Two recommendations related to the Sturgeon Bay west side waterfront were approved on majority votes during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday at city hall. On a five to two vote, the council gave the go-ahead for staff to apply for a DNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship local assistance grant that could lead to the construction of bathroom facilities on the former Door County Cooperative property. City Community Development Director Marty Olejniczak said simply applying for the grant would not mean the city was required to move ahead with a project. It’s been estimated that bathroom facilities could cost about $200,000 to construct and the DNR grant would only cover half that amount. Alderman Kelly Catarazoli made a motion that the city’s share of the costs be covered without tax incremental finance dollars. That motion was defeated on a five to two vote. The council then approved the original recommendation with Catarazoli and Alderman Will Gregory objecting. The vote was unanimous in connection with action on a $34,000 contract to hire the firm of Ayres and Associates for oversite related to environmental testing on the parcel. Council-members were told the work is being done in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources in order to obtain a voluntary party liability exemption for the property. Under the process, the DNR requires a greater degree of environmental investigation in exchange for an exemption for future environmental liability. The DNR reviewed previous work at the parcel and decided a little more testing was in order.
A request for a recycler’s license for Door County Scrap Metal was approved as presented. Randy and Chris Mueller recently purchased the former Sturgeon Bay Iron and Scrap Metal property at 1456 Shiloh Road. Under state statutes, the Department of Transportation requires a new permit to be issued by the city council so that that a new state license can be obtained because of the ownership change.
Earlier in the meeting, proclamations for the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament weekend and National Safe Boating week were read by Council President Ron Vandertie, sitting in for Mayor Thad Birmingham. Shirley Senarighi was also only hand to conduct a review of the council’s Civility Project endorsement. Senarighi noted that the council endorsed the nine rules of civility a year ago and provided tips on ways to maintain civil discourse.
