PRESCOTT – At the Dec. 9 Prescott City Council meeting, Cedar Corporation Engineer Greg Adams gave the final assessment report for the Elm and Washington Streets project.

“The one thing that happened which was a huge benefit, I had applied for a DOT grant and the city was awarded it in June, I believe, for $871,950,” Adams explained.

He added that curb and gutter was considered an eligible item as part of the project.

“I noticed that. I thought that the residents are going to be happy about that,” said Alderperson Maureen Otwell.

“It doesn’t really affect your assessments. It looks like your assessments are a lot lower, but you were compensated for it and then some on the grant,” said Adams.

He reviewed and updated the assessment schedules. The sewer lateral rate came in lower than initially anticipated and changes in residence for four property owners were updated accordingly.

“With the fact that the assessments came in lower than the preliminary, you don’t have to do another final assessment hearing,” Adams clarified.

With a motion by Otwell, the council approved the resolution Authorizing Special Assessments to Elm and Washington Streets Under Police Powers Pursuant to Sec. 66.0703, Wis. Stats.

With Alderpersons John Peterson and Adam Granquist absent, the council also approved the labor agreement between the City of Prescott and the Prescott Professional Police Association from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

City Administrator Matt Wolf said the current agreement between the City of Prescott and the Prescott Police Union runs out on Dec. 31, 2024.

“We have been negotiating with the Union since about July of this year with different meetings,” said Wolf. “We have tentatively agreed upon an agreement for 2025 through 2027.”

He noted some key changes are a three-year, 4% wage increase for union members and a new provision requiring that any shifts needing to be filled will be assigned starting with the least seniority and moving to the highest, with the process resetting every six months. Additionally, adjustments were made to the clothing uniform allowance. Wolf said one of the bigger changes was to have a seniority pay included that when a patrol officer works for eight, 10, and 12 years with the city they shall get an additional 50 cents per hour at each of those anniversary dates for a total of $1.50 per hour.

“The Union has reviewed it and the members have approved and accepted the agreement,” he finished.