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Ladysmith council approves roughly $3.67 million notes, backs CDBG application and awards rail‑spur bid
Summary
At its Feb. 23 meeting the Ladysmith Common Council approved the sale of about $3.665 million in general obligation promissory notes, authorized a CDBG grant application and related engineering contract, awarded a rail‑spur construction bid and approved local capital projects and program rule changes.
The Ladysmith Common Council on Feb. 23 approved a package of financing, infrastructure and local‑program actions, including a roughly $3,665,000 sale of General Obligation Promissory Notes, authorization to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and the award of a rail‑spur construction contract.
Mayor Grotzinger called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.; Clerk S. Nelson confirmed a quorum. The council moved quickly through routine business before opening a public hearing on the CDBG application for Miner Avenue and East 6th Street South. Amy Kelsey of Cooper Engineering presented the project; the council then approved a $5,500 contract with Cooper Engineering to prepare the CDBG application (motion by Randy Lovely; second by Nathan Johnson).
The council adopted a series of CDBG‑related measures: Resolution 2026‑03 authorizing submission of the CDBG application; Resolution 2026‑04 committing match funds; and Resolution 2026‑05 declaring official intent to reimburse expenditures. All three passed unanimously on voice or roll‑call votes.
In separate finance action, the council adopted Resolution 2026‑09, providing for the sale of approximately $3,665,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A (roll‑call vote 7‑0). The resolution was introduced and moved pursuant to standard municipal financing procedures.
Zech Gotham of engineering firm Morgan & Parmley reported one bid was received for the rail‑spur project and noted an informality (a missing sheet that was provided the same day). The council awarded the contract to Van Tassel Construction for $112,750 (motion by Randy Lovely; second by John Hoover). The award passed on a roll‑call vote with all seven council members recorded as voting yes.
Council members also approved several local program and capital items. The Community Development Committee recommended, and the council approved, two changes to the Business Renovation Program: allowing grant funds to be used entirely for interior work (removing the previous 50% interior cap) and limiting recipients to one grant every 10 years, contingent on approval from WEDC. The council voted to purchase a replacement Leaping Deer Arch display for Memorial Park from Mosca Design for $13,188.60; that motion passed 5‑yes, 2‑no (Al Christianson and John Hoover voted no).
Other approvals included a prohibition on private vending machines at the recreation center (motion carried), authorization to publish bidding notices for the Parker's Pond stormwater lift station, and a contract with Premier Landscaping for South Side Playground paver installation for $24,804 (motion by Nathan Johnson; second by Mike Hraban; vote 7‑0). The council also renewed two chicken‑keeping permits (one abstention by Johnson), approved multiple street‑use permits for the Rusk Area Chamber of Commerce events, and granted an operator license for B. Miniatt.
The council entered two closed sessions—one under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to consult legal counsel about litigation strategy related to a developer agreement and another under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e) to deliberate property acquisition. Both votes to enter closed session passed unanimously; the council returned to open session and Mayor Grotzinger announced that no action was taken in either closed session.
The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. (motion by Randy Lovely; second by Nathan Johnson). Minutes and the record include roll‑call tallies where noted and public‑hearing minutes are available on request.
