PRESCOTT – The Prescott City Council voted unanimously Feb. 23 to award the city’s two open “Class B” liquor licenses to Prescott Roadhouse and Point St. Croix Marina. The final approval will be given at second March meeting, subject to public notice and acceptance by the businesses.

The city had been holding onto one regular “Class B” license ever since the Steamboat Inn closed in hopes that the property would be developed. Though a couple of developments have been proposed over the years, none came to fruition.

The city also had one reserve “Class B” license, obtained from the state in 2024 due to population growth. The state mandates the minimum amount of money the city must charge per license, which is $500 for the regular and $10,000 for the reserve.

The city received three applications for the licenses: Prescott Roadhouse, Point St. Croix Marina and The Corner Italian, a new business at the corner of Orange and Broad streets. After review and scoring of the applications, the Health and Safety Committee recommended Prescott Roadhouse receive the $500.00 “Class B” Liquor License and Pt. St. Croix Marina receive the Reserve “Class B” Liquor License for $10,000.

City Administrator Matt Wolf said the city receives a new license each time it increases its population by 500.

“We’re not that far away from getting another one in the next two to three years,” Wolf said.

All three businesses scored close to each other, said Alderperson Maureen Otwell.

“I thought it was a very fair process that we used,” she said.

The applications were scored on four categories: Business plan and community benefit, experience and qualifications, compliance and legal history, and location and zoning capability.

Adopt-a-Tree

The council passed a resolution to establish the city’s Adopt-a-Tree pilot program. Under the program, Public Works will plant approved tree species within the public right of way adjacent to a resident’s property, subject to site verification. This will help replace more than 200 ash trees that were removed due to Emerald Ash Borer.

The city will purchase and plant the trees, provide tree watering bags and provide a care brochure to participating residents, who will have five species to choose from: Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Honey Locust, Japanese Tree Lilac and Regal Prince Oak. Twenty trees will be placed on hold for the pilot year, with four of each species. Residents will rank their preferred species when submitting a complete application. Trees will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on availability at the time of application. Once a species has been fully reserved, it will no longer be available. Properties where a city tree was previously removed due to death or ash removal will receive priority in species selection before general assignment occurs.

Ongoing structural maintenance, hazard trimming, and removals will remain the responsibility of Public Works. Staff will also implement an interactive web map to track planting locations and display species information. Participating residents may opt in to have their name displayed to increase community engagement and program visibility.

The total cost is approximately $3,276,40, which is in the approved $5,000 pilot program budget.

Residents can learn more about the application process in the city’s newsletter or on Facebook. The trees will be planted this fall.

Otwell said she likes the diversity of the species offered, “so they don’t all die at the same time.”

Freedom Park repairs

The council approved stonework repairs at Freedom Park by Luke Busker Masonry totaling $32,760, which will come from the city’s Parks Improvement Fund.

According to the city council packet, staff met with the Friends of Freedom Park in early January to review additional maintenance needs and improvement priorities. The following items were identified:

• Install a floodlight on the southeast side of the building and add additional lighting within the pavilion. Currently, only one floodlight exists on the northwest side.
• Remove and replace a broken plexiglass wall panel with a solid panel.
• Create and install a park rules sign.
• Add an additional ADA-accessible picnic table.
• Replace walkway signs, which are original from 2007 and have faded. Existing posts remain in good condition.
• Replace the viewing scope along the bluff line, which is aging and no longer in good working condition.
• Repair or replace a damaged gutter that was struck by a fallen tree.
• Grind four remaining tree stumps, by Public Works staff.
• Explore adding a compost yard waste bin with Tennis Sanitation for disposal of weeds and tree debris.
• Repair or replace malfunctioning ADA door access buttons.
• Install a 6-foot by 6-foot concrete pad in the southeast corner of the park to support educational displays.
• Inspect and potentially repaint the wooden entrance sign to preserve its condition.
• Replace the drinking fountain adjacent to the pavilion. This fountain was purchased in 2025 and is scheduled for installation in spring/summer 2026.
• Evaluate future security upgrades, including replacing existing cameras with Verkada cameras and installing door access controls.
• Develop a long-term plan for the amphitheater, which is cracking and currently underutilized due to sun exposure. Options include constructing a shelter or removing and repurposing the area.
• Purchase a new trash and recycling system for the Visitor Center.
• Repair or replace damaged wood trim around the office door and window.

The Parks and Public Works Committee reviewed the requests submitted by the Friends of Freedom Park Feb. 16 and developed a table to summarize and prioritize the requested improvements. Public Works is able to complete much of the work or has already. The items put on hold include replacing the walkway signs and viewing scope, repainting the entry sign, updating security and adding an automated door system and a long-term plan for the amphitheater.

The city’s Parks Improvement Fund currently has a balance of $104,083, which may be used for park repairs, maintenance, and capital improvements. Due to the scope and cost of the stonework repairs at Freedom Park, the Committee recommended using funds from the Parks Improvement Fund to complete the project.

Annual library report

Library Director Carissa Langer presented the Prescott Public Library’s 2025 annual report, which showcased the following accomplishments:

• A 10% increase in the number of digital items checked out; slight decrease in number of physical items (45,855).
• 265 new card holders in 2025, for a total of 2,321.
• Program attendance increased by 75;5% with 7,095 people attending on and offsite (491 programs). She credited staff doing a lot more outreach to schools and daycares around town, Reading with a Ranger, Freedom Park, community events.

The library saw a 4% increase in visitors from 2024 to 2025, with 33,784. Their reasons for visiting ranged from checking out items, using the computers and wi-fi, using the copier/fax/printer, attending programs, tutoring, studying, working, meeting or using the meeting room.

2026 goals include continuing to expand outreach, collaborating on more author events and kicking off the summer reading program.

Other business

• The council approved a grant agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for the Oral Health Program in the amount of $5,733. The Oral Health Program is designed to support funding community water fluoridation equipment to ensure communities consistently provide fluoride levels at the optimal range of .7 mg/L to residents.
• The council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the city’s sewer connection fee. The city is considering a new subdivision consisting of nine lots at Walnut and Dexter streets. The properties would use grinder pumps to push their waste to manholes nearby instead of installing a new lift station. The amendment would waive the sewer connection free (around $2,156) since each grinder would cost $10,000.
• The council also approved a repair forbearance agreement between the city and Prescott Legacy LLC for 915 Canton St., with minor modifications from the city attorney. The agreement gives the property owner 10-12 weeks to complete the repairs and change the residential unit within the property to an office.
• Scoutmaster Eric Kreager introduced himself and his troop, chartered by the United Church of Christ, who attended the meeting to learn about city government and what the city council does.