Search This Blog

"Flooding Was What We Expected": The Movie

The Wind of Change

Seek The High Ground

Friday, February 8, 2013

Minutes: Common Council: January 2013

Common Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 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, Cheryl Fuchs, Floyd Hayes, Barb Jacobson, Ben Ladick, and Josh Manring. Alderperson Jon Senn was absent. Others present: City Clerk Judy Walton, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Attorney Mark Kopp, Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff, Library Director Megan Becker, Assistant Library Director Laura Damon-Moore, Kelly Gildner of The Review, Greg Johnson and Maureen Manning of Ehlers and Associates, Pam Ascencio, Loren Larson, Jennifer Braun of BASE and her children, Lee Dammen, Jim Kopecky, and Gene Cratsenberg. 3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hayes to approve the agenda. Motion approved 7-0. 4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hayes to waive the reading of the minutes of the December 11, 2012, regular meeting and to approve them as presented. Motion approved 7-0. 5. Civility reminder. Monthly reminder that Council has committed to civility during meetings. 6. Citizen appearances A. Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff introduced herself to the Council. B. Gene Cratsenberg, 124 Highland Street, requested that Council reconsider the originally proposed ordinance relative to parking restrictions. C. Jennifer Braun of BASE spoke in opposition of proposed Ordinance 2012-23, which would change the liquor store morning opening hours. She cited alcohol sales statistics that she feels show that availability of purchasing alcohol is currently not an issue. She said people planning ahead for purchases would be better than changing the hours of sale. D. Lee Dammen, Cenex Convenience Store of Evansville, spoke in favor of proposed Ordinance 2012-23 as it would be consistent with state law. He added that it would benefit people that are leaving early in the day for vacations. E. Pam Ascencio, 441 Almeron Street, read a prepared statement which summarized her complaints for the last 9 months against her neighbor who she believes is running a boarding kennel. F. Loren Larson, 447 Almeron Street, asked the Council to visit her neighborhood when the weather is warm because of the odor she believes is being created by a number of cats and dogs staying at a neighbor’s residence. 7. Reports of Committees A. Library Board Report. Library Director Megan Becker reported that year end at the library went smoothly. She introduced Assistant Library Director Laura Damon-Moore. B. Youth Center Advisory Board Report. Ladick reported that things are going well. They are averaging 29 kids per night; they are looking to improve signage for the center; and year-end fundraising letters have been mailed. C. Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report (1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to accept the City and Water & Light bills as presented in the amount of $742,923.21. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (2). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve Resolution 2013-01, Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of $2,795,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2013A. Greg Johnson of Ehlers and Associates stated the winning bid was submitted by Bankers Bank out of Madison in partnership with Union Bank & Trust in Evansville, with a true interest cost rate of 1.1049%. The City of Evansville was the first competitive bond sale in Wisconsin for 2013. Issuance expenses are less than estimated which reduced the actual amount to $2,765,000. Johnson reported that the city received an A+/Stable rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. This is a strong rating for a first time rating and for a city our size. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hayes to amend the motion changing the issuance and sale amount from $2,795,000 to $2,765,000. Amendment approved 7-0. Main motion, as amended, approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (3). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve Customer Agreement with United Mailing Services, Inc. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (4). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve non-represented employee wages as listed in memo with the exception that the 2013 pay rate for the Aquatics Director will remain the same as the 2012 rate. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. D. Plan Commission Report. No report. E. Public Safety Committee Report. Jacobson reported that there were 441 year-to-date 2012 EMS runs; numerous members of the Fire Department, EMS, and Police Department attended the visitation for Brooklyn Fire Chief Phil Mortensen; Police Department video cameras have arrived but are not installed yet; work on accreditation continues; and the Police Commission will be meeting February 9th. (1). Jacobson made a motion, seconded by Hayes to approve Intergovernmental Emergency Medical Service Contract. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. F. Public Works Committee Report. No report. G. Water & Light Committee Report. Brooks reported that at the WPPI Board of Director’s meeting they had re-estimated what we will be paying for purchased power in 2013 to just over half of what they had anticipated. Notice has been received that Evansville Water & Light has achieved the Reliable Public Power Provider rating from the American Public Power Association including receiving the second highest level with a score of 80 out of 100. H. Economic Development Committee Report. No report. I. Redevelopment Authority Report. No report. J. Parks and Recreation Board Report. Fuchs reported that everything is going swimmingly. There is still concern about over fishing on Lake Leota and there are signs posted requesting people voluntarily take lower than the limit. K. Historic Preservation Commission Report. No report. L. Fire District Report. Jacobson reported that the annual audit is scheduled for February 12, 2013; they are refinancing the building loan with Union Bank & Trust; they have hired a cleaning person, Engine #61 needed new batteries; and the fair representation by municipalities discussions are ongoing. M. Police Commission Report. Upcoming meeting on January 9, 2013. N. Energy Independence Team Report. No report. O. Board of Appeals Report. No report. 8. Unfinished Business A. Brooks presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve Ordinance 2012-21, Amending Chapter 62 of the Municipal Code Relating to Historic Preservation. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Ladick and Brooks]. Motion approved 7-0. B. Brooks presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Manring to approve Ordinance 2012-22, Amending Chapter 14 of the Municipal Code Relative to Animal Impoundment. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Brooks and Manring]. Motion approved 7-0. C. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve Resolution 2012-17, Amending the City of Evansville’s Fee Schedule. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. D. Braunschweig presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Hayes to approve Ordinance 2012-23, Amending Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code Relative to Liquor Store Morning Operating Hours. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Hayes and Fuchs]. Brooks said Jen Braun did a nice job of summarizing the global view of alcohol availability. He added that he doesn’t see the problems this ordinance would solve but does see the problems it creates. Jacobson agreed with Brooks and believes this should be re-visited. Manring said he doesn’t see a correlation between alcohol sales starting three hours earlier and underage drinking. Additionally, by passing the ordinance we would match state law. Braunschweig said he understands the role that BASE has taken but he doesn’t see the correlation either in those three hours. He added that numerous municipalities have changed their hours to match state law and if we do not change ours we are furthering our business people from healthy, fair competition. Motion approved 5-2 on a roll call vote with Brooks and Jacobson opposing. E. Hayes presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Fuchs to approve Ordinance 2012-24, Amending Chapter 82 of the Municipal Code Relative to Disturbance of the Peace with a Motor Vehicle. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Hayes and Fuchs]. Motion approved 7-0. F. Fuchs presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Jacobson to approve Ordinance 2012-25, Amending Chapter 122 of the Municipal Code Relative to No Parking Zones. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Jacobson and Fuchs]. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hayes to amend the motion with the following change: East Church Street, both south sides, from Enterprise Street to Allen Creek. Motion approved 7-0. G. Braunschweig presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Hayes to approve Ordinance 2012-26, Amending Chapter 122 of the Municipal Code Relative to Abandoned Vehicles. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Hayes and Jacobson]. Motion approved 6-0 with Ladick abstaining. H. Braunschweig presented the second reading and made a motion, seconded by Jacobson to approve Ordinance 2012-27, Amending Chapter 122 of the Municipal Code Relative to Winter Parking Restrictions. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Hayes and Jacobson]. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to amend the motion by changing days between November 15 and April 15 to days between November 30 and April 1. Amendment approved 7-0. Motion, as amended, approved 7-0. 9. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor. A. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve Resolution 2013-02, Commending Mary Libby for her Service to the Evansville Community. Motion approved 7-0. Decker stated there will be a reception for Mary on Thursday at Creekside Place. B. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to approve the Mayoral appointments of Christina Slaback, Chamber Executive Director, for an unexpired term ending in 2013, to the Tourism Subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee. Motion approved 7-0. C. Decker reminded Council of the upcoming Ehlers Associates Finance Seminar on February 14-15. D. Decker reminded Council of the Activity Fair being held at Creekside Place on Saturday, January 19th. 10. Communications from the City Administrator. None 11. New Business. None 12. Introduction of New Ordinances. A. Braunschweig presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2013-01, Regarding City Administrator Position. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Braunschweig and Brooks]. B. Braunschweig presented the First Reading of Ordinance 2013-02, Amending Chapter 130 of the City Code Regarding Agricultural Service Uses in the Heavy Industrial (I-2) District. [Sponsors: Alderpersons Braunschweig and Brooks]. 13. Meeting Reminder. A. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 6:30 pm, City Hall. 14. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hayes to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Motion approved 7-0. Prepared by Judy Walton, City Clerk The minutes are not official until approved by the Common Council at their next regular meeting.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Minutes: Finance: Jan 2013

City of Evansville Finance & Labor Relations Committee Regular Meeting Thursday, January 3, 2013, 5:00 pm City Hall, 31 S. Madison St., Evansville, Wisconsin MINUTES I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Chair Mason Braunschweig. Present: Alderpersons Mason Braunschweig, Josh Manring, and Jim Brooks. Also present: Mayor Sandy Decker and City Administrator Dan Wietecha. II. Approve Agenda. Manring made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion approved unanimously. III. Minutes of December 6, 2012. Manring made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to waive the reading of and to approve the minutes as presented. Motion approved unanimously. IV. Citizen Appearances. None. V. Bills. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Manring, to accept the City and Water & Light bills in the amount of $742,923.21. FLR had questions about EMS defibrillator, Library legal expenses, and the report format. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. VI. Unfinished Business. a. Fee Schedule. Manring made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to recommend to Common Council approval of Resolution 2012-17, Amending the City of Evansville’s Fee Schedule. Wietecha explained this had been delayed in November to await Ordinance 2012-22 to make sure that the City Code, contract with Rock County Humane Society, and Fee Schedule were consistent. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. b. City Administrator. Manring made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to recommend to Common Council approval of Ordinance 2013-01, Regarding City Administrator Position. Wietecha noted the position description would be on the February agenda to coincide with the second reading of the ordinance. Motion approved unanimously. VII. New Business: a. Bond Issue 2013A. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Manring, to recommend to Common Council approval of Resolution 2013-01, Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of $2,795,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2013A. Wietecha distributed the rating report from by Standard and Poor’s that afternoon; they assigned a rating of “A+” for the city’s bond issue. This was about where Ehlers had expected our rating and was better than the average Wisconsin municipality. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. b. Bulk Mailing. Manring made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to recommend to Common Council approval of Customer Agreement with United Mailing Services, Inc. Wietecha explained the city had used United Mailing to stuff envelopes and mail the property tax bills. The US Postal Service was disturbed there had not been a written agreement for the service. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. c. Non-Represented Employee Wages. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to recommend to Common Council approval of non-represented employee wages as listed in memo. Wietecha explained the approved budget had included a modest increase for most non-represented positions. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. d. Accounting Technician. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Manring, to approve hiring an Accounting Technician. Wietecha explained the position would become vacant due to a retirement next week. It is a union position and would be posted for qualified, internal candidates. Motion approved unanimously. VIII. Adjournment. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Manring, to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved unanimously at 5:25 pm.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Minutes: Planning commission: Jan 2013

City of Evansville Plan Commission Regular Meeting Thursday, January 3, 2013, 6:00 p.m. City Hall (Third Floor), 31 South Madison Street MINUTES 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Decker. 2. Roll call. Members present: John Gishnock (arrived late), Mason Braunschweig, Sandy Decker, Bill Hammann (arrived late), Matt Eaton, Carol Endres, and Jim Brooks. Others present: Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff and City Administrator Dan Wietecha. 3. Approval of agenda. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve the agenda. Motion approved 5-0. 4. Approval of minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Eaton, to waive the reading of the minutes from December 3, 2012 regular meeting and approve them as printed. Motion approved 5-0. 5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. None. 6. New Business A. Introductions. Plan Commission board members and new Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff introduced themselves. B. Agricultural Service Uses. Wietecha explained that when property was annexed into the city in 2006 for the biodiesel plant, it was zoned as Heavy Industrial (I-2) District. It appears there was little, if any, discussion about Landmark Service Cooperative’s existing grain handling facility on the property. Agricultural Service Uses are not permitted in the I-2 District, and Landmark’s facilities are well over the district’s height limit. The existing facilities are “grandfathered” and allowed to remain as a non-conforming use. Landmark is interested in constructing additional grain bins and a dryer, with the potential for further expansion in the future. Gishnock arrived. Wietecha recommended amending the I-2 regulations to allow Agricultural Service Uses in the I-2 District with a conditional use permit (CUP) and to allow a height limit of 200 feet for Agricultural Service Uses within an I-2 District as part of a CUP. Plan Commission asked about increasing setbacks for taller structures. Plan Commission said that the Fire Department should comment during review of such a CUP. Braunschweig and Brooks said they would sponsor an ordinance to amend the Zoning Code. Hammann arrived. 7. Report on other permitting activity by City Planner. No report. 8. Report on the Unified Land Development Code Committee. No report. 9. Report of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission. Decker said that City Council has an ordinance before it to recognize the new historic districts and to clarify the historic preservation approval process. 10. Report on Common Council actions relating to Plan Commission recommendations. Wietecha said the City Council had approved the ordinances to consolidate the agricultural districts and to clarify the annexation process. 11. Report on Board of Appeals actions relating to zoning matters. No report. 12. Enforcement Report. Wietecha said a complaint about a sign without a permit would be followed up. 13. Introductions. Late arriving Plan Commission board members and new Community Development Director Nicole Sidoff introduced themselves. 14. Meeting Reminder. The next Plan Commission meeting is Monday, February 4, 2013. 15. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Endres, to adjourn at 6:14 p.m. Motion approved 7-0. The minutes are not official until approved by the Plan Commission at their next regular meeting.

Melissa Hammann Speaks: Key issues in 2013 Evansville School Board Race