Minutes; Common Council: Evansville: April 2009

Common Council

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 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: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Clerk Judy Walton, City Attorney Mark Kopp, Public Works Superintendent Dave Wartenweiler, EMS Coordinator Mary Beaver, Tom Alisankus, Evansville Police Department Representatives, Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden, Gil Wiedenhoeft, Dick Woulfe, Michael Pierick, Mary Libby, Shelley Schneider, Sandi Konkel, Erin Savaske, and Dave Javan.

3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to move Citizen Appearance Sheriff Robert Spoden to follow Jeff Roe, then Primetimers, then SOLE and 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 March 10, 2009 regular meeting and April 9, 2009, special meeting and to approve them as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen appearances.
A. Jeff Roe, on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the National Arbor Day Foundation presented the City with their 8th consecutive DNR Tree City Award.

B. Sheriff Robert Spoden spoke about the increased use of heroin in Rock County. He stated they are combining forces with the Special Investigations Unit and local Police Departments to combat this activity. He stated this highly addictive drug is being used by a wide variety of people and not just a particular group. He listed physical warning signs and material objects to watch for that would indicate someone is using the drug. He cautioned that if this problem is not addressed immediately, it will result in a rise in crime as users will need to fund their habit.

C. Mary Libby introduced Primetimers Coordinator Shelley Schneider. Libby stated General Motors donated approximately $2,500 in tools to the Woodchucks. Schneider gave Council a brief personal history of herself, and then presented the Treasurers Report and Activity Reports.

D. SOLE. Gil Wiedenhoeft stated they are continuing to work on fish bunkers, obtaining permits and fundraising for fish stocking.

6. Reports of Committees
A. Plan Commission Report
(1). Relocation Order. Wietecha explained the area where the improvement to the storm water drainage is proposed. Council asked several questions regarding the use of the property and the acquisition of the property. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Resolution 2009-13, Relocation Order. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

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 $765,823.19. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(2). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve the City bills and authorize their payment in the amount of $1,081,563.13. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(3). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Resolution 2009-06, Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of $1,205,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2009. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(4). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Resolution 2009-07, Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures for Clean Water Fund Project. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

(5). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to approve Resolution 2009-08, Authorized Representative to File Application for Financial Assistance from State of Wisconsin Clean Water Fund Program. Motion approved unanimously.

(6). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Resolution 2009-12, Memorializing Interest Rate for Interfund Loans and Advances to Tax Incremental Funds. Motion approved unanimously.

C. Public Safety Committee Report
(1). Update: Police Station Remodeling. Wietecha stated the plans are being updated to submit to the state and they include a proposed detached garage. He stated the budgeted $75,000 was unrealistically low and discussion followed regarding a budget amendment and the need for hiring a project manager. Jacobson stated her concerns on the cost and suggested holding off on the remodeling, using the building as is and installing temporary partitions. Cothard stated there are certain code requirements and building conditions that would need to be met, which would prohibit it from being used as is. Council discussed at great length their concern for the cost, yet the necessity for the remodeling. Wietecha and Council reviewed the details of his memo regarding the EMS Fund Balance and Police Department Budget Amendment.

(2). Roberts made a motion, seconded by Cothard to approve Resolution 2009-10, Approving Amendment to 2009 Capital Budget. [Police station]. Motion approved 6-2 on a roll call vote with Jacobson and Ringhand opposing.

(3). Roberts made a motion, seconded by Cothard to separate contracts for Police Station Remodeling per Wisconsin Statute 66.0901(6) and to hire R. M. Berg General Contractor, Inc. as project manager. Motion approved 7-1 on a roll call vote with Jacobson opposing.


D. Public Works Committee Report
(1). Update: Lake Leota Dredging Project. Wietecha stated the contractor will be working with the property owners to finish restoration. The City paid for a total of 180,200 cubic yards of sediment removed.

(2). Update: Wastewater Treatment Plant. Dave Wartenweiler stated he has toured Beloit’s facility and will be recommending their type of clarifier, and state approval has been received. Wietecha added that the site plan has been approved by Plan Commission.

(3). Cemetery Fees. Braunschweig reviewed with Council the information the Public Works Committee used to set the fees. He stated that a spreadsheet comparing other community’s fees prepared by Ald. Ringhand helped the process tremendously. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve Resolution 2009-11, Amending the City of Evansville’s Fee Schedule. [Cemetery fees]. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

E. Water & Light Committee Report. None

F. Economic Development Committee Report. Wyse stated they have a contract for the new welcome signs. Meetings are continuing for the creation of the Economic Development Entity.

G. Parks and Recreation Board Report. Ringhand stated she is working on the Wetland Shoreland Restoration Grant which is due May 1st.

H. Historic Preservation Commission Report. None

I. Fire District Report
(1). Wessels stated the Fire Department Open House and Tours will be Saturday, April 18.

J. Police Commission Report. None

K. Evansville-Union Implementation Committee Report. Ringhand stated they are going to be addressing mapping issues at their next meeting.

L. Youth Center Advisory Board Report. Sandy Konkel and Erin Savaske presented their report, stating use of the building has increased. Their next fundraising will be at the 4th of July celebration. (Note: this report given after Item 6C3)

7. Unfinished Business
A. Cothard presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve Ordinance 2009-02, Adopting Amendments to the City of Evansville Zoning Ordinance. [Sponsors Roberts and Braunschweig] Motion approved unanimously.

8. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor
A. Decker presented her Mayoral Proclamation Arbor Day 2009, proclaiming April 24, 2009 as Arbor Day.

B. Decker presented her Mayoral Proclamation Commending Gil Skinner for his 24 years on the Evansville Plan Commission.

C. Decker presented her Mayoral Proclamation, proclaiming May 17-23, 2009 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Evansville.

Decker congratulated Mary Beaver and Tom Alisankus on their recognition as “People Who Matter”.

9. Communications from the City Administrator
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Culbertson to approve Engagement of Quarles & Brady LLP as bond counsel for Issuance of $1,205,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2009. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

B. Wietecha gave Council a FYI that Charter Communications is restructuring, but citizen’s service should not be affected.

10. New Business. None

11. Introduction of New Ordinances
A. Braunschweig presented the First reading of Ordinance 2009-03, Regulating the Harboring of Minor Runaways. [Sponsors Wessels and Roberts].

B. Braunschweig presented the First reading of Ordinance 2009-04, Rezoning Territory from Residential District (R-1) to Local Business District (B-1). [Applicant initiated ordinance, no sponsor needed].

12. Decker reminded Council of the Reorganization Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m.

13. Motion to Adjourn. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Motion approved unanimously.

Prepared by Judy Walton, City Clerk