CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2004 – 7:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Jack Breault in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:05 p.m. 

 

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

    

     ABSENT:  Alderperson Mike Laatsch.

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Catherine Munkittrick, Devin Willi, Dennis Darnold, Mike Wallace, Paul Larson, Tom Redner, Mary Redner, Roger Riedel, Jeff Schwarz, Vicki Mayer, David Bordeau, Eric Christensen, Dan Roeglin, and others.

    

     Presentation of award:  Mayor Breault presented an award certificate to the Hudson High School Boys Varsity Hockey team in recognition of their attainment as State Champions for 2004.  Coach Mike Stoskopf, Assistant Coach Brian Burbach and the team members were congratulated for their efforts in this achievement.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:   Mayor Breault called for comments three times; none were offered.

 

     Amending zoning ordinances to permit planned residential                    development zoning districts to be less than ten acres – Plan Commission, Ordinance No. 5-04:  MOTION by Koch, second by Mayer to conduct a first reading on Ordinance No. 5-04.  MOTION CARRIED.  The ordinance will be presented for adoption at the April 19th Council meeting.

 

CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Koch, second by O’Malley, to approve the following consent agenda items:

 

MINUTES:  Approve the Public Hearing, Regular Meeting Minutes, and Closed Session minutes of 3/15/04.

 

          Certified Survey Map for one commercial lot and one outlot, Rodeo Drive in Town of Hudson, B.E.D. LLP (Extraterritorial Subdivision Review): Approve the Certified Survey Map for one commercial lot and one outlot on Rodeo Drive in the Town of Hudson for B.E.D., LLP.

 

Conditional Use Permit for seasonal sales area, change location, and add temporary greenhouse at 2330 Crest View Drive, The Home Depot:  Approve the amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for a seasonal sales area for the Home Depot at 2330 Crest View Drive per the amended application, with the operational dates of April 1 to July 15 each year, and the next review scheduled for three years, in 2007.

          

Final Development Plans for 6,000 square foot office facility at 816 Dominion Drive, Carson Partners of Hudson, LLC:  Approve the Final Development Plans for a 6,000 square foot office facility at 816 Dominion Drive as proposed by Carson Partners of Hudson, LLC, with the following conditions:

 

a.            Plans are revised to address the recommendations of

           the City Engineer.

 

b.  At the time of issuance of the building/street breaking permit, a letter of credit in the amount of $17,250 is provided for repair of street and curb and gutter.

 

c.          An Agreement between Carson Partners of Hudson, LLC and the City of Hudson to assure that the westerly ten (10) off-street parking spaces will be constructed when warranted by the City.

 

Final Development Plans for 7,500 sq. foot. Office and   manufacturing facility at 2800 Enloe Street, Indue Sales & Service: Approve the Final Development Plans for a 7,500 sq. ft. office and manufacturing facility at 2800 Enloe Street (east part of Lot 15 in St. Croix Business Park), with the following conditions:

 

a.           Relocate the Siamese fire connection to the street side

    of the northwest corner of the building

 

b.           Change the proposed lock box to the True Lock Box brand

    to be located at the main entrance to the building. 

 

HVAC Maintenance Service Agreement with Honeywell for City Hall Building:  Approve the one-year full coverage Service Agreement with Honeywell for HVAC maintenance in the City Hall building at a cost of $8,280.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  To place on file the Community Access Board minutes of 3/23/04.

 

Roll call vote, all ayes (4), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Request for Gateway Circle street extension to Hanley Road:  Dennis Darnold reported that following review of the request, the Plan Commission did not recommend the extension of Gateway Circle to Hanley Road.  He referenced past discussions and decisions regarding the possible extension to Hanley Road and noted that he, too, did not recommend the extension of Gateway Circle.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to deny the request to extend Gateway Circle to Hanley Road.  MOTION CARRIED. 

 

     Certified Survey Map creating two lots (5.36 and 3.89 acres) north of Hanley Road and west of Carmichael Road – Jacobs Holdings of Hudson, LLC.:  Dennis Darnold pointed out that the Certified Survey Map would create two lots, one for industrial and the other a commercial lot.  He stated that both lots had frontage on Hanley Road.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Koch, to approve the Certified Survey Map creating two lots of 5.36 acres and 3.89 acres north of Hanley Road and west of Carmichael Road for Jacobs Holdings of Hudson, LLC with the requirement that an 8-foot wide pathway be installed within the Hanley Road right-of-way from the west property line of proposed Lot 1 to the west right-of-way line of Carmichael Road, or a bond letter assuring such installation, and execution of the CSM upon execution of the Development Agreement.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Request to rezone 5.36 acres, part of the NE¼ OF THE SE¼, Section 31, T29N, R19W (west 464 feet of assessment parcel 236-1975-03) generally located south and west of Menards – Jacob Holdings of Hudson, LLC & Menard, Inc., Ord. No. 4-04:  dennis Darnold reported that the proposed rezoning would allow all Menards’ property, including the site of the proposed warehouse facility, to be under one zoning district classification.  Adoption of the ordinance would change the zoning designation from B-2, General Business to PID, Planned Industrial Development District.  He recommended adoption of the ordinance.  MOTION by Mayer, second by O’Malley, to adopt the following:

 

ORDINANCE NO. 4-04

Rezoning 5.36 acres from B-2 to PID

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

     MOTION CARRIED.

 

Conditional Use Permit and Final Development Plans for 67,734 sq. ft. warehouse facility and garden center in Planned Industrial Development District, 1400 Gateway Boulevard – Menard, Inc.:  mr. Darnold explained that Menard, Inc. proposes to construct a 67,734 square foot warehouse facility, including a new covered garden center area and store renovations to their facility at 1400 Gateway Boulevard.  The warehouse would be located southwest of the retail store, with access from the west side of the store and proposed garden center.  Fire access to the warehouse would be provided from Hanley Road.  Mr. Darnold noted that particular attention was paid to fire coverage, and a number of discussions resulted in some revisions to the initial plan.  In answer to a question regarding loudspeakers, he noted that there would be no loudspeakers in the yard as part of the plan. 

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Mayer, to approve the Conditional Use Permit and Final Development Plans for store renovations, garden center addition, new warehouse facility and site improvements per the development plan submittal by Menard, Inc., with the condition that the plans be revised per the City Engineer’s comments and recommendations outlined in the 3/23/04 letter from BRA Engineer Dennis Postler to Dennis Darnold.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Claim for illegal tax.  assessor Mike Wallace reported that the claim involved an apparent double assessment for personal property located at property owned by Dr. Gregory Ross at 2215 Vine Street.  He noted that Mr. Clifford Specht, who occupies a rented unit within the property owned by Dr. Rosse, had filed the 2003 Personal Property Statement and was taxed on said property.  However, on the statement, Mr. Specht failed to indicate the location or person in charge of the property.  Because the City was unable to connect Mr. Specht’s filing with the property owned by Dr. Ross, a doomage assessment was established for Dr. Ross, resulting in a double assessment for the same property.  Mr. Wallace stated that he believed the duplication resulted from the City’s doomage assessment rather than a filing error by the taxpayer, and he recommended payment for the claim of illegal tax.  MOTION by Mayer, second by O’Malley, to approve the claim for illegal tax in the amount of $672.97 to Dr. Gregory Ross, 2215 Vine Street, Suite B, Hudson, WI.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Claims:   MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to approve the following claims for payment:

 

 

Fund

 

Description

ACCOUNTS

PAYABLE

 

 PAYROLL

 

Totals

100

General

208,973.86

97,715.62

306,689.48

225

Impact Collection

0.00

0.00

0.00

230

Wisc DVL/RVL

10,000.00

0.00

10,000.00

270

Police Drug Forfeiture

0.00

0.00

0.00

280

Park Donations

0.00

0.00

0.00

290

Police Donations

0.00

0.00

0.00

330

2001 "B" Bonds

34,060.38

0.00

34,060.38

350

Special Assessments

 

 

0.000

410

Tax Increment Financing

0.00

0.00

0.00

450

Capital Projects

54,966.91

0.00

54,966.91

490

Biosolids

0.00

0.00

0.00

610

Sewer

106,945.64

12,807.06

119,752.70

620

Parking Utility

1,097.11

1,051.27

2,148.38

630

Ambulance

11,131.59

12,835.43

23,967.02

860

Tax Agency

0.00

0.00

0.00

880

Investment

99,100.00

0.00

99,100.00

 

TOTALS

$526,275.49

$124,409.38

$650,684.87

 

 

roll call vote, Ayes 4 to 0, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Review/approve job description for Human Resources Coordinator position and authorize the hiring process to begin:  Administrator Devin Willi presented a draft of a job description for the Human Resources Coordinator position and requested the Council to provide comments or questions based on their review.  He requested approval of the job description so that the recruitment process could begin.  In addition, he noted that a change was suggested for the third section on page 1 under “SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OR DESIRED.”   Following the first item, “A Minimum of an Associates Degree in Personnel/Human Resources or related field; Undergraduate degree in Business or Personnel Administration desired.” To add “The City may consider an individual who does not possess a degree if that individual has extensive experience in the human resources field.”  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Koch, to approve the job description for the Human Resources Coordinator position, as amended, and authorize Mr. Willi to commence with the recruitment process and advertise for the position in the usual manner.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider Home Parking Permits:  Public Safety Committee Chairman O’Connell reported that the Committee recently discussed the possibility of issuing parking permits to residents on streets that currently have “No Parking” signage.  He noted that the details need to be addressed in an ordinance, with input from the Police and Fire Departments.  The ordinance would be City-wide in concept.  It was the consensus of the Council to draft such an ordinance regarding home parking permits.

 

Grandview Drive improvements requested by Stonepine Assoc. Board:  O’Connell explained that at this time the Public Safety Committee was recommending no additional action.  He reported that the Grandview Drive and Hunter Hill Road intersection does not meet the traffic volume warrants for all-way stop control.  The intersection is currently a school bus stop and provides very positive control for children as drivers obey school bus stop arms when they are deployed.  Mr. O’Connell reported that since three crosswalks are being installed, the Safety Committee believed these should suffice for pedestrian crossings.  It is possible that parking lanes might be considered in the future.  

 

Fisherpersons south of I-94 ramp:  O’Connell reported on the concerns of Sharon Norton-Bauman regarding fisherpersons parking in the area of the I-94 south ramp, and her request to have the Police Department enforce trespassing on the state property in that location.  In previous action, the Council responded by restricting parking.  O’Connell stated that the Safety Committee is awaiting information from the State to be sent to Ms. Norton-Bauman.

 

Request for use of Lakefront Park Bandshell for golf tournament event on Friday, July 9, 2004:  O’Connell noted that no action was taken by the Public Safety Committee at this time.

 

     O’Connell also reported on other discussions at the Public Safety Committee, noting their concern for increased traffic on Coulee Road due to the reconstruction of the I-94 bridge and the impending closure of Exit 1.  Mayor Breault inquired of Lt. Paul Larson whether the Police Department could provide assistance for traffic flow when problems arise.  Lt. Larson noted that there could be many variables as to how the public addresses the detoured areas and what routes they would be driving.  He noted that the Police Department is hopeful that keeping three lanes of the westbound bridge open in the morning may alleviate some of the problems.  A suggestion was also made to place “No Parking” signs along the detour route.  This matter will be addressed by the Police Department, with no further action by the Council.

 

 

 

2004 Grandview Park Concession Agreement:  Parks Superintendent Dan Roeglin provided a brief overview of the details in the Agreement.  MOTION by Mayer, second by O’Malley, to approve the 2004 Grandview Park Concession Agreement with the Hudson Softball Association for the period 4/26/04 to 10/15/04.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Request for use of Lakefront Park Bandshell for golf tournament event on Friday, July 9, 2004:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell to approve the Professional Golfers Association “Night at the Lodge” event at Lakefront Park on Friday, July 9, 2004 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.  The event is part of the Scholarship America Showdown, a full-field Nationwide Tour event (an extension of the PGA Tour) that will take place at Troy Burne Golf Club July 5th to July 11th.  The purpose of the “Night at the Lodge” is to create an opportunity for the 300+ players, caddies, officials and television producers to see the City of Hudson and interact on a non-competitive level with the fans.  Proceeds will benefit two charities, Scholarship America and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

ST. CROIX Rowing Club lease:  motion by Mayer, second by O’Connell, to approve the draft of the Lease Agreement for the St. Croix Rowing Club, Inc. to lease from the City a building at 6 St. Croix Street for one year at a cost of $50.00 per month, and to insert the beginning date of May 1, 2004 and ending date of April 30, 2005.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

City of Hudson Outdoor Recreation Plan – Resolution No. 3-04:  motion by Koch, second by O’Malley, to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 3-04

CITY OF HUDSON OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Amendments to Courtesy Docks Lease with Jarvis & Sons:  Dan Roeglin noted that the Clerk’s review of the audio tape of the 12/1/03 Council meeting found that the minutes did not clearly reflect the intent of the original motion, and no reference was made to the issue sheet that was prepared.  The lease in effect was a 10-year lease with a 5-year renewal option.  The new lease would include:

 

a.         A new 12-year lease with a review of safety, operations, and

    Financial issues every three years.

b.         The annual fee would be $900 for the first three years.

c.         Language recommended by the City Attorney would be included regarding the ownership and maintenance of the docks.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Mayer, to approve the Lease Agreement for the Hudson Docks between Jarvis and Sons and Associates and the City of Hudson, with a 12-year term (3 years and renewal for an additional 9 years, with review every 3 years), and commencing on May 1, 2004 at an annual rental fee of $900 per year due and payable on or before the 1st day of July each year, and including language regarding maintenance and ownership of the docks, as prepared by City Attorney Catherine Munkittrick.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Review of Signal Investigation Study for Second and St. Croix Street intersection:  following a car/pedestrian accident that occurred at Second and St. Croix Streets, the Council authorized BRA engineers to prepare a traffic study that was submitted to the WI DOT for review of a possible traffic signal at that intersection.  Council reviewed the 3/5/04 letter to Devin Willi from Greg Helgeson, District 6 Traffic Engineer for the DOT in Eau Claire.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Mayer, to place on the next Public Safety Committee agenda discussion of the recommendations from Mr. Helgeson regarding the Second and St. Croix Street intersection.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Update on St. Croix E.M.S. future plans – Chief Eric Christensen:  ems chief Eric Christensen provided an update regarding the level of training for the EMTs that is being adopted by the St. Croix EMS Commission.  The upgrade from Intermediate to Paramedic level was recommended due to three factors, 1) the increase in the volume of calls and 2) the State has upgraded the qualifications needed by those administering drugs, and 3) the type of patients being treated has escalated to a more critical level.  Chief Christensen noted that Paramedic care is important in critical care, and approximately 40% of the cases are cardiac-related.  At present the EMTs are unable to treat or transport critical patients.

 

     Chief Christensen explained that a six-month trial period could be used, with an evaluation at the end of the trial.  He noted that 35 calls during the past month involved critical patients.  He stated they presently have nine paramedics on staff, and the recommendations of the EMS Commission are being followed.

 

     Dr. Vicki Mayer spoke in support of the proposal, noting that the requirements for upgraded training will be very helpful, medically speaking, in reducing the time for treating critical patients.  She stated that the transport link is an extremely important part of sustaining life.

 

     Christensen also reported that federal Emergency Management funds have been received for the radio tower project, and the Department was also given a new emergency trailer through the Federal Emergency Management Program.  He stated that they will also be receiving four Automatic External Defibrillators to be used in some public buildings.

 

Appointment to Finance Committee:  Mayor Breault announced his appointment of Alderperson Dennis O’Connell to the Finance Committee.

 

     Proclamation re: Building Safety Week:  Mayor Breault declared by proclamation the week of April 4-10 as Building Safety Week.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  Koch questioned the information on email messages under the Open Meetings laws.  Attorney Munkittrick stated that public officials need to be mindful of the open meeting laws in their use of email.  She recommended avoiding emails with other Council members.  O’Malley also reminded that members need to learn the difference between the “REPLY” and “REPLY ALL” buttons when answering email messages.

 

O’Connell brought forth the safety concerns for persons who were standing in the median on Carmichael Road and holding election signs on Election Day.  Lt. Larson noted that it is both a distraction and a safety hazard, and he thanked O’Connell for alerting the Police Department of this problem.

 

Dennis Darnold called attention to the letter from the WI DOT regarding the closing of the ramp at Exit 1 scheduled for 9:00 p.m. on April 19th.  Mayor Breault requested the Police Department to be in contact with the DOT and to take appropriate action to help drivers avoid accidents due to the late hour closing.

 

Administrator Willi noted the May 6th date in Rice Lake for the Annual Regional Dinner Meeting for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and the New Municipal Officials Workshop to be held on Friday, May 7th in Eau Claire.  He reminded the Council members that their reservations should be brought to the Clerk’s office.

 

Clerk Dotseth noted that the results of the April 6th Spring Election have been posted on the City of Hudson website.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 8:06 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