At the Oct. 11 Common Council meeting, the council approved a 2022-2028 seven-year capital improvement program project list, involving six streets/utilities in Wautoma. MSA Project Engineer Chad Grundemann attended the meeting and presented the list to the council, which includes: 16th Avenue, Waupaca Street, South Sandcrest, the Main Street to St. Marie Street alley, Century Drive, and the access road to Milk Specialties and the Wautoma Gun Club.
After further discussion, the council approved an MSA services agreement for $7,500 to complete project estimates and seven-year capital improvement plan to be used for future city planning and borrowing. They also approved an MSA services agreement for $10,000 to complete a topographic survey and submit an LRIP grant application for the 16th Avenue project (design and construction observation contract to be approved at a future meeting.) Grundemann told the council that MSA would like to complete this before winter weather arrives.
Kurt Berner, Vice-President of the Samuels Group, attended the council meeting to present information to the council regarding the future of the current Waushara County Courthouse. He told the council that the move-out of the court house is planned for 2024. He also told the council that the Waushara County Board is open to ideas for the future use of the building and that what the building is eventually used for, and the code requirements for that use, will determine the cost of any renovation that is required. He said the building will be razed if no buyers come forward.
Mayor John Nixon said he felt like the city had “no skin in the game” when the board decided to build a new courthouse and vacate the current one. After much discussion, it was decided that the city would contact the board and request that a committee of board members and city council representatives be formed to further explore options for the current building and its future use.
In Police Chief Paul Mott’s report, he told the council that Wautoma is listed online, by the FBI, as having an 80% crime rate higher than the national average (www.areavibes.com/wautoma-wi/crime) However, he explained that number includes Wautoma gasoline drive-offs (without paying) at a local service station. In a follow-up phone call, Mott said that since January 1 until the present, 79 thefts have been reported and that 70 of those are gas station drive-offs. He said that he and his officers have been investigating the drive-offs and have found that many of them are mistakes or computer errors (credit cards didn’t charge the cost of the gas), with no intent by the driver to commit a crime. He said that these will not be reported to the FBI as crimes, therefore the 80% number will decrease significantly in the future. If they find that there was intent, the driver will be prosecuted.
Mott told the council that city police officers are now equipped with Narcan Nasal Spray, which is used to treat an Opioid overdose. The officers have also been trained in the use of the medication.
He also said that a drug drop box has been placed in city hall for its residents to use to dispose of expired or unused medications. This was provided by the Waushara Co. Department of Human Services.
Mott also reported that there have been 12,500 views on Face Book in the one month that it has existed. He added that the ATV map for the city is posted on Face Book and had 4,500 views since Sunday, October 10, only 24 hours ago.
He added that Trick-or-Treating will take place in Wautoma on Sunday, October 31, from 3 to 5 p.m.
In other business, the council approved:
*Ordinance #2021-04, adopting a ward plan and designating a polling place. City Administrator Tommy Bohler told the council that only a minor change occurred in the redistricting.
*An operator’s license for Genevieve Brahmer (StoneRidge).
*A Class “B” beer license and a Class “B” liquor license for Two20 Main Taphouse and Grill.
*A 2022 budget hearing meeting for November 8 at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
The next regular Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
