Kenosha---A proposed settlement to fix the defects in Kenosha’s newly rebuilt velodrome would cost the city an extra $25,000.
The City Council’s Parks Commission voted three to nothing Monday night to recommend approval. "I believe what we're doing is the right thing," said Commission chair Rocco LaMacchia. "I believe the contract between the city and Rasch Construction is a fair contract and we need to get this done and open as soon as possible," he said.
The settlement calls on Rasch to replace the part of the track’s concrete surface that apparently cracked as the result of a loose base. In addition, Rasch is to hire a soil testing firm that meets with the city's approval before it starts to pour any more concrete. The deal has Rasch replacing another, smaller section if a forthcoming investigation warrants the move.
The city will secure a one-year warranty on the new work.
The nearly $690,000 project was to have been completed this spring, but racing enthusiasts like Chris Riva, President of the Kenosha Velodrome Racing Association, are now looking forward to next year, the track's 90th anniversary. "It's just unbelievable when you think about the history of the track," Riva said after the meeting. "We definitely need to be down there bike racing and getting people down there watching the races again."
Riva supports the settlement proposal which calls for all of the concrete work to be done by April 20th of next year at the very latest.
Monday night's Parks Commission approval came after the committee passed up an opportunity to discuss the deal in closed session and instead made their comments out in the open. The full city council is expected to vote on the agreement next week.
Also Monday night, another council committee delayed action once again on a plan that would place restrictions on Kenosha property owners who use online home-sharing services.
The License and Permit deferred the matter for two weeks after Ald. John Fox, a committee member, distributed a set of amendments just before the meeting began. Fox wants to delete a requirement from the original proposal that called for home sharing services themselves, like Airbnb, to file monthly reports with the city. He also wants to delete a provision that would require tenants to park off-street.
Fox, and Ald. Jan Michalski, the author of the original proposal, are expected to meet soon to discuss their differences.
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