Minutes; Evansville Common Council: March 2008

Common Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

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

2. Roll call. Members present: Mayor Sandy Decker; Alderpersons Mason Braunschweig, Tom Cothard, Barb Jacobson, Fred Juergens, Diane Roberts, John Sornson, Dennis Wessels, and Tony Wyse. Others present: Dan Wietecha, City Administrator; Judy Walton, City Clerk; Mark Kopp, City Attorney; and members of the public.

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

4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to waive the reading of the minutes of February 12, 2008, regular meeting and to approve them as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen appearances.
- Kim Gruebling, 13396 W Forest Hollow Lane, spoke in opposition of the alcohol license for the Tanglewood Tavern due to concerns with noise, traffic and litter.
- Matt Gaboda, 14-1/2 E Main Street, requested that the City of Evansville ask WPPI to recognize the Town of Union’s decision (on local regulation of a wind energy system) in light of Assembly Bill 899, Senate Bill 544.
- Cheryl Dickert, 131 N 6th Street, spoke in favor of the alcohol license for Tanglewood Tavern, noting the restrictions placed on the license and stating that the establishment would be good for the City.

A. SOLE. Gil Wiedenhoeft stated their next meeting is at 6:00 p.m. on March 12, 2008. Wietecha stated that property owner letters went out last week and soil samples will most likely occur in the spring.

B. Eager Economy Building CDBG Citizen Participation Hearing.
(1). Staff Report. Wietecha indicated that the community development block grant (CDBG) program is federally funded and awarded through the state. Eligible projects must meet at least one of three national objectives: a) principally benefits low- and moderate-income persons, b) eliminates slum and blight, or c) meets an urgent local need. The city received a $300,000 grant to address low- and moderate-income housing needs; the funds were loaned to the renovation of the Eager Economy Building. Besides addressing housing needs, the project involved the historic renovation of a vacant, fire-damaged building. No individuals were displaced as a result of the project. The purpose of the citizen participation hearing is to obtain comments on economic development, housing, and public facility needs in Evansville, whether they are related to the Eager Economy Building or goals and strategies for other potential projects.
(2). Initial discussion by Council. The Council had no questions.
(3). Public hearing. Mayor Decker opened the public hearing at 6:42. The public had no comments. The public hearing was closed at 6:43.
(4). Final discussion by Council. Mayor Decker said that a representative from the Department of Commerce had attended the open house and was very pleased with the completed project. An application has been submitted to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for a National Preservation Award. It was noted that six of the eight apartments have already been leased.

6. Reports of Committees
A. Plan Commission Report.
(1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the final plat of survey prepared by Combs & Associates for Application 2008-4 (Culbertson Properties LLC). Decker directed Council to the conditions outlined in the staff report for the deed restriction and language required to appear on the face of the survey. Motion approved unanimously.

(2). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Juergens to approve the division of the property for Application 2008-6 (Celtic Ridge) into the lots as generally shown on the preliminary subdivision plat including:
1) adopting the Plan Commission findings related to the public interests as listed in the staff report
2) adding a 23rd condition of approval by incorporating #4 of the March 3, 2008 memo of the City Engineer relating to a lift station
3) changing Lot 37 to read Lot 39 in conditions #3, 7 & 20
4) requiring the 23 conditions of approval in the staff report are met
5) requiring a traffic impact study be included in the final land developer agreement. Decker directed Council to the required Plan Commission findings outlined in the staff report stating it is necessary for Council to adopt these required findings. She continued by reading aloud those findings. Braunschweig stated that the Plan Commission did make the required findings without controversy. Motion approved unanimously.

B. Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report
(1). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve W&L bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $560,829.44. 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 $2,969,864.35. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(3). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve 2008-2010 Agreement with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(4). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Juergens to approve 2008-2010 Agreement with Evansville Supervisory Association. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(5). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve a 3.0% increase in the city administrator’s annual salary from $63,500.00 to $65,405.00, retroactive to January 1, 2008. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

C. Public Safety Committee Report
(1). Roberts made a motion, seconded by Sornson to approve Class “B” Beer license for: Kennex LLC, Todd A. Lee, Agent, 1110 N. Claremont Dr., Janesville WI 53545, d/b/a Tanglewood Tavern, 831 Brown School Rd., Evansville WI 53536. Council discussed the conditions proposed upon issuance, parking, noise, maximum occupancy, zoning and the need for this type of establishment. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(2). Roberts made a motion, second by Sornson to approve “Class B” Liquor license for: Kennex LLC, Todd A. Lee, Agent, 1110 N. Claremont Dr., Janesville WI 53545, d/b/a Tanglewood Tavern, 831 Brown School Rd., Evansville WI 53536. Motion approved unanimously.

(3). Roberts made a motion, seconded by Sornson to to approve Class “A” Beer license for: DL Unity Holdings LLC, Dennis A. Childs, Agent, W1254 Proverbs Pass, Albany WI 53502, d/b/a Plaza Liquors, 609 East Main St., Evansville WI 53536. Motion approved unanimously.

(4). Roberts made a motion, seconded by Sornson to approve “Class A” Liquor license for: DL Unity Holdings LLC, Dennis A. Childs, Agent, W1254 Proverbs Pass, Albany WI 53502, d/b/a Plaza Liquors, 609 East Main St., Evansville WI 53536. Motion approved unanimously.

D. Public Works Committee Report
(1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Juergens to approve Resolution 2008-05, Intent to Reimburse City Funds Advanced for Purposes of a Stormwater Utility. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Braunschweig stated that there are a number of residents that have property bordering Lake Leota and they have asked about refilling the lake this spring regardless of what decision is made on the proposed dredge project.

E. Water & Light Committee Report.
(1). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Sornson to approve Resolution 2008-04, Approving Amendments to 2008 Capital Budget. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

F. Economic Development Committee Report. Wyse stated that the task forces are working on their projects and will report on them next month (meeting date subject to change).

G. Redevelopment Authority Report. None

H. Parks and Recreation Board Report. Juergens informed the Council that the management of the League of Their Own has changed. Additionally, the City Engineer is preparing bid documents for the road paving and parking lot at Westside Park.

I. Historic Preservation Commission Report. None

J. Fire District Report. Wessels stated that they are moving forward with the fire station and are planning to be completed and moved in this October.

K. Police Commission Report. None

L. Evansville-Union Implementation Committee Report. None

7. Unfinished Business
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Ordinance 2008-03, Regarding Collection of Fees In Lieu Of Parkland Dedication. [Sponsors: Juergens and Braunschweig]. Motion approved unanimously.

B. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Sornson to approve Ordinance 2008-04, Regarding Licensing of Taxicabs. [Sponsors: Wessels and Wyse]. Motion approved unanimously.

8. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor.
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to waive seven day notice on mayoral appointments. Motion approved unanimously.

B. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Juergens to approve mayoral appointment of Lori Allen, Allen Realty, 803 Brown School Road, to the Unified Land Development Code Advisory Committee. Motion approved unanimously.

C. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to approve mayoral appointment of Lisa Novinska, Oregon, Wisconsin, to the positions of Finance Director and Treasurer for an indefinite term starting April 7, 2008. Motion approved unanimously.

9. Communications from the City Administrator
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve employment contract with Lisa Novinska subject to the possible revision of #8E to provide for up to 6 months of Cobra coverage for family dental insurance for Ms. Novinska. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

B. Wietecha directed Council to the memo clarifying wages for Scott George and Dave Wartenweiler.

10. New Business. None

11. Introduction of New Ordinances. None

12. Motion to adjourn. Wessels made a motion, seconded by Jacobson to adjourn at 7:36 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.