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Kenosha committee approves preliminary sidewalk assessment plan for First Street resurfacing project
Summary
The Public Works Committee approved a preliminary assessment plan for the First Street resurfacing project (Project 25-104070), with staff advising the estimate is preliminary and final assessments will follow construction; residents pressed for clearer timing, tree-removal responsibilities and final cost notices.
The Kenosha Public Works Committee on July 28 approved preliminary assessments related to project 25-104070, a First Street resurfacing effort that includes special assessments for public sidewalk and driveway approach construction or replacement.
The committee received multiple public comments from First Street residents who requested clearer timelines, asked who would pay to remove street trees, and sought confirmation that final assessment amounts would be provided before payment. “Who pays for the removal of trees because they're taking 10 out?” asked resident Karen Kaiser. Public works staff replied that the city is responsible for removal of street-side parkway trees and that the project was in final design and would be bid in early August.
Residents also disputed some preliminary squares listed as their financial responsibility and were told the notice was a preliminary assessment. Staff said a field engineer will inspect properties during construction and the final assessment will be based on actual construction activity. “At this point, nothing is final,” a staff member said, adding that the final assessment would be determined after construction and that tree damage squares would be covered by the city.
One resident asked whether sidewalk squares damaged by the water utility’s recent work would be included; staff said the project would coordinate with water-service work and that any squares damaged by the water company would not be included in the property owner assessment. Staff explained the preliminary per-square estimate and walked through a sample calculation; one homeowner's preliminary total for three non-tree-damage squares was given as $730.75.
Committee members urged residents to sign contact sheets so staff can provide project updates as bids are released and construction is scheduled. The committee approved the assessment resolution after public comment and discussion.
The decision starts a process in which staff will finalize design, bid the project, perform on-site inspections during construction, and calculate final assessments that reflect actual replaced squares and any credits for tree or water-utility damage. Staff will follow up with residents who left contact information and will provide on-site inspection appointments before final assessments are issued.
