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Waukesha council disallows one claim, approves a vehicle‑damage claim, settles assessment and awards street‑work bid
Summary
At its Feb. 19 meeting the Waukesha Common Council disallowed a basement‑flood claim for insufficient prior notice, approved payment of $2,033.87 for vehicle damage caused by a city operator, approved a mediated assessment settlement for 177 Kensington LLC, and awarded a $1.65 million street/utility contract.
The Waukesha Common Council on Feb. 19 handled several routine claims and municipal business items, approving payment in one vehicle‑damage claim, disallowing a basement‑flood claim, settling a commercial assessment lawsuit and accepting a public‑works bid.
City staff recommended disallowing a claim from Tyler Montney for basement flooding linked to a plugged sewer drain on Greenfield Avenue because the city had not been given prior notice of the problem. After a motion and second, the council voted to disallow the Montney claim; the mayor announced the motion passed unanimously.
Staff recommended allowing a separate claim filed by George Hardy after a city skid‑steer operator backed into Hardy’s parked vehicle during leaf‑pickup. The city recommended payment of the first estimate submitted: $2,033.87. Alderman Payne moved to allow the claim, a second was recorded, and the council approved the payment unanimously.
The council approved a mediated settlement in litigation brought by 177 Kensington LLC, which challenged the city’s property assessment. City staff said the parties agreed to a revised assessed value of $11,337,200; staff estimated the settlement will produce a refund of roughly $18,766 to the owner (a refund that will be shared in part with other taxing entities in later accounting). City staff and the assessor recommended approving the settlement and the council voted to authorize the paperwork necessary to finalize it.
On public‑works business, the Board of Public Works recommended accepting a concrete bid from Wandell Contractors in the amount of $1,646,591.35 for the street and utility improvement project on Bidwell Avenue and Prospect Avenue. Alderman Piper moved the bid approval and the council voted to accept the recommendation.
Other business: the council reappointed Ryan Corcoran to the IT board and read a proclamation recognizing Government Communicators Day (Feb. 20). With no objections, the mayor adjourned the meeting.
Quotes and context: City attorney Brian (speaking for staff during the assessment item) told the council the settlement would "result in a refund of about $18,766," and explained mediation reduced both sides’ calculations to a compromise figure. On the disallowance recommendation, staff advised that absent notice to the city they lacked the evidence to show city negligence for Montney’s claim.
Next steps: staff will issue a formal notice of disallowance to Tyler Montney, process the payment to George Hardy, execute settlement paperwork for 177 Kensington LLC and proceed with contract documents related to the Wandell Contractors bid.
