Minutes; Common Council: July 2010

Common Council

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 13, 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, Jim Brooks, Todd Culbertson, Barb Jacobson, Diane Roberts, Dennis Wessels, and Tony Wyse. Absent: Alderperson Janis Ringhand. Others present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Attorney Mark Kopp, and various members of the public.

3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve the agenda. Motion approved 7-0.

4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to waive the reading of the minutes of the June 8, 2010, regular meeting and to approve them as presented. Motion approved 7-0.

5. Citizen appearances.
A. Chamber of Commerce. Bridgit Larsen presented a proposal from the Chamber of Commerce for the City to formally partner with the Chamber for implementation of the City’s Economic Development Plan. They would like a contract for $20,000 to be included in the 2011 Budget; funding would be contingent on satisfactory performance reported quarterly. Steve Hagen, Norm Paulson, Lori Allen, Cheryl Dickert, Dan Hanson, John Morning, and Roger Berg spoke in favor of the Chamber’s request.

6. Reports of Committees.
A. Youth Center Advisory Board Report. Dave Sobeski stated that fundraising events at the Summer Kickoff Party and the Fourth of July were very successful; many thanks to the volunteers and donors. They hope to be able to have the Youth Center open 15 hours per week during the fall.

B. Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report.
(1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to accept the Water & Light bills as presented in the amount of $674,319.21. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote.

(2). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to accept the City bills as presented in the amount of $1,669,846.30. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote.

(3). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve the Fund Balance Policy. Braunschweig explained that the policy applies to unreserved, undesignated funds in the general fund for cash flow and contingencies. Motion passed 7-0.

(4). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve Resolution 2010-09, Approving Mid-Year Budget Amendments to the 2010 Budget. The Council discussed the costs for preparing the former police station for sale. Braunschweig called the question. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote.

(5). Wietecha presented the draft Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s Report for the year ended December 31, 2009. He noted the City is in decent financial shape. He predicted a few items that would likely be included in the Management Letter in the final version of the Audit: the need to account for use of water impact fees, annually truing up interfund balances between the debt service and capital funds, difficulties with segregation of duties in a small department, and potential effects of upcoming GASB 54 compliance.

(6). The Council noted the calendar schedule for setting the 2011 Budget. Department heads have been given a budget target of 0% increase in operating expenses. A meeting will be set in mid to late September to hear the requests of each department.

C. Plan Commission Report. None.

D. Public Safety Committee Report. None.

E. Public Works Committee Report.
(1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve Resolution 2010-10, Documenting Review of the 2009 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Indicating Actions to be taken to Prevent Effluent Limit Violations. The improvements to the wastewater treatment facility address the concerns identified in the CMAR. Motion passed 7-0.

F. Water & Light Committee Report. None.

G. Economic Development Committee Report. Wyse said the committee heard the Chamber of Commerce proposal.

H. Redevelopment Authority Report. None.

I. Parks and Recreation Board Report. None.

J. Historic Preservation Commission Report. None

K. Fire District Report. None

L. Police Commission Report. None

M. Evansville-Union Implementation Committee Report. None

N. Energy Independence Team Report. Decker said approximately $40,000 of the $50,000 grant was used to establish a baseline of all municipal energy use and identify priority projects to achieve 25% renewable energy use by the year 2025. About $333,000 (over 11% of the operating budget) was spent on energy in 2008 with about a third being for gasoline and diesel fuel. Priority projects included efficiencies and wind turbine at the wastewater treatment facility, upgrading the pumps at the wells and lift stations, lighting and heating upgrades at the public works garage, use of renewable fuels in vehicles, and LED street lights.

O. Library Board/Liaison Report. None.

P. Board of Appeals Report
(1). Wietecha noted that the board had heard two appeals last month and has an upcoming hearing regarding floodplain development standards.

7. Unfinished Business.
A. Braunschweig presented the Second Reading and made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to adopt Ordinance 2010-07, An Interim Ordinance for a Temporary Prohibition of Land Divisions within the City of Evansville and Its One-And-One-Half Mile Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Area. Bob Janes asked the reason for the ordinance. Decker noted that the Plan Commission is reviewing the Implementation Committee’s recommendations for revisions to the future land use maps, particularly with an eye to regional stormwater planning, utility service extensions, and the Highway 14 corridor. Janes asked that the Implementation Committee be able to provide input in the Plan Commission’s review. Motion passed 7-0.

8. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor.
A. Mayor Decker presented a Proclamation in Recognition of the 100th Anniversary of Dave Mosher & Associates Insurance.

9. Communications from the City Administrator. None.

10. New Business. None

11. Introduction of New Ordinances. None.

12. Meeting Reminders
A. Next meeting is Tuesday, August 10.

13. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Wyse, to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. Motion approved 7-0.


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