Public Works Committee recommends 2026'2030 CIP, advances operating budget to finance committee

Chairperson Rose presided over the Kenosha Public Works Committee meeting on Nov. 5, where members reviewed the department's proposed 2026'2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and related operating budget and voted to advance both to the finance committee.

Morrissey, presenting the CIP, said the plan "keeps borrowed funds for infrastructure at roughly $20,000,000 total," a borrowing level he said aligns with the mayor and current council. He and staff described a CIP that concentrates most programmed projects in the near years and leaves later years (2029'2030) more uncertain.

Why it matters: The CIP and operating budget determine which street, stormwater, and facility projects move forward and how much the city will borrow for infrastructure over the next five years. Committee members flagged several items for closer review as the package moves to the finance committee.

Key decisions and motions

- The committee voted to recommend the public works CIP and its related operating-budget items to the finance committee; a motion was made, seconded and the chair recorded the motion as passed with verbal "aye" votes. (Motion language: "Recommend this to the finance committee as is.")

- Later in the meeting the committee voted to present the operating budget "as presented;" that motion also passed by verbal vote.

Selected highlights from the discussion

Roads and pavement management: Staff explained the city's pavement management system rates every street on a 0-to-10 scale every two years. Those condition scores, combined with location factors such as proximity to schools or hospitals, average daily traffic and council input, are used to prioritize replacements and resurfacing projects.

Grant funding and overall financing: Staff cited recent outside grant receipts the CIP relied on, noting about $14 million in outside funds in 2025, roughly $5.5 million budgeted for 2026 and modeled roughly $16 million in 2029. Staff warned that grant funding has become more competitive.

Engine plant site remediation: Committee members asked about remediation at the former engine plant site. Staff said remediation funding likely will be needed until the site is fully redeveloped and referenced an agreement that requires vapor barrier systems on development lots; the budget includes a $1 million allocation tied to potential remediation work.

Marina dredging: Staff explained the city is responsible for dredging the channel mouth area between the harbor hooks; the harbor operator is responsible for interior dredging. Dredged material will be placed at a permitted site south of 1st Avenue (the same placement area used during previous dredging).

Fleet replacement: Committee members asked about garbage-truck replacements. Staff said automated trucks were purchased in 2020 and have a planned seven-year lifespan; the 2026 budget initiates phased replacements to avoid replacing the entire fleet at once. Old trucks will be traded in.

Celebration Place and viaducts: The committee moved an electrical project for Celebration Place into 2026 to reduce reliance on temporary generators as events increase. Members also approved adding a standing CIP item to repair railroad viaduct crash barriers and related safety/aesthetic work (noted as a new item with a $50,000 CIP line).

Street-sign replacement program: Staff reported a multiyear replacement plan for faded and damaged street signs, noting roughly 346 faded signs replaced this year and a phased route-based plan for 2026 and beyond.

Municipal building timeline: The mayor told the committee that a new city hall remains several years away (roughly four to five years) and the city will continue to maintain the current municipal building until a replacement is feasible.

Recycling and solid waste: Staff said the tire-recycling fee program appears to be working and the city has not seen a surge in illegally dumped tires. The committee also discussed a third-party contractor that provides on-call bulk-waste pickup, which staff said helps free city crews to perform other duties.

Next steps: The committee's recommendation sends the public works CIP and the operating budget forward to the finance committee for further review and potential approval by the full council. Staff and members noted several line items and detail pages for follow-up at future meetings.

"We think the plan in front of you certainly continues to provide infrastructure," Morrissey said during his presentation, while cautioning that later-year items may shift as grant and borrowing decisions are finalized. The committee closed the meeting after passing the two motions and adjourned.