Rhinelander city council approves only one additional four-way stop downtown

The Rhinelander city council at its Oct. 27 meeting looked at the matter of room tax, changing that amount to 7 percent. This was the second reading of this ordinance, which passed unanimously. That change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Council members also approved a bid from Foley’s Tree Service for tree removal on private property, which was done with grant money, according to Tom Jerow. This grant helps residents who cannot afford tree removal to eliminate potentially dangerous trees on their property. Jerow said the bid, of $48,550 was fully funded by the grant and required no match.

The next matter in front of the council was in regards to expenditures for the hazmat team of the fire department. Assistant fire chief Adam Johnson said this expenditure would be reimbursed by grant money, but that program required the department to produce receipts before that money could be released. The expenditure, in the amount of $20,000, was approved by the council.

A change order for the 2025 Courtney Street Improvements Project was also approved. That change order was in the amount of $3,063.84. Mark Barden of Town and County Engineering, LLC said this change order was for additional six-inch concrete sidewalks, which were the approached on Schiek Plaza. This change order was approved.

A pay request also came in front of the council from Pitlik and Wick, Inc. This was for work completed on the same project. The council approved the payout of $388,502.34. Barden said this was the first and final pay request and all work was complete. This total came in under the bid amount by approximately $13,000.

The next proposed resolution was to approve an agreement with Town and Country Engineering, Inc for 2026 street and infrastructure improvement projects. This resolution was approved not to exceed $150,000. City administrator Patrick Reagan said this agreement was for various street projects the city was planning in 2026. Barden said the scope was to resurface multiple streets, to include Brown, Fredrick and Timber from Brown to Stevens as well as a mill and overlay on Phillips Street. He said additional streets may be added, depending on where bids came in. 

“As with every contract, if we don’t spend that much, you don’t get billed that much,” he told the council. He estimated engineering at 10 percent of total construction costs, which was where the number came from. He said he did not anticipate spending that entire $150,000, meaning the city would not be billed for that amount. 

In another matter, the city council approve the issuance of an outdoor fireworks display permit for Lights of the Northwoods at Hodag Park for January 1, 2026. This permit was approved unanimously by the council.

The council discussed four-way stops at Brown Street and Rives Street as well and Brown Street and Frederick Street. Council members as well as residents and visitors to the city had spoken in front of the council regarding safety concerns at both of these intersections. At Rives, the sight line made it dangerous for drivers trying to cross Brown. At the Frederick Street crossing, there was concern about speeders at those intersections. Rhinelander police chief Lloyd Gauthier had said he had concerns about the Frederick Street crossing having a stop sign and having the potential for drivers to not motor away from the stop sign on the hill in the winter when roads were slippery.

Both alderman Steven Jopek and alderwoman Carrie Miklauski said they would like to see the four way stop at Rives, sighting concerns over the inability to see oncoming traffic when trying to cross Brown Street on Rives. Miklauski said she felt holding off on the Frederick Street four-way stop would let people get used to one change, rather than causing potential push back by changing too many things at once. 

Mayor Kris Hanus pointed to a previous discussion among council members where they had talked about training the local drivers over the winter, prior to summer vacationers having to learn the new stop signs. Reagan said the city would also look to put stop bars on the pavement at these intersections as well as flags on the signs themselves. The city would also provide information on their website about the changes, he said.

Alderman Gerald Anderson made the motion to create a four-way stop at Brown and Rives Street and to direct the city to do whatever might be necessary to help people be aware of that change. Jopek seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.  In the matter of a four-way stop at Frederick Street and Brown Street, no action was taken. 

The next meeting of the Rhinelander common council will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov 10.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].