Many items discussed at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) requires every municipality in the state to rate and report pavement conditions every odd numbered year to maintain eligibility for General Transportation Aid (GTA) funds. Pavement ratings are assessed on a 1 to 10 scale utilizing the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) system developed by the DOT. Pavement conditions must be reported in the Wisconsin Information System for Local Roads (WISLR). MSA was requested to assist the City of Richland Center with the 2025 pavement rating cycle and utilize the WISLR (whistler) Pavement Analysis Tool to prepare  reports. Prior to 2025, pavement rating updates had been self-performed by City staff. MSA was retained to provide an objective review of the street inventory and pavement ratings without the influence prior ratings or methodologies. The results were reported to the city council at last night’s (Tuesday) meeting by Zachary Adams of MSA. This report provides estimated maintenance and capital costs for the whole system to either prolong their life or replace roads where pavement conditions are deteriorated beyond routine maintenance. Capital improvements, such as resurfacing, mill and overlay, and reconstruction, significantly extend a road’s service life. Maintenance improvements help preserve existing pavement and includes joint and crack sealing, patching, and sealcoating. Capital costs are much higher, as the work is much more extensive compared to maintenance costs. The report states 18.49 miles out of the 29.86 miles, or about 62%, of roadway are in need of improvements currently. In order to provide no backlog of work and get all the roads improved to a passable condition rating within a five-year timeline, the WISLR tool suggest a budget of $230,000 per year is needed, with the only remaining roads being with a passable pavement condition rating. With $150,000 budgeted for 2026, a budget of $250,000 for the next four years would be required. 

Dave Hensiak, owner of New Tech Golf Carts, introduced a business, which currently operates in Cottage Grove and Lake Geneva to the Redevelopment Authority (RDA). He proposes constructing a 5,000 square foot showroom and service facility, to be operated by the family. The business is a certified dealer of electric low-speed vehicles (LSVs) including Venom, manufactured in Monroe, and Evolution carts, manufactured in Texas. The project represents reinvestment in an infill site with existing infrastructure at 300 West Union Street. The project has been found to be consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, aligned with goals for economic development, efficient use of utilities, and reinvestment in underutilized parcels. Public utilities are available, site conditions are suitable, and no environmental constraints exist. The Council unaimously approved the sale by RDA to the Hensiak family.

In other action the Richland Center City Council approved:

To accept the Plan Commission Report for the Hive Drive Infrastructure Project which includes street, sidewalk, stormwater, and utility upgrades.

The execution of a landfill monitoring agreement with Mi-Tech Services Inc. at a cost not to exceed $11,000.

A non-monetary donation for trail improvements from the Joan Woodman Ortman McCollum Foundation and Soutwest Partners and the naming of the “Dale Bender Community Wellness Trail.”

Ordinance Amendments relating to control of weeds, grasses, and brush; the establishment of a forfeiture schedule and administrative fee for abatement of weeds, grasses, and brush; and relating to removal of snow and ice from public sidewalks.

The establishment of a forfeiture schedule and administrative fee for sidewalk snow and ice removal.

An updated Facility Agreement between the Richland School District and the City of Richland Center July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028.

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