CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 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 Dennis
O’Connell, Paul Radermacher, Roger Riedel, Scot O’Malley, and Carah Koch.
ABSENT:
Alderperson Mike Laatsch.
OTHERS
PRESENT: Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Dennis Darnold,
Dennis Postler, Kitty Rhoades, Randy Hanson, Betty Caruso, Bev Solsvig, Terry
Butler, Sue Warren, Dean Hanson, Kim Heinemann, Ruth Misenko, Jim Frye, Dick
Trende, Jim Meffert, Gordon Conard, Jim Seal, Jim Zeller, Dion Hanson, Lana
Sjoberg and Destination Imagination team members Ashley Anunson, Emily Kepulis,
Josh Kock-Fogarty and David Sjoberg.
COMMENTS
AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT: None.
AWARD TO DESTINATION IMAGINATION TEAM MEMBERS: Mayor Breault presented Award Certificates to the members of the
Destination Imagination team and their Team Manager Lana Sjoberg in recognition
for their achievement as 2004 World Champions.
Representative Kitty Rhoades presented a plaque from Governor Doyle and
herself, and she and Mayor Breault praised the team for their excellence in the
competition.
PRESENTATION FROM HUDSON GARDEN CLUB: Hudson Home and Garden Club members President Sue Warren,
Secretary Bev Solsvig and Treasurer Terry Butler presented a $1,036.19 check to
Mayor Breault and the City for the Downtown Flower Basket Program. Mayor Breault thanked the club for their
continued support of the hanging flower basket program that they initiated in
1999.
PRESENTATION FROM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DOWNTOWN
RETAIL COMMITTEE: Chamber President Kim Heinemann and Chamber
member Ruth Misenko presented information on advertising and other events. Ms. Heinemann also reviewed recent
activities of their Tourism Committee, of which Mayor Breault is a member. She reported that the focus of the St. Croix
Music and Art Festival was to make it a community and family event, and she
commented on the increase in participants for the artist show, additional
activities in the children’s area, etc.
Festival dates are July 16-18, 2004.
Ms. Heinemann also commented on the Chamber’s involvement with the PGA
“Night at the Lodge” event to be held July 9th at Lakefront Park.
Ms. Heinemann and Ms. Misenko provided samples of advertising provided by
their Marketing and Advertising group, a sub-group of the Downtown Retail
Committee. She reported that each of
the 16 members in the group pays $200 per quarter in order to be included in
the ads. Each member also spends
approximately 10 to 15 hours per month.
The ads target specific destinations within the downtown area, as well
as call attention to the “Girls Night Out” events designated for the second
Thursday of each month.
CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION by Radermacher, second by O’Malley, to approve the following
Consent Agenda items:
MINUTES: Approve the Regular
Meeting minutes of 6/7/04.
CLAIMS: Approve the following claims for payment:
|
Fund |
Description |
PAYABLES |
PAYROLL |
Totals |
|
100 |
General |
$81,445.29 |
$109,994.95 |
$191,440.24 |
|
225 |
Impact collection |
512.00 |
0.00 |
512.00 |
|
410 |
Tax Increment Financing |
76,755.08 |
0.00 |
76,755.08 |
|
450 |
Capital Projects |
150,063.78 |
0.00 |
150,063.78 |
|
610 |
Sewer |
121,891.45 |
9,340.87 |
131,232.32 |
|
620 |
Parking Utility |
624.98 |
955.05 |
1,580.03 |
|
630 |
Ambulance |
2,197.62 |
1,902.69 |
4,100.31 |
|
|
TotalS |
$433,490.20 |
$122,193.56 |
$555,683.76 |
Applications for Operator’s Licenses:
Approve the issuance of Regular Operator's Licenses for the
period 6/22/04 through 6/30/05 to:
Felicia Joyce Colbeth 311
Pleasant Street Roberts, WI
And
Regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 7/1/04 to 6/30/06 to:
Heidi Anne Weinert 200
Jendee Avenue Star Prairie, WI
Jerry Lloyd McKenzie 1262
27th Street Hudson,
WI
Kenneth John Krautbauer 518
Jacobs Lane Hudson, WI
Joyce Geralyn Otlo 1018
Wisconsin Street Hudson, WI
Peter Lucas McGee 302
Fourth Street N. Hudson, WI
Annette Marie Scherer 1624
Namekagon St.#10 Hudson, WI
Donald Allen Littleton 1909
Industrial Street Hudson, WI
Application
of Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau for a temporary Class
“B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to sell beer and wine at the
Professional Golfers Association “Night at the Lodge” event at Lakefront Park on Friday, July 9,
2004. Approve
the issuance of a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to the Hudson Area Chamber of
Commerce and Tourism Bureau to sell beer and wine at the Professional Golfers Association “Night at the Lodge” event at
Lakefront Park on Friday, July 9, 2004.
Application
of Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau for a temporary Class
“B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to sell beer and wine at the 11th
Annual St. Croix Music and Art Festival, July 16-18, 2004 at Lakefront Park: Approve
the issuance of a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to the Hudson Area Chamber of
Commerce and Tourism Bureau to sell beer and wine at the 11th Annual St. Croix Music and Art Festival at
Lakefront Park July 16-18, 2004.
Application
of T.S.M. Amusement Inc. for Amusement Device Operator’s License and Amusement
Device Permits: Approve the issuance of an Amusement Device
Operator’s License to Gary D. Anderson, d/b/a T.S.M. Amusement, Inc., 1811
O’Keefe Road, Hudson, WI and the issuance of 53 Amusement Device Permits.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS,
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: To
place on file the Quarterly Reports
of the Wastewater Superintendent, Public Works Interim Superintendent, and EMS
Chief, the Public Utility Commission minutes of 6/8/04, and the Board of Review
minutes of 6/14/04.
Roll call vote, Ayes 5 to 0, MOTION
CARRIED.
Request
for rezoning 86 Coulee Road from R-1, One-family Residential to OFC, Office
District – Richard Voth; Ordinance No. 7-04: dennis Darnold reported that the Plan Commission had
recommended approval of the zoning request.
MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to conduct a first reading on
Ordinance No. 7-04. Questions were
raised regarding whether the development of the property would impede the
roadway from the south end of Birkmose Park.
Mr. Darnold stated that this would not cause any problems for use of
that private road. MOTION CARRIED.
Petition
for annexation of 12.3 acres north of Stageline Road and Old Hwy. 35
intersection (Old Hwy 35 right-of-way), DaMe Properties, Inc; Ordinance No.
8-04: dennis
Darnold pointed out that the ordinance addresses annexing 12.3 acres in
abandoned Highway 35 right-of-way.
Under 2003 State law, Act 317, Ch. 70.65 of Wisconsin Statutes, the
municipality that accepts the annexation is responsible for payment of five
years of taxes, based on the value at the time of annexation, to the
municipality where the land was originally located. Mr. Darnold reported that in conversations with Attorney
Munkittrick, it has been suggested that payment of the taxes be provided by the
owners of the property, and this could be placed in the Annexation and
Development Agreement. Mr. Darnold also
provided information regarding the impact on the Wastewater Treatment Plant,
traffic, and other issues. He further
suggested that the five-year tax payment by owners of the properties be
addressed under City policy, and that it should be included and required of all
future annexations.
motion by O’Malley, second by
Radermacher, to conduct a first reading on Ordinance No. 8-04. A number of questions were raised regarding
the impact from development of the property.
Mr. Darnold reported that the City anticipates there will be adequate
capacity for sewer treatment. He noted
that in order to reach full capacity, all parcels would need to be developed
100%. Mr. Darnold reported that he and
Wastewater Superintendent Jim Schreiber had met and reviewed the calculations
for the sewer plant’s capacity and anticipated use. He stated that the information is being monitored on an annual
basis, and at this point believes there are no problems that could result from
annexation of the 12.3 acres. He
further stated that within the 12.3 acres, approximately 4.6 acres would be
required for storm water management. He
also noted that at this time the St. Croix Business Park has not reached the
wastewater treatment plant usage that was anticipated.
Mr.
Gordon Conard, 36 Eagle’s Nest Circle, referenced his email letter of 5/18/04
that indicated his concerns with the annexation. He restated that his main concern was what the overall theme for
the development would be. Mr. Conard
stated he represented several neighbors.
Jim
Seal, 145 Deerwood Court, addressed concerns for the sewer plant capacity. Mr. Darnold reported that the present sewer
plant capacity was at 65% of full usage.
MOTION CARRIED.
In
order to address questions from Mr. Conrad, Mr. Seal, and a 5/24/04 email from
Aethan Hart, realtor Jim Zeller, representing Dan Bauer and Jim Meffert,
presented information relating to the annexation. He stated that he wished to
dispel three myths: 1) The myth that the Mayor, City Staff and others are not
following the 1993 Comprehensive Plan’s guidelines. Mr. Zeller pointed out that the annexation is well within the
1993 Comprehensive Plan area as well as within an area that extended far beyond
the outer limits of this 12-acre parcel.
The eastern boundary would fall in line with a line unofficially adopted
by the Council to stay within for the outer perimeter of the City.
2. The myth that the Mayor, Council, Plan
Commission and Planning Department have not done long-term planning for water,
wastewater treatment, traffic, etc. Mr.
Zeller stated this also was not true, and the amount of work previously done by
all concerned was incredible. He
specifically addressed traffic issues, noting that the proposed exits would be
Exit 4 at I-94 via Stageline Road to the east, and old highway 35 south,
inter-connecting with new Highway 35 and across on Hanley Road to
Carmichael. He cited that several
studies have been conducted, and one by the Rohde Group indicated that 64% of
the traffic would travel north via Exit 4, 21% would come from Carmichael Road
via Stageline Road, and 15% would use the southern route via old Highway
35. He also pointed out that the City’s
Comprehensive Plan is a living, breathing document that does have the
flexibility needed. Mr. Zeller stated
that in the 2000 annexation of lands that later encompassed the St. Croix
Business Park, Red Cedar Canyon, Heritage Greens, and Hudson Meadows, it
originally contained 102 acres that were zoned as commercial. He noted that the zoning was downgraded to
residential, leaving only 20 acres zoned commercial. Vacating the former Highway 35 corridor by the State made the
12.3 acres available. He pointed out
that Stageline Road and Hanley Road have been upgraded to handle the traffic
and they are more than adequate to handle the site.
3.
The third myth Mr. Zeller dispelled concerned the intentions of the owners, Jim
Bauer and Jim Meffert, alluding that they do not have a land plan and are
intentionally being vague about their buyers.
Mr. Zeller stated that they Mr. Bauer and Mr. Meffert were landowners
looking for a developer. He stated that
the Rohde proposal had a hotel-themed development idea that included a water
park feature and was one of several options possible. He stated that he believed both Mr. Bauer and Mr. Meffert are
attempting to be good stewards of the land.
Mr.
Zeller offered three options: A –
development of the site for various retail occupancy, offering more of the same
type of businesses currently in the Hudson area; Option B would be a themed
development with a large anchor, that could be a variety of different types of
businesses. He noted that in order to
develop a theme park, 30 acres would be required. Annexation would allow Option B to be considered. Option C – Development of the site by a
large, single user, such as a government center, minor league ballpark, hotel
convention center, etc. Mr. Zeller
noted that these types of developments are difficult to attract, and there are
many pluses and minuses with these types of plans.
Mr.
Zeller stated that annexation of this parcel would not impact the Hudson School
District, which currently receives 49.1% of property taxes. The School District would not need to supply
additional teachers, rooms for students, etc. because it is not residentially
based. He also stated that Option B
would benefit most other businesses more.
Mr.
Zeller summarized that they are seeking a better development option for this
site. He noted that there would
be: 1) No additional cost to the City
of Hudson, as all costs would be addressed via Impact Fees; and 2) The property
tax revenue would be substantial. He
noted that they would do a performa on the different types of themes, and would
be very willing to provide information regarding the letters of concern
received to date and to anyone who has questions about the types of projects
being discussed.
Mr. Conard requested that a second independent traffic study
analysis be provided to address his concerns and those of his neighbors about
the Carmichael intersection traffic.
Mr. Seal questioned the property taxes to be paid to the Town of
Hudson, and it was revealed that the taxes would be based on the present land
value, and any additional taxes over and above those amounts would be accrued
to the City.
Final
development Plans of Caribbean Development for 10,580 square foot car wash,
fuel station facility and 6,000 square foot retail center at 1611 Maxwell Drive
– Hudson Crossing commercial center, southeast quadrant of Carmichael
Road/Hanley Road – Mike Inman: Dennis Darnold
reported that the Plan Commission had recommended approval of the Final
Development Plan, noting one issue expressed by the Commission was the amount
of water that would be discharged from the car wash to the Wastewater Treatment
Plant. The Commission had recommended
that the issue of water usage and the status of the installation of a water
recycling system be reviewed in two years.
He noted that the developer proposes to install the underground tanks
now and a recycling system, if warranted, within two years. MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher,
to approve the final development plans for the Caribbean Development including
a 10,580 square foot car wash/fuel station facility and a 6,000 square foot
retail center at 1611 Maxwell Drive, with the following conditions:
a.
Plans to be revised per the
City Engineer’s recommendations.
b.
Plans for the retaining wall
to be submitted to the City Engineer for review and approval.
c.
A review of water usage and
status of the installation of a water recycling system for the car wash be
conducted by the Plan Commission within two years of issuance of the Building
Permit
d.
A letter of credit is provided
to the City of Hudson to assure repair and replacement of street and
curb/gutter damage, with the amount to be established by the City Engineer.
MOTION CARRIED.
Final
Development Plans for Stone Creek residential development, 32 dwelling units
(16 two-family structures) at the northwest quadrant of Mayer Road and O’Keefe
Road – Dean/Dion Hanson: dennis
Darnold noted that Dean and Dion Hanson were present to answer any questions
that Council might have. He reported
that the Plan Commission had recommended approval for the 16 two-family
units. Dion Hanson stated that the
units were all single-level and from 1,456 to 1,800 square feet, including a
bonus room above the garage. MOTION by
O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to approve the final development plans for the
Stone Creek residential development of 32 dwelling units at the northwest
quadrant of O’Keefe Road and Mayer Road, with the following conditions:
a.
Final Development Plans to be
revised per the City
Engineer’s recommendations in 6/14/04 letter.
b.
Letter of Credit in the amount of $46,750 to be provided to
assure repair and replacement of street and
curb/gutter
damage.
Questions from Council revealed that sidewalks and
street lights were not part of the plan.
Dion Hanson noted that they install motion-sensor lights on the front of
the garages. During discussion, Dennis
Darnold reported that O’Keefe Road is a rural street, and suggested that
sidewalks could be added when the street is upgraded. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.
Bids for Rock Street
Extension Project in St. Croix Business Park: mayor Breault stated that
the low bid was submitted by Hydrocon, Inc. from North Branch, Minnesota in the
amount of $106,248.00. MOTION by
O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to award the contract for the Rock Street Extension
Project in St. Croix Business Park to Hydrocon, Inc., North Branch, MN, in the
amount of $106,248.00, contingent on receipt of their required Certificate of
Insurance and Performance and Payment Bonds within ten days. MOTION CARRIED.
First Street Parking Improvements: o’malley reported that the Public
Works Committee had reviewed the proposed plans. Engineer Dennis Postler reported that Phase 1 of the First Street
Parking Improvements Project would provide additional spaces on First Street
both north and south of the Dike Road.
The total project cost for 42 new parking spaces was estimated at
$270,762.80. Mr. Postler reviewed
various aspects of the project, noting that a retaining wall would be required
for the south area between Commercial and Walnut Streets. He stated they were recommending the use of
larger-size retaining blocks that would be able to withstand occasional
flooding from the St. Croix River. He
stated that one set of stairs would access the bituminous trail below and the
wall and stairs would have a metal fence/railing on top. He reported that three existing decorative
streetlights would be relocated, and three existing spruce trees close to First
Street and south of the picnic table shelter would be removed.
Mr. Postler reported that in
the section between Walnut and Locust Streets, the parking area was slightly
reduced to avoid a parking area across from Locust Street. He also noted that two existing decorative
street lights and five Ash trees would be relocated westerly to outside of the
new parking area or other areas of the park.
In addition, Mr. Postler
pointed out that the plan uses right-of-way, not Park land, and the project
should be an improvement, as this area was rarely, if ever, used. Questions were raised regarding financing,
since the total was higher than the earlier estimate provided when the Capital
Projects were discussed. A suggestion
was made by Ms. Caruso to take the additional funds from the Parking account. MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to
approve the plans for the First Street Parking Improvement Project – Phase 1,
and authorize the engineers to advertise for bids, and to authorize the Finance
Officer to provide the additional funding needed from the Parking Fund. MOTION CARRIED.
Request to install a street light on Green Street: motion by O’Malley, second by
Koch, to approve requesting Xcel Energy to install a street light between the
residents at 929 and 1003 Green Street, and to be funded by the Public Works
Street Light account. MOTION CARRIED.
Carmichael
Road left turn lane at Vine Street – feasibility and cost estimates: dennis Postler reported that
the turn lane would require a much longer length than originally
anticipated. He noted that several
factors are involved, and that they are trying to avoid moving the right-turn
lane further east. He detailed the
changes and the impact of each. The
only concern regarded funding the differential. Mr. Postler also noted that, out of courtesy, the Town of Hudson
and St. Croix County should be notified about the project that involves City
right-of-way. Due to the need to
determine funding, it was suggested that this matter be placed on the agenda
for the Special Council Meeting to be held Wednesday, June 23rd. MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher,
to direct that the Town of Hudson and St. Croix County be notified that the
City plans to add a north-bound right-turn lane at Carmichael Road and Vine
Street, and to place the matter of funding for this project on the Special Council
meeting agenda for Wednesday, June 23, 2004.
MOTION CARRIED.
Crest View Drive triple left turn lanes at Carmichael
Road: Mr.
Postler explained that there were no guidelines for this type of project, as it
would be the first of its kind within the state. Discussion regarding signage provided matters to be addressed by
Mr. Postler. A suggestion was made to
consider some type of signage well before the intersection to alert the
drivers. This proposal was presented
for information only at this time; funding
will be addressed at a future meeting.
CITY
HALL EXTERIOR DOOR REPLACEMENT: O’Malley noted that the quotes did not
include information regarding warranties, and the Public Works Committee had
indicated they wished to see a sample of the Hartford Green color, baked on
finish indicated in the quote from Star Renovators, Inc. This matter was postponed to the next
meeting.
UPDATE
ON PROJECTS: The Update Report was presented by Engineer
Dennis Postler. No questions were
asked.
CITY
OF HUDSON REVOLVING LOAN FUND MANUAL UPDATE – RESOLUTION NO. 5-04 AND CITY OF
HUDSON ST. CROIX BUSINESS PARK LOAN FUND MANUAL (NEW PROGRAM) – RESOLUTION NO
6-04: Dennis Darnold stated that the original
version was written in 1993 and no updates have been provided since that
time. Following the Department of
Commerce audit, a suggestion was made to upgrade the manual. Mr. Darnold also noted that they have not
yet received a written report of the Commerce Department’s field audit. He stated that with assistance from Ann Raid
of the West Central Regional Plan Commission, they have revised the City’s
Revolving Loan Fund Manual under Resolution No. 5-04, as well as the St. Croix
Business Park’s Loan Fund Manual under Resolution No. 6-04.
Mr. Darnold
stated that bank-participation loans would substantially reduce the time spent
by City Staff, that is for himself and Finance Officer Betty Caruso. He noted that staff would submit the loans
and the bank would provide all the details and work for the loan. In regard to the new program, funds
generated by the St. Croix Business Park would fund those loans. He also noted that when the Business Park
loans become minimal, the two could be combined. MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to suspend the rules
toward adoption of Resolution 5-04 and Resolution 6-04. Roll call vote, all ayes, MOTION
CARRIED. MOTION by O’Malley, second by
Radermacher, to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION NO. 5-04
CITY OF HUDSON BUSINESS REVOLVING
LOAN FUND MANUAL
RESOLUTION NO. 6-04
ST. CROIX BUSINESS PARK LOAN FUND
MANUAL
(Copies on file in the Clerk’s office)
Discussion
followed regarding whether it was appropriate to combine approval of both
resolutions in one motion. Attorney
Munkittrick stated that if the Council were in agreement to vote on both issues
at the same time, then it would be acceptable.
Council members voiced no objections to the procedure. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.
ST.
CROIX COUNTY MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT – FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Fire Chief Jim Frye reported that
this agreement was last reviewed in 1991.
This updated version would reflect the current practices. MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher,
to approve the St. Croix County Fire Service Agreement and authorize the Fire
Department Officers, Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement documents. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMUNICATIONS
AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: Mayor Breault requested the Council to
establish a date and time for a Special Council meeting regarding the hiring of
the Public Works Superintendent/Engineer and to discuss funding for the
left-turn lane from Carmichael Road to Vine Street. Council agreed to schedule the meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday,
June 23rd in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Dennis O’Connell noted that the next
Public Safety Committee meeting would be moved from Wednesday, July 7th
to Wednesday, July 14th, at 8:00 a.m.
Questions were raised regarding the
number of speeding tickets issued by the Hudson Police Department, versus the
number of warnings given out. This
matter will be placed on the next Council agenda for further discussion.
Dennis Darnold
reported that signage would be provided for the PGA Scholarship America
Showdown golf event to be held at Troy Burne golf course. The signage would address shuttle bus routes,
etc. He stated that he would be
working with Public Works staff regarding the location of the signs. He also noted that in speaking with the
event organizers, he explained that the signs needed to be of minimum size and
number. He added that the signs would
be no expense to the City of Hudson.
Administrator
Willi reminded Council that the next Council meeting would be Tuesday, July 6th
at 7:00 p.m.
MOTION by O’Malley, second by
O’Connell, to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 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