Minutes: Common Council: March 2009

Common Council

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 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, Todd Culbertson, Barb Jacobson, Janis Ringhand, Diane Roberts, Dennis Wessels, and Tony Wyse. Others present: Dan Wietecha, City Administrator; Judy Walton, City Clerk; Mark Kopp, City Attorney; Dave Wartenweiler, Public Works Superintendent; Dave Wagner, Ehlers & Associates; Gil Wiedenhoeft, Dick Woulfe, Kelly Gildner and Jim Brooks.

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 the February 10, 2009 regular meeting and to approve them as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen appearances. Kelly Gildner asked that S.O.L.E. be placed back on the monthly Council agenda. Gil Wiedenhoeft commented that the lake looks great and added that they are working on fish bunkers, algae control and fundraising. Their next meeting is March 11th at 6:00 p.m. at the Library.

A. Council exchanged introductions with recently promoted Lieutenant Jay Koehler and Officers Matt Nankee, Chris Jones, and Scott Fields.

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 Water & Light bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $641,658.64. 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 $2,534,691.11. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(3). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the community/senior services coordinator contract. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote with Ringhand abstaining.

(4). Note: this item discussed after 6D1, upon the arrival of Dave Wagner. Dave Wagner, Ehlers & Associates, reviewed his report on the proposed 20 year bond issue which would be the permanent financing for the Lake Leota Project. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Wessels to approve Resolution 2009-03, Providing for Sale of $1,365,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

C. Public Safety Committee Report
(1). Update: Police Department Building Remodeling. Wietecha stated that the original plan was to have industrial arts students draw up the plans, but the timing does not work. He has met with Jim Helgesen, who has significant commercial architectural experience, to prepare the plans. Wietecha added that the budgeted amount of $75,000 may be unrealistically low.

D. Public Works Committee Report
(1). Update: Lake Leota Dredging Project. Wietecha stated there is some off-site restoration work that needs to be done including debris cleanup, tree planting and dismantling the access road.

(2). Update: Wastewater Treatment Plant. Braunschweig stated that engineers from Foth attended the last Public Works Committee Meeting and they discussed the larger items and equipment that will need to be purchased.

(3). Main Street Reconstruction: 2008 Project of the Year Award for Transportation Project Under $5 Million from the Wisconsin Chapter of American Public Works Association. Braunschweig shared with Council a handout detailing the project, which was used to apply for this respected commendation. Dave Wartenweiler was congratulated by Council.

(4). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to refer potential acquisition of land for location of waterway to Plan Commission per to Wisconsin Statutes 62.23(5). Mark Kopp stated that this is the first step towards potential acquisition of this property for a pond. Motion approved unanimously.

(5). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve Resolution 2009-04, Authorizing Application to the Community Rating System. Braunschweig stated that the goal of this application is to reduce the flood insurance premiums for property owners. Motion approved unanimously.

Braunschweig informed Council that the Public Works Committee will be looking at possible fee and policy changes at the cemetery.

E. Water & Light Committee Report. None

F. Economic Development Committee Report. Wyse stated the Committee is continuing its discussions on creating an Economic Development entity. He reminded Council of the I&E meeting on March 11th.

G. Parks and Recreation Board Report.
(1). Ringhand made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Resolution 2009-05, Authorizing Submittal of a State Grant Application and Subsequent Appropriation of City Funds for a Lake Protection Grant. Ringhand explained that this grant would enable them to obtain funding for shoreline plantings for the lake. Carl Korfmacher from Applied Ecological Services has volunteered is expertise to prepare a planting and maintenance plan to be submitted to the DNR. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

H. Historic Preservation Commission Report. None

I. Fire District Report. Wessels thanked the Council for attending their dinner and facility tour.

J. Police Commission Report. None

K. Evansville-Union Implementation Committee Report. None

L. Youth Center Advisory Board. None

7. Unfinished Business. None

8. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor
A. Report on APPA Legislative Rally. Decker attended the rally and reviewed with Council the discussion of proposed items including the cap and trade legislation, railroad anti-trust enforcement, electrical transmission grid expansion, and cyber security.

B. Decker reported on the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Community Economic Adjustment Program Workshop.

Decker extended a thank you to the city representatives that attended the Chili Cook-off. She informed Council that the Office of Energy Independence Grant was increased to $50,000 from $37,500.

9. Communications from the City Administrator. Wietecha stated he is reviewing current development agreements to ensure the terms of those agreements are met.

10. New Business. None

11. Introduction of New Ordinances
A. Braunschweig presented the First reading of Ordinance 2009-02, Adopting Amendments to the City of Evansville Zoning Ordinance. [sponsors Roberts and Braunschweig]

12. Motion to adjourn. Ringhand made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 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.