_05272026-1143

CITY OF PRESCOTT, WISCONSIN MAY 27 , 2026 , CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING 1. CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a workshop of the City Coun ci l was held on Wednes day, May 27 , 2026 , in the Prescott Municipal Building, 800 Borner St. , Prescott, WI 54021 2. ROLL CALL Mayor Gerke called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Members presen t were Lindsey Sorenson , Ben Bettis , Adam Granquist , Maureen Otwell , and Bailey Ruona . Dar Hintz was excused. Also present were City Administrator Matt Wolf , Clerk Rashel Temmers , Treasurer Beth Lansing, Police Chief Eric Michaels , and Greg Adams from Cedar Corporation. 3. TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM GRANT a. Discuss Total Costs – City and Wisconsin DOT b. Review Campbell Street Future Design – USH 10 to Walnut Street City Administrator Matt Wolf provided background on the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant, associated project costs, and future design considerations for Campbell Street. The original scope of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Orrin Road project included a mill and overlay from Pearl Street to Dexter Street and the addition of a 10-foot-wide pedestrian trail . In 2024 , t he city received a TAP planning grant to evaluate pedestrian improvements along USH 10. Following that planning effort, the City Council approved a concept plan that include d closing Orrin Road east of Campbell Street. Following the approval of the concept plan, the city submitted a TAP grant application for design and construction. The grant would cover approximately 80% of eligible costs, with the city responsible for the remaining 20%. The original project estimate was $5,980,000, resulting in a city share of approximately $1,196,000. While t he TAP grant would fund pedestrian improvements, including trails or sidewalks , the Orrin Road mill and overlay would remain entirely the city ’s responsibility. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, WisDOT informed the city that only the construction portion of the project had been approved for funding . The city must decide by Friday, May 29, 2026, whether to accept the construction-only grant. W is DOT estimates construction would occur in 2030 . Current project estimates include Design and engineering at $580,000, Construction and related costs at $6,959,300, the city ’s 20% construction share of $1,391,860, and the Orrin Road and overlay (with inflation) to be approximately $457,627. As part of the agreement, the city w ould enter into a State/Municipal Maintenance Agreement with W is DOT , requiring long-term maintenance of the pedestrian structure. Because construction would not occur until 2029-2030, the city ’s 2027 borrowing needs would decrease . Initial borrowing would cover only design costs and the Orrin Road improvements, totaling approximately $1,037,627, which is a reduction of $507,723 from the original estimate. However, the city would need to borrow an additional $1, 391,860 in 2029 for construction, increasing the debt levy by an estimate of $17.26 per $100,000 of assessed value. Overall, the revised scenario increases costs by approximately $884,137 compared to the original estimate. Alderperson Ruona asked if this maintenance agreement would be like the agreement associated with the Highway 35 improvements. Wolf confirmed that it would be . Greg Adams clarified that the city would be responsible for maint aining the pedestrian bridge and connecting s idewalks , but not the highway itself . Wolf asked Adams if the city would be responsible for any bridge inspections, and Adams stated that he would need to confirm who would be responsible for the bridge inspections. Ruona expressed concerns regarding any potential tax increases that may be associated with the project . Wolf explained that Campbell Street, between USH 10 and Malone Elementary School, falls within the TAP project area and would receive a sidewalk or trail connection. However, the roadway currently lacks curb and gutter infrastructure. S taff is requesting Council ’s direction on whether to pursue future curb and gutter improvements within the Campbell Street project area. This design work would be separate from the TAP grant. In 2024, Cedar Corporation prepared a preliminary estimate for this section of roadway as part of the CIP process. Because water and sewer design would not be required at this time, the estimated design cost would be approximately $108,000. This would include curb and gutter design , storm sewer infrastructure, and a final roadway and pedestrian layout. Wolf noted that there is currently no timeline for full roadway reconstruction . I f roadway alignment adjustments are required to accommodate the pedestrian improvements, construction scheduling decisions may need to be accelerated . However, since Campbell Street connects a local commercial area to Malone Elementary School, creating an opportunity for a safer pedestrian connection, this could potential ly be a good project for the LRIP grant through W is DOT. Council members discussed drainage concerns, roadway elevation issues, and future utility replacement needs. Adams stated that sewer and water service issues would be addressed during any future roadway reconstruction project. a. Otwell/Granquist motioned to move forward with the TAP grant award and proceed with the construction-only grant . There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. b. Sorenson/Granquist motioned to move forward with the design portion of Campbell Street. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 4. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS a. Review of Municipal Building Planning by Cedar Corporation b. Discuss Next Steps on Public Safety Building and Library Expansion City Administrator Matt Wolf reviewed the prior concept plans and estimates for proposed future municipal buildings. In January of 2024, Cedar Corporation completed a Municipal Facilities Needs Assessment evaluating the Police Department , Fire Department , EMS, City Hall, and Library. The assessment identified several opportunities for improvement aimed at enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency. On June 5, 2024, the City Council held a workshop to review the Space Needs Study and discussed potential building repairs and long-term facility planning. Under the current timeline, construction of any future facility would not begin until 2029, with anticipated completion in 2030. On August 12, 2024, the City Council approved an agreement with Cedar Corporation to prepare concept plans and cost estimates for improvements to City Hall, the Police Department, the Library, and the Fire Department. The agreement included the following options: Option 1 – Municipal/Public Safety Building North of USH 10 to include Fire, Police, and EMS facilities . Option 1A – includes City Administration within the Public Safety Building and renovates the existing City Hall/Library building for continued Library and Community use. Option 1B – Expand and renovate the existing City Hall/Library building for Continued use by City Administration, Library, and community functions. Option 2 – Municipal/Public Safety Building West of the Current City Hall Site – located in the northeast quadrant and would include Fire, Police, and EMS facilities. Option 2A – includes City Administration within the Municipal/Public Safety Building and renovates the existing City Hall/Library building for continued Library and community use. Option 2B – Expand and renovate the existing City Hall/Library building for continued use by City Administration, the Library, and community functions. At a July 2025 Council Workshop, Council identified a combined Public Safety Building as the preferred concept due to operational efficiencies and shared space savings. In January 2026, the city held an intergovernmental meeting with the Townships of Oak Grove and Clifton to discuss possible cost-sharing for the Fire and EMS facilities . While both Townships expressed interest, no formal commitments have been received. Since the last workshop, the city has focused on identifying potential sites of five acres or more for the construction of a future Public Safety Building while also attempting to address the Fire Department ’s request to keep the facility as close as possible to the current Fire Hall location. The city has evaluated the following potential sites: 1. School District property across from the current City Hall on Borner Street 2. Fire Hall Field / Replacement near the High School 3. Lumberyard adjacent to the Police Department 4. Prescott Business Park With limited options for a five-acre site, the staff is requesting directions from the Council regarding how they would like to proceed. The four primary options are outlined below, although additional sites or combinations of options may be considered: Option 1 – Proceed with the Business Park location Option 2 – Re-engage the School District Option 3 – Split the Fire/EMS and Police projects Option 4 – Focus on Maintenance of existing facilities Council discussed site options, operational efficiencies, volunteer firefighter response concerns, infrastructure availability, and potential partnerships with the School District. Sorenson expressed concern that relocating Fire and EMS operations to the Business Park could negatively impact volunteer response times. Chief Michaels emphasized the urgent need to address deficiencies in the Police Department facility, citing recruitment and retention challenges. Wolf noted that separating the Police Department project from Fire and EMS facilities would require revisiting facility planning and design concepts. Council members discussed maintaining flexibility while ensuring any future investment serves the City's long-term needs . a. Bettis/Ruona motioned for staff to come up with a preliminary plan for a Municipal Building to join the Police Department, City Hall , and Library at their current locations . There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. b. Sorenson/Bettis motioned to suspend moving forward with any plans for the Fire Department until we have support from Oak Grove and Clifton Townships. Otwell and Granquist both stated that they believe one Public Safety Building for all departments is in the best interest of the city. Granquist stated that Eagan , MN put in a fire department on Yankee Doodle Road, which is a very busy road, and there is no light, he stated that he believes that the best interest of the City is to have one Public Safety Building in the Industrial Park. Sorenson stated that , besides the concerns of the firefighters, there is also a lack of infrastructure currently in the Industrial Park. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed by a voice vote of 3-2 (Sorenson – yes, Bettis – yes, Granquist – nay, Otwell – nay, and Ruona – yes). 5. PRESCOTT BUSINESS PARK MARKETING a. Discuss and Review Master Planning Proposals for Business Park City Administrator Matt Wolf informed the Council members that while working with IAG Commercial marketing and promoting the Prescott Business Park, IAG recommended that the city consider developing a master planning document or conceptual site plan. Such a document would help provide prospective developers and businesses with a clearer vision of the type of development and long-term character the city would like to encourage along the USH 10 corridor. IAG indicated they have previously worked with both ISG and Ayres Associates on similar projects for other business park developments they have represented. Staff did reach out to both ISG and Ayres Associates to request proposals for the preparation of a master planning concept for the Prescott Business Park. The two proposals were reviewed at this workshop. Granquist asked if this was to formulate a vision for the area to make it more desirable for developers . Wolf stated that yes, a vision gives developers something to buy into. Sorenson asked what we were paying IAG already. Wolf stated that unless the land sells, we don ’t pay IAG anything. Ruona stated that she likes the fact that Ayers has done more local work and provided a preliminary design. Otwell stated she preferred the Ayers ’ design as well. Ruona/Granquist recommended moving forward with Ayers Associates' proposal. There was no further discussion on the recommendation. 6. OTHER BUSINESS a. Public Works Director Retirement City Administrator Matt Wolf informed the Council that Public Works Director Mike Kinneman formally submitted his resignation, and his last day will be July 31, 2026. 7. ADJOURNMENT Ruona/Granquist motion ed to adjourn the workshop meeting at 6:56 p.m. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. Respectfully Submitted, Rashel Temmers City Clerk