Minutes: Common Council: April 2013

Common Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 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, Josh Manring, and Jon Senn. Others present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Attorney Mark Kopp, City Clerk Judy Walton, City Engineer Brian Berquist and Ben Heidemann of Town & Country Engineering, Library Director Megan Kloeckner, Public Works Superintendent Dave Wartenweiler, Water & Light Superintendent Mark Sendelbach, Kelly Gildner of The Review, and several members of the public. 3. Approval of Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Jacobson to approve the agenda. Motion approved 8-0. 4. Approval of Minutes. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Senn to waive the reading of the minutes of the March 19, 2013, regular meeting and to approve them as presented. Motion approved 8-0. 5. Civility reminder. Decker stated that a year and a half ago the Council passed a civility resolution, making a commitment that city business is conducted with decorum and respect and she asked that all participants be civil and respectful. 6. Citizen appearances. A. Public Hearing: Garfield Avenue Street and Utility Improvements City Engineer Brian Berquist presented the preliminary engineering report, project overview, and explained how the preliminary assessments were calculated. He stated that Garfield Avenue has very poor pavement, very old and small water main, and old sewer main. These will be replaced along with all laterals, inlets, curb and gutter, and a total rebuild of the existing street. He anticipates the water main to be replaced first, followed by the sewer main, and lastly the street. Decker opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Ed Vroman, 131 Garfield Avenue and Tim Mani, 260 Garfield Avenue both expressed concern with traffic and speed on Garfield and if it will increase with the new road. Aimee Stano, 106 N Second Street, asked how the assessments would be billed and paid for. Berquist responded that bills would be issued upon completion and would include the interest rate and length of repayment. Decker closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Braunschweig said the Public Works and Water & Light Committees compiled lists of streets needing repair and both listed Garfield Avenue as the first. Jacobson asked about the timeline on the laterals and Berquist said approximately 3 per day. She also inquired whether homeowners would need to deal with sludge in the water and Berquist said there could be sediment and cloudiness which would clear up if the property owner ran tub water at full force. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to accept the Preliminary Assessment Report and proceed with the 2013 Garfield Avenue Utility and Street Improvements Project. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote. 7. Reports of Committees A. Library Board Report. Kloeckner reported that they are getting a new server on Thursday and their system will be down all day. They are currently working on strategic planning. B. Youth Center Advisory Board Report. Ladick reported they are working on a planner system for use of the center and will soon start planning for the 4th of July. 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 $1,453,945.58. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote. D. Plan Commission Report. Decker reported that they approved a site plan to expand the parking lot for the Grove Retreat and a site plan for a small addition on the BlueScope property. E. Public Safety Committee Report. Jacobson reported that EMS had 43 runs in March; they discussed having a second ambulance in service, possibly soon; EMS is working with BASE on a project for the Evansville Night Out event; and there are 2 new EMT’s. The Police Department is taking applications for the coop-student position and there was one in-house application for the sergeant position. F. Public Works Committee Report. Covered under Item 6A. G. Water & Light Committee Report. (1). Brooks made a motion, seconded by Fuchs to approve Services Agreement with Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW) for regional safety group participation through May 31, 2015. Brooks noted that this was budgeted for but the contract needed approval. Motion approved 8-0 on a roll call vote. (2). Brooks reported that warnings for disconnects were mailed. There was an increase of about 25%. H. Economic Development Committee Report. Brooks reported that they are moving forward with the Rail Study and the Joint Tourism JEM Grant Program has been shelved. I. Redevelopment Authority Report. No report. J. Parks and Recreation Board Report. Fuchs reported that they approved the Peace Park to be located on the park grounds of the Seminary apartment area. The organizers are doing all their own fundraiser. The roof is going on the Westside Park bathroom and there is an on-line survey being conducted for input on the city park plan. K. Historic Preservation Commission Report. Ladick reported that they approved the construction of a garage and the canon restoration is ongoing. L. Fire District Report. Jacobson reported that they owe approximately $1.588 million on the new building and they are refinancing with BMO, 2.75% for 10 years. Their current payment amounts will not change so the actual life of the loan is 12-13 years so they will need to secure additional financing past the 10 year note. She stated that there was a training exercise on responding to farm accidents for southern Wisconsin emergency workers on Saturday at Worthington Ag Parts which was very beneficial due to the amount of rural areas in the district. M. Police Commission Report. No report. N. Energy Independence Team Report. No report. O. Board of Appeals Report. Decker reported that the Landmark variance was approved unanimously. 8. Unfinished Business. None 9. Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Senn to approve Resolution 2013-05 in Support of International Migratory Bird Day 2013. Motion approved 8-0. B. Decker presented her Mayoral Proclamation, Recognizing Arbor Day 2013. C. Update on Ice Age Trail. Decker stated they are having the second round of open houses with one being held on April 29th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Creekside Place. She encouraged everyone to attend and sign in. 10. Communications from the City Administrator A. Wietecha reminded anyone interested in attending the League of Wisconsin Municipalities New Officials Workshop in Madison on May 10th to contact city hall. B. Wietecha asked for input on any additions or updated needed for Council/Committee reference books. 11. New Business. None 12. Introduction of New Ordinances. None 13. Meeting Reminder A. Reorganization meeting on April 16th, at 6:30 pm. B. Committee of the Whole meeting on Saturday, May 18th 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. with the location to be determined. 14. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Senn to adjourn at 7:42 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.