CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 12, 2004

 

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Jack Breault in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 6:30 p.m. 

 

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

 

     ABSENT:  Alderperson Scot O’Malley.

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Devin Willi, Betty Caruso, Randy Hanson, and Matt Wash.

 

2004 CAPITAL PROJECTS AND FUNDING SOURCES:  Mayor Breault stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review the potential Capital Projects for 2004.  He reported that he, Alderperson Scot O’Malley, Administrator Devin Willi, and Finance Officer Betty Caruso had met to review the suggested projects. 

 

Betty Caruso provided documentation on the 2003 General Fund that illustrated actual revenues and the final budget impact that resulted in a surplus of $112,981.36.  She particularly pointed out that, even though $157,500 was budgeted as Room Tax revenue, the actual revenues generated were $135,043, and only that amount was spent.  Mayor Breault noted that, based on that information, it would also be prudent to include a smaller amount for Room Tax revenues in the next budget planning session. Ms. Caruso explained that actual expenditures totaled $231,609 less than the amounts budgeted for 2003.  This information was presented as background for the funds on hand and working capital.

 

In a second spreadsheet entitled 2003 General Fund Balance, Ms. Caruso pointed out that her earlier recommendation to Council was to pay off the unfunded retirement debt to the State of Wisconsin.   Council’s decision to pay off that debt resulted in a savings of approximately $800,000 in interest.  In addition, the Sale of City Assets to St. Croix Business Park provided approximately $150,000.  The overall result at the close of 2003 was an Undesignated Fund balance of $1,361,117.00.  This information was provided to give a background for items related to the City’s bond rating and funds available for funding Capital Projects..  Ms. Caruso noted that the General Fund Balance has been growing on an annual basis.  Present financial planning includes structuring $1.2 million per year for debt retirement, which helps to stabilize the tax levy.

 

The 2003 Investment Recap sheet indicated that the City has been averaging approximately $20 million in investments.  Interest earnings have decreased from approximately $1,300,000 in 20101 to $445,000 in 2003.  Ms. Caruso noted that while investment rates have been very slim, they have been slowly increasing.  The average rate earned in 2003 was 2.1%.  Ms. Caruso stated that she is presently investing in short-term investments fo funds may be available as the rates increase.

The final information furnished by Ms. Caruso included a list of 2004 Capital Projects and possible funding sources, the result of the meeting with Mayor Breault, Alderperson O’Malley and Administrator Willi.  Ms. Caruso reviewed the projects, pointing out the funds on hand for various projects, plus other revenue sources such as Special Assessments, TID funds, Parking Utility funds, and Impact Fees.  She also noted that a new pumper fire truck has been proposed as a leased item.  In discussion it was noted that the School District would be contacted regarding projects such as the Carmichael Road Walkway related to sections C and F on the map (attached).  It was noted that the benefits of that walkway would accrue to both the Town of Hudson and particularly to the School District.  The walkway would connect to the existing pathway in the Town of Hudson.  Sections A and B were referenced for future consideration.

 

Discussion was held on each separate Capital Project on the list, noting in particular the Carmichael Road Right Turn Lane Project at Carmichael Road/CTH UU.  The general consensus of the Council was to consider the entire signal system at that intersection.  Mayor Breault stated that after initial review of the list of projects, he suggested that an additional $50,000 be included for similar type problems that may need to be corrected in the future.

 

Discussion on Weitkamp Park revealed that the estimate of $50,000 might not be sufficient to complete the project.  It was determined that input from the Parks Department and Park Board was needed.  An important issue was the Park Board agreement to not expand the Weitkamp Park Project beyond the revenues.

 

Regarding the cost estimate of $50,000 for the Comprehensive Plan, Mayor Breault noted that work on the plan would begin in 2004.  Dennis Darnold is presently preparing an Opinion Survey in order to provide direction for the City.   It was also noted that a grant would be sought to assist with funds for this project.

 

Ms. Caruso reported that $1.7 million of funds are on hand for the operations of the General Fund.  She stated that it is not recommended that these funds go below that amount, however, even with an additional $50,000 in project costs, they would still meet the criteria.  Minor discussion followed regarding the water/sewer bills and citizen concerns and the ongoing survey of the impact from the 2003 change in sewer rates.  Administrator Willi mentioned that State regulations only allow rate changes to occur at the beginning of a meter reading cycle, so no change could be made until August, at the earliest.  He also noted that and at least 90 residents with irrigation systems have installed secondary water meters and will not be billed for sewer for this usage.  Ms. Caruso provided further details on the fund sources for the Capital Projects.  Attention was brought to the Public Works Department projects for street maintenance including seal coating, mill and overlay, sidewalks, curb and gutter, etc.

 

DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE FUTURE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: As requested by Mayor Breault, the concerns of the Council members were informally addressed.  Particular discussion was held regarding 17th Street.  Mayor Breault emphasized that this was one of the reasons why he was prompted to request an additional $50,000 in funds for the project list, and noted that the list was not final, by any means. 

 

Radermacher pointed out the 17th Street issue, as well as other topics previously discussed, and posed questions about property taxes, staff meetings, Public Works funding for road and non-road equipment, and future plans for a new facility for Police, Fire and EMS. 

 

Riedel brought forth issues regarding redevelopment of the former hospital property, speeding on City streets, and the possibility of a second mobile speed meter, such as the current one currently in use, and ongoing citizen concerns regarding tax increases. 

 

Koch reaffirmed items of concern regarding the Comprehensive Plan, traffic problems on Carmichael Road and Vine Street, sidewalks on Carmichael Road and water bills. 

 

O’Connell called attention to a possible walking path on Heggen Street, consideration of a fulltime Fire Department,  a neighborhood playground for the Bieneman Farm subdivision, a walking path on the north side of Coulee between 11th Street and First Federal, and a City policy on crosswalk installations.

 

MOTION by Koch, second by Laatsch, to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:55 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

                                           Date approved

                                           by Council: