Port Washington approves $50,000 cap for town professional fees in Red Granite predevelopment amendment

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. — The Port Washington Common Council on Feb. 4 approved an amendment to the predevelopment agreement with Red Granite Development LLC that moves the Town of Port Washington to the same fiscal posture as the city by covering the town’s professional fees up to a $50,000 not-to-exceed amount.

The amendment, described to the council as an addendum to section 3(c) of the existing predevelopment agreement, was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Mayor (unnamed) called for the voice vote; those present responded “Aye.”

The change means, as stated by council staff during the meeting, the town would “have no fiscal responsibility or liabilities as a result of the potential development” under the terms discussed. The motion to accept the addendum was introduced during agenda item 10 and passed without recorded roll-call votes.

Why this matters: The change alters which municipal entity bears up-front professional costs tied to early-stage work on the Cloverleaf/Red Granite project, a development on the city’s north side that has generated several public questions this month. Town coverage of fees can affect which jurisdiction faces near-term costs while longer-term agreements and approvals are still being negotiated.

Council business and related updates Rob (staff member) told the council the city closed on the property at the corner of Highway 33 and L.L. on the previous Friday and that the new public safety building project is out for bid. “The bid opening is at 2 p.m. on February 27,” Rob said, adding the council anticipates awarding the project in March and moving into construction.

When asked where the bid opening would occur, Rob said the opening will be held at City Hall. The city attorney advised that bid documents do not include local-preference language for legal reasons: “We’re not allowed to favor local businesses when opening things up for public bid,” the city attorney said, but added the city could ask contractors after award to report whether they employ workers in the city ZIP code.

Elections and other calendar items Susan (elections staff) briefed the council on an upcoming primary. Polls will be open Feb. 18 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., she said. In-person early voting began the day of the meeting, running mornings this week from 8 a.m. to noon; the final week of early voting (Feb. 10–14) will run 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours to 5 p.m. on Feb. 14. The council noted the next regular council meeting will be Feb. 19 (moved due to the election) and that a library open house that evening may overlap with the meeting.

Public comment Two residents spoke during public comment about the Cloverleaf project and related concerns. Mr. Felons said he had met with Cloverleaf representatives and left with outstanding questions, including whether Highland might no longer be a through road and whether a planned substation would occupy “40 acres.”

Caleb Tydrick of 4465 Wyler’s Way told the council he remains concerned about the development’s electricity demand, citing combined grid impacts with other regional projects and saying community engagement with the eventual end user would be important. “I do think it’s important to potentially open up more community engagement with whoever does decide to build on the land,” Tydrick said.

Votes at a glance - Approval of consent agenda/minutes: approved (voice vote). - Approval of amendment to predevelopment agreement with Red Granite Development LLC (addendum, section 3(c), town professional fees not to exceed $50,000): approved (voice vote).

Details, sources and next steps The council did not record a roll-call vote on the amendment; the motion was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. Council members said the city will continue to update FAQs on the city website about the Cloverleaf project, and the economic development email (economicdevelopment@portwashingtonwi.gov) was cited as the channel for questions that are being compiled and posted weekly.

The council adjourned after the single substantive agenda item was decided; the mayor closed the meeting and noted support for downtown businesses.

(Reporting based on Feb. 4, 2025 Port Washington Common Council meeting transcript.)