Council authorizes up to $25,250 for design of Willis Road high‑school crosswalk and Hartley/Willis intersection concepts

Public works director Jason VanGiller asked the council to authorize on-call task orders to produce concept designs for two pedestrian projects: a mid‑block crosswalk just north of Middleton High School and improvements at the Hartley and Willis intersection.

VanGiller said the work will be performed by Precision Engineering and that, although the items were not budgeted, staff identified the professional services line in the transportation fund as a funding source by delaying the First Street concept project. "We would like to move forward with it ... we could fund it from the transportation line item, the professional services within the street budget," VanGiller said.

Council members discussed grant opportunities and the need for ADA compliance. VanGiller estimated construction for the high‑school crosswalk could be in the $25,000 range; the intersection scope and cost could be substantially higher. Council voted to authorize the on‑call task orders and related work with a total not to exceed $25,250.

Staff said the concept designs will be useful for pursuing grants or school‑district partnerships to fund construction.