Highway committee approves DOT painting agreements, acquisition services and authorizes advertisement for County Z project

The Adams County Highway Committee voted to approve four procurement actions related to roadway painting and right-of-way services and to authorize advertisement for bids on a County Trunk Highway Z reconstruction project.

The committee approved two Wisconsin Department of Transportation traffic maintenance agreements for painting services in the North Central and Southwest regions, accepted an acquisition agreement with Jewell Associates to secure temporary easements for the County Z project, and authorized staff to advertise the County Road Z, State Highway 82 to County Highway H (including White Creek Bridge) construction project when the engineer indicates it is ready to go to bid.

The agreements with the Wisconsin DOT cover painting services only (center and edge line striping). Pat (Highway Department staff) said the value of the North Central region agreement decreased from about $270,000 in 2024 to about $230,000 in 2025 because the number of miles assigned for striping changed year to year. He said the Southwest region amount slipped slightly from about $425,600 toward roughly $422,000 for 2025. The committee approved both agreements by voice vote; the record showed the motions carried but did not show a numerical roll-call tally.

The committee accepted an acquisition-services agreement with Jewell Associates for County Trunk Highway Z. Pat described the work as establishing limited-term easements only; all fee simple right-of-way required for construction already has been acquired. The limited-term easements are for temporary construction uses (driveway slopes, side slopes that extend beyond fee right-of-way) and will revert to landowners when the project is complete. A committee member moved to accept the agreement and a second was provided; the motion carried by voice vote.

Committee members also authorized staff to advertise the County Road Z project, which includes the White Creek Bridge approaches, when the county engineer advises the project is ready for advertisement. Pat said authorization to advertise does not mean the county is awarding the contract; the committee will return to formally award bids after advertisement and bid opening. The project description in the staff remarks described tie-ins near the previously completed State Highway 82 bridge work and the northern tie-in near the White Creek bridge approaches.

Votes at a glance

- Wisconsin DOT traffic maintenance agreement — North Central Region painting: approved (voice vote). Amount: ~ $230,000 for 2025 (2024: ~$270,000). Motion carried; tally not specified. - Wisconsin DOT traffic maintenance agreement — Southwest Region painting: approved (voice vote). Amount: ~ $422,000–$425,624 reported for 2025. Motion carried; tally not specified. - Jewell Associates acquisition services agreement (County Trunk Highway Z): approved (voice vote). Purpose: establish limited-term easements for construction; easements revert to landowners after project completion. Motion carried; tally not specified. - Authorization to advertise for bids — County Road Z, State Highway 82 to County Highway H, including White Creek Bridge: authorized (voice vote). Authorization to advertise only; award to return to committee. Motion carried; tally not specified.

The committee’s approvals were routine and largely uncontested. Committee members asked clarifying questions about how DOT determines miles for striping and whether the County Z advertisement would be broken into separate packages; staff said the County Z project is a single package that includes the bridge. The committee’s next meeting was announced as February 13 at 4 p.m.