The Municipal Services Committee on Oct. 20 approved four action items by unanimous vote (5–0): the third revision to the state municipal agreement (SMA) for Law Street from College Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue; a long-term temporary occupancy permit for 318 West College Avenue; a $9,990 amendment to the Alta Planning + Design contract for Thrivent Complete Streets plan review and design support; and a relocation order to acquire right of way at the southeast corner of Richmond Street and Ridgeview Lane for a traffic signal.

Deputy Director Neuberger explained the history of the Law Street project and the SMA revisions. “The original SMA total project cost was identified as $4,270,000 with 2,800,000.0 from the state and 1,480,000.00 from the city,” Neuberger said. She said the city’s share was reduced through earlier revisions—first by $85,000 and then by $531,555 to a city share of $858,164—before the revision now before the committee added sidewalk improvements at a railroad crossing that are not compensable under federal caps. That sidewalk work increases the local share by $25,250, which is reflected in SMA revision number 3, Neuberger said.

The committee voted to approve the SMA third revision (agenda item 25-1312) by voice vote; the chair recorded the motion as passing 5–0.

On agenda item 25-1313, the committee approved a long-term temporary occupancy permit for 318 West College Avenue. Staff said the first 35 days were approved administratively and that, for permits exceeding 35 days, committee approval covers the full range through 11/19/2025. The meeting agenda listed the item through 11/09/2025; staff’s statement that approval would extend through 11/19/2025 creates a discrepancy in the record.

The committee also approved contract amendment number 2 to the Thrivent Complete Streets Plan Review and Design Support contract with Alta Planning + Design, increasing the contract by $9,990 for a total not to exceed $55,090 (agenda item 25-1314). Staff described the work as part of Thrivent Phase 1 and said Alta will assist with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle design elements and complex intersection designs to reduce iterations and speed delivery of a final design. When Alder Hartzheim asked whether the amendment would be reimbursed from Thrivent funds that the city had set aside, staff replied, “Yes, that's correct.” The motion passed 5–0.

The final action (25-1315) approved a relocation order to acquire additional right of way at the southeast corner of Richmond Street and Ridgeview Lane to allow construction of a traffic signal. Staff said the timing was driven by interchange work on I-41 and that the project is funded under a signals and standalone improvements grant with a 90/10 cost share (10% local). Staff also noted the city is partnering with Grand Chute on the project. The committee approved the relocation order 5–0.

All four motions passed by the roll call membership present: Brad Fergus (District 3), Adrian Stansel Martin (District 11), Denise Fenton (District 6), Alex Schultz (District 9) and Brad Meltzer (District 2), each recorded as voting yes.

Why it matters: The SMA revision changes the city’s local funding obligation for Law Street by adding a sidewalk-related local cost of $25,250 tied to federal funding caps; the Alta contract amendment advances design work intended to speed construction and improve pedestrian and bicycle accommodations; and the relocation order ties local right-of-way acquisition to an I-41 interchange project and a grant-funded signal installation. The occupancy-permit approval allows a longer-term use of 318 West College Avenue; the exact permit end date is unclear in the meeting record.

What’s next: The SMA revision and relocation order move the Law Street and Richmond/Ridgeview projects forward toward delivery; staff will manage contract work with Alta under the revised not-to-exceed amount and will reconcile the permit end date for 318 West College Avenue in administrative records.