Common Council---October 9, 2007

Common Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

1. Call to order. Mayor Decker called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2. Roll call. Members present: Chair Mayor Decker; Alderpersons Mason Braunschweig, Tom Cothard, Barb Jacobson, Fred Juergens, Diane Roberts, John Sornson, Dennis Wessels, and Tony Wyse. Staff present: Dan Wietecha, City Administrator; Eric Jepperson, Finance Director/Treasurer and Judy Walton, City Clerk. Also present: Mark Kopp, City Attorney; Greg Johnson, Ehlers & Associates, Inc; Dave Sauer, Foth & Van Dyke; and members of the public.

3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the agenda as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to waive the reading of the minutes of the September 11, 2007 regular meeting and the September 27, 2007, special meeting and to approve them as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen appearances. None

A. SOLE Committee. Gil Wiedenhoeft mentioned they are waiting for responses to the RFP.

B. ECP. None

C. Primetimers. Mary Libby distributed copies of their financials. Evelyn Cantrell stated that recent changes have resulted in programs really taking hold, in particular the ball exercise class which is popular with all age groups. Additionally, the Health Fair will be held on November 2nd, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon with a catered lunch to follow. Janis Ringhand presented the preliminary plans for the Community/Senior Center. Construction will occur in 2 phases. There will be public viewings at the Soybean Festival on October 20th, 2007, and the Health Fair on November 2nd, 2007. Additionally, there will be at least 2 evening public hearings scheduled.

D. Public Hearing: Assessments for Main Street Utility and Roadway Improvements. Dave Sauer explained the location of the assessment district and how the individual assessments were calculated. Letters were mailed on September 27, 2007, to the property owners involved in the assessment district. Tom Cothard stated there was an error on the owner listed for the property at 8 Railroad Street. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. John Arneson asked what the average cost was for past projects and if a longer repayment term would be available due to the financial hardship experienced due to the construction. Sauer explained that the assessments for this project and past projects were calculated the same. Dave Mueller commended the project workers. He mentioned that due to the lack of a storm sewer in August, he has to replace damaged carpet in the amount of $1,200 as it won’t be covered under a FEMA claim. Farnsworth stated the work on the project was good and also requested a longer repayment term. Nicole Hamby asked about a credit that was discussed at an earlier meeting prior to construction. Sauer and Wietecha explained that a check, not credit, will be issued to approximately 10-12 property owners where loss of walking space occurred due to the installation of lights or benches. George Howell questioned the $510.00 plumbing charge. Sauer explained that the amount was a set cost assessed equally to all property that received new plumbing to the meter. Decker closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Council discussed the options of repayment and if a longer term should be extended to only commercial property. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to Adopt Resolution 2007-44, Final Resolution Authorizing Installation of Sanitary Sewer and Water Laterals and Street Improvements and Levying Special Assessments against Benefited Properties for Same to include the following terms: 1) Payment can be spread out over a 15 year term, 2) pursuit to Ehlers and Associates approving the interest rate which will be 1% above the City’s borrowing rate. Motion approved on a 7-0 roll call vote with Cothard abstaining.

6. Reports of Committees.

A. Plan Commission Report. None

B. Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report.

(1). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve W&L bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $1,431,810.67. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(2). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the City bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $842,394.50. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Decker removed herself from the table at 7:10 p.m. for items 6B(3) & 6B(4)

(3). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Juergens to approve engagement of Quarles & Brady as bond counsel for $940,000 taxable general obligation community development bond issue. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(4). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Juergens to approve Resolution 2007-40, Authorizing the Sale of $940,000 Taxable General Obligation Community Development Bonds. Greg Johnson presented the sale results. There were 5 bids received and the winning bid was submitted by Bankers Bank of Madison, WI with local participation by Union Bank & Trust of Evansville, WI with a true interest cost of 6.1467%. Due to the lower interest rates and cost of issuance expenses, the par amount of the Bonds was reduced by $10,000. Johnson explained the Tax Impact Analysis and Capacity Analysis spreadsheets within the report he presented. Juergens made a motion, seconded by Sornson to amend the main motion to change the amount of $940,000 to $930,000. Amendment approved unanimously. Main motion, as amended, approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Decker returned to the table at 7:30 p.m.

(5). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to Approve Resolution 2007-42, Accepting Proposal for $169,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes. [For purchase of current Fire Station property]. Greg Johnson informed the Council that they received no proposals; therefore there is no formal Resolution for the Council to consider. He added that if Council wanted to move forward with this the recommendation would be to submit an application to the State Trust Fund due to their recent interest rate decrease. Motion withdrawn and no action taken. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to go forward with the application for the State Trust Fund Loan. Motion approved unanimously.

(6). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Lease of Fire Station to Evansville Fire Protection District from November 1, 2007, to December 31, 2008. Motion approved unanimously.

(7). Resolution 2007-43, Accepting Proposal for $200,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes. [For potential purchase of current Post Office property]. As with Item 6B(5), there were no proposals; therefore there is no formal Resolution. Discussion included clarification that securing financing for this potential purchase is being considered so the funds would be available if Council chose to move forward on this acquisition. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve application for a State Trust Fund Loan for the potential purchase of the current Post Office property in the amount of $200,000. Motion approved unanimously.

(8). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to Approve 5-year Capital Budget for 2008-2012. Jepperson stated there was one change made to include the future roundabout. Dick Woulfe asked what effect additional projects would have on the Capacity Analysis prepared by Ehlers & Associates. Greg Johnson explained further the components of the analysis. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(9). Cothard presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2007-16, Adopting 2008 Operating Budget and Setting Levies.

(10). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to Publish Proposed 2008 Operating Budget. Dick Woulfe asked if there was parity in regard to the EMS rate increase. Council stated the rates are very close. Motion approved unanimously.

(11). Juergens made a motion, seconded by Roberts to Approve US Cellular Contract Extension. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

C. Public Safety Committee Report

(1). Sornson made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve write-off of bad debt in the amount of $2,981.84 and to designate the parties of these 14 calls for tax intercept. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

D. Public Works Committee Report. None

E. Water & Light Committee Report. None

F. Economic Development Committee Report.

(1). Wyse made a motion, seconded by Juergens to Approve Revised Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Policies & Procedures Manual. Sornson asked where the money came from. Wietecha explained that the majority of the money came from the sales of property previously owned by the City on Water Street. Motion approved unanimously.

G. Redevelopment Authority Report. None

H. Parks and Recreation Board Report. None

I. Historic Preservation Commission Report. Wessels informed the Council that visitors from the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions will be here the weekend of October 20th, 2007.

J. Fire District Report. Wessels informed Council that Excel has been selected as the design and engineering firm and they are conducting land samples. Sornson stated the purchase of the land has not taken place.

K. Police Commission Report. Wietecha reported that there will be a meeting in the next couple of weeks to look at possible revisions to their procedures/commission policies.

7. Unfinished Business

A. Juergens made a motion, seconded by Wyse to Approve Ordinance 2007-14, Rezoning Territory from Residential District One-A to Residential District One-C. [Property is in Capstone Ridge, Sponsors Wyse and Juergens]. Motion approved unanimously.

8. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor

A. Decker shared with Council the Proclamation Celebrating Evansville as the Soybean Capital of Wisconsin. She will be signing the document at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 2007, at a ceremony at the High School.

9. Communications from the City Administrator. None

10. New Business. None

11. Introduction of New Ordinances. None

12. Special Meeting 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 13, for strategic planning. Decker stated the
meeting will be in the Bank of Evansville’s community room.

13. Motion to adjourn. Juergens made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to adjourn at
8:00 p.m. Motion approved unanimously.

Prepared by:
Judy Walton
City Clerk

The minutes are not official until approved by Council at their next regular meeting.