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April 22, 2009

Highway Dept. seeks nearly $9 million in federal money

The Crawford County Highway Department has applied for federal stimulus money totalling $8,957,000 for county and local highway and bridge projects.

Highway Commissioner Dennis Pelock told the Crawford County Board at its meeting Tuesday that 11 applications were submitted for eight projects in this second round of the project cycle. The applications were due by April 8. In the first round of the program cycle, $440,000 was approved for Crawford County for the construction of the Rush Creek Road Bridge and approaches in the town of Freeman.

All projects have been submitted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The prospective projects were submitted through the Wisconsin DOT, the STP Rural Program, the STP Rural Bridge Program, the STP Urban Program and the Transportation Enhancement Program.

Project Number 1 is for a reconstruction and safety project on County Highway B from Highway 35 to Rutter Hill Road, a length of 10,454 feet. The funding requested is $3.6 million.

Project 2 is for roadway reconstruction and bridge replacement on the West Branch Knapp Creek Bridge and approaches on County S. The funding requested is $675,000.

Project 3 is for a 3R rehabilitation project, mill, resurfacing, and bike and pedestrian lanes on County K from the city of Prairie du Chien to Highway 35. The funding requested is $563,000.

Project 4 is a 3R rehabilitation project, mill, resurfacing and paved shoulders on Limery Coulee Road from Highway 35 to Klema Road. The funding requested is $440,000.

Project 5 is a reconstruction and safety project on County B from Dog Hollow Road to Rush Creek Road. The funding requested is $1.56 million.

Project 6 is a bridge replacement project on County B from County C to Highway 131. The funding requested is $250,000.

Project 7 is a reconstruction project on Vineyard Road in the town of Bridgeport from Highway 18 to Hillview Drive. The funding requested is $1.6 million.

Project 8 is a bridge replacement project on Buck Creek Road Bridge and approaches in the town of Freeman. Funding requested is $235,000.

Pelock and Community Development Agent Laura Brown said that the County Board should also strongly take a look into the "25x25 Program" created by Governor Jim Doyle. Doyle created an Office of Energy Independence with the goals of: generating 25 percent of electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025; capturing 10 percent of the emerging bio industry and renewable energy market by 2030; and becoming a national leader in groundbreaking energy research.

The Office of Energy Independence is seeking partnerships with local units of government in order to advance Wisconsin’s efforts to achieve the "25x25" goals.

Pelock and Brown said that any federal stimulus grant applications by the county would be greatly enhanced if the county declared itself a partner in the pursuit of the "25x25" goals.

The County Board then set up a special meeting on April 28 at 3 p.m. to discuss possibly becoming a partner in the 25x25 Program. The 25x25 resolution has been approved in 53 local units of government throughout the state, including counties, cities, villages, towns, and school districts. The 25x25 resolution is publicly supported in 28 more local units of government.

In other business, the County Board:

	• Approved the appointment of Marjory Sheckler of Prairie du Chien to the board. Sheckler will take the place of Melodie Betts who had resigned from her supervisor seat in District 4.
	• Approved a resolution supporting Gays Mills in its efforts to voluntarily relocate out of the Kickapoo River Floodplain.
	• Approved a resolution opposing the proposed closing of the Department of Motor Vehicle Center in Prairie du Chien.

Council approves pool fees

A new summer swimming fee schedule, a proposal to restrict parking on Haydn Street and consideration of the school district’s proposal to participate with them in operating a community recreation facility were all topics of discussion at last night’s meeting of the Prairie du Chien Common Council.

Approved by a one-vote margin, the new simplified fee structure will be as follows: Youth under 18, $3; Adults, $4; Individual resident passes, $50; Individual non-resident passes, $70. Family resident passes, $75; Family non-resident passes, $120.

Season passes include unlimited open swim, swim team and water aerobics. Ulrich said the new fee structure is more in line with comparable area pools, and the reduced family pass fees should encourage greater participation.

The point of disagreement for council members, however, was the plan to make resident passes available to everyone living within the 53821 zip code, which includes Bridgeport and the township of Prairie du Chien. One of the reasons for this was to make it easier for staff checking residency. Several people, however, felt that only city taxpayers should receive the special rate. Said council member Mary Wayne: "I just think as a taxpayer I should get a better deal." Council member Becky Hackett supported the plan, stating that all children within that plan attend Prairie du Chien schools, and their parents pay taxes to the school district, which supports some of the city’s recreational programs through its Fund 80 programs. The proposal was approved on a 6-5 vote, with council members Hein, Wayne, Solomon, Boylen and Munson casting the dissenting votes. Council member Judeen Ames was absent.

City Administrator Jim Gitz reported that he and Park and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich are still working on a recommendation for council regarding the school district’s proposal for participation in a community recreation center. Gitz said when the report is finished, it will take into account the school district proposal, the improvements needed to Hoffman Hall and the city’s recreational needs. He said the report should be ready by the May 5 council meeting, and he would welcome input from council members.

A Protection and Health Committee recommendation to restrict parking on Haydn Street was referred back to committee when it was learned that residents in the area had not been consulted.

The proposal was to restrict parking on the north side of Haydn between Michigan and Wacouta from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays. Parked cars on both sides of the street make two-way traffic difficult.

In other business council:

	•Approved a grant application for the Local Road Improvement Program. The city had obtained funds from the program when working on Cass and Prairie Streets.
	•Receipted reimbursement of over $35,000 from a state grant for completion of the St. Feriole Island bike path.
	•Receipted a $1,000 grant from the Wisconsin Tennis Association. Park and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich obtained the grant to develop tennis programs and buy equipment.

On Earth Day City to launch recycling campaign, continue efforts to reduce energy consumption

With the annual observance of Earth Day April 22 to highlight the need, the city of Prairie du Chien is planning to launch a citywide recycling campaign.

Town and Country Sanitation, Inc., the city’s contracted garbage and recycling collector, has pointed out that Prairie du Chien has a very poor recycling record compared to other cities and villages in the area, and according to a letter to the editor in this issue, less than half the residents of the city are recycling.

Concern for the environment is the major reason to recycle, but City Administrator Jim Gitz pointed out another reason to recycle: saving money. The city’s garbage pickup fee is based on the total weight of its garbage. If items which could be recycled are instead thrown in the garbage, that means a higher garbage fee. If city residents become more conscientious about recycling, the weight of the garbage should be reduced, thus resulting in a lower cost.

There is also more potential for savings if recycled materials reach a certain price. The city will receive 50 percent of all profits if: cardboard reaches a price of $150 a ton, newspaper exceeds $100 a ton; and plastic, glass, tin and aluminum exceed $50 a ton.

In addition, said Gitz, if the city becomes more efficient at recycling, it may open up more grant opportunities.

It boils down to two issues, Gitz said: self interest in terms of reducing garbage fees by increasing recycling, and what the community should do to protect the environment. Recycling, he said, is directly tied to carbon footprint: "It doesn’t solve global warming, but everything we can do helps the planet. There’s a moral aspect to this."

Council member Linda Munson and Terry Meyer, Public Works co-manager, are working on a plan to increase recycling awareness. Said Meyer, "The biggest thing is to educate our residents and encourage community recycling efforts."

The details of the plan are not yet in place, but they intend to do a recycling program at the schools as they have done in the past, post flyers, do a series of radio announcements and keep the public informed through a series of articles in the Courier Press.

The city itself, they believe, has to set an example for the community, so they intend to see that recycling containers are readily available at city hall and at other city buildings.

Anyone who needs a recycling container can purchase one at City Hall. New garbage collection customers receive a free container, but additional containers must be purchased.

City efforts to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment have been ongoing in recent years. These include:

	•Improved lighting in the street department and fire department buildings
	•Purchase of an electric car for use by the police department and waste water plant
	•In-house fluorescent lighting in city buildings
	•Resetting thermostats to save energy
	•Plans to install occupancy sensors for lighting
	•Plans to install high efficiency LED exit lights at the street and waste water buildings
	•Changes at the wastewater treatment plant which include controls for pumps and blowers so they run at off-peak hours when possible, a dissolved oxygen control system designed to run only when needed, and installation of timers
	•Plans to install variable frequency drives at the water department to regulate pumping
	•Exploration of solar energy potential
	•Assessment of energy use in city buildings by Focus on Energy
	•City vehicles are turned off during break times
	•The city has joined the state 25 by 25 program, aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels by 25 percent by the year 2025.

April 20, 2009

County delving into federal stimulus grants

Time is of the essence and competition is keen for federal stimulus package funds, and Crawford County is considering various options in order to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Crawford County Undersheriff Jerry Matousek has already applied for a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant and says that the Sheriff’s Department is also considering other grants in the near future.

Matousek said that he has received word that the COPS Grant application has been received. He also said that the county may not know until Sept. 30 if they will be awarded the grant.

The grant can be used for the hiring of additional officers, for hiring back someone who has been laid off due to budget cuts, or for retaining someone who would otherwise be laid off due to budget cuts. Matousek said that Crawford County has applied for a COPS Grant whereby the county would retain someone who would otherwise be laid off.

The grant will be based upon the person’s starting salary and starting benefits, said Matousek.

The grant will be a three-year grant and will be administered through the COPS program.

Matousek said that the Sheriff’s Department is also considering other grants through the federal stimulus package, most notably the Secure Our Schools Grant, which the Sheriff’s Department will likely apply for.

"Wauzeka-Steuben, North Crawford and Seneca have all expressed a strong interest in this grant," said Matousek, who noted that the grant is a 50-50 grant whereby a 50 percent local match is required.

"Each school district will foot the bill for the local match, no money will come from the county," said Matousak.

Matousek said that the Secure Our Schools Grant will provide funding for additional cameras in the schools and on buses, swipe cards for door locks and other possible security measures.

Laura Brown, the county’s economic development agent, said that Crawford County is looking into applying for several joint county-city grants through the economic stimulus package.

The county, along with the city of Prairie du Chien, will likely be applying for an Energy Project Manager Grant, said Brown. She said that such a grant will provide the money for an energy project manager who would conduct energy assessments of all of the county and city buildings.

Brown said that Prairie du Chien Planning Consultant Garth Frable is writing the applications for the joint county-city grants. She said that various such grants are being looked at by the county and the city.

Likewise, the County Highway Department and the Courthouse/Law Enforcement Center will be looking into applying for federal stimulus grants. The county has been delving into a possible upgrade to the heating and air conditioning system for the Courthouse/Law Enforcement Center.

Editor’s Note: The Courier Press will be reporting on more federal stimulus package grants regarding Crawford County as the process continues and more information becomes available.

HSR presents results of Hoffman Hall assessment

At a joint meeting of the Planning and Public Works committees April 15, representatives of HSR Associates, the firm hired to do a needs assessment for Hoffman Hall, presented their preliminary findings and recommendations for the building.

Their assessment found the building to have no major structural deficiencies, but the report pointed out that some of the existing problems make the building "extremely inefficient," and if left untouched "could develop into unsafe conditions throughout the building."

The report also answered another area of concern over the building’s lack of accessibility to meet ADA guidelines. Although it does not meet those guidelines, compliance would not be required until alterations are made to a primary area of function such as a pool, gym or fitness area.

Main areas of non-compliance are: access to both levels of the building, appropriate toilet facilities, locker, shower and changing facilities, and an accessible pool spectator area.

The potential improvements have been broken down into four phases, based on perceived need. According to the report, the phases were prioritized "based on maintaining and improving the existing building condition and improving use and function to meet the demands of all members of the community."

Phase I would include exterior building improvements such as window and stone replacement and brick and roof repair. Also included in this phase is update of the heating and cooling system, plumbing and electrical service. Part of this would be termination of the steam connection to the prison, which currently supplies heat for the building.

Total estimated cost for implementing all of the suggestions in Phase I, including a five percent contingency and all engineering and administrative costs, is $2,359,854.

Phase II would include bringing the building into ADA accessibility compliance and remodeling areas of the building to improve their usefulness to the community. Possibilities included are a rock climbing wall, a lounge/game room, weight training room and cardio area. If all the items suggested in Phase II were implemented, total estimated cost is $1,386,030.

Phase III would be remodeling and additions to the aquatic center. Possibilities within this phase include remodeling of the existing pool deck, a hot tub, sauna, slide/fountain area and other items. Estimated cost for items on that list is $1,842,138.

Phase IV includes possible remodeling of the kitchen/concessions area, additional furnishings, technology and equipment and a multi-purpose addition with a classroom on the lower level and a daycare/after school program on the upper level. Cost of all the items on this list is estimated at $851,655.

Mike Ulrich, Park and Recreation director, said that just because an item, or even a whole phase is on the list that does not mean it could or should be implemented. Some of the items are absolute needs if the city continues to operate Hoffman Hall, but others are more of a wish list, he said. He has asked that an HSR representative accompany him on a walk through the building so that essential items could be better identified.

Ulrich says he has never envisioned that repair and remodeling expenses for Hoffman Hall would be a burden for tax payers. If the council decides to keep Hoffman Hall open, he hopes the necessary funds can be obtained through grants, capital fund drives or other fund-raising efforts.

A decision about Hoffman Hall, as well as the recent request made by the Prairie du Chien School Board that the city become a partner in a request for stimulus fund money to build a school-community recreation center, has yet to be made by the council.

Large turnout sought for riverfront planning workshop

By Mayor Karl Steiner

The City of Prairie du Chien has recently secured grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to assist with the preparation of a Waterfront Plan for the areas surrounding the slough between St. Feriole Island and the mainland portion of the City. A Waterfront Plan is intended to provide a rational basis for making decisions relative to improvements and land use and to serve as a blueprint for efforts to achieve the community’s vision along the Mississippi River. In order for the plan to adequately address the needs of the city, it is critical that citizens become involved in the process. Through continued cooperation, we can plan for a bright future—not only for our community, but for the region.

The City has taken many steps to improve the overall aesthetic and sustainability of the downtown area and St. Feriole Island. Transportation improvements are being planned with the construction of the US Highway 18 Bypass, and recent streetscaping enhancements in the downtown have triggered additional interest from the community.

A Waterfront Plan is necessary to further define a cohesive vision for this area and identify those improvements that will help that vision be realized. The Plan will outline connections, enhancements, land uses, and provide a guideline for redevelopment that the City can utilize when reviewing proposals and planning for future facilities.

Specifically, the Plan is intended to:

	•Encourage and better manage development along the slough;
	•Ensure development is consistent with the City’s plans;
	•Protect the natural and cultural resources of the City;
	•Encourage the incorporation of appropriate waterfront recreational uses in private and public development;
	•Connect residents and visitors to the waterfront through improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

The Plan will also include an implementation component that will identify the various tasks necessary to achieving the vision and guidelines for how to implement the tasks, including responsible parties, probable opinion of costs, and potential funding sources for each item.

Consecutively, the City has been working with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on the construction plans for the US Highway 18 Bypass project. A portion of these plans include the overall aesthetic appearance of the highway corridor. The design options for corridor improvements, which have been reviewed by the City’s Public Works Committee and approved by WisDOT, include aesthetic and pedestrian enhancements for this reconstruction project. The enhancements will include landscaping accents, benches and street furniture, decorative lighting accents and bridge enhancements. These design details will be located at key identified intersections and other areas of interest along the Bypass corridor.

To kick off the waterfront planning process and get public input on the proposed enhancements for the USH 18 Bypass corridor, the City would like to invite interested community members to attend the first of two public open houses. This open house is intended to allow stakeholders to gather input about concerns and opportunities for the area, and comment on ideas that have been generated. The planning workshop will be held on Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Prairie du Chien City Hall, located at 214 E. Blackhawk Avenue.

The workshop will begin with a formal presentation and will then divide attendees into large groups to rotate through a series of interactive stations. Anticipated length of the meeting is approximately one and one-half hours. Members of local municipal Commissions will also be available to speak with interested persons.

Once this process is complete, the City will have a road map that will assist in making decisions that help shape the future of the waterfront. The end product will be a Waterfront Plan that will be able to be implemented and best serve the interests of the community.

We encourage you to learn more about the Waterfront Plan process and USH 18 Bypass project, and provide feedback on what has been developed by attending the upcoming planning workshop. For more information, please feel free to contact City Hall at 608-326-6406.

Much of the background information was prepared by Vierbicher, engineering consultant for the plan.