Kenosha finance committee approves airport leases, runway repair, assessments and two settlements

The City of Kenosha Finance Committee on July 7 unanimously approved a slate of routine and time-sensitive items, including corrections to past assessments, special assessments tied to a sidewalk program, several airport lease renewals and a runway crack-and-joint repair contract, and settlement agreements for two pending legal matters after meeting in closed session.

The committee voted to correct two parcel assessments from last year's settlement program after Brian Cader, director of public works, said some construction changes "didn't make it to the final assessment" and asked that "these changes be made to coincide with what was agreed to on the field." The committee then approved a resolution to levy special assessments on benefited properties for project 241206, the sidewalk and curved gutter program (west), with no public objections recorded.

Airport property agreements were a group focus. The committee approved a farmland lease covering 9.75 acres near the airport with Gitzblatt Farms, Inc., at the current rate of $175 per acre; an airport representative said the rate had already been approved by the airport commission. The panel also renewed two 20-year hangar leases: one with Hangar 18, Inc., and another with Casper Aviation LLC; airport staff reported the tenants were in good standing and had no outstanding invoices.

Airport staff told the committee that Thunder Road LLC submitted the lowest bid for runway and taxiway crack- and joint-mastic repair and maintenance. Committee members were told the bid came in far below expectations, at about $94,400; staff said the work will fill gaps and cracks on Runway 7R/25L and Taxiway C, extend pavement life and reduce water intrusion into joints.

The committee approved disbursement record number 11 and then moved into closed session under the open meetings provision cited on the record (19.85(1)(g)) to discuss settlement matters. After returning to open session, the committee approved the city attorney's recommendation to settle two cases: a settlement with Walgreen Co. relating to Kenosha County Circuit Court case no. 25C v 520 and an agreement with Syfy Networks Kenosha LLC resolving a breach notice dated Jan. 28, 2025. The committee recorded unanimous aye votes on both settlements.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions passed unanimously (Aye votes by Chairperson Wilson, Vice Chair DeBaer, Alderperson Dyson and Alderperson Harper).

The meeting contained little public comment; no citizens spoke during the citizen comment period. Committee members gave no further substantive direction beyond approving the items and sending the settlement recommendations forward per the city attorney's office.

The approvals move forward routine airport property management and pavement maintenance work and close out two legal matters as recommended by city counsel.