CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2005

 

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Jack Breault in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:15 p.m. 

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Breault, Alderpersons Mike Laatsch, Dennis O’Connell, Paul Radermacher, Roger Riedel, Scot O’Malley, and Carah Koch.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Catherine Munkittrick, Dennis Darnold, Dan Roeglin, Dick Trende, Randy Hanson, Jim Frye, Jim Eulberg, Mike Wallace, Dennis Postler, Mark Erickson, Jim Cooksey, Jim Houston, Pam Bagley, Katie Jones, Ruth Peterson, Boy Scouts from Troop 140, and others.

 

     COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:    None.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:   MOTION by Radermacher, second by Laatsch, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

 

MINUTES: Approve the Regular Meeting minutes of 1/3/05.

 

Claims:   Approve the following claims for payment:

 

Fund

Description

payables

payroll

Totals

100

General

279,797.13

105,493.40

385,290.53

320

1999 "B" Bonds

-93,216.67

0.00

-93,216.67

410

Tax Increment Financing

38,502.92

0.00

38,502.92

450

Capital Projects

15,990.13

0.00

15,990.13

610

Sewer

95,602.64

9,318.23

104,920.87

620

Parking Utility

2,091.00

856.92

2,947.92

630

Ambulance

11,280.33

5,369.79

16,650.12

 

                           TOTALS

$350,047.48

$121,038.34

$471,085.82

 

Bids submitted for sale of used Fire Department vehicles:  Approve the bid of $1,350 submitted by Brent Johnson for the 1968 Kaiser Jeep, and the bid of $3,560 submitted by Matt Hayes for the 1975 Ford Custom Fire Pumper, with the sale funds to be placed into the Fire Department Capital Equipment account.

    

Bids for purchase of new Fire Department brush truck:  Approve the purchase of a 2005 1-ton, 4 x 4 crew cab, cab and chassis work truck,                                                                                                 including spare tire and painting of cab roof, at a total cost of $29,922.80 from Randy Iten Chevrolet/Winnebago, Hudson, WI.

 

Area of Williams Lot (Public Safety Building) designated for Fire Department parking:   To direct that the striped area adjacent to the Public Safety Building be designated for emergency vehicle parking only, with appropriate signage, and to extend by two car lengths the painted yellow curb on the west side of Third Street from Walnut Street, for additional parking by employees responding during emergencies.  

   

Truck traffic on Albert Street:  To direct that a “No through truck traffic” sign be erected on Albert Street for a period of one year.

 

Request for Crosswalk on Grandview Drive:  To direct that a painted   crosswalk be installed on Grandview Drive at the point where the                           sidewalk on the west side ends and pedestrians cross to use the walking path on the east side.

 

Tobacco use on school property:  To direct the City Attorney to create                a City ordinance adopting Wisconsin State Statutes prohibiting the use of tobacco products on school property.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  To place on file the quarterly reports of the Fire Chief and Building Inspector, and the Public Utility Commission minutes of 1/11/05.

 

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

 

     TREASURER’S REPORT:  This item was carried over to the next meeting, due to the absence of Finance Officer Betty Caruso.

 

Request of Mark Erickson to rezone a vacant parcel south of Crest View Drive and west of Heggen Street from R-1, One-family Residential District to OFC – Office District – Ordinance No. 2-05:  Community Development Director Dennis Darnold briefly summarized the information presented at the public hearing, noting that the City changed its position because the DNR recently changed the restrictions for zoning districts within or near the scenic riverway.  He also reported on his discussion with the Kinneys about driveway access through their property or a second access, and noted they were not interested in those possibilities.  MOTION by O’Malley to suspend the rules toward adoption of Ordinance No. 2-05.   MOTION FAILED for lack of a second.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to approve a first reading for Ordinance No. 2-05.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

  Application of E & E Adventures, LLC for “Class B” liquor and Class “B” beer license d/b/a Twisted Grille at 502 Second Street:   It was noted that the Finance Committee had recommended denial of this license application due to the lack of parking spaces and the proposal for a large number of patrons in a small area.  Radermacher asked whether the new parking spaces on the west side of First Street were being used.  Mayor Breault responded that the new spaces were being used frequently and it has helped considerably for the businesses that are presently in the downtown area.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to deny the application of E and E Adventures, LLC for a “Class B” liquor and Class “B” beer license doing business as the Twisted Grille at 502 Second Street due to lack of parking spaces and the proposal to have a large number of patrons in a very small space. Koch reported that she reviewed the recent downtown parking survey performed by the UW-River Falls, and stated she did not believe there was a problem.  She noted that it was usually not possible to park directly in front of the establishment that you wished to enter in the downtown area; you sometimes must park a short distance away, similar to other areas in the Twin Cities. 

 

Mayor Breault stated that the greatest traffic congestion was at Walnut and Second Street.  O’Malley noted that parking was not the only issue and that the Council needed to consider whether the proposed business would be in the best interests and vision of the City, and if a better use could be considered for that site instead of another bar or restaurant.   Vote taken:  Ayes: (4), O’Connell, O’Malley, Radermacher and Laatsch; Noes (2), Riedel and Koch. MOTION CARRIED.

 

Requests for parking restrictions during Hot Air Affair parade and event, February 4, 5 and 6, 2005:  ruth Peterson explained the various Hot Air events.  She invited everyone to attend the 16th annual celebration with Sweet Sixteen/prom themed activities.   Mayor Breault extended thanks and wishes for another successful event.  It was noted that Chief Trende had reviewed their requests for parking restrictions and reported that everything was in order.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Koch, to approve the parking restrictions requested for the downtown Hot Air Affair parade on Friday, February 4, 2005, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Updated job description for City Mechanic position:  public Works Superintendent/Engineer Jim Eulberg reported that an opening is anticipated on February 14th for the City Mechanic’s position, as Jim Ebbe has transferred to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  He explained that the last revisions to the job description occurred in 1996, and it was now necessary to more accurately describe the duties and incorporate computer skills and knowledge of other technology in order to interpret the on-board computer systems in the vehicles.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to approve the January 17, 2005 draft of the Mechanic’s job description, as submitted.  In discussion, it was noted that at the end of a 30-day trial period, Mr. Ebbe could remain at the Treatment Plant or return to his former mechanic’s position.  Mr. Eulberg stated that he would like to have the union posting for the position (for in-house interest) during the 30-day period, in order to minimize the Department’s time without a mechanic.  He reported that they would hire a temporary mechanic in order to continue to maintain the fleet of vehicles and equipment.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     FARMER’S MARKET NEW LOCATION:  No representatives from the Farmer’s Market group were present.  O’Connell reported that they had attended the last Public Safety Committee and noted that Plaza 94 was being considered by the group for a new site.  He added that they might be requesting some assistance from the City regarding signage and advertising.  O’Connell explained that he asked them to contact Dennis Darnold regarding signage.  No action taken at this time.

 

     2005 PARK USER FEES:  Parks Superintendent Dan Roeglin explained that, in general the Park Board had recommended no increase in most user fees, except for the Sailboat Mooring fees, which would be $392 for the 2005 season.  They also suggested a new fee schedule for the Lakefront Park pavilion.  MOTION by Radermacher, second by O’Malley to approve the 2005 Park User fees as submitted, (and attached) with no increase in the user fees, $392 for the Sailboat Moorings, and a new fee schedule for the Lakefront Park pavilion.  All ayes,  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO HUDSON MUNICIPAL CODE, CH. 253 – FLOODPLAIN ZONING, ORDINANCE NO. 3-05:  Denny Darnold reported that the Plan Commission recommended the proposed revisions to Chapter 253 of Municipal Code regarding floodplain zoning, in order to comply with the new regulatory requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  He noted it was easier to rescind the existing chapter and adopt the revised ordinance based on language in the WisDNR model ordinance. MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Ordinance 3-05.  Ayes (5); Koch voted No, MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

 

ORDINANCE NO. 3-05

Amends and recreates Chapter 253 – FLOODPLAIN ZONING

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office and attached)

 

     MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Alleyway between 11th and 12th Street (south of Fillmore Street):  denny Darnold reported on a discussions with property owners over the usage and location of an unimproved alley.  He noted that it might cost approximately $2,000 for a survey to indicate the exact location of the alley, and he would write to the six or seven property owners to find out whether they would accept responsibility for the survey costs.  No other action was necessary at this time.

 

     Accept jurisdiction and jurisdictional responsibilities for portions of CTH F and CTH FF as recommended by the WisDOT – Resolution No. 1-05:     The sections of CTH F and FF were briefly reviewed by Jim Eulberg and Mayor Breault.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 1-05.  MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 1-05

 

TRANSFER OF JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CTH “F”

WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS – SOUTH THROUGH CTH “FF” AND

JURISDICTION RESPONSIBILITIES OF CTH “FF”

 WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS FROM CTH “F” EAST .10 MILES

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office and attached)

 

     MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Request permission from State Elections Board to use paper ballots at the February 15th primary election – Resolution No. 2-05:   motion by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 2-05.  MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 2-05

 

PETITION STATE ELECTIONS BOARD FOR PERMISSION TO USE

PAPER BALLOTS AT THE FEBRUARY 15, 2005 PRIMARY ELECTION

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office and attached)

 

     MOTION CARRIED.

 

     COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR:  Mayor Breault read the proclamation declaring Wednesday, January 19, 2005 as Sandy Gehrmann Day, in recognition for her retirement after 28 years as Director of the St. Croix County Department on Aging.

 

     Parks Department Capital Projects/Improvements presentation:  Parks Superintendent Dan Roeglin gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Parks Department future capital projects and improvements.  Mayor Breault reported that he met with the Park Board and suggested they establish priorities for their capital improvements proposed for the next two to three years.  He believed they would be able to accomplish about 95% of the projects.  Brief discussion was held regarding the issuance of bonds without including costs for capital projects.   It was noted that Administrator Willi and Finance Officer Caruso would be preparing a scenario within the next few weeks.

 

     COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  O’Connell reported that many residences still have ice and snow on their sidewalks, and per the City Code, they need to be cleaned up.  Mayor Breault agreed, and indicated that a decision will be made soon on whether to place warning notices on the doors, or have the City remove the ice and snow and send the owners a bill.  The Public Works Department is checking into this matter. 

 

     Koch inquired whether the City’s website could allow for the on-line payment of dog and cat licenses and utility bills. 

 

CLOSED SESSION pursuant to §19.85(1) (G), Wis. Stats. to CONFER WITH LEGAL COUNSEL TO DISCUSS STRATEGY TO BE ADOPTED CONCERNING LITIGATION IN WHICH IT IS OR IS LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED REGARDING 817 THIRD STREET:  MOTION by O’Malley,   second by O’Connell, to convene into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(g), Wis. Stats. to confer with legal counsel to discuss strategy to be adopted concerning litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved regarding 817 Third Street.  Roll call vote, all ayes (6) , MOTION CARRIED – 8:19 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconvene into Open Session for possible action concerning litigation which it is or is likely to become involved regarding 817 Third Street.  MOTION by Radermacher, second by O’Malley, to reconvene into Open Session for possible action regarding strategy to be adopted concerning litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved regarding 817 Third Street.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED – 8:42 p.m.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.  MOTION CARRIED. 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Norvold, 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.

 

 

 

 

                           Jack D. Breault, Mayor

 

                                                   Date approved

 by Council: