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Shorewood board approves nature-preserve donation route, two ordinance changes and $345,888 water-service contract
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Summary
The Shorewood Village Board unanimously approved a Friends-group donation arrangement for the Shorewood Nature Preserve and adopted two municipal code amendments (brush/weed rules and food/lodging safety licensing); the board also awarded a $345,888 contract for lead service line replacement on Lake Drive.
The Shorewood Village Board approved several items of business, including a Friends-group donation route to support the Shorewood Nature Preserve, two ordinance amendments and a contract award for the 2026 Lake Drive lead service line replacement.
Donation for Shorewood Nature Preserve: Trustees approved a motion to accept donations through a Friends group and collaborate with Surfrider Foundation to pursue grants and restoration work at the preserve. Trustee Ersink moved to approve the friends-group arrangement for the purposes of submitting future grant applications, seconded by Trustee Warren. Trustees discussed grant deadlines and long-term maintenance, raised concerns about possible physical interventions (boardwalks, riprap) and herbicide use, and were told the projects would include robust community engagement. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinances: The board approved Ordinance 3082 to amend Chapter 220 (brush and weeds) following a recommendation from the Public Works Committee. Trustees asked for a later check-in if complaints rise; the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote, 6–0. The board also approved Ordinance 3086 amending Chapter 299 (food, lodging and recreational safety and licensing) to align with changes in state statute; that measure passed on roll call, 5–1.
Contract award: The board awarded the 2026 Lake Drive lead service line replacement contract to Elfon Excavation LLC in the amount of $345,888 after trustees noted bids were lower than the engineer’s estimate. The motion to award the contract passed by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: - Friends-group donation for Shorewood Nature Preserve — Motion: approve donations/acceptance route for grant submissions; Mover: Trustee Ersink; Second: Trustee Warren; Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Ordinance 3082 (Chapter 220 — brush and weeds) — Outcome: approved; roll-call tally 6–0. - Ordinance 3086 (Chapter 299 — food, lodging and recreational safety/licensing) — Outcome: approved; roll-call tally 5–1. - Contract award: 2026 Lake Drive lead service line replacement to Elfon Excavation LLC — Amount: $345,888; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
Why it matters: The Friends-group approval lets local partners receive and manage grant funds for bluff restoration and related preservation work, which trustees said will require continuing public engagement and periodic reporting to the board. The brush-and-weeds ordinance removes a permitting barrier (per trustee explanation) intended to expand natural habitat, while the food/lodging ordinance update implements recent state statute amendments that affect local licensing. The lead-service-line contract advances the village’s water infrastructure replacement program.
Next steps: Grant applications referenced in the meeting (including a Bader Foundation application and a Restore America’s Estuaries Great Lakes program application) will be tracked through committee and brought to the board when funding opportunities arise; staff will implement the Lake Drive contract and return routine grant or project updates through committee or manager reports.
