Milton moves ahead on constructing new salt shed

MILTON – The city of Milton has OK'd site design engineering for a new salt shed to replace its current one at Public Works Facility at 150 Northside Dr.

The engineering costs would not exceed $19,650. Public Works Director Mark Langer said the new shed would cost about $315,000.

Right now, the city uses a shed at 150 Northside Drive, as well as two more sites at 620 W. Madison Ave. and 218 Chicago St. Langer said the idea would be to consolidate into one facility at some point.

“We have to transport salt, as well as equipment back and forth so it’s not the most efficient of operations,” Langer said.

In the memo, he wrote that the site at 620 W. Madison Avenue will need repairs for continued use, and the site may need to be redeveloped. He also wrote that the Chicago Street site is in “slightly better condition.” The city owns and maintains just over two acres that could be marketed for redevelopment, he wrote.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The city of Milton has also approved a new pregnant workers policy that will bring it in compliance with the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

The common council approved the policy Wednesday. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act went into effect June 27, 2023. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission final rule and interpretive guidance became effective on June 18.

The policy requires reasonable accommodations to be provided to employees or applicants with limitations related to pregancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, unless “the accomodation will cause undue hardship” to the city’s operations.

An employee may request paid or unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation under this policy. However, the city won’t require the employee to take time off if there is another reasonable accommodation allowing the employee to work.

Possible accommodations include, but are not limited to sitting while working; drinking water during the workday; receiving closer-in parking; having flexible hours; receiving appropriately-sized uniforms and safety apparel; receiving additional break time; taking time off to recover from childbirth and being excused from activities that are strenuous or involve exposure to compounds deemed unsafe.

Advanced Concrete

The council also authorized the sale of a roughly 14-acre parcel in the Crossroads Business Park to Waunakee-based Advanced Concrete.

Advanced Concrete has agreed to construct a series of facilities on the development over the next several years.

According to a memo written by City Administrator Paul Hensch, the property’s assessed value is expected to go up to $875,000 by 2029.

The council also approved a crossing license agreement for Advanced Concrete in order for the business to cross a private rail. Advanced Concrete has agreed to maintain the crossing and hold $5 million of liability insurance.

The council also approved an access easement for Advanced Concrete, which will allow the business to access city-owned land, which is the rail. And the granted Advanced Concrete a rail spur easement.

The council also approved the installation of new sidewalk at Lamar Park, and various repairs to sidewalks and curbs and gutters, and it approved improvements to Ivanhoe, Woodland, Surrey and Forest Lake drives.