Kenosha Water Utility awards $442,980 water-main contract, accepts infrastructure and records easements

The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Kenosha on April 14 approved a $442,980 contract for a water-main relay package, accepted sanitary sewer and water distribution facilities installed for a private development and authorized recorded easement and deed-language changes for city utility property.

The actions affect planned water-main and sewer work near portions of the city and formalize ownership and maintenance rights tied to a private development. Board members voted unanimously on each item after staff described the projects and recommended approval.

Kenosha Water Utility staff presented a low bid from Globe Contractors Inc. for "water main relay package No. 2" and recommended awarding the contract in the amount of $442,980. Mr. Jeneck, Kenosha Water Utility staff, told commissioners the work is mostly water-related replacements with a small portion of sewer main relay near the intersection of 30 Fifth Avenue and 60 Fifth Street and said the costs were accounted for in the budget. The board moved, seconded and approved the award by voice vote.

The board also approved a revised quitclaim deed transferring a portion of land from the Kenosha Water Utility to the City of Kenosha. Mr. Zeman, Kenosha Water Utility staff, described the item as a housekeeping change requested by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to adjust language in the deed so that the instrument refers to the resulting city parcel rather than a resulting parcel for the utility. Zeman said the board had previously approved the transfer in February and the quickclaim resolution on March 24; the April action amended exhibit language to satisfy the recorder's requirement.

Separately, the board accepted sanitary sewer collection and water distribution facilities installed under a development agreement between the City of Kenosha, the Kenosha Water Utility and Majestic Midwest Innovation Center LLC. Staff reported that the work met the plans and specifications, passed required testing and the submitted documentation satisfied the development agreement, and the board voted to accept the facilities.

The commission also approved a recorded sanitary sewer and water-main easement and agreement with Thirtieth Avenue Yards LLC for land that was formerly a railroad right-of-way. Staff said the recorded easement replaces earlier prescriptive easements that had allowed the utility to maintain facilities; the landowner agreed to the recorded instrument and staff recommended approval.

During commissioner comments, a commissioner asked for an update on construction issues at 20 Second Avenue. Mr. Zarenicki, Kenosha Water Utility staff, said a prior water-main break during a roadway project required repair and the repair likely undermined a sanitary manhole over time. He described subsequent sinking of the manhole and disruption to connections and said the utility plans a full panel replacement to address the problem.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of March 24, 2025: moved; seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve proof of disbursements for March 2025: moved; seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Award contract (water main relay package No. 2) to Globe Contractors Inc., $442,980: mover not specified; second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve revised quitclaim deed transferring a portion of land from Kenosha Water Utility to the City of Kenosha (record-language change requested by Department of Revenue): mover not specified; second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Acceptance of sanitary sewer collection and water supply distribution facilities (development agreement with Majestic Midwest Innovation Center LLC): mover not specified; second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve sanitary sewer and water-main easement and agreement with Thirtieth Avenue Yards LLC: mover not specified; second not specified; outcome: approved (voice vote).

The meeting concluded with a motion and second to adjourn, which the board approved by voice vote. No public-comment items related to these topics were received at the meeting; the public-comment period was noted as closed at the start of the session.