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North Main Street, between Frederick and Washington, designated emergency truck route

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By Correne Martin

An official city truck route map was approved by the Prairie du Chien Common Council Tuesday night. Despite citizen concerns that the Highway 18 Bypass may be extended onto North Main Street, that is not the case.

According to City Administrator Aaron Kramer, North Main Street, between Frederick and Washington Streets has been newly assigned as a temporary specially-designated truck route. In defining that term, he said that section of city street may allow legal operation of truck traffic only when the city’s department of public works and police chief determine that such usage is required due to natural or man-made disasters, construction or other unforeseen circumstances. He added that this would only be if truck usage on any other designated truck route was deemed dangerous or restricted.

Kramer also noted that the city understood the position of many North Main Street residents opposing a truck route in that location. He said because of recent incorrect social media postings about an extension of the official truck route there, the issue was misinterpreted by the public.

Administrator’s contract
Following closed session Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to extend Administrator Kramer’s contract by five years, from Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2021.

Flood mitigation project
Kurt Muchow, of Vierbicher Associates, presented a final proposed draft for the flood mitigation project, which will be constructed later this year, to address flash flooding on the east side of the city. Kramer said Community Health Services, aka Bluff Haven, has requested a memorandum of understanding regarding the overflow ditch proposed adjacent to its property. According to Kramer, the city has some concerns that the memorandum calls for the dirt from the ditch installation to be placed on Bluff Haven’s property, minus any rocks, and whether this would add to the cost of the project. After the memorandum is further negotiated, it will return to the council for consideration. The council voted to approve the project plans and authorize bidding the project out.

Boat landing public hearing
A public hearing was scheduled for the June 7 common council meeting to determine whether there is public need for the Cedar Street boat landing property. If, at that time, the council chooses to dispose of the property, a non-binding sealed bid process will be conducted.

Other business
•A public hearing took place at the beginning of the council meeting regarding application for a Community Development Block Grant that would help fund a portion of the North Michigan reconstruction project. No one from the public commented on the application. The council then approved applying for the grant, which could pay up to 50 percent of the project cost, not to exceed $500,000.

•The council approved a trade of unused Federal Aviation Administration entitlement funds from the Portage airport’s 2012 and 2013 entitlements in exchange for the city’s 2019 and 2010 entitlements.

This effort will reduce the city’s projected contribution to the new airport terminal from $100,000 to $64,000. Alderman Ron Leys, who has been opposed to the terminal proposal due to his communication with constituents, opposed the action.

•A lease agreement was approved for signs at the St. Feriole Island Ballpark. The city has three signs up there, one at each field. In this new agreement, the ballpark requests that existing sign-holders enter into a four-year commitment at $250 per year, per sign.

•The council also extended a short-term, no-interest loan of $5,000 to the St. Feriole Island Ballpark to help the organization meet operational costs through the summer. This loan will be collateralized with a future payment from the tourism council. The loan is to be paid back by Sept. 30.

•An ordinance was approved to charge those violating excessive requests for emergency assistance, such as public safety or fire emergency. The ordinance sets the fee at $100 per violation, or the costs determined from the emergency, whichever is greater.

•A contract with Dependable Solutions to upgrade the computer server at city hall was approved. The current capital projects fund budgeted $11,000 for the upgrade. However, Dependable Solutions’ quote came in at $17,263.65. Upon Kramer’s recommendation, the council authorized covering the difference from the city’s contingency fund in order to proceed with the project. Dependable Solutions has also been asked to develop a long-term technology plan for the city.

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