City of Hartford weekly update by Steve Volkert

Administrators Update: The 2017 Operation Budget is being sent through the wringer on our end and any last minute adjustments will be sent to the Council. Just a reminder that you have until October 10th to get to me any questions you have on the budget The 2017 General Operation Budget is in your mailboxes at City Hall. Please call with any questions as this new format might confuse you but hopefully you will find it easier to read. Again, if you would like any of the department heads to be at the discussion meeting on October 11th, please let me know along with any questions you have so they are well prepared.
Water Main on Wacker Dr.: We received only limited bids on this project when calling around as most contractors are booked for the rest of the year. We will continue to search for other bids while creating a more permanent band-aid on the solution. Our hope is to get much more reasonable bids and fix the problem this fall, or put in place the band-aid this fall and rebid in Spring.
Hwy. 83 Reconstruction Project: For the week of October 3rd: The contractor will be placing concrete pavement and curb & gutter Monday through Wednesday. The remaining areas of pavement and curb are smaller sections and will need to be placed by hand. After Zignego has finished placing all pavement sections, the subcontractor will begin preparing the sidewalk area and driveways for concrete placement. Also, the electrical subcontractor may be working next week at the Monroe Ave. intersection installing equipment for the traffic signals.
School Traffic:
I just wanted to make a special note for school traffic. E. Monroe Ave. will be open to traffic in the east-west direction. There will be one through lane of traffic in each direction. There will also be a left turn lane for westbound traffic and a right turn lane for eastbound traffic. The south leg of the intersection will be open to traffic as well. However, the north leg will be closed for the second phase of construction. While this will be the case for the remainder of the project, there is still work to complete in and around the intersection and traffic may be shifted to allow the contractor to work safely. Pedestrian traffic should utilize the sidewalk on the south side of E. Monroe Ave. at the intersection as the sidewalk on the north side is currently in the work zone.
Also, the intersection of Grand Ave. and Jefferson Ave. will be closed to traffic for the second phase of construction. For everyone’s safety, pedestrian traffic should also try to avoid this intersection during the second phase of construction. While this side street will be closed, all other side streets along Hwy. 83 will be open to traffic.
Open House at Hartford Fire Department October 8th: In conjunction with Fire Prevention week October 9th – 15th, the Hartford Fire Department will be holding their annual Open House on Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM – 1 PM. Everyone, especially young kids, are urged to attend.
Western Hills Subdivision Dewatering Station getting Uplift by Mid October: The Council voted to upgrade the Western Hills Subdivision Dewatering Station earlier this year with cost coming from the City but being reimbursed by the Developer. That upgrade of pumps and installing a rail system to help service the pumps will be started next week and completed by mid-month.
Plans presented for North Bookend Project at State and Main: The developer of the north bookend project presented to City staff his plans for an apartment building which will take up the majority of the redevelopment block at State and Main. Staff will review all plans and present to council at an upcoming meeting. This project is the second anchor to the downtown TIF project with the hotel being the first.
County PW Committee approves moving funds from Hwy K project to Hwy 60 Reliever Route study: At their Wednesday, September 28th meeting, the County Public Works Committee approved taking funds from their previously approved Hwy K rebuild project and use it to assist in helping fund the preliminary engineering study for the Hwy 60 Reliever Route. As these funds were already allocated by the full board, the Public Works Committee merely needed to reallocate those funds to this different project. This action comes a day after the Hartford City Council approved assisting in the cost for the 30% engineering study. At this same meeting, the committee moved the action to rename Hwy K as the replacement route for the designated Northern Reliever Route off of Arthur Rd onto the full County board without recommendation. They felt that they needed more information which the study could provide and wanted the input of the entire County Board.
The timeframe for this study is:
September 29th – contract is signed with engineer to start the study.
October 28th- first part of study comes back which discusses St. Laurence. County staff will then meet with the Town of Addison to discuss if impact is substantial in St. Laurence and the future use of Turtle Road.
November 29th – full study comes back for review by staff.
December 6th or 7th – County Public Works Committee holds open house on the final study and takes comments and asks questions. The public will be invited.
December 13th – Full plan will go before the County Board for action.
Signicast Hosts Exporting Seminar: Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch will moderate a spirited discussion on the triumphs and trials associated with global trade on Tuesday,
October 11th from 7:30 – 11 AM at Signicast. Whether your company has already gone global or are just starting, you will definitely learn something from the pros. This presentation will conclude with a discussion on what it takes to bring the US Open Championship to Erin Hills. A tour of Signicast will be available after the discussions. This event is sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, HADC and the Hartford Chamber to name a few.
School District to hold Listening Sessions on HUHS: The HU High School Superintendent invites the public to a set of listening sessions on the future of HUHS.
Community listening session with HUHS Board President Josh Schoemann, and Interim Superintendent, Attila J. Weninger.
 Friday, October 7
 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
 Russell Memorial Library
 Come and engage us about HUHS