At the June 9 meeting, the Prescott City Council approved Resolution 32-25, a formal communication to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the Prescott Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“Overall, we continue to receive high marks,” commented City Administrator Matt Wolf. He noted that the primary area of concern is phosphorus levels and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). “Mainly this is because of the industrial park, working specifically with SV Labs, as they are a manufacturer of household hygiene products. So they have a high BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) that gets sent to the treatment plant.” He added that the city is actively working with SV Labs to explore pretreatment options and has an industrial discharge agreement in place.

The City of Prescott received a 3.66 GPA out of 4 on its recent evaluation.

Alderperson Maureen Otwell remarked, “I think we need to congratulate Matt Holman on his work at the sewer and water treatment plant. We always get an excellent rating on this.”

“Is this rating similar to other cities our size?” asked Alderperson Lindsey Sorenson.

“That I do not know,” replied Wolf.

The council continued its Monday evening meeting by approving three change orders for ongoing city projects. First, the council approved Change Order #1, which authorized additional mill and overlay work on Second and Walnut streets at a cost of $43,863.30. Greg Adams of Cedar Corporations explained that this change order came about due to savings from the Riverfront Phase 2 Project. As a result, the city looked at improving the area between Mercord Park and Jacques Park.

“The contractor was willing to do that at the unit price,” said Adams. “Then all of that asphalt would be the same age and on the same schedule of life expectancy.”

Next, the council approved Change Order #2 for $12,038.25, which includes the addition of a light and light pole base, electrical conduit, and low voltage conduit for the security system.

Finally, Change Order #3 was approved, relocating the proposed fenced waste area to the northeast corner of Jacques Park. This change resulted in a total cost reduction of $500.

Tennis/pickleball court reconstruction

The tennis and pickleball courts at Public Square Park are set for a refresh. At its recent meeting, the council approved an agreement with Monarch Paving for fine grading and paving of a 3-inch average asphalt layer, at a cost of $40,050. Shortly after, the council also awarded the tennis and pickleball court reconstruction bid to ATE Recreation.

“How much is the one going to ATE?” asked Alderperson Mike Gerke. “What is the price tag for their part of it?”

“Their bid came in at $32,643,” said Wolf, who also noted that ATE submitted the lowest bid. The city’s public works staff will handle the subbase work for the project.

“Is this going to be done this summer?” asked Otwell.

Wolf replied, “It’s expected to probably be done sometime in September.”

Stormwater pond design contract

The Council then approved a stormwater pond design contract with Cedar Corporation for Magee Park. Adams explained that this project addresses long-standing drainage issues caused by runoff from Dexter and Walnut streets.

“Basically, it’s looking at the storm water design for the runoff that’s always been running down into that property,” he said.

Adams noted that a suitable location for the pond has already been identified. He added that they already found a location they believe would “fit well.” A flood study has also been completed, confirming that all runoff will remain on the parcel.

“It would be sizing a pond and an outfall,” Adams continued. “That would be bringing the water down this future street to this pond area that’s kind of in that low natural wooded area and release that at a non-erosive velocity.”

Adams added that they would also look at the developed area contributing into that same pond.

Finally, the council ended the meeting by approving the water engineering report prepared by CBS Squared, Inc.