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Finance committee rejects amendment to borrow $1.8 million to fully reconstruct 20 Eighth Avenue
Summary
An amendment that would have increased borrowing by $1.8 million to fully reconstruct 20 Eighth Avenue failed in committee 2–3; the committee left the project at a reduced $175,000 mill-and-overlay scope in the draft budget.
The Finance Committee on Oct. 27 voted down an amendment to increase borrowing by $1,800,000 to fully reconstruct 20 Eighth Avenue from West Hill Drive to West Wausau Avenue.
Alder Henke moved the amendment to restore the larger reconstruction scope; Alder Watson seconded. Committee discussion focused on debt capacity, grant timing and whether delaying the full reconstruction to pursue state DOT or STP/STP-urban grant funding would be prudent.
City staff said reducing the project to a $175,000 mill-and-overlay was a decision made to lower the city’s immediate debt load; staff said larger grant programs and Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP/STP-urban) applications could be pursued in future years but that timing is uncertain. The city attorney noted grant funding cycles do not align with immediate borrowing, so postponing reconstruction improves the chance to secure external funds but risks a higher eventual cost if the road deteriorates further.
After discussion, the committee voted the amendment down by a 2–3 recorded margin. Committee members noted a rejected committee amendment can still be brought to full council as a separate amendment during the budget adoption process.
Staff said the draft budget retains the $175,000 project for mill-and-overlay work; the council and finance committee may reconsider project scope in future budget cycles or if additional grant funding becomes available.
