CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES OF MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009

Meeting called to order by Mayor Dean Knudson in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Knudson led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Municipal Judge Susan Gherty administered the Oath of Office to Hudson Police Patrol Officer Hilary Lundberg. Gabriel Lundberg assisted in pinning the badge on his mother’s uniform.

PRESENT: Mayor Knudson and Alderpersons Randy Morrissette, Pam Brokaw, Lori Bernard, Lee Wyland, Scot O’Malley and Alan Burchill.

OTHERS PRESENT: Devin Willi, Cathy Munkittrick, Susan Gherty, Hilary Lundberg, Gabriel Lundberg, Marty Jensen, Betty Caruso, Vicki Harris, Chuck Harris, Randy Hanson, James Gerlach, Dave Haas, and others.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT: Mayor Knudson called three times for comments and suggestions from citizens present; none were given.

CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Morrissette, second by Bernard to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

MINUTES: Approve the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting minutes of 12/15/08.

CLAIMS: Approve the following claims for payment:

FUND	DESCRIPTION	PAYABLES	PAYROLL	TOTALS
100	General	161,142.43	165,676.46	326,818.89
231	SCBP-RVL Loan	650.00	0.00	650.00
450	Capital Projects	84,749.69	0.00	84,749.69
610	Sewer	9,244.01	9,465.01	18,709.02
620	Parking	1,187.74	1,119.93	2,307.67
630	Ambulance	4,672.96	25,855.54	30,528.50
860	Tax Agency	21,225.44	0.00	21,225.44
	TOTALS	$282,872.27	$202,116.94	$484,989.21

Application of Gary Anderson for Amusement Device Operator’s License and Amusement Device Permits d/b/a Twin States Music Inc., 1811 O’Keefe Road, Hudson, WI: Approve the issuance of an Amusement Device Operator’s License and Amusement Device Permits to Gary Anderson d/b/a Twin States Music, Inc. at 1811 O’Keefe Road, to be issued from this date through 6/30/09.

Consider write-offs of outstanding checks: approve writing off the outstanding checks in the total amount of $330.08, as submitted.

Roll call vote, all ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

Application(s) for Operator’s Licenses: Morrissette recused himself. Mayor Knudson noted that the Finance Committee recommended approval. MOTION by Burchill, second by O’Malley to approve the issuance of a Regular Operator’s License for the period 1/6/09 to 6/30/10 to:

Elizabeth Ann Weinkam 1113 Juniper Way Hudson, WI

Ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

Application of Northfield Restaurant Corp. for Class B beer license d/b/a Pizza Hut, 1550 Crest View Drive, Hudson, WI, for the period 1/8/09 to 6/30/09: Mayor Knudson stated that the Finance Committee recommended approval and reported that the business would have new ownership on January 8, 2009. MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to approve issuance of a Class B Beer License to Northfield Restaurant Corp. d/b/a Pizza Hut at 1550 Crest View Drive,, for the period 1/8/09 through 6/30/09, contingent on the surrender of the current license held by Ward Management of Hudson LTD. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

Update on contract negotiations for Police School Liaison Officer: Police Chief Marty Jensen spoke about negotiations for the School Liaison Patrol Officer position. He noted that the contract with the School District expired on 12/31/08 and a new contract is being negotiated. It was reported that under the past contract the School District and City each paid 50% of the officer’s costs for 10 months, and the City paid 100% of the costs for the remaining two months. Mayor Knudson stated that the Finance Committee recommended a funding split of 75% by the School District and 25% by the City, or having the School District pay 100% for nine months, and the City pay 100% of the costs for three months. The Committee also recommended City Attorney review of the wording in the proposed contract.

Discussion was held regarding the value of the position, budgeting concerns, and the need for reallocation of the costs. Bernard stated that she believed hourly compensation from the School District could also be a possibility, and that the current plan was inequitable. She suggested that the School District could set their budget for the officer and pay for actual services used. Mayor Knudson noted the School District’s interest in adding a second liaison officer, and funding and budget concerns.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Brokaw, to approve the recommendations of the Finance Committee regarding contract negotiations for the Police School Liaison officer (a split of 75/25, with the School District to pay 100% for nine months and the City to pay 100% for three months of costs for the School Liaison Patrol Officer, based on actual costs for hours on duty, or a proration of actual hours including benefits). Mayor Knudson reviewed that the City Attorney would work on the contract that would be presented to the School District. Discussion included information that if the officer was needed for City business, he could be called away from the school. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

Review Water Utility Director job description, proposed salary range, and recruitment/hiring process: Mayor Knudson reviewed the Finance Committee’s recommendation and noted that hiring is under the control of the Public Utility Commission. City Attorney Catherine Munkittrick explained the duties of the Commission and the role of the Common Council. She noted that the Council’s authority was limited, but they could make recommendations to the Commission.

Discussion was held regarding the current job description and the suggestion to separate qualifications “required” from those “desired.” Additional discussion was held on the suggestion to change the educational requirement from “completion of standard high school diploma or equivalent degree” to the requirement for a college degree. Also discussed was the need to follow current State Statutory requirements concerning the Public Utility Commission, and the possibility of exploring the abolishment of the Commission. The possibility of combining departments (water and sewer, for example) was also discussed.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation (to follow Chapter 3 of the Employee Handbook and recommend a salary range of $63,000 to $75,000 for the Water Utility Director position, and to update the job description to clearly define the qualifications that are required or desired, and to include that GDI certification be required) and to also recommend that having a Bachelor’s Degree be a requirement. Discussion was held concerning the day to day operations in the Water Department, and information that the Commission was ready to proceed with the hiring process. Attorney Munkittrick recommended that Council provide their input (to the Commission) as soon as possible.

MOTION AMENDED by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to amend the original motion to include advising the Public Utility Commission that Council would like to consider reviewing and possibly changing the structure of the Commission, keeping a separate Commission, or combining the utility with another utility or department. Mayor Knudson stated that a vote on the amendment would be taken separately. Vote on amendment to the motion: Ayes (5); Morrissette voted No. MOTION CARRIED. Vote on original motion: Ayes (5); Morrissette voted No. MOTION CARRIED.

CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT to §19.85(1)(c) and §19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats, to discuss 2009-2010 collective Bargaining Agreements with Hudson Police Patrol Officers Association and Hudson Police Sergeants Association, and 2009 salary and benefit adjustments for non-represented personnel, and internal promotion of Public Works/Parks Lead Man position: MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to convene into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(c) and §19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats, to discuss 2009-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreements with Hudson Police Patrol Officers Association and Hudson Police Sergeants Association, and 2009 salary and benefit adjustments for non-represented personnel, and internal promotion of Public Works/Parks Lead Man position. Roll call vote, all ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED at 7:45 p.m.

Reconvene in Open Session for possible action re: 2009-2010 collective Bargaining Agreements with Hudson Police Patrol Officers Association and Hudson Police Sergeants Association, 2009 salary and benefit adjustments for non-represented personnel, and internal promotion of Public Works/Parks Lead Man position: MOTION by O’Malley, second by Bernard, to reconvene into Open Session. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED at 8:17 p.m.

MOTION by Burchill, second by O’Malley, to approve the 2009-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreements with the Hudson Police Patrol Officers Association and the Hudson Police Sergeants Association, including the language and administrative changes, mandatory direct deposit (of payroll checks), and the requirement that retired employees leave the City’s insurance plan once they are Medicare eligible, and the following financial settlement:

· 4% across-the-board wage increase effective 1/3/09; 2% increase effective 1/2/10, and 1% increase effective 7/3/10.

· Effective 1/1/09, employees agree to pay 5% of the premium for group health insurance. Effective 1/1/20, employees agree to pay 8% of the premium for group health insurance.

· City will fund employees’ HRA accounts of $1,750 for single coverage and $3,500 for family coverage, plus health incentives to allow maximum annual HRA deductible amounts of $2,000/$4,000, as presented.

· Retiring employees would have option of converting 600 hours of accumulated sick leave to insurance premium credits for insurance coverage through the City or their own carrier; or converting up to 400 hours of accumulated sick leave to be placed into employee’s HRA.

All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Burchill, to approve the 2009 salaries and benefits for non-represented City employees, as follows:

· 4% across-the-board wage increase effective 1/3/09

· Effective 1/1/09, non-represented employees will pay 5% of the premium for group health insurance.

· City will fund employees’ HRA accounts of $1,750 for single coverage and $3,500 for family coverage, plus health incentives to allow maximum annual HRA deductible amounts of %2,000/$4,000, as presented.

· Retiring employees would have option of converting 600 hours of accumulated sick leave to insurance premium credits for insurance coverage through the City or their own carrier; or converting up to 400 hours of accumulated sick leave to be placed into employee’s HRA.

All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to promote Chuck Perlock to the Public Works/Parks Lead Man position, with a pay increase of 75¢ per hour. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

communications and items for future agendas: mayor Knudson complimented the Public Works Department on their efforts during many recent snowfalls, noting that a great deal of salt was used. Finance Officer Betty Caruso provided an update on the costs, and noted some 2008 budget adjustments were needed.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to adjourn. All ayes (6). MOTION CARRIED at 8:20 p.m.

Nancy J. Korson, City Clerk

I hereby certify that the City Clerk has submitted the foregoing minutes to me, and I hereby by my signature approve said minutes and all acts of the Common Council as sent forth therein.

Dean Knudson, Mayor