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Council approves $138,437 contract for Saratoga Lake/dam study amid cost and funding concerns
Summary
The council authorized a consultant contract to update dam safety, sediment sampling and conceptual alternatives for Saratoga Lake and the Saratoga Mill Dam; members debated high potential dredging costs and limited city finances.
The Waukesha Common Council on Sept. 2 approved a consulting contract (recommended by Board of Public Works) with Ayres Associates for a Saratoga Lake / Saratoga Mill Dam feasibility and master-planning study at a cost of $138,437.
Board of Public Works staff described the scope: a Dam Safety inspection required by the Wisconsin DNR, updated underwater and sediment surveys, pre-dredging sampling/analysis to update a prior 2018–19 cost estimate, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for potential dam removal, conceptual designs for removal and for dam rehabilitation, and an assessment of possible grant opportunities to offset costs. The prior study estimated dredging disposal costs in the $6–7 million range; staff told the council those figures need updating because disposal and construction costs have risen.
Some aldermen opposed spending the study funds given current fiscal constraints and uncertainty over implementation. One council member voted against the contract saying the city lacks money to implement costly remediation and worried the study could generate unaffordable recommendations. Others argued the city must have current information to prioritize competing capital projects in the parks system.
The motion to approve the contract, subject to final city-attorney review of the agreement, passed 12–3. Staff said public outreach and additional public meetings would follow if the study proceeds and that conceptual designs would be presented to the public.
