Published: Dec. 9, 2015
A1 - West Bend Common Council
Dogs will be allowed at Ridge Run Park
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News
Dog owners in West Bend got “barking” good news at Monday’s
Common Council meeting at City Hall.
When the city acquires Ridge Run Park ownership from
Washington County on Jan. 4, dogs will continue to be allowed in the park,
despite a city ordinance forbidding animals such as dogs in city parks.
The Common Council approved a change in the city’s ordinance
to continue to allow dogs in Ridge Run Park after the city’s acquisition of the
park.
Also approved relating to the change in ordinance is the
mandate to have dogs on a 6-foot leash in the park. The change also brings the
Ice Age Trail in Glacial Hills Recreation Area in line with Ridge Run Park and
most of the Ice Age Trail.
A review of the ordinance at Ridge Run Park will be done in
one year.
When asked if the city will consider a change to allow dogs
in other city parks, excluding the West Bend Dog Park, City Administrator TJ
Justice said Tuesday “the system we have works well.”
Also on Monday, the Common Council approved the 2016 Shared
Ride Taxi Service agreement and the 2016 Shared Ride Taxi Vehicle lease
agreement, both with FDS Enterprise Inc.
“It’s unquestionably a valuable service to our residents,
especially the elderly and the handicapped,” Justice said. “It’s a service we
want to keep costs under control and the impact general fund on our budget
needs to be kept in check.”
However, Justice added because of declining federal funding
of the service, the Common Council will look at potential rate increases in
2016.
Justice said increases are “possible.”
Rate increases will be used to help offset operating costs
and vehicle purchases.
In addition to FDS Enterprise Inc., Johnson Bus also put in
a bid. But Justice said the FDS proposal was more “cost effective by more than
$100,000.”
The contract is good through 2020.
In other proceedings:
■ A
claim against the city by Carol Hottenstein saying poor road conditions damaged
a vehicle was denied. Justice said there was not enough evidence to support the
claim.
■ A
1991 Toyota forklift was declared surplus property from the Public Works
Department.
■
Verizon Wireless proposed to enter into a lease agreement with the City of West
Bend Water Utility for the purpose of installing facilities and equipment at
the Summit Drive water tower site. It was approved. It is a five-year deal with
automatic extensions and a rental fee of $26,400, which will increase 2 percent
each year.
■ The
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will receive a $33,084.78
reimbursement for the site assessment grant on behalf of Associated Bank on
Paradise Drive.
■
Carrie Winklbauer was appointed city comptroller and will take over the job
Jan. 1.
Reach sports editor Nicholas Dettmann at
ndettmann@conleynet.com.
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