The Prairie du Chien Common Council had to consider numerous projects, both ongoing and for the future, during their meeting on Tuesday, June 2.

The council heard from two members of the community, who expressed their concerns about the construction of the roundabouts at the intersections of Main Street (U.S. Highway 18) with Wisconsin and Iowa streets near the Marquette-Joliet Bridge. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is in control of the project.

"The speed of people going down our street, the signage isn't quite appropriate for what is down there," a resident on Prairie Street told the Council.

She elaborated, saying many of the detour signs on her street appear to be for pedestrian traffic, rather than cars and other street traffic, causing confusion and potentially dangerous situations for vehicles and the residents in the area. Cars speeding through the residential area was another concern mentioned during the meeting.

Prairie Street runs parallel to Main Street and intersects with Iowa and Wisconsin streets one block east of where the roundabouts are being constructed.

Currently, a section of Wisconsin Street is blocked off, and traffic is redirected to Prairie Street. Going south on Prairie Street from Wisconsin does not give traffic an access way onto Main Street before Prairie terminates at a dead end. Traffic can turn west on Iowa and Cass streets.

"I know [the construction] is new, and it's the first few days, but I've almost witnessed four head-on collisions today because people are getting frustrated," she continued.

"We have to address this," said Virginia Lochner, who is also a resident of Prairie Street. "It's dangerous, and it's scary."

During the City Administrator Report, Chad Abram said city officials, including Police Chief Kyle Teynor, City Planner Nate Gilberts and himself, had met with the construction contractor and WisDOT to discuss public concerns with the project earlier that day, and "traffic flow problems" was one of the issues discussed. Other topics included getting people to the city's downtown area and the signage.

The City has reportedly taken numerous calls about problems with the organization of traffic and use of roads to accommodate the construction process.

Regarding the signs, Abram said the signage is required by federal law. "They have to have them, and they have to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. So, a lot of people are seeing the detour signs and pedestrian signs for the bikes and the walkers, and they're thinking it's for cars."

He added that the construction manager would "take a look at it" to come up with possible solutions.

District 3 Alderman Todd Crotty asked Teynor about possible changes to help mitigate confusion.

"We talked about rumble strips to try and slow down traffic, and we've mentioned a lot of things the DOT needs to try to alleviate the issues we've identified," said Teynor.

The police chief added that discussions will continue with the DOT; the City meets "at least weekly" with the construction manager and DOT about the project.

For more information about the roundabouts project, visit the DOT's website at https://projects.511wi.gov/us18-mainstreet/

To view maps detailing preferred routes through the city for commercial vehicles, visit the Prairie du Chien Police Department's Facebook page.

The Council accepted a bid from Dependable Solutions, of Prairie du Chien, for a three-year IT services contract. Eight bids were submitted.

Local companies as well as outfits as far away as Arizona and Virginia bid on the contract. Total costs ranged from $91,800 to over $3 million. At least one bidder also had unknown costs for the City to consider, according to a memo from Abram to the Finance Committee and Common Council.

The rationale for the recommendation given in the memo cited Dependable Solutions's local presence and lack of unknown costs in the scope of services.

The City will put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the city's garbage services.

According to a memo from Abram, the current citywide garbage contract goes through the rest of this year, and "services needed and costs have evolved."

The objectives of the RFP will be to seek competitive prices for services, strong service standards and options for additional services, such as recycling and bulk waste disposal, for city residents and businesses.

The RFP is scheduled to be issued on June 12, with bids due four days later. An award recommendation would then be made by July 21. The service would begin Jan. 1, 2027.

In attendance were alderpersons Andy Ringgold, Kayla Ingham, Crotty, Bob Granzow, Vicki Waller, Nick Crary, Jaaren Riebe and Nate Bremmer. Abram, Nate Gilberts, Utilities Director Larry Gates, Street Superintendent Nick Gilberts and Mayor Mark Gillitzer were also present.

• approved a car show organized by the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce on June 20 at St. Feriole Island north of the Villa Louis Boat Landing.
• approved four resolutions regarding vacating two pieces of properties: one on Fowler Street and the other for an alley between Beaumont Road and Third Street. Public hearings will be held during the council meeting on Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m.
• approved a 50 ft. x 80 ft. agate-hunting garden located on the east side of the Moore Building on St. Feriole Island. The garden will be done on a three-year trial basis. The project was proposed by Barron Dillman, according to information provided by the City.
• approved the Utilities Department 2026 Consumer Confidence Report and Wastewater Treatment Facility Compliance Maintenance Report, which will be made publicly available on the city's website (cityofpdc.com).