Community Corner
Budget Woes Block Beach Bluff Project
Though the Port Washington Common Council had been talking about spending some money to figure out the next best steps in bluff stabilization, the lack of funding has pushed the council to hold off likely until next year.
There has been a lot of talk about , and for now it seems the Port Washington Common Council is going to leave it at that.
City Engineer Rob Vanden Noven presented the council with bids from two separate companies to conduct soil borings — a test that would help determine the best next step in stabilizing the bluffs, such as installing a wick system.
Wisconsin Testing Laboratories LLC offered a bid of $17,117, while Giles Engineering Associates bid $14,880. But with no money budgeted for such tests this year, the council was quick to put the brakes on.
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"We are going to have to talk about where the money would come from, because this would eat up all the contingency fund," City Adminstrator Mark Grams said.
Aldermen asked Vanden Noven to again speak with the companies and see how long their bids would be valid; if it would be feasible, the council would likely consider budgeting for such tests in 2013.
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The council first discussed issues on North Beach in May, when they .
Ald. Joe Dean pointed out that he believes the council needs to have a more specific direction in mind before making a decision to spend any money at all.
"Are we going to do tactical fixes, or are we going to go all in and at least plant the seeds for future council to go a long way (with improving the bluff's appearance)," Dean said.
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