Kenosha Public Works Committee approves event permits and contracts, defers sidewalk request at resident's request

The Kenosha Public Works Committee on May 12 approved several event and project items including permits for street and parking-lot use, awarded a $556,200 contract for Ninth Avenue resurfacing and approved hiring a consultant for construction inspection on an Eighth Avenue reconstruction project. The committee deferred a separate homeowner request for a sidewalk connection at 470440 Seventh Avenue at the homeowner's request.

Committee members voted unanimously on the items listed on the agenda. City staff said three bids were received for the Ninth Avenue resurfacing project and Cornerstone Pavers LLC submitted the low bid of $556,200. The contract award was approved by motion without further discussion.

Public Works staff also asked the committee to approve a professional engineering services agreement with Batterman for work on the Eighth Avenue Reconstruction (project 24-1045). Staff said the consultant is needed because short staffing has limited in-house construction inspection capacity and that some funding from the resurfacing program CIP would be used to reimburse the consultant. Staff said work is slated to begin June 1 and run through the summer, with completion described as occurring around the Labor Day period to align with seasonal operations.

The committee approved multiple temporary-use requests for the Kenosha Art Market and other events. The Lemon Street Gallery requested use of the west side of Seventh Avenue adjacent to Union Park for food-truck parking on June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19, 2025, as part of the Kenosha Art Market. Carmichael and Associates Inc., represented in the record by Frank Carmichael, requested use of a city-owned parking lot at 5125 Sixth Avenue for a “Tribute Island” event in October 2025. The City of Kenosha requested use of the west side of Eighteenth Avenue adjacent to Lincoln Park on Sept. 27, 2025, for the bookmobile to hold the Time to Fly kite fest. A single motion to approve items 2, 3 and 4 passed unanimously.

A homeowner request for a sidewalk connection at 470440 Seventh Avenue (listed on the agenda as a request from Kevin and Sutton Highslope) was deferred to the committee’s next scheduled meeting after Alderperson Kennedy stated the homeowner asked for a deferral because her husband is “very, very sick of COVID” and requested more time. The motion to defer was made by Alderperson Kennedy and passed unanimously.

The meeting record shows committee members present for votes included Chairperson Rose Hall, Vice Chairperson Ruffalo, Alderperson Fareed, Alderperson Kealing, Alderperson Kennedy and Alderperson Seale. After the listed items were handled the committee adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Item 1 — Sidewalk request for 470440 Seventh Avenue: Motion to defer to next scheduled meeting. Mover: Alderperson Kennedy. Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed (unanimous). Note: Applicant requested deferral; no other action taken. - Item 2 — Lemon Street Gallery / Kenosha Art Market: Temporary use of west side of Seventh Avenue adjacent to Union Park for specified 2025 dates. Mover: Alderperson Kennedy. Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed (unanimous). - Item 3 — Carmichael and Associates / Tribute Island: Use of city-owned parking lot at 5125 Sixth Avenue in October 2025. Representative: Frank Carmichael. Mover: Alderperson Kennedy (motion included items 2–4). Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed (unanimous). - Item 4 — City of Kenosha / Time to Fly kite fest: Use of west side of Eighteenth Avenue adjacent to Lincoln Park on Sept. 27, 2025, for bookmobile/kite fest. Mover: Alderperson Kennedy. Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed (unanimous). - Item 5 — Project 25-104520 Ninth Avenue resurfacing: Award contract to Cornerstone Pavers LLC for $556,200. City staff reported three bidders and Cornerstone was the low bidder. Mover: not specified. Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed (unanimous). - Item 6 — Project 24-1045 Eighth Avenue Reconstruction: Professional engineering services contract with Batterman to provide construction inspection support; funding to come from the resurfacing program CIP to reimburse consultant. Staff said the consultant is required due to short staffing. Work is slated to begin June 1 and run through the summer with completion described around the Labor Day period. Mover: not specified. Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed (unanimous).