By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With construction of the much-ballyhooed East Gateway project expected to be less than a year away, Whitewater officials are in the process of putting some of the finishing touches on the preliminary work.
One of the final preliminary steps is an environmental soil study of the area because of the former makeup of the area.
“Given the past history of gas stations in the project area and known contamination in the right-of-way, environmental services are needed for this project,” Latisha Birkeland, neighborhood services director, said.
The Common Council on Nov. 19 awarded a $11,250 contract to CGC Inc. to perform the service.
City Manager Cameron Clapper said the work will be funded through previously awarded grant dollars.
In other recent business, the council:
– Passed an ordinance approving a $10 increase in particular court fees. In the past, the municipal judge had issued a $28 fee for each warrant or summons issued. The figure has now been increased to $38.
– Approved a new 6-year agreement with Menasha-based Accurate Appraisal for assessment services in the city. Accurate has served as the city’s current appraiser. The firm submitted a quote of $35,500 annually for the next six years.
– Approved a 2014 maintenance contract to business communication systems firm Radicom for the Whitewater Police Department’s 911 dispatch system. The contract carries a $27,100 price tag.
– Approved 2014 ambulance contracts between the Whitewater Volunteer Fire Department and a number of nearby rural communities, including the towns of Cold Spring, Johnstown, Koshkonong, Lima, Richmond, and Whitewater.
Terms of the contract state each member municipality is responsible for any unpaid ambulance bills that have gone unpaid after 70 days from the date of the original bill.
– Approved the licensed agent for alcohol beverage sales at Daniels Sentry. The agent was Dennis Riley, but the responsibility has since been turned over to Donald Douglas.
