (section 2‑146) under a motion to suspend the rules; the redlined ordinance removes language that required two local‑business representatives to be recommended by the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce and clarifies that city residency is not required for committee members. Staff said terms and current memberships are unchanged by the ordinance as drafted.

Other actions: The council approved consent and routine agenda items earlier in the meeting and recessed into a closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate property‑purchase/negotiation matters. The clerk recorded roll calls for each formal vote.

Votes at a glance (action — outcome — notable detail): • Star Elementary conditional‑use permit — Approved — 26 conditions (staff/planning‑commission). • New Richmond Middle School conditional‑use permit — Approved — 23 conditions. • Paperjack Elementary conditional‑use permit — Approved (one abstention recorded) — 27 conditions. • Rezoning, 1690 County Road K (Z1→Z2) — Approved — staff recommended no conditions. • Rezoning, Gloverdale parcels (Z1→Z3) — Approved — staff recommended no conditions. • 2025 Fun Fest permits (parade/closures/amplification/alcohol) — Approved — 13 staff conditions to be satisfied. • 2025 Street Utility project (award to Total Excavating) — Approved — low bid $1,898,872. • Miscellaneous concrete work (award to Concrete Flooring) — Approved — low bid $35,633. • Wood poles purchase (Bell Pole) — Approved — $31,609. • Intent to levy special assessments (alley reconstruction) — Adopted — assessments roughly $600–$1,500 by frontage. • SEH pre‑demolition asbestos survey — Approved — $8,106.60 estimated. • Ordinance 6‑22 (tourism committee composition) — Approved under suspension of rules — removes Chamber recommendation language and clarifies residency not required.

Most items were routine and received staff recommendations; councilors asked clarifying questions on circulation and timing for construction, how reduced parking at the middle school will be used (gym addition), deadlines and enforcement for Fun Fest permit conditions, and logistics for contractor‑homeowner communication on the street/utility project.