Kenosha public works panel approves sidewalk assessments, library bookmobile permits, leases and multiple contracts

The Kenosha Public Works Committee on April 14 approved a series of routine and project-specific actions, including a preliminary special assessment for sidewalk and driveway construction tied to the Eighth Avenue resurfacing project, permits for the Kenosha Public Library bookmobile, lease and contract amendments for private operators, and multiple construction contracts and special-assessment resolutions.

The actions consolidate funding and permitting steps for several street, park and facility projects and clear the way for planned maintenance and programming this year. Committee members described most items as routine, with several votes taken en bloc after public-hearing periods produced no comments.

The committee adopted a resolution to order the cost of public sidewalk and driveway approach construction and replacement to be specially assessed to benefited properties for project 24-104630 (Eighth Avenue resurfacing). The committee later awarded the Eighth Avenue resurfacing contract as part of a set of contract approvals (see "Votes at a glance").

The committee approved two permits requested by Kenosha Public Library Outreach Services to allow bookmobile parking and park-based story times at Schulte Park (80 Seventh Place) and Horizon Park (100 12th Avenue) on specified Wednesdays and Thursdays this summer. A request to defer consideration for two weeks drew no second and failed; a later motion to preapprove items 2 and 3 after any required hearings passed with one nay.

The committee approved a second amendment to the agreement between the City and Syfy Networks, Kenosha LLC, to continue temporary food‑truck service associated with the company’s weekly events.

A lease transfer and extension was approved to allow Angry Bobs Sports Bar LLC to assume the remainder of a parking‑lot lease at a nearby property; the annual lease will increase to $1,200 from the prior $1 and the tenant will assume maintenance obligations including snow removal and signage.

The committee approved multiple construction and maintenance contracts, including the Eighth Avenue resurfacing contract (project 24-104630) and awards for a small Armory‑building paving project at Hobbs Park and a tree‑removal program. Katie Elder, director of parks, said of the Armory work: "This is just for the area in front of the garage doors. We're not adding to the asphalt area. This is just to improve it as it's gravel." Elder also noted the parks department has used the selected tree‑removal contractor multiple times over the past decade.

The finance‑committee resolutions to levy final special assessments for several reconstruction and sidewalk programs (Second Avenue Uptown reconstruction and north/south sidewalk/curb-and-gutter programs) were approved.

The committee also approved a side‑letter agreement with Kenosha Downtown Partners LLC and several other routine property and easement items.

Votes at a glance - Item 1 — Preliminary special assessment for sidewalk/driveway approaches tied to project 24-104630 (Eighth Avenue resurfacing): motion passed (recorded as "Motion passes"). - Items 2 & 3 — Kenosha Public Library Outreach Services: permits for bookmobile parking and park story times (Schulte Park and Horizon Park): preapproved after hearings; motion passed with 1 nay. - Item 4 — Second amendment to agreement with Syfy Networks, Kenosha LLC (food truck at weekly events): approved. - Items 5 & 6 — Sidewalk deferment request (Success Realtors) and 6‑month extension for a two‑lot certified survey map condition (resolution 133-24 amendment): taken together and approved. - Item 7 — Parking‑lot lease between City and Angry Bobs Sports Bar LLC (3‑year extension; rent $1,200/year; tenant responsible for maintenance): approved; recorded 1 nay. - Items 8–10 — Contracts awarded for: project 24-104630 Eighth Avenue resurfacing ($377,100 to A. W. Oaks and Sun Inc.), project 24-1430 Armory Building at Hobbs Park ($82,000 to AWO Kinston Inc.), project 25-141616 tree removal ($240,000 to Landscape Concepts Management): approved. - Items 11–14 — Final special‑assessment resolutions for multiple Second Avenue reconstruction and sidewalk/curb programs: approved. - Items 15, 17, 18 — Side letter and easement/acceptance items (Kenosha Downtown Partners LLC; We Energies distribution easement; acceptance of Greenway public improvements): approved.

What committee members said and next steps Most items passed with little discussion; when members asked for details staff provided clarifications or said exhibits were available at the table. When public‑hearing periods were opened on items with potential public impact, the committee recorded that no members of the public spoke.

The committee did note a forthcoming separate discussion on the Metra elevator replacement (project 25-1750), including anticipated schedule and service impacts; that item was discussed separately during the meeting and is reported in its own article. The soil‑stockpile performance agreement with Majestic Midwest Innovation Center LLC was revisited later in the meeting for wording revisions and approved with those revisions; that item is also reported separately.

The committee adjourned after the agenda items were concluded.