Kenosha water board approves contracts, easements and lead-service outreach grant

Kenosha — The Kenosha Water Utility board on voice votes approved a series of routine items, including a development-agreement amendment, a sanitary-sewer easement, a contractor award for a water-main relay package, a property-use agreement for contractor staging, and two state grant-related actions to support lead service-line outreach and replacement.

The meeting opened with roll call and a quorum; the board then moved to approve minutes from 06/15/2026 by voice vote. Staff introduced the first substantive item as an amendment to a development agreement among the City of Kenosha, the Kenosha Water Utility and Kenosha Downtown Block I, LLC. A utility presenter said the amendment "really has no substantial impact on the water utility" and that the utility had been party to the original agreements; the board moved, seconded and approved the amendment.

The board next approved a sanitary sewer easement and agreement with Sri Vishnu LLC that staff described as necessary "to help us better maintain our existing infrastructure." The easement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

A property-use agreement with National Power Rotting Corporation to allow contractors to use a vacant utility-owned lot as a staging area for sanitary sewer televising work was presented and approved; staff said the site was not needed for other purposes and recommended approval.

On contracting, the board considered Board of Contracts item 2026-08 WFKWU (Water Main Relay Package No. 2) and approved awarding the work to Globe Contractors Incorporated in the amount of $897,413. Staff said an additional location was added to the package because of a recent rash of main breaks; aggressive bidding and previous contract savings kept the overall water-main relay program under budget for the 2026 calendar year, staff said.

The board also approved a lead service-line replacement community outreach grant agreement. Staff explained the grant packages include funds awarded in 2025 plus additional 2026 funds to boost community outreach and education; the presenter stressed the funds "cannot go for any construction activities," and are intended to help residents understand hazards of lead and the steps for replacement.

Finally, the board approved a mayoral resolution authorizing execution of a Department of Natural Resources principal-forgiven financial assistance agreement. Staff said acceptance of the DNR funds, provided through the state program referenced in the resolution, would allow the city to provide "100% grants to those who are eligible" for private-side lead service-line replacement within eight census tracts for which the city applied.

All items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records multiple "aye" responses and the chair's aye for each vote but does not list a full roll-call vote with individual named votes for every item. After brief commissioner comments, the meeting was adjourned.

Votes at a glance: item 1 (first amendment to development agreement) — approved; item 2 (sanitary sewer easement, Sri Vishnu LLC) — approved; item 3 (property-use agreement, National Power Rotting Corporation) — approved; item 4 (water-main relay contract to Globe Contractors Inc., $897,413) — approved; item 5 (lead service-line outreach grant) — approved; item 6 (DNR principal-forgiven financial assistance resolution) — approved.

Next steps: staff will proceed with contract administration for the awarded water-main work and with grant paperwork and outreach plans tied to the lead-service-line programs; the transcript records no additional formal conditions or follow-up deadlines in the board's motions.