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Committee authorizes staff to apply for Van Orden appropriation for West South Street project
Summary
After a lengthy briefing on options for three segments of West South Street, the committee authorized staff to apply for congressional appropriations (Van Orden's office) to retain a $400,000 award and pursue additional funding; the committee asked staff to prioritize segments and pursue complementary appropriations if needed.
The Viroqua Public Works Committee authorized staff to apply for congressional-appropriation funding through U.S. Rep. Van Orden’s office for a portion of the West South Street reconstruction project.
Sarah, public works staff, reviewed the project and funding history, saying the city previously won a $400,000 LRIP discretionary award but that program-level changes reduced the match and left a funding gap. She described three candidate segments (referred to in staff materials as red, green and purple): the red segment (about $800,000; surface-only), a green middle segment (about $1.5 million, including utilities) and a purple segment at the west end that may tie to emerging residential development. Sarah said shrinking the project to a smaller segment could preserve the $400,000 award, or the city could pursue appropriations to fill remaining gaps.
"We got awarded the grants, but they gave us 40% match," Sarah said, adding staff were exploring whether appropriations and matching funds from USDA or EPA programs could be layered with other funding sources. She told the committee the appropriations deadlines are tight; staff described an immediate deadline for Van Orden submissions and an additional window for another office (Baldwin) later in the cycle.
Committee members discussed which segment made the most strategic sense. Staff said the green middle segment carries higher utility replacement costs (sewer and water), which could make it more attractive for appropriations that cover utility work. Members also noted the purple west end could be tied to new residential development and thus would require coordination with property owners and possible right-of-way work.
A motion to give Sarah authority to apply for Van Orden congressional appropriation funding for a portion of the West South Street reconstruction and to rank project priorities for submission passed unanimously on a roll-call vote. The committee instructed staff to return to council with a refined plan and to pursue additional appropriations or matching funds as needed.
