By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
The Delavan Common Council approved a step toward creating a new tax incremental district in the city last week. The new district, called TID No. 6, would overlay portions of the existing TID No. 4.
Administrator Denise Pieroni said at the Oct. 20 meeting, the city is looking to establish a mixed use TID and asked the Council to approve a Municipal Advisor Client Disclosure agreement with Ehler’s at a cost of $15,500. She said the process of implementing the new TID should be completed by the end of June, 2021 or early fall at the latest at which time base values will be set.
Pieroni said $24,000 has been set aside to cover the costs of the project including the agreement with Ehler’s, the creation of some maps, and other costs. Most of those costs will be due in 2021. Pieroni recommended creating a fund for the money that will be used to pay for the project.
According to Pieroni, the new TID would include land north of Highway 50 and west of County Highway F except for the Lake Lawn airstrip and the Walworth County Visitor’s Center. It would also include vacant properties within and adjacent to the city’s two industrial parks. Some of those properties are already in TID No. 4, which is why the two districts would overlay each other.
Pieroni said the new district and its overlay with the existing district will allow the city to construct a much needed connection from Highway 50 to Mound Road and to extend improvements to that area that could lead to more manufacturing development.
Pieroni also said a new TID could help fund a potential I-43 interchange at County F that would help traffic flow into the city’s industrial parks. The reconstruction of Marsh Road and the extension of York Road to Highway 11 could also result from creation of a new TID.
It would be a 20-year mixed use TID, which would allow for some residential development. An enhanced connectivity for high-speed communications and internet in that area could be another possibility and could potentially be extended to other parts of the city.
Lake Lawn to move boat launch
The council approved a plan for Lake Lawn Resort that will allow the resort to relocate its boat launch. It falls under part of the plans to update the marina and develop that end of the resort.
The Plan Commission recommended approval under the condition that the current gravel turnaround surface near the boat launch be replaced with a permanent surface within one year.
Council rejects bids for golf course work
The council rejected two bids for tree trimming, removal and underbrush clearing at Delbrook Golf Course because both came in significantly over budget.
Alderman Carrie Deschner-Brandt said two projects included in the work will be separated in the future in an attempt to make each project more affordable.
The bid project in total called for the removal of 85 trees, the trimming of 222 trees and the clearing of approximately 1,500 feet of underbrush.
The budget for the project was set at $65,000 and the two bids came in at $151,500 and $144,950.
Board of Health gone
The council approved the elimination of the city’s rarely used Board of Health. According to Pieroni, the city’s municipal code contains provisions for a Board of Health and a Health Officer that the city has not had for years.
She said the city defers to county and state authorities for public health emergencies. The council approved eliminating the board and amending several provisions of the municipal code that refer to it.
Salaries adjusted
The council approved an adjustment to the city’s salary ranges for non-union staff. Pieroni said the city recently did a comparison of compensation with neighboring communities and recommended a six percent increase in salary ranges for non-union staff.
She said the increase will not impact employees at this time but will provide additional opportunities to gain future salary increases beyond the current limits.
