CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2004

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Jack Breault in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. 

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Breault, Alderpersons Mike Laatsch, Dennis O’Connell, James Mayer, Scot O’Malley, and Carah Koch.  District 3:  vacant.

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Catherine Munkittrick, Betty Caruso, Dick Trende, Jim Schreiber, Mike Wallace, Dennis Darnold, John Gaffer, Pat O’Keefe, Steve Adams, Roger Riedel, Nate Skoog, Randy Hanson, Jim Seal, and others.

    

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:  Jim Seal, 145 Deerwood Court, addressed several concerns.  He noted that the contractor had placed large dumpsters in his development, and since the accumulation of snow, and other problems, the dumpsters have been moved.  Mr. Seal also stated that he had noticed that many signs throughout the City were in violation of City ordinances, and he believed the City was reluctant to remove the signs.

 

Community Development Director Dennis Darnold reported that upon receipt of Mr. Seal’s complaint, he had communicated with the developers and had also addressed the matter with David Gray, Assistant Planner/Building Inspector.

 

Mayor Breault noted that Parade of Homes signs are now present for the current event lasting through March 31st.  Mr. Seal replied that while the signs depicted in photographs he presented to Council were in violation of the ordinance, he was particularly concerned and objected to banners that were displayed for Open House tours. 

 

Dennis Darnold offered additional information, noting that he had left several messages with the developers and spoke with one directly.  He reported that David Gray is addressing the matter, and several of the banners that were in violation had already been removed.

 

CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Mayer, second by Laatsch, to approve the following consent agenda items:

 

MINUTES:  Approve the Regular Meeting minutes and Closed Session minutes of 2/18/04.

 

Claims:    Approve the following claims for payment:

 

 

Fund

Description

Payables

Payroll

Totals

100

General

165,679.96

117,271.24

282,951.20

225

Impact Collection

0.00

0.00

0.00

230

Wisc DVL/RVL

0.00

0.00

0.00

270

Police Drug Forfeiture

0.00

0.00

0.00

280

Park Donations

0.00

0.00

0.00

290

Police Donations

1,294.55

0.00

1,294.55

330

2001 "B" Bonds

0.00

0.00

0.00

350

Special Assessments

0.00

0.00

0.00

410

Tax Increment Financing

64,412.60

0.00

64,412.60

450

Capital Projects

0.00

0.00

0.00

490

Biosolids

0.00

0.00

0.00

610

Sewer

16,086.21

12,638.11

28,724.32

620

Parking Utility

1,058.48

1,061.86

2,120.34

630

Ambulance

3,151.87

14,028.98

17,180.85

860

Tax Agency

0.00

0.00

0.00

880

Investment

0.00

0.00

0.00

 

 Payroll Check #s 17294-17496

 

Totals

$251,683.67

$145,000.19

$396,683.86

 

Applications for Operator’s Licenses:  Approve the issuance of a Regular Operator's License for the period 3/2/04 through 6/30/05 to:

 

Melissa Fay Frances Ferguson    1378 Pine View Trail       Houlton, WI

      

And approve issuance of Temporary Operator’s Licenses to be used at a Pool Tournament at the Hudson Sports & Civic Center, 1820 Hanley Road, for the period April 21 to April 24, 2004, to the following:

 

   Steven Eric Hanson         1400 Namekagon St. #213       Hudson, WI

 

   Joe Mark Lischynski         754 Woodcrest Drive          Hudson, WI

 

Application of Hudson Boosters for Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to sell beer and wine at Lakefront Park during Booster Days, July 1 to July 4, 2004:   Approve the issuance of a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to the Hudson Booster Club to sell beer and wine at Lakefront Park during Booster Days, July 1, to July 4, 2004.

 

 Renewal of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy for Hudson Housing Authority:  Approve renewal of the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy with Marsh Affinity Group Services, and payment of the annual premium of $1,114.00 to Seabury & Smith, Chicago, IL.

 

 Application of St. Patrick’s Home and School Association for Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to sell beer and wine during the St. Patrick’s Gala event at 403 St. Croix Street, on Saturday, April 3, 2004: Approve the issuance of a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to St. Patrick’s Home and School Association to sell beer and wine during the St. Patrick’s Gala event at 403 St. Croix Street, on Saturday, April 3, 2004.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  To place on file the Quarterly Reports of the Public Works Superintendent and the Community Access Board minutes of 2/24/04.

 

Roll call vote, all ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

     QUARTERLY REPORT OF WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT:  Superintendent Jim Schreiber provided an oral report, pointing out several items from his 2/27/03 written report.  He stated that laboratory equipment for testing phosphorous has been ordered and is expected to become operational in April.  He stated that this will provide them the capability to perform the phosphorous testing and should save approximately $5,000 in annual testing costs.

 

     Application of The Nova LLC (John Gaffer, President) for Class “B” beer and “Class C” wine license to be used at 236 Coulee Road, Suite 2:  O’Malley reported that discussion during the Finance Committee meeting brought forth several issues regarding the issuance of this license.  He noted that the timing is awkward, as there is a very short time before the annual liquor license renewals will take place.  The licenses are usually reviewed at the first Council meeting in June.  O’Malley stated that he had viewed the parking lot and checked the number of spaces, noting that there would be adequate parking. 

 

O’Malley referenced the Finance Committee’s concerns that the restaurant would be new, and is not yet operating, so there is no history of food sales for use in determining whether the food would be 50% or more of total sales to meet the wine license requirements.  Therefore, he reported that the Finance Committee recommended the license be issued with an additional stipulation that Mr. Gaffer must verify that food sales constitute at least 50% of the total sales for The Nova.  He referenced the 2/27/04 memo from Attorney Catherine Munkittrick. 

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Mayer, to approve issuance of a Class “B” Beer and “Class C” Wine license for The Nova, LLC, John Gaffer, President, to be used at 236 Coulee Road, Suite 2, contingent on the following:

 

1.               Provide proof of obtaining a State restaurant license, as required by City Municipal Code.

 

2.               Successful completion of the Building and Fire inspections.

 

3.               Prior to annual renewal, provide information that indicates

The Nova meets the requirement that alcoholic sales must be less than 50% of their total sales.

 

 

In discussion, it was noted that the annual license renewal should also include the same requirement that the liquor sales are less than 50% of the total sales figures.  It was indicated that the room capacity for The Nova would be approximately 35 to 40 persons.  Ayes 5 to 0, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Claim of Elizabeth Evans for illegal tax on personal property:  Assessor Mike Wallace explained that this matter involved a palpable error wherein a decimal was placed in the wrong position, resulting in the excessive tax.  MOTION by Mayer, second by Koch, to approve the payment of $154.79 as a refund to Elizabeth H. Evans for an illegal tax on Personal Property for parcel number 236-6035-00-000.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

CHANGE ORDER NO. 3 TO MONARCH PAVING FOR ROCK/HEISER STREET PROJECT:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to approve Change Order No. 3 in the amount of $17,562.90 to Monarch Paving Company for the work completed on Rock and Heiser Streets, Phase 2 of the Street Construction Project in St. Croix Business Park.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

APPOINTMENT TO HUDSON AREA JOINT LIBRARY BOARD:  Mayor Breault announced that he wished to appoint Mr. Donald Leslie to the Hudson Area Joint Library Board.  He recited several aspects from Mr. Leslie’s bio.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell to approve the appointment of Donald S. Leslie, 1804 Chestnut Drive, to the Hudson Area Joint Library Board for the remainder of Tom Irwin’s term through April of 2007.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:  Mayor Breault announced his appointment of Alderperson Dennis O’Connell as Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee for the remainder of the term vacated by Ron Troyer.

    

     PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT:  Mayor Breault presented an award plaque to Steve Adams, noting his employment with the City for thirty-five years, from March 10, 1969 to March 12, 2004, and most recently as Superintendent of the Public Works Department.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:   Mayor Breault reported that a review of our records indicated that the City had donated $20,000 to the new hospital in 2002, and an additional $20,000 in 2003.  He stated that he agreed to place a request for additional funds on the agenda, noting it would be determined on the availability of funds.

 

     Alderperson Mayer offered thanks for the voting reminder banner that was displayed across Second Street for the Presidential Primary Election.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Mayer, to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.  MOTION CARRIED. 

 

Patricia A. Dotseth,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