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Kewaunee council adopts zoning changes to allow small brewery, approves multiple contracts and administrative measures
Summary
At its Aug. 9 meeting the Kewaunee Common Council adopted Ordinance No. 652-2024 to add brewery and brewpub definitions and permit related uses in B-2 zoning, authorized procurement and contract actions including an asphalt purchase and door replacement funded by ARPA, and approved interim accounting support.
The Kewaunee Common Council on Aug. 9 adopted zoning amendments to allow a small brewing operation with a taproom and approved a set of procurement and administrative measures, the council’s presiding official said.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 652-2024, amending Chapter 94 of the municipal code to add definitions for “brewery” and “brewpub,” to amend permitted uses in the B-2 Community Business District to read “tavern, brewery, or brewpub,” and to add laundromat self-service as a conditional use in the B-3 Highway Business District. The Chair said the changes are intended to support re-use of the former hometown pharmacy site at 223 Milwaukee Street and to increase flexibility for commercial activity in the city.
“The first two amendments are designed to support the transition of the former hometown pharmacy location into a small brewing facility with a taproom,” the Chair said, adding that the changes “improve the city’s fiscal capacity.” The ordinance was adopted by voice vote.
In procurement actions, the council approved awarding an asphalt purchase to Northeast Asphalt for the El Ripp/Hospital Road resurfacing project at $56.70 per ton. Staff described an estimated need of roughly 580 tons and an approximate project cost of about $33,746, with additional funding coming from a state Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant. The council approved the purchase by voice/roll call and recorded the motion as carried.
The council also approved an estimate from Lakeland Door to replace and upgrade exterior doors at the Kewaunee Municipal Building, including ADA automated access, at an estimated cost of $27,746 to be paid from available ARPA funds; staff noted the garage and salt-door work will be addressed separately.
To cover interim accounting duties while recruiting a new clerk-treasurer, council members approved an engagement letter with Baumann Associates Ltd. to provide reconciliation and reporting support. The engagement was described as primarily remote and to be funded from unspent personnel funds for the vacant position; the engagement’s stated hourly range is $150 to $400.
Council members also established an ad hoc committee to update the city’s expired comprehensive outdoor recreation plan and confirmed several appointments related to that work. The council adopted Resolution No. 2024-2044 updating authorized business officers on the city’s Visa credit-card program, removing Joanne Lesser and adding Heath Eddy as an authorized officer.
The Lighthouse Preservation Committee’s recommendations were approved as a package: confirming Jack (Jake) Heffernan as committee chair, allowing installation of a donation pillar at Jane and Don Smith Lighthouse Park, and permitting a donated lighthouse clock to be displayed seasonally in the Pier Head Lighthouse for up to five years. Staff noted a separate roof-leak issue that the committee will handle if additional work is required.
The council reviewed and approved the June 2024 financial report. A council member asked about attorney costs for the month (approximately $7,000) and whether recent contracting changes with outside counsel had been implemented; members asked staff and finance to follow up on those questions.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 652-2024 (zoning amendments): adopted (voice vote). - Asphalt purchase — Northeast Asphalt, $56.70/ton (~580 tons; est. cost ~$33,746): approved (roll call recorded as aye). - Door replacement estimate — Lakeland Door, $27,746 (ARPA funds): approved (roll call recorded as aye). - Engagement with Baumann Associates Ltd. for interim accounting: approved (roll call recorded as aye). - Ad hoc recreation committee appointments: approved (voice vote). - Resolution No. 2024-2044 (change authorized Visa officers): adopted (voice vote). - Lighthouse Preservation Committee recommendations (chair confirmation, donation pillar, seasonal clock): approved (voice vote). - June 2024 financial report: approved (roll call recorded as aye).
The meeting adjourned after brief announcements and follow-up items about corrected financial-report formatting. The council said staff will follow up on outstanding clarifications about attorney costs and the LRIP grant funding for the resurfacing project.
