The Fennimore City Council approved the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) grant fund match as part of the EDA’s recent announcement awarding the City of Fennimore a grant of $3.2 million.

The grant funds will be used toward roadway, water, and wastewater infrastructure improvements as part of a 72-acre expansion project on the city-owned industrial park on the east side of Fennimore on U.S. Highway 18 between Bronson Boulevard and Switzer Road.

Part of the grant’s requirements was for the city to make a 20 percent local match of $797,000, which the council approved at Monday’s monthly council meeting.

Some clarification about the grant and the amount of money in the city invested was also given during Monday’s meeting.

During the comments from the citizens portion of the meeting, Greg Ashmore asked about the previously reported $23 million in private investment stated by United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during the grant’s announcement at the press conference at Trane in La Crosse on July 6.

Both City of Fennimore Mayor Rob Krantz and City Clerk Ashley Edge informed Ashmore that Ashmore had misspoke and the $23 million he referenced was a projection of potential economic impact that may result from the new industry park.

They both also clarified that Fennimore’s only investment was the approved 20 percent local match of $797,000 toward the $3.2 million awarded grant.

Evan Chambers of Town and Country Engineering spoke briefly to the council regarding the city’s upcoming Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan Amendment.

Chambers cited changes in DNR and EPA regulations for meeting new disinfection requirements at the wastewater treatment plant, which was last updated in 2017, as the main factor for the amendment.

He went on to state it would also give a “quick assessment” halfway through the plant’s projected 20 year improvement cycle.

He went on to say that the facility has the physical space to meet the new requirements. The city is required to submit the Facilities Plan Amendment by April 30, 2027.

City Clerk Edge reported that the office has switched to a 10-hour work week during the summer. The office hours will remain the same, with us just rotating days off.

The seventh payment request has been completed and disbursed for the Dwight T. Parker Public Library Grant. The library is still anticipated being finished within the perimeters of the grant.

Edge also reported that as of Monday’s meeting, 96 absentee ballots have been sent out for the Aug. 11 election. The city will continue to use Badger Books during the upcoming election and they are working on getting more election inspectors trained. In-person absentee begins on July 28.

Director of Public Works Anthony Downing in his report stated the streets crew has worked to prep streets for chip sealing by placing cold patch and partnering with the county to do the crack filling.

There was an “uptick” in brush pickup this past month from the storms earlier in the month.

Additionally, water main break repair was done on 6th Street between Madison and Monroe.

Downing also reported the city has finished up the library’s new three phase service and started work on the Catholic Church service upgrade, installed a new battery bank in the diesel plant, and upgraded the fuel filter setups on all three CAT engines there.

Fennimore Police Chief Walt Dresen reported that Officer McCoy had completed his field training, and has begun covering shifts with the police department.

Also in his report, Dresen presented the council with three bids for a police squad car build. Dresen recommended the council approve the lowest bid from Belco, who has performed the last three squad builds for the department, which the council unanimously approved.

In other council business, the council approved $2,000 in road aid from the county and also heard from and gave recommendations to property owners on bringing their property up to compliance.

The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, at 5:30 p.m., in the council chambers of the Memorial Building.