At last night’s Public Works Committee meeting, a demonstration was given by Kevin Risch, assistant city engineer, on the use of Google Maps.  The Kenosha News currently prints the Street Construction Report every week in their Monday edition, showing street construction projects that are ongoing in the city of Kenosha.  In an effort to use the newest technology possible, Google Maps will now be used in this weekly report. 

Chairman G. John Ruffolo was concerned about keeping the information up to date.  Constitutents get ”antsy” when proposed project completion dates are not adhered to. 

Another application which will make use of Google Maps will be Kenosha’s public parks.  Photos of the parks will be presented, as well as activities the citizens can participate in.  People outside of the community can view these photos and maps and see how much Kenosha parks have to offer.  Not all of the parks have been created as of yet. 

Other business approved at the meeting was:

• Approval of the preliminary report/final resolution for the new road construction project (56th Street – 68th Avenue to 64th Avenue).  This is the road being constructed for the high school.  All property owners were notified of the upcoming assessment. 
• Approval of the preliminary report/final resolution for the 60th Street resurfacing project (60th Street – 39th Avenue to 30th Avenue, 39th Avenue – 60th Street to 59th Street).  This was another routine action which will also be assessed back to property owners. 
• Approval of the request for use of city-owned property (2210 – 52nd Street – old Bain School) by Our Lake of Mt. Carmel Parish for festival parking July 8 – 10, 2011.  Alderperson Anthony Nudo asked, “What’s going on with Bain School?”  The chairman requested a tour of the building in the near future.
• Approval of the proposed ordinance regarding principal sponsorship of ordinances and resolutions.  This proposed ordinance, sponsored by Nudo, “makes it easier for the city attorney’s office and staff to ascertain who can direct changes to ordinances and resolutions.”  Two changes, “friendly amendments” already were made by the Public Safety & Welfare Committee.  One additional change was proposed by Nudo and then approved by the committee.

Mike Lemens, director of engineering, wanted to discuss an item that was raised a few weeks ago, having to do with fill dirt.  Ruffolo mentioned the current process for a property owner to request fill dirt.  A property owner can call the Public Works Department on (262) 653-4050.  They will be put on a list to await a project.  Once a project is completed which has fill dirt to dispose of, the property owner is called.  At no charge, the city trucks it out to the property and dumps it, thereby avoiding city costs at the land fill.  Lemens will work with the city attorney’s office to formalize a policy and have it for the committee’s review at the next meeting.  Ruffolo asked that the entire committee sponsor this.