Minutes: Common Council: March 2013

Common Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 5:45 p.m. City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI MINUTES 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Decker. 2. Roll Call. Members present: Mayor Sandy Decker, Alderpersons Jim Brooks, Cheryl Fuchs, Mason Braunschweig, Barb Jacobson, Ben Ladick, Jon Senn, and Josh Manring (arrived late). Alderperson Floyd Hayes was absent. Others present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Attorney Mark Kopp, Library Director Megan Becker, EMS Chief Mary Beaver, and members of the public. 3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Senn, to approve the agenda. Motion approved 6-0. 4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Fuchs, to waive the reading of the minutes of the February 12, 2013, regular meeting and to approve with correction of a couple typos. Motion approved 6-0. 5. Civility reminder. Council noted the reminder of its commitment to civility during meetings. 6. Citizen appearances A. Pam Ascencio said she gave to the police a video of dogs being dropped off and barking at 435 Almeron Street; she said it shows a boarding kennel. She asked about an ordinance to limit the number of dogs. Alderperson Josh Manring arrived at this time. 7. Reports of Committees A. Library Board Report. Becker reported programming has been well attended; they are getting ready for their summer reading program. B. Youth Center Advisory Board Report. Ladick reported that the Boy Scouts had used the building; they were well supervised, cleaned up, and asked the Youth Center to keep their deposit as a donation. The Youth Center board is considering being open when the school has early release. 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 $3,133,285.35. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (2). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve Resolution 2013-03, Approving Year-End Amendments to 2012 Budget and New-Year Amendments to 2013 Budget. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (3). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve Integration Information Network (Centrex) Authorized User Agreement and Business Block of Time Service Agreement. With the city’s current Centrex agreement expiring, Wietecha explained these would put the city on the state contract at a savings around $1,000 per month for telephone service. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (4). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve Amendment #1 to Contract PF FY 10-20299 [Community Development Block Grant assistance for Creekside Place]. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (5). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve Amendment to Development Agreement for Development of 31-Room Hotel. Wietecha explained that due to low occupancy rates, Boarders Inn & Suites had requested restructuring their agreement. The proposed amendment would 1) extend the tax increment repayment period allowing for lower annual amounts, 2) allow a temporary credit to further reduce the amount of the tax increment repayment (the credit would be based on a portion of the room tax), and 3) would strengthen the city’s security in the agreement by identifying the grant as a service which may be levied as a special charge against the property. Council noted reservations about the proposal but acknowledged this was for unique circumstances. Council stated that all future development agreements should include the special charge mechanism for the city’s security. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (6). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve extension of non-represented employee contracts through December 31, 2015. Council noted that salaries had been approved in January but the contract extension was held pending performance reviews. The extension is to maintain our three-year rolling contract format. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (7). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve Delta Dental Policy Endorsement regarding domestic partners. Braunschweig explained the city’s health insurance includes domestic partners as covered dependents; however, the dental insurance allows the city to decide whether or not to cover domestic partners. The Delta Dental endorsement would require three criteria to verify domestic partnership; however, it would not use the state Employee Trust Fund’s affidavit of domestic partnership. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. D. Plan Commission Report. No report. E. Public Safety Committee Report. Jacobson reported that Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded to 51 calls in February, is interviewing a new Emergency Medical Technician, and has annual training upcoming. Police Department has posted for the sergeant position, plans to hire part-time officers later this year, and has the accreditation visit scheduled for this fall. F. Public Works Committee Report. (1). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Fuchs, to approve Resolution 2013-04, A Preliminary Resolution Declaring Intent to Levy Special Assessments for Garfield Avenue. Council noted the bid opening for the project would be March 21 and the assessment hearing would be April 9. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. (2). Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Fuchs, to approve Engineering Services Contract for 2013 Garfield Avenue Utility and Street Improvements. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. G. Water & Light Committee Report. Brooks reported Superintendent Mark Sendelbach would be attending the American Public Power Association (APPA) technical conference next week, he received a scholarship from WPPI Energy to cover the expense, and he would be receiving the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) certification on behalf of the utility at the conference. The Energy Fair will be April 19; the utility will have display information on advanced metering. Decker reported that she had attended the APPA legislative rally; preserving tax-exempt financing was the number one priority. (1). Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve Lump Sum Agreement for Payment for Lands or Interests in Lands Acquired from Public Utility, Conveyance of Rights in Lands, and Temporary Construction Easement. Brooks explained these are related to relocating utility poles due to a Department of Transportation project to realign the intersection of Highways 59, 213, and 104 this summer. Motion approved 7-0 on a roll call vote. H. Economic Development Committee Report. Brooks reported Paul Jadin, the new President of Thrive, toured Baker Manufacturing, Bluescope/Varco-Pruden Buildings, and the rail facility at Landmark Cooperative; Evansville’s key messages during the meeting were to support freight rail and broadband internet. The Southern Wisconsin Agriculture Group (SWAG) proposal has been attracting attention of late. Application is progressing for a Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) tourism grant with Stoughton, Janesville, and Beloit. I. Redevelopment Authority Report. No report. J. Parks and Recreation Board Report. Fuchs reported the Westside Park bathrooms will be completed in the spring, the disc golf project has received local and state approvals, and an important presentation on the Ice Age Trail will be April 29. Updating the Five-Year Park and Recreation Plan is underway with an on-line survey to gain public input; in warmer weather Park Board members will also visit city parks and ask the survey questions of park users in person. K. Historic Preservation Commission Report. Ladick reported approvals for a fence, the disc golf course, interior of the Antes Cabin restoration, landscaping at the Baker Office Building, and the cannon restoration and memorial. L. Fire District Report. Jacobson reported they expect presentation of the financial audit at the next board meeting. The board approved a written offer of $25,000 for the old truck after the new truck arrives. M. Police Commission Report. No report. N. Energy Independence Team Report. No report. O. Board of Appeals Report. Wietecha reported the board will meet April 2 to consider a variance application by Landmark Services Cooperative. Location of the buildings and traffic flow for expansion of the rail facility would result in a setback encroachment. Plan Commission has recommended approval of the variance. 8. Unfinished Business. None. 9. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor. A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Jacobson, to appoint Dulcie Bergsma, 579 S. Fifth Street, to an unexpired term through April 2014 on the Youth Center Advisory Board. Motion approved 7-0. 10. Communications from the City Administrator. No report. 11. New Business. None. 12. Introduction of New Ordinances. None. 13. Meeting Reminder. A. Regular Meeting: April 9, 6:30 pm. The meeting will include the Assessment Hearing for the Garfield Avenue project. Decker asked alderpersons to bring their calendars, so a Committee of the Whole meeting could be scheduled this spring. B. Reorganization Meeting: April 16, 6:30 pm. 14. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Jacobson, to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Motion approved 7-0. The minutes are not official until approved by the Common Council at their next regular meeting.