After much discussion, and input from MSA Project Engineer Chad Grundemann at the July 11 common council meeting, the council approved funding responsibilities for the reconstruction of the alley and adjacent parking lots connecting Main Street and South Ste. Marie Street. The council decided and approved that the city will cover the costs of the infrastructure and 50% of the aggregate and pavement for the parking lots, with the remaining 50% covered by the business/property-owners.
Council members all agreed that the project is desperately needed. “There’s stuff collapsing back there all of the time,” said Mayor John Nixon. Grundemann agreed that there are laterals collapsing and erosion is also taking place and the city needs to fix the problems.
Grundemann said that the project will cost approximately $413,000. City Administrator Tommy Bohler added that there are some excess funds from past grants that can help pay for the project.
Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott gave his monthly report and shared a crime chart with council members. The chart compared crime in Wautoma from January 1, 2021 to July 1, 2021 to crime in Wautoma from January 1, 2022 to July 1, 2022. The chart indicated that crime in Wautoma has decreased by 93.3% when compared with those 6-month time periods from 2021 to 2022. The source for much of the crime data is released from the FBI on a regular basis.
Tri-County Environmental Health Consortium Program Manager/Health Inspector Mary Robl attended the meeting, giving a presentation regarding Article III: Public Health Hazards and what her responsibilities are. She discussed what she is able to do with regard to public health hazards, such as air and water pollution, breeding places for vermin, wastewater, groundwater pollution, unfit dwellings, and what steps she is able to take if anyone is cited for these violations. A long discussion followed, with no resolution as to what to do with a few homes in the city that are badly in need of repair.
In the mayor’s report, Nixon reported that the Open Air Market will be relocating to the WWII Memorial building for the remainder of the season. The market is open the first and third Saturday of each month for the summer and early fall.
Nixon also reported that he met with Waushara County Sheriff Wally Zuehlke and Portage County Sheriff Mike Lucas to discuss ATVs and what areas have open trails. Nixon reported that “all of Plover is open to ATVs.” City Administrator Bohler added that the council could decide to hold an advisory or regular referendum on what roadways Wautoma citizens want open to ATVs.
The council approved operator’s licenses for Paul M. Hedrick and Richard Kalata, both for the Wautoma Kiwanis for the Waushara County Fair.
The next Wautoma Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 8, at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
