PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council approved an agreement with Trail Source for the construction of .7 miles of single-track mountain bike trails within Magee Park for $24,900.

In 2022, the City of Prescott signed a memorandum of understanding with Coulee River Trails (CRT) and as part of that agreement, CRT is responsible for the design and maintenance of any mountain bike trails within in the Magee Park Concept Plan and the overall CRT system. Additionally, the City of Prescott set aside $50,000 for trail work as part of the approval for the 2021 budget.

“To date there is still a remaining $33,033 left of that funding that was set aside in the capital fund,” said City Administrator Matt Wolf.

Wolf said CRT contacted the city to let them know they wanted to construct .7 miles of single-track trails within Magee Park. After reaching out to see if any companies could work under $25,000, Trails Source contacted the city with the bid of $24,900.

Alderperson Michael Gerke asked if Magee Park was ready and prepared for the new project. A CRT representative said their volunteer crew would help with the project, which is expected to begin in mid-June.

 “So that’s what we’re excited about,” he concluded.

The council awarded a contract for a public facilities needs assessment and impact fee study to Trilogy Consulting.

“I was very impressed with them. They were very knowledgeable and very helpful, and they gave us a quote and a timeline,” said Deputy Clerk Beth Lansing. “I believe that they would be very beneficial for us to work through them.”

Gerke asked for clarification on what facilities would be impacted by this contract. Wolf said it would study all city impact fees, including water, building, parks, and streets.

Lansing added, “A big reason why we are wanting to redo this plan is right now businesses that come in are charged the same rate as residential and if we redo this plan we can charge more for the bigger buildings and businesses that are coming in, according to whatever they come up with with their study.” 

Prescott resident Tommy Elbert interjected from the audience to express his displeasure for the contract.

“This is not a place for you to make a comment, sir,” Mayor Robert Daugherty informed him. 
“Well, I’m making a comment anyways,” he replied.

After going back and forth with the mayor, Daugherty told Elbert that he would have to ask him to leave. Elbert said he’d be quiet but continued to tell the council he wasn’t doing anything wrong, prompting Daughtery to say, “You’re speaking out of line. I’ve asked you not to and you’re telling me that you’re going to anyway. It’s not open for public discussion right now. Otherwise, you’re going to have to leave.”

Wastewater Department

The City of Prescott is looking to have a wastewater treatment operator incentive program. “We only have one wastewater treatment plant operator; we want to look at an incentive to get other Public Works employees to take those courses and get certified,” said Wolf.

City staff has discussed a community service officer position who could help with traffic control and speed trailer studies, boat launch enforcement, etc.

Music in the Park

With a motion from Alderperson Lindsay Sorenson, the council approved a special event application and temporary license for Friends of Freedom Park’s Music in the Park program, which will include a beer tent and food trucks. The entertaining musical events are held on the fourth Thursday of each month from May through September.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Otwell expressed.

“Yeah, I’m all for it,” agreed Gerke. “I was hoping for one of these anyway.”

Grants

Wolf explained the Parks and Public Works Committee has been looking for grant opportunities to help with Phase 2 of the riverfront project scheduled to be finished in 2025.

“This boating infrastructure grant before you tonight is meant for funding to construct, renovate, and maintain boating infrastructure facilities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long.”

Cedar Corp. has been partnering with the city to obtain various grants for funding.

 “What we’re asking for tonight is approval of an agreement for working with Cedar Corporation to apply for the boating infrastructure grant. Those costs are not to exceed $5,000,”  Wolf said.

Funding would come from the Parks Upkeep Escrow line item. Wolf also informed the council that every year $50,000 is budgeted for Parks upkeep and improvements and to date only $25,507 was spent.

“Any money left over in the line item is transferred to our Parks Upkeep Fund at the end of the year,” he said.

“That’s for the slips for the boats, correct?” asked Gerke, which Wolf confirmed.

The Council approved the agreement with Cedar Corporation for a boating infrastructure grant submittal through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources not to exceed $5,000 and also to obtain a cost-share grant from the Wisconsin DNR.

New office hours

Prescott City Hall will soon have new office hours. To meet the demands of the changing community, Prescott City Hall will change its hours to 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays. Lansing said residents want city staff to be available for longer hours during the week. Citing new online programs that allow residents to obtain their own permits and licenses, Lansing told the council that the new phone system can be set to answer big issue questions without residents having to speak to an employee.

“I don’t have any problem with it at all, as long as we don’t get any complaints about not being able to be serviced on a Friday afternoon when I get off of work and nobody was here,” said Daugherty.

“Just to be clear,” said City Clerk Rashell Temmers. “If we do have a lot of work that we need to do whoever has that work to do would stay until they’re done.”

 Sewer Department

The approved the replacement of two sewer lift station pumps at the boat launch for $35,260 through Quality Flow Systems. The city has five lift stations, including the main lift station at the boat launch.

After this year’s inspections, two of the three pumps within that lift station tested as “bad” which generally leads to its replacement. In order to maintain the lift station and to keep it running at its normal speed, the council voted to replace the two pumps with funds coming from the sewer fund.

City Ordinances

The council reviewed the third and final reading of the Small Box Ordinance at the Monday evening regular Council meeting. After a brief review by Wolf, Alderperson Adam Granquist motioned to approve the ordinance. With the exception of a nay vote from Otwell, the council passed it.

The council approved an amendment to City Ordinance, Chapter 635 Zoning, Section 635-21 I. regarding minimum yards.

The council votedto amend the zoning chapter for number of parking stalls. Wolf said this change in the ordinance was a revision that was accidentally missed when reviewing zoning code chapter 635.

“So, this change in the ordinance would add that back into the zoning chapter for parking requirements,” said Wolf.

Cable Commission

Penny Peterson, who is also on the Library Board, was appointed to the Cable Commission. Wolf pointed out that this position, as well as the Library Board position, is not a paid position.

Next council meeting

Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, there will be no meeting on Monday, May 27.