Ozaukee County, Wisconsin - Minutes - Highway Committee

October 14, 2004

Port Washington, WI

Chairman Kaul called the meeting of the Ozaukee County Highway Committee to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were committee members Kaul, Hilber, Grosklaus, Uselding and Kletti, Highway Commissioner Dreblow and Office Manager Carroll. Also in attendance were Administrator Meaux and County Board Supervisor Eckert. Moved by Uselding and second by Kletti to approve the minutes of the September 30, 2004 meeting as printed. All members present voting aye, the motion was adopted.

Dreblow reviewed correspondence and communications.

2003-2004 Labor Contract – The committee signed the original contract and attached agreements. Preliminary negotiations for the 2005-2006 labor contract are scheduled for November 4^th and November 11^th.

City of Mequon- Dreblow read the letter to Chairman Kaul from Mayor Nuernberg, in regard to improving weed control and street sweeping on CTH ‘W’ and on the intersection of STH 167 and CTH ‘W’. Dreblow explained the maintenance policy.

Construction and maintenance projects were reviewed as follows:

STH 33 and CTH ‘LL’ proposed roundabout construction -Representing WisDOT were Todd Becker, Project Supervisor, and Bill Mohr, Project Manager. Representing the City of Port Washington were Administrator Mark Grams and Engineer Rob Vanden Noven. Project Engineer, Jan Zander, Ayers & Assoc., presented drawings of the proposed designs for both a roundabout and a signalized intersection. WisDOT requires that all signalized intersection reconstructions include an analysis of a roundabout as well as other intersection profiles. The city is concerned that residential development north and south of STH 33 along CTH ‘LL’ will increase both traffic and pedestrian levels. Zander is planning on doing additional projections. The committee voiced it’s concern regarding merging of north/south vehicle and truck traffic from a single lane into a two lane roundabout. Zander explained that traffic already in the roundabout would have the right-of-way. The City is in favor of the roundabout because it believes a roundabout would be safer for both motorists and pedestrians. WisDOT is asking for County input on the concept of a roundabout. Becker, Mohr, Grams, Vanden Noven and Zander left the meeting. The committee directed Dreblow to contact another community, such as Mt. Horeb, that already has a roundabout to obtain their opinion on it’s function. The committee will continue to review the proposed roundabout and make a recommendation at future Highway Committee meeting.

Kaul left the meeting, due to illness, at 10:35 a.m. Supervisor Eckert left the meeting. Vice-Chairman Grosklaus assumed the chair.

Railroad Crossing Safety Recommendation Letter – Dreblow read the revised letter, prepared by Dave Schwengel. Moved by Kletti and second by Hilber to approve the recommendation letter as read. All members present voting aye, the motion was adopted.

Dreblow reviewed proposals for the purchase of a replacement wire welder as follows:

Airtech - $3,644.00

Praxair - $8,105.00

Shop Superintendent Leppla has recommended accepting the Airtech proposal. Moved by Uselding and second by Kletti to accept the Airtech proposal for a wire welder at a cost of $3,644.00. All members present voting aye, the motion was adopted.

The proposed 2005 budget as recommended by the Finance Committee was discussed. Kletti was concerned that the $2,000 reduction in conference expense would not allow enough to attend the normal number of conferences. Dreblow believes that a fund transfer can be made to increase the conference amount. The Finance Committee would not agree to apply $200,000 from the capital reserve fund, to reduce the highway tax levy. The 2005 Transportation aids were budgeted at $1,050,000. WisDOT has notified the county that only $1,020,000 will be received. The construction budget was then reduced by $230,000. Kletti asked if the committee would support a motion to restore the $230,000 reduction made by the Finance Committee? The committee agreed to support a motion. Moved by Kletti and second by Hilber to request that Administrator Meaux prepare a resolution restoring $230,000 to the 2005 Highway Budget. All members present voting aye, the motion was adopted.

The labor payroll of October 8, 2004 in the amount of #73,071.16 was reviewed. Accounts Payable Batch #38804 in the amount of $117,104.15 and Batch #38799 in the amount of $50,477.06 were reviewed. Moved by Hilber and second by Kletti to approve the labor payroll and accounts payable batches. All members present voting aye, the motion was adopted.

Moved by Uselding and second by Kletti to adjourn at 11:55 a.m. All members present voting aye, the motion was adopted.

Respectfully Submitted,

Georgia Carroll, Office Manager