Marshfield Common Council Hears From Candidate Interested in Term on Marshfield Utilities Commission

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 -- 11:00 AM

The Marshfield Common Council heard from the nominee for a 7-year term on the Marshfield Utilities Commission.

Paul Kapla was the only individual to express interest. No action was taken on the item; a vote will be brought back in two weeks. The Council also approved a budget resolution for the Adler Road Trail project.

In 2020, the City of Marshfield was awarded a Transportation Alternatives Program 80/20+ grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for the design and construction of a pedestrian/bicycle trail along the south side of Adler Road from Sycamore Street to Weber Park.

The project completed a missing link in the City’s trail network. The design phase was managed by WisDOT which directly paid the consultants and billed the City for its 20%+ local share.

The construction phase is being managed by the City which pays contractors and submits reimbursement requests to WisDOT for 80% of eligible construction costs.

In 2024, construction bids were higher than expected, and WisDOT approved an increase in the total award amount. Donations of $69,217 were received from the community to help offset project increased costs.

The original 2020 grant award estimated project costs of $76,516 for design and $379,255 for construction. In the 2024 grant award, the estimated construction cost was revised to $478,903.

The City’s anticipated share at that time was $135,029, with planned funding sources including $35,000 from room tax revenues and $100,000 in long-term debt.

The project is not yet closed, but the City anticipates the final cost will not exceed $768,672 based on unbilled contract amounts and a $5,000 contingency. While the WisDOT grant covers 80% of eligible construction costs, it does not cover all expenses.

Non-participating costs such as City staff time and resources, land acquisition, and minor incidental expenses were not initially budgeted. These expenses were not included in the WisDOT award letter but are part of the City's total project cost.

The City estimates the funding shortfall will not exceed $85,500. The funds will be moved from the General Fund Finance department contingency account.

The Council also discussed sending out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for redevelopment of the current Weinbrenner facility. Last month, the City decided they would no longer be working with the original developer they selected, Jeffers.

The new RFQ included changes that arose when working with Jeffers. However, they did not approve sending it out yet as there were some wording changes the Council wanted made to the RFQ.

It will be brought back and voted on again in two weeks with the changes. The Council also approved adding the Runway 16/34 Extension and Partial Parallel Taxiway back into staff’s proposed 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The Council also discussed an idea of tracking hours worked by exempt City employees. The purpose was to, potentially, avoid burnout of employees that are working longer hours and see where certain departments could use more employees.

However, most of the aldermen were not in support of it, feeling it was micro-managing employees and it would, unintentionally, infer that some employees were not working as hard or long as others.

The Council also had a discussion on recent findings and recommendations made in the Organizational Structure Report for Economic Development. No action was taken. The Council also heard an update on the 2026 budget development process

In approving the various committee meetings from the past couple weeks, the Council did approve a few items from the Board of Public Works including a request to purchase vehicle for City Assessor’s office, authorize RFP for new chimney liner at Oak Avenue Community Center, and authorize RFP for investigation of a water leak at 2nd Street Community Center.

During the Mayor’s comments, she read a proclamation recognizing National See Tracks? Think Train Week (September 15-21, 2025). She also mentioned Marshfield Utilities’ Summer Apprenticeship Program, a 2nd Liaison Officer for the Marshfield School District, and the start of Leadership Marshfield as well as MACCI’s Chamber Champions and Legislative Breakfast events.

During the City Administrator’s update, he mentioned Strategic Planning Meetings and what the Council would like to do if there is a cancellation of meetings, especially if it’s a meeting held on the same afternoon/night as others.

During the Council comments, one alderman mentioned Maple Fall Fest this weekend. The Council also heard a brief report from the Communications Department regarding funding challenges they’re facing. For staff updates, it was mentioned that the city is looking at changing their domain name for the City’s website.

Finally, during the public comment period, an Airport Committee member and former pilot discussed the runway extension project; the Airport Manager discussed the runway extension project, and a former Economic Development Board member discussed a vehicle purchase from a dealer out of state and the importance of buying local.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.