PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council approved two change orders for the Prescott Food Pantry at 911 Pearl St. at a cost of $12,550.11 at the July 10 meeting.

City Administrator Matt Wolf reminded the council the city bought the building in 2021 as they didn’t want to see the food pantry removed. They wrote a Community Development Block Grant to the state Department of Administration, which the city received. Two amendments were awarded that raised the amount received to $1.6 million.

At the time the city was required by the DOA to pay up to $25,000 for the project. The City of Prescott awarded the bid to Market and Johnson for $1.2 million. The first change order up for approval was for $4,475 for labor, materials, and equipment to excavate and lower the existing structure that is off Pearl Street going to the Food Pantry. The second change order was regarding cost for labor, material, and equipment to relocate the existing main gas line and excavate it to grade for the parking lot for $8, 074.80.

 “Based on the approved grant contract, the city is still responsible for up to $2,897 in payments even after these change orders,” Wolf explained. “So, the two change orders tonight that are before you are for $12,550.11.”

Mayor Rob Daughtery asked if that was coming from the Capital Improvement Plan, which Wolf confirmed.

The council approved the resolution for the change orders for 911 Pearl St.

Development incentives

Wolf addressed the council concerning development incentive guidelines; he said previously the City of Prescott has used development incentives for multiple projects. The council reviewed a sample set of guidelines taken from the Village of Roberts at the May 8 meeting which was then shaped to fit the City of Prescott. The city decided to make the guidelines broader in nature to leave them open for other options.  

Alderperson Pat Knox asked for clarification about the cash incentive process.

“What that means is rather than collect taxes from them, we would not collect tax and they would keep the cash and it works that way. Is that what I understand that to be?” he asked.

“Essentially yes,” Wolf answered. “We determine what a project would generate in tax revenue and how much we would be receiving.”

Knox questioned, “So we are not actually giving them a tax payment, we’re just giving them a rebate on the taxes.”

“Correct,” Wolf confirmed.

“I think this is a good idea,” Alderperson Dar Hintz spoke up. “I’m glad that it’s in place.”

“I think that it’s really good to have it in writing,” Alderperson Maureen Otwell stated.

“Absolutely,” Hintz agreed as the council approved the Development Incentive Guidelines.

Xcel Energy

Knox asked about the site certification process through Xcel Energy. Wolf said everything has been submitted and reviewed but drone footage of the site needs to be obtained.

Wolf continued, “Other than that, Xcel has stated that we will be fully approved for that site certification.“

Knox further questioned when that would be available to go out to other businesses or communities, and Wolf admitted that he did not know.

Other business

The city did not receive the Scenic Byways Grant through the Federal Highway Administration along with the Wisconsin Transportation Alternatives Program, but the city was informed that it scored highly and should apply again.

Otwell mentioned upcoming performance evaluations. The mayor and council will receive confidential questionnaires to be completed and returned by July 31.

Knox asked if some of the next phases of the Riverfront Development have the possibility of being paid with TID money and questioned if there is an expiration on the TID money. Wolf responded that the end of February 2025 is the final expenditure period.