Pewaukee opens public hearing, moves to award contract for Tacoma Hills Phase 2 reconstruction

Pewaukee officials opened a public hearing on the Tacoma Hills Phase 2 pavement rehabilitation project, which would reconstruct Lexington Drive from Blue Mound to Lexington Drive and address extensive subsoil and drainage problems.

City staff member Maggie told the council that soil borings showed poor subsoils under the roadway and recommended a complete reconstruction: removing existing asphalt and stone, replacing undercut subbase where necessary, installing a 2-foot shoulder, replacing culverts and driveway culverts, regrading swales, stabilizing a nearby drainage easement, and repairing hydrant and sanitary sewer structures. "Tacoma Hills, phase 2 is the reconstruction of Lexington Drive," Maggie said, adding that the project will include permanent erosion matting in areas with recurring erosion.

Maggie reported three bids for the work, with a low bid of $1,328,244.20 from Always Contractors and a high bid of $1,466,500. She presented an estimated total project cost including administration, engineering and contingency of $1,726,717.46 and said special assessments were likely to be levied in 2027. Staff estimated a per-lot assessment of about $31,938.14 and indicated nonresidential parcels would pay the full assessment. Utility cost shares cited in the presentation included about $59,919.34 charged to the water utility, roughly $333,171 to the sewer utility, and about $739,359.14 to the stormwater utility; the city's cost after recoveries was described in staff figures.

Residents during public comment urged the council to ensure ditch stabilization will be effective. "My biggest question is, what's gonna change in our ditches?" said resident Keith Madden of Lexington Drive, describing severe erosion and prior temporary fixes that "didn't do anything." Maggie replied that culverts would be improved, ditches regraded, and permanent erosion matting placed where needed; she added that engineering options are limited because of high flows coming from upstream communities.

After public testimony and staff answers, the council moved to accept the engineer's preliminary assessment and award the contract to Always Contractors. A motion to accept the report and award the contract was made and seconded; the chair called for the vote and the motion carried on voice vote (transcript records vocal "Aye" responses; individual vote tallies were not enumerated in the record).

Next steps include formal notices to property owners (staff said assessments would likely be levied in 2027), coordination of construction access and driveway ramps during the work, and follow-up monitoring of ditch stabilization where residents expressed concern. The council also approved related accounts-payable items and moved on to other agenda business.