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At a special Wautoma Common Council meeting, held on Monday, May 22, the council unanimously passed Ordinance #2023-01, to amend Section 58-75 of the Code of Ordinances, allowing those 16 years of age and older to operate ATV/UTV vehicles on any streets in the city. Operators must have a valid driver’s license.
In addition, operators must complete the required ATV safety course with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and operators and passengers under the age of 18 must, at all times, wear a helmet approved by the WI DOT. Operators must drive their vehicles on the extreme right side of the road, in single file at all times and operate at 25 miles per hour. Hours of operation are limited to between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight. Except for crossing state highways, operators are not allowed to drive on state highways, including in downtown Wautoma.
Wautoma resident Johanna Olson attended the meeting to speak to the council about the ordinance change, telling the council that she lives on a very quiet street that she enjoys and questioned the council whether they have researched what other towns, that have allowed ATV/UTV operations within their streets, have experienced. She also questioned whether Wautoma has the resources to police the ATV/UTV drivers once the ordinance has passed.
City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Tommy Bohler responded, telling Olson that he has done research with other cities about the size of Wautoma and larger and found out that they have had very few problems. “Cities are seeing minimal concerns,” said Bohler. Bohler also told Olson that it is doubtful that her street will see many ATV/UTVs operating, but that there will be some streets that have more activity. Bohler said “the city can always amend policies and add addendums to ordinances” and indicated the council would do so if needed. “We want to be good neighbors” with our residents, he added.
The council approved Resolution #2023-5, providing for the sale of $3,250,000 general obligation corporate purpose bonds, series 2023A, which included passing: Initial Resolution #2023-01, authorizing $2,030,000 general obligation bonds for street improvement projects; Initial Resolution #2023-02, authorizing $1,135,000 general obligation bonds for sewerage projects; Initial Resolution #2023-03, authorizing $85,000 general obligation bonds for water system projects; and Resolution #2023-04, directing publication of notice to electors relating to bond issues.
Ehlers Municipal Advisor Brian Roemer attended the meeting and told the council that the sale date is July 10 and that the loans are prepayable after 8 years. Bohler added that grant monies will offset the debt service and that the impact on tax rates will be minimal. “When we add more value to the city, it offsets property-owners tax bills,” added Bohler.
MSA Project Engineer Chad Grundemann attended the meeting and told the council that Kopplin & Kinas Construction had the lowest bid ($2.29 million) on the Waupaca Street construction and that the bids were 14 percent over the pre-bid estimate, which can be expected with the rise in costs of materials, etc. Bohler said “we are in a strong financial position” and that the higher bid than what was estimated would not affect the city.
The council approved the bid from Kopplin & Kinas and approved the MSA Professional Services Agreement for the Waupaca Street construction staking, construction administration, and construction observation for a fee of $215,300. Kopplin & Kinas intends to begin construction in mid-July, with completion estimated for the end of October.
Grundemann said that he is aware of two city residents on Waupaca Street that want to have their laterals replaced during the project, due to roots, etc. that have compromised their laterals. Grundemann encouraged others to consider this option as their expense will be cheaper to have done during the project rather than sometime after the project completion.
The council approved a development agreement in Lake Ridge subdivision for local developer Jay Hartz. The agreement states that Hartz will be sold a lot, for a minimal cost, to develop and construct a duplex within 12 months, with a required minimal value of $450,000. If these conditions are not met, the city development/lot will revert to the city. According to Hartz, he plans to construct roughly a $600,000 duplex on Lot 51. In the past, the city approved that 10 lots, from the central part to the northwest part of the subdivision could be used for the construction of high-quality duplex homes. The central part to the northeast part will be restricted to high-quality single-family homes.
In other action, the council approved the Planning Commission’s decision to remove and change some of the covenants/rules that exist within the Lake Ridge subdivision. Bohler told the council that some of the covenants and rules are already in the city ordinances and some are unrealistic. Many property-owners in the subdivision have complained about the covenants/rules in the recent past.
The council also approved Ordinance #2023-2, amending the Code of Ordinances related to alcohol beveraging licensing to reflect recent state law changes. Bohler said this means that operators licenses and provisional licenses do not have to be approved at the council meetings, but instead will be approved by the city police chief and staff. At this point, however, annual liquor and cigarette renewals will still be approved by the council.
The next regular Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
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