The Whitewater Public Works committee discussed several important topics to better the community during their meeting Feb. 10.
The committee discussed the award of contract of 2-2026, Putnam Street. The contract had six bidders and was over budget with the bid of $554,184.5 due to asphalt prices.
“We opened bids last week. We had six bidders, so a good turnout,” committee chair Neil Hicks said. “The low bid came in from CJP excavating out of Helens at $554,184 5 cents. It is slightly over our budgeted amount, just under 500, 2000. But I do believe there, we do have money available.”
The committee moved to approve the contract with a two-year delay to make time for funds.
Another contract the committee looked at was one opened on Feb. 10 and had four bidders, with bids ranging from $3,989,284.3 to $4,763,168. Both of these bids went over the contract’s budget in several areas.
“It’s going to take this year into next year to construct,” Hicks said. “We did delay replacing lead laterals on the public side on a number of houses last year knowing that this street was gonna be ripped up this year. Accounting for the possible overruns, I feel confident that we can get this project done.”
The committee moved to present all possible actions and explain plans that could be taken to the council at the next meeting.
In addition to the discussions of contracts, the committee discussed the repairs of the Old Stone Mill dam. There was a low bid of $161,026 from NorCon and a construction fee of $130,000 to fix the dam. The committee decided to accept the bid as well as an extra $10,000 and send the plan to the Common Council.
After a public parking area on Dann Street turned to resident parking, school dismissal conflicted with the driveways. Families that went to pick up kids during dismissal often blocked driveways.
To combat this issue, the committee moved to enforce more parking restrictions and keep the ones currently in place to keep sidewalks and driveways unblocked.
Afterwards, the committee gave an update on the storm water construction grant. They are currently working on applying for funds for 2028 and extend a currently $150,000 grant given in the past year.
“We’re hopeful for construction in 2027. So the deadline is 2026 moving to 2027,” Hicks said.
Next, the committee discussed the plan to extend turning space on the southeast corner of West Main Street and Franklin Street. With the math showing roughly $4 per square foot, the committee is looking at spending $2,300 to add more space with the approval from DLK Rentals, the owner of the property.
The committee looked at possible 2026 street improvements to allow access to new and replaced roads.
“It includes paving access to repaving Universal Boulevard from Industrial Drive to the cul-de-sac, and Technology Drive from Universal down to Innovation,” Hicks said. “We’re looking at repaving Lakeview Drive from Wisconsin Street to just south of Amber Drive, and also Amber Drive from Lakeview to Waters Edge and repaving Wisconsin Street from Colburn Lane South to the city limits.”
It was estimated to be around $1 million to complete all seven projects.
Debates took place over the replacements of brick pavers by Lakefront Park and in terrace areas. The project will cost around $157,000 including construction fees.
“We’re looking at replacing bricks in the terrace area along Whitewater Street and then throughout Cravath Park where they were set on gravel or sand bedding,” Hicks said.
The next Public Works Committee meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 5:15 p.m.
