Prairie du Chien takes on $2.1 million loan for library project
By Correne Martin
The city of Prairie du Chien is obtaining $2.1 million in loan financing to move forward with its public library renovation and expansion project, which is slated to begin in 2017.
A resolution authorizing $2.1 million in general obligation bonds was approved Tuesday night by the common council for the construction work and new library equipment and materials.
The proposed library addition currently has an estimated budget of $3 million, according to Brian Della, of PFM Financial Advisors, Milwaukee, a company the city chose to consult through its bonding process. Donations toward the project have reached nearly $1 million, some of which were pledged up front or over three to five years. Donations of in-kind materials are also anticipated for this project. The capital fundraising campaign has a goal of $1.5 million and is still actively seeking contributions. In fact, another $25,000 was received Monday, according to City Administrator Aaron Kramer. Any additional fundraising monies from this point on will be used to pay off the bonds.
The city has applied for and received approval for a FEMA grant in the amount of $262,000 to benefit the project as well. Those dollars will be used toward a safe room in the basement of the finished library.
According to Della, the city will borrow $2 million in general obligation, 20-year bonds. There will be less than $1 million in short-term notes borrowed to provide cash flow for the project while the city awaits cash to be received from donations and grants.
In addition to the library bonds, the council approved a resolution authorizing the refinancing of $450,000 the city took last year with Peoples State Bank to purchase a new fire truck.
In total, $2.55 million will be put into one bond for both the library project and the fire truck. A public notice will be published in the Courier Press notifying the city’s electors of its intent to bond for the library project.
There is a 30-day petition period, through which opposition may be filed with the city clerk’s office if a referendum is desired. Any such petition must be signed by 10 percent of the votes cast for mayor of the city in the last general election.
Polling place consolidation
The city will consider approving an ordinance at its Jan. 3 meeting about the proposal to consolidate all six of the city’s polling places into one location, at Hoffman Hall, for 2017. According to a memo from City Clerk-Treasurer Barb Elvert, access to the Armory in Prairie du Chien has become difficult and the state has begun charging $100 fee per day to use that facility, and the city uses the building for three days before, during and after an election. The city was also informed that it will be charged to have a state employee present on election days.
The recommended Hoffman Hall location is the city’s first choice because there’s plenty of room to accommodate a large number of voters and the parking lot is also large enough. City hall is the second choice, though parking is a problem at that site. There are other options to consider and citizens are encouraged to attend the Jan. 3 council meeting to share their input.
Other business
•City Planner Garth Frable was appointed, after closed session, as the interim zoning administrator.
•The council approved an increase to the city hall usage fee. Currently, it is $20 per year. However, in 2018, it will become $10 per hour for rental or $50 per year. Certain entities, such as the chamber and school district, are exempt from the fees.
“We’re not trying to get rich; we’re just trying to cover some of our costs,” Kramer said.
•A list of capital projects was approved, including: 1) $2,000 for new software for the municipal court, 2) $6,174.98 to cover the cost of overruns on the St. Feriole Island electrical upgrade, 3) $1,000 added to the Hoffman Hall north wall for an engineering survey to determine any future needs, 4) $4,567.39 for repairs at the city fuel tanks, and 5) $14,000 for the purchase of a new cab.
•Staff was given the OK to place two vehicles and a chipper on Wisconsin Surplus, along with a boat motor and four air tanks from the fire department.
•Two parking stalls in the 200 block of East Blackhawk Avenue, in front of The Local Oven’s new store, were officially changed from handicapped-accessible back to conventional parking. Then, it was approved to install one handicapped-accessible stall in front of city hall, near the ramp/entrance.
