Village approves Cedar Run dog park contract despite board concern about floodplain risk

The Village of Jackson board voted to award the construction contract for the proposed dog park at Cedar Run Park and approved a follow-on contract amendment for design work during its Aug. 12 meeting, while several trustees urged caution because the site lies near a creek and experienced recent flooding.

The board approved the low bid from Low Underground Inc. for $217,614.10 (motion by Trustee Wells, second by Trustee Kripke). The board also approved contract amendment No. 1 to retain MSA for additional services related to the dog-park project for $15,550 (motion by Wells, second by Kripke). Both motions passed by voice vote; the award motion recorded an affirmative voice vote with at least one opposed member.

Why it matters: trustees and staff said Cedar Run is underutilized and already owned by the village, but several board members and staff described concerns about the site's flooding history after heavy weekend rains and noted the park sits in a wetland/floodplain area that requires permitting.

Recreation Director Tyler (first name given in the packet) explained the bid was prepared and issued with full site information, including a pre-bid walk-through and wetlands considerations. Tyler said the contractor's bid assumed the current site conditions and that the bid documents allow for adjusting fence lines to avoid additional tree removal or sensitive wetlands. He also said the parking-lot work supporting access is covered by a separate Hickory Lane project and is not part of the $217,614.10 construction contract.

During discussion multiple trustees said the recent heavy rains reinforced concerns about siting the dog park in a low area near Cedar Run. One trustee asked whether the board should postpone award until staff could inspect the site after the flood and evaluate whether moving the fenced areas farther from the creek would reduce long-term maintenance and flood-repair risk. Tyler said the design currently sets the fenced area back roughly 80 feet from the creek and that the bid allows some adjustment of fence location. He also said substantial changes to elevation, drainage or materials to reduce flood damage would increase the project cost and could require revised permitting with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Board members who supported the award said alternatives were limited: staff reviewed other village-owned sites and concluded Cedar Run was the most suitable village-owned park that would minimize neighborhood complaints and align with the park master-plan timeline. Trustees noted that the park is already in need of tree and debris clearing and that turning the site into an active facility would replace persistent underused space.

What the board approved

- Construction contract award to Low Underground Inc., $217,614.10 (approved). - Contract amendment No. 1 with MSA for additional design services, $15,550 (approved).

Next steps: Staff said work can proceed under the current contract; fence alignments can be adjusted within the bid scope to limit tree removal. Staff also said the project will be permitted through normal DNR/wetland channels and that park closures after significant flooding would be managed on an operational basis. Several trustees asked staff to return with any site revisions or updated post-flood observations if field conditions suggest notable changes.

Ending: The board approved the awards but directed staff to monitor and, if necessary, refine fence placement and permit work to limit flood exposure and avoid unnecessary tree removal.