The Whitewater Common Council met for the first time in 2022 to discuss a number of matters pertaining to various ongoing projects as well as discuss general obligation bonds for the city. The meeting took place Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the City Administration Building in downtown Whitewater.

 The meeting was open to the public and had a number of citizens come forward to discuss issues and ideas, many relating to the ongoing Lakes Drawdown Project occurring in Cravath and Tripp Lake.

This project aims to freeze out invasive species, restore navigation channels, and improve overall health within the lakes. Due to recent warm weather, parts of the lakebed have begun to unthaw which put a halt on work for the early part of the week.

Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper gave an update on the project to inform the public of the progress they are making and the overall purpose of the project. Both lakes are under contract with the same excavation company, however both lakes are at different stages of completion.

A concerned citizen who lives on Cravath posed a question to the board, asking why Trippe seems to be getting more focus and work done compared to Cravath. 

“We are starting with Trippe because it is firmer and more frozen down, but we will be working just as hard on Cravath,” explained by a representative from the excavation company.

The project aims to ‘dredge’ the lake, which is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of the lakebed to help maintain and increase the depth of navigation channels, and reduce the exposure of fish and wildlife to the spread of contaminants. The project began in July of 2019 and is expected to continue through 2022.

 The City Manager’s report continued with the announcement of the Whitewater Housing Report to be rescheduled for Feb. 9, originally scheduled for the day of the common council meeting.

The council also voted on seven separate resolutions authorizing funds to the following sectors: $1.08 million for Fire Department Equipment, $1.575 million for Street Improvement Projects,  $1.365 million for Park and Public Grounds Projects, $970 thousand for Sewage Projects, $205 thousand for Community Development Projects in Tax Incremental District No. 1,  Resolution Directing Publication of Notice to Electors Relating to Bond Issues, and Resolution Providing for the sale of $5.196 million General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds. All of these resolutions were passed with all council members voting in favor of authorization.

Whitewater Public Works Director, Brad Marquardt, discussed considerations before the counsel which included: Improving and maintaining plotted sections of Fraternity Lane. north of Carriage Drive and Carriage Drive west of Fraternity Lane, a city contract for Pullin’ & Plowin’ LLC to handle snow removal and/or lawn maintenance, approval request of development agreement with Bower’s House LLC for redevelopment of the ‘White Elephant Building’ southeast of Main and Second Streets, discussion regarding ordinance adoption and municipal code updates, and councilmember request for future agenda item and future POLCO questions.

The council called for a close session pursuant to Wisconsin statute 19.85  to discuss public construction bidding requirements for the Cravath and Trippe Lake dredging project; the negotiation of agreement with Whitewater Fire Department, and the annual City Manager performance review.