Minutes: Common Council: March 2010

Common Council

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Decker.

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, and members of the public.

3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to approve the agenda. Motion approved 8-0.

4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to waive the reading of the minutes of the February 9, 2010, regular meeting and to approve them as presented. Motion approved 8-0.

5. Citizen appearances
A. Youth Center Advisory Board Report. David Sobeski stated they had a clean-up day on February 6th and the Chili Cook-Off fundraiser was held on February 20th. They have had a personnel change in their coordinator position. Female attendance has increased. The “Ducks” are out.
B. S.O.L.E. Rod Courtier presented a life-size sample of the v-notch to be used as a monument in the park. Fish cribs, consisting of weighted brush piles, have been placed on the frozen lake awaiting warm weather.
C. E.C.P. Jim Brooks stated they have moved into the building on Antes Drive. He updated Council on the numerous upcoming activities.
D. Tom Cothard. Alderperson Tom Cothard stated that he is moving out of his aldermanic district and therefore is resigning from the Council. Tom has been on the Council for 15 years. He urged the Council to keep costs down.

6. Reports of Committees
A. Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report
(1). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to accept the Water & Light bills as presented in the amount of $725,910.59. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote.

(2). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts to accept the City bills as presented in the amount of $2,712,351.68. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote.

(3). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement with WPPI Energy for Wind Turbine Installation. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote.

(4). Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve Resolution 2010-04, Approving Loan Agreement with WPPI Energy for Wind Turbine Installation. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote.

B. Plan Commission Report
(1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to approve Final Plat for Brown School Subdivision. Motion approved 8-0.

C. Public Safety Committee Report. None

D. Public Works Committee Report. None

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. None

M. Energy Independence Team Report. Decker stated they are anticipating a press release notification of a third stimulus fund grant in the amount of $133,000 for upgrading street lights and $25,000 for the public works garage lighting update.

N. Library Board/Liaison Report. Wyse stated that Kathi Kemp applied for and received a $1,700 grant for computers and software that is specifically aimed at job search assistance. They have also received a $1,500 gift that will go towards computers.

7. Unfinished Business
A. Braunschweig presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to adopt Ordinance 2010-01, Amending Sanitary Sewer Use and User Charge System. [Sponsors Braunschweig and Ringhand]. Motion approved 8-0.

8. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to waive the seven day notice for citizen appointments. Motion approved 8-0.
(1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard to approve the mayoral appointment of Kyle Allen, 15747 W Holt Road, Brooklyn, WI (Evansville School District) to a six-week term to the Evansville Youth Center Advisory Board. Motion approved 8-0.
B. Report on Legislative Issues.
Decker stated that in late January Alderperson Tom Cothard and herself attended the Wisconsin Municipal Utilities Legislative Day. They heard updates on proposed Clean Energy Jobs Act and upcoming legislation on Groundwater Management Plans.
In late February she attended the American Public Power Association Legislative Rally in Washington, D.C. Discussions with Senator Herb Kohl and Representative Tammy Baldwin included the anti-trust exemption for railroads, interstate transmission grid, and cap and trade legislation.
Alderpersons Janis Ringhand and Tom Cothard recently attended the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Legislative Rally.
The Evansville Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the upcoming Rock County Economic Development Legislative Rally in Madison.





9. Communications from the City Administrator
A. Discover Wisconsin Updates. Wietecha stated the television show airs on June 12th. On Thursday, June 10th, a family-friendly event at the park is being planned to preview the show. The brochure is now available and is being distributed locally and Discover Wisconsin will be distributing it at their booth at the Milwaukee Sports Show this coming weekend.

10. New Business. None

11. Introduction of New Ordinances
A. Braunschweig presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2010-02, Amending the Zoning Code Related to Landscaping, Signs and Parking. [Sponsors Braunschweig and Roberts]
B. Braunschweig presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2010-03, Amending Municipal Code Chapter 48 Related to Erosion Control. [Sponsors Braunschweig and Roberts]
C. Braunschweig presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2010-04, Regulating the Use of Dumpsters. [Sponsors Braunschweig and Culbertson]

12. Eminent Domain Proceedings
A. Ringhand made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to move to closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate the purchase of public properties. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote at 7:05 p.m.

No action was taken.

Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to return to open session. Motion approved 8-0 at 7:13 p.m.

B. No motion regarding the purchase of public properties.

13. Employee Evaluation
A. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to meet in closed session per Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) to discuss City Administrator performance evaluation, contract, and wages, and to subsequently reconvene in open session. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote at 7:15 p.m.

No action was taken.

Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to return to open session. Motion approved 8-0 at 7:18 p.m.

B. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve a 3% salary increase for the City Administrator, retroactive to January 1, 2010. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote.

14. Meeting Reminders
A. Decker reminded Council of the Committee of the whole meeting Saturday, March 13 at the Fire Station, 425 Water Street. The meeting is to start at 8:30 a.m. and to end no later than 12:00 noon.

15. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Ringhand to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. Motion approved 8-0.

Prepared by Judy Walton, City Clerk

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