Minutes; Common Council: September 2008

Common Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 9, 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, Todd Culbertson, Barb Jacobson, Janis Ringhand, Diane Roberts, Dennis Wessels and Tony Wyse. Tom Cothard was absent. Staff present: Dan Wietecha, City Administrator; Judy Walton, City Clerk; and Mark Kopp, City Attorney. Several members of the public were also present.

3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the agenda with the removal of item 7B(3). Motion approved unanimously.

4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to waive the reading of the minutes of August 12, 2008, regular meeting and August 16, 2008, meeting as the Committee of the Whole and to approve them as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen appearances. None

6. Proposed Lake Leota dredging project

A. Public Comment. John Sornson, 249 Franklin St; Prentice Eager, 249 Eager Ct; Harlin Miller, 123 N Fifth St; Rodney Courtier, 240 Kinsey Ct; spoke in favor of the project citing recreational needs, historic value, and the need to remove the negative look due to the present condition. Milford Frome, 230 Garfield requested that funds for this project be placed in the budget without a referendum; Ann Wiedenhoeft, 256 W Main St; Kelly Gildner, 8409 N Hwy 14; stated their support but without a referendum. Jack & Sceone Gard, 263 E Main St, stated their support for the project and the referendum. Jeff Farnsworth, 125 Garfield, stated that the Lake is one of the reasons people are drawn to Evansville. Diane Bailly, 680 W Main St, questioned the affordability of the project. Randy Rinehart presented a petition with 34 pages of signatures urging the Mayor and Common Council to support this project.

B. Recommendation from Public Works Committee
Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to place the following language for a referendum regarding the future of Lake Leota on the November 4, 2008, general election ballot: “Shall the Evansville Common Council approve spending an amount not to exceed $1.75 million in order to restore Lake Leota?” Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to amend the motion by striking $1.75 million and inserting $2 million. Council discussed the pros and cons of adding the construction of the culvert under the railroad tracks to the cost of the project. Amendment approved 4-3 with Braunschweig, Jacobson, Roberts and Wessels in favor; Culbertson, Ringhand, and Wyse against. Main motion, as amended, approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

C. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve terms of agreement with Every Survivors Trust for easement and use of property for placement of soil materials from the Lake Leota dredge project. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

D. Ringhand made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve terms of agreement with Rod Courtier for easement during the Lake Leota dredge project. Motion approved unanimously.

E. Ringhand made a motion, seconded by Wessels to approve hiring Vierbicher Associates to prepare bid documents and contract specifications for the Lake Leota dredge project at a cost of approximately $8,000 to $10,000. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to amend the motion by striking of approximately $8,000 to $10,000 and inserting not to exceed $10,000. Motion approved unanimously. Main motion, as amended, approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

7. Reports of Committees
A. Plan Commission Report. None

B. Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report
(1.) Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Water & Light bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $710,709.83. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.
(2.) Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve the City Bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $344,698.14. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.
(3.) Motion to approve revision of agreement with Teamsters Local Union 579 regarding Lineman and Line Foreman wage rates.
(4.) Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve terms of Landmark Services Cooperative to assume obligations of North Prairie Productions. Wietecha reviewed his recommended terms as outlined in his memorandum. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

C. Public Safety Committee Report. None

D. Public Works Committee Report
(1.) Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to adopt “red-flag” policy pursuant to Section 114 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 [16 CFR 681.2]. Motion approved unanimously.

E. Water & Light Committee Report. None

F. Economic Development Committee Report. None

G. Redevelopment Authority Report. None

H. Parks and Recreation Board Report. None

I. Historic Preservation Commission Report. None

J. Fire District Report. None

K. Police Commission Report. None

L. Evansville-Union Implementation Committee Report. Ringhand stated they are reviewing boundary agreements from other communities.

8. Unfinished Business.
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve Ordinance 2008-15, Amending the Chapter 46 of the Municipal Code Regarding Noxious Weeds and Rank Vegetation. (Sponsors: Braunschweig and Ringhand). Motion approved unanimously.
B. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve Ordinance 2008-16, Relative to Speed Limits on Park Service Roads. (Sponsors: Cothard and Roberts). Motion approved unanimously.

9. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor
A. Decker reminded Council of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Annual Conference, October 22-24 in Stevens Point, and the Early Bird Registration Deadline is September 30.
B. Decker presented her Mayoral Proclamation Congratulating St. John’s Lutheran Congregation on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Dedication of their Church at 312 South Third Street.

10. Communications from the City Administrator
A. Wietecha reminded Council of the 2009 Operating Budget Presentation Meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 6:00 at the Fire Hall.

B. Wietecha stated the Audit for the Year Ending December 31, 2007 is complete and the Auditor’s recommendations are being worked on with some items already completed.

C. Wietecha stated the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the City Planner would be sent by the end of the week.

D. Wietecha reviewed the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Senior Services Coordinator.

11. New Business. None

12. Introduction to New Ordinances
A. Roberts presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2008-17, Annexing Territory of the City of Evansville, Wisconsin. (citizen initiated ordinance, no sponsor necessary – two parcels adjoining Celtic Ridge)
B. Braunschweig presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2008-18, Amending the City’s Zoning Map as Adopted in Chapter 130. (citizen initiated application, no sponsor necessary – rezone Curves property at 504 East Main Street)

13. Adjournment. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. Motion approved unanimously.

Prepared by:
Judy Walton
City Clerk

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