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Bid Board approves $1,471.50 for Roots and Branches; reviews downtown contracts and maintenance plans
Summary
The West Bend Bid Board approved a $1,471.50 payment request from Roots and Branches and reviewed contracts and bids for downtown floral displays and maintenance; staff resignation and a proposed meeting schedule change were also discussed.
The West Bend Bid Board on March 4 approved a $1,471.50 disbursement to Roots and Branches to buy annuals and a limited number of perennials, and reviewed downtown landscaping, hanging-basket and maintenance contracts while discussing adjustments to the board's meeting schedule.
The Roots and Branches representative, Lisa Kitske, told the board she had ordered annual plants for $971.50 and requested an additional $500 “so that we can supplement with some hydrangeas and some other perennials” that would reduce recurring annual costs. The board moved and seconded the request and approved it by voice vote; no nays were recorded.
Why it matters: the payments and contracts discussed fund downtown plantings, maintenance and seasonal decorations that the board and local businesses say drive foot traffic and support retail and restaurant activity.
Board members reviewed a contract award for 2025 hanging baskets to Bemis Upland Spring Floral LLC, which staff said was slightly cheaper than the other bidder (Shady Lane) and is “pretty much exactly the same as last year, just making sure that we have fertilizer added this year.” The contractor will install baskets beginning in May, staff said.
John (staff) reported that a downtown maintenance plan has been put out for bid; the specification is detailed and includes perennial and seasonal plant upkeep and weed/crack control. Staff said they have received interest from multiple contractors and expect competitive bids. The bid scope includes some tasks previously budgeted by the board (staff said last year’s bid pays covered roughly $6,000 for crack and weed care).
The board also received a brief update on façade grants. Mark (committee) said the board awarded one grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters for work on the river-facing rear of their building, asked several applicants for additional materials, and will meet March 11 to act on the outstanding responses; an earlier extension for a grant to Hussar’s House of Fine Diamonds was noted.
Administrative items: Carissa announced her resignation, saying, “my last day is, March 5, tomorrow.” She told the board that John Fellows and his team will help facilitate bid meetings until a replacement is in place. Members discussed changing the meeting cadence; staff said the city would allow meeting frequency to be reduced to about six times a year, but several board members preferred keeping monthly meetings and canceling those with light agendas.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve minutes from prior meeting — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve the financial report (including carry-forward from the bid façade grant) — approved by voice vote. - Motion to approve Roots and Branches request ($971.50 + $500 = $1,471.50) — motion carried by voice vote; no opposition recorded.
The board left other budget and contract items pending competitive bids and follow-up reports from staff; members asked that staff circulate the maintenance bid documents and hanging-basket contract details when available.
