Board of Public Works — Minutes

CITY OF STEVENS POINT BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MEETING July 13, 2026 - 6:00 PM Community Room 933 Michigan Avenue, Stevens Point, WI MINUTES Roll Call PRESENT Chairperson Mayor Wiza, Vice-Chairperson and District 7 Ald. Kneebone, District 1 Ald. Christiansen, District 3 Ald. Keymer, District 8 Ald. Shuda, District 11 Ald. Morrow and Chris Tiffany. OTHERS PRESENT Directors: Public Works Scott Beduhn, and Parks and Recreation Dan Kremer. City Staff Members: C/T Corey Ladick, and Finance Manager Marcy Peterson. Alderpersons: District 2 Ald. Guthrie, District 4 Ald. Olson, District 5 Ald. Birr, District 6 Ald. Donahue, District 9 Ald. Lang, and District 10 Ald. Moldenhauer. Others Present: Derek Salomonsen, Raine Strobach - 2700 Fifth Ave., Jen Burton - 5718 Sandpiper Dr., Deb Knippel - 611 Soo Marie Ave., Cheyenne Witzeling - 3925 Doolittle Dr., Alex Mauer - 1629 Division St., Terrance Martowski - 1608 Ellis St., and Kathy Budelier - 1109 Lindbergh Ave. Informational 1. Director's Report a. Division and Church Streets Reconstruction Projects. b. West Scott Street Project. c. Traffic Signal Upgrade Project. Director Beduhn gave a brief update on the Division and Church Streets Reconstruction Projects, the West Scott Street Project, and the Traffic Signal Upgrade Project. Director Beduhn added that we are putting the final touches on updates to the maintenance activities, which will be a separate application from the road construction, on our website. As of right now, all our road construction projects can be found on our website, and updates will take place every Friday or more often if something changes during the week. Ald. Morrow moved, Ald. Christiansen seconded; to approve the Director's Report and place it on file. Call for the Vote: Ayes: All Nays: None. Motion Carried 2. Presentation by AECOM on the Downtown Conversion Study Update. Please see the video along with a PowerPoint of the presentation that was given by Derek Salomonsen with AECOM. The discussion below is what took place after the presentation. Mayor Wiza asked Derek for confirmation of what the study shows and what it could potentially recommend, and whether the way traffic flows now is acceptable by the standards if we change nothing, to which Derek replied, "That's correct." He asked if he was then correct. If we decided not to partner with WisDOT and spend a bunch of money to redesign everything, the traffic flow would also then be acceptable by standards, to which Derek replied, operationally, that is correct. However, other aspects play a role, but yes, that is correct. The Mayor added that he is aware that the one-way streets are a pain for drivers, but it would save us from spending a bunch of money and still have things OK. Ald. Morrow explained that these types of projects take a lot of planning and a lot of time. Ald. Christianson asked, out of curiosity, if, in 2032, the placeholder would be accurate and WisDOT is looking at doing the project, what percentage of costs would be distributed between the federal and local governments, to which Director Beduhn stated that it is too early to tell what the formula would be. Ald. Olson pointed out that she feels there may be some things we could do fairly easily today that could potentially allow us to utilize what is already there in the entire plan, to which Derek replied that the conversion from one-way to two-way does keep the roadway within its existing footprint; however, the WisDOT Project is looking at making some modifications and in most cases may be narrowing the roadway mainly at intersections where curb extensions could be implemented where parking is present today. Mayor Wiza asked Director Beduhn if he was looking for direction or if this is something we can think about for a little while and talk about at another meeting, to which Director Beduhn stated that we do need to get started relatively soon, at least in some direction. Mayor Wiza reiterated what was pointed out earlier in that it is functioning fine the way it is now, and it will be functioning fine in the future if we do nothing, even with everything combined. If we only had to pay for 80% of the overall costs, that is still 20% that the citizens of Stevens Point would be on the hook for. He feels we can use whatever money we would spend to make improvements on existing roads that are in desperate need of resurfacing, chip sealing, pothole filling, or reconstruction. Ald. Guthrie stated that it occurred to her that the engineer's presentation tonight is about traffic feasibility and not overall downtown vibrancy, longevity, or cost-to-revenue analysis. We have only heard one component of a potential major transition in the downtown area. She would like to see the downtown business board involved in whatever we decide to do. Ald. Christianson asked if Water Street is reduced in lanes as illustrated. Would that reflect a potential cost savings, to which Mayor Wiza stated that, yes, in that there would be fewer lanes, which would mean less maintenance, less plowing, less salting, and fewer potholes to fill. 3. Discussion on the possible creation of an ordinance to regulate private plantings within the public right-of-way. Director Beduhn explained that what staff did was try to break apart different things based on what we were finding that other communities have, and also keep some consistency with what the existing zoning code is. He added that we are late in the game to try to restrict what folks have already planted for this year, so we have some time to work on this. Mayor Wiza stated that by the looks of it, he feels that Director Beduhn took into account pretty much all of what people's concerns were. He pointed out that now is the time for folks to go around and look at what people have planted and what we feel works for us and what doesn't. Ald. Kneebone stated that the only areas she is concerned with are the swales, in that some things that are planted there interfere with the ability for the swales to do what they are supposed to do, which is to pull off excess water to which Director Beduhn stated that a lot of the native plantings do better in that area because their roots do a better job of breaking up the soil to allow that drainage and filtration to happen. He added that some things we are going to have to learn as we go. David Dehmlow, 2324 Prais Street, agreed that slowing down the rainwater in swales is considered a benefit, particularly if we're not trying to expand infrastructure. Ald. Olson added that she would like to make sure that the University is being consulted because they do research on things of this nature, and they can give us a lot of insight into which plants are better suited for certain areas. She added that she understands the ordinance and looks forward to more information. Chris Tiffany stated that this definitely paints a solid picture, and he looks forward to continued conversations. Discussion and Possible Action 4. To award the Sisters Meadow Project #26-108 to Earth Inc. out of Arpin, WI, for an amount not to exceed $1,254,039.70. Ald. Morrow moved, Ald. Keymer seconded, to award the Sisters Meadow Project #26-108 to Earth Inc. for an amount not to exceed $1,254,039.70. Call for the Vote: Ayes: All Nays: None. Motion Carried Adjourn Adjourned at 6:55 p.m.