CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES OF MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2005

                                                           UNAPPROVED

 

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

 

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

 

ABSENT:  Alderperson Dennis O’Connell.

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Dick Trende, Jim Eulberg, Mike Wallace, Eric Christensen, Angela Popenhagen, Kathy Newman, Sandee Madigan, Don Maysack, Shelli Erck, Randy Hanson, Scot Whalberg, and others.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:  Scot Whalberg, 1625 Namekagon Street, addressed the Council regarding the possibility of the City acquiring land at Hanley Road and O’Keefe Road for a park to be located there.  Mayor Breault stated he would have the Chairman of the Park Board contact him to discuss the possibility.  Mr. Whalberg also explained that the Croixvalley Townhomes where he resides were now all independently owned, but the streets were not up to City Code and were also privately owned. He inquired whether the City would ever consider taking over and maintaining the streets within his townhome neighborhood.  Assessor Mike Wallace affirmed that the property was listed with the City as privately owned condominiums with private streets.

 

Presentation by Hudson Independent Business Association re: marketing

proposal:  ms. Sandee Madigan of the Elan store provided information on a new project for promoting local businesses.  She stated that they were proposing a positive marketing campaign named “Thanks for stopping by.”  Their goal is to have people shop, eat, live and buy locally, whenever possible.

 

     Shelli Erck from the Hudson Flower Shop spoke about the process of becoming a member of the Hudson Independent Business Association.  She stated that the group was organized by the downtown retail community and noted that businesses must be Chamber of Commerce members in order to join.

 

Kathy Newman of the Et Cetera store shared information about a billboard project that would be promoting the downtown businesses.  She explained that the billboard was located on the eastbound side of I-94 in Minnesota, near Manning Avenue, and it has been secured for the months of September and October.  She stated that they currently have 24 of the 30 participants that they hope to obtain. 

 

The committee representatives stated that they would like the City to support the projects by contributing to the billboard costs and by becoming a member of the Hudson Independent Business Association.  O’Malley stated this appeared to be a worthwhile endeavor and inquired whether any money was available in the Room Tax fund.  Mayor Breault also reported that he would check with the Department of Transportation about the possibility of reinstalling the Historic Downtown Hudson sign that formerly was posted in Minnesota.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, that if the funds can be found, to allocate $200 for a Business Support yearly membership to the Hudson Independent Business Association, and $200 to the billboard project.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

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

 

       minutes:  Approve the Regular Meeting minutes and Closed Session minutes of 8/1/05. 

 

     Claims:   Approve the following claims for payment:

 

Fund

Description

payables

payroll

Totals

100

General

192,269.84

128,079.59

320,349.43

230

Wisc DVL/RVL

297.00

0.00

297.00

231

SCBP-RVL Loan

27.00

0.00

27.00

450

Capital Projects

439.00

0.00

439.00

610

Sewer

31,151.41

10,325.75

41,477.16

620

Parking Utility

741.75

826.45

1,568.20

630

Ambulance

6,449.33

6,560.85

13,010.18

 

                 TOTALS

$231,375.33

$145,792.64

$377,167.97

 

Applications for Operators Licenses:  Approve the issuance of Regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 8/16/05 to 6/30/07 to:

 

Ed George Mataczynski      1098 89th Avenue                 Roberts, WI

Connie Marie Gove          1330 County Rd V                    Hudson, WI

Stephanie Rose Bundy       942 Morgan Road                River Falls, WI

Daniel Nathan McCarney     579 Oak Drive                   Hudson, WI

Michael Steven Herrem      530 Valley View Drive          Hudson, WI

 

And the issuance of Temporary Operator’s licenses to be used September 16-18, 2005 at St. Patrick’s Fall Festival to:

 

Teresa Vanda Cameron       449 Overlook Pass               Hudson, WI

Molly Burke Schwartz       598 Lenertz Road                     Hudson, WI

 

Consider write-offs of certain Accounts Receivable and outstanding

checks:  Approve write-offs for outstanding checks in the amount of $5,997.37, and for Accounts Receivables in the amount of $11,652.90.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  To place on file the Quarterly Reports of the Building Inspector and Water Utility Director, the Annual Report of the Assessor, and the Public Utility Commission minutes of 8/9/05.

 

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

 

Review fuel bids submitted for the period 9/1/05 to 8/31/06:  Koch questioned the procedures for opening the fuel bids and if there would be a problem with the bid that was submitted late.  Attorney Munkittrick stated that the late bid did not impair the bidding process.  O’Malley noted that the Finance Committee waived the minor infraction in order to consider the bid that came in late.  MOTION by Koch, second by O’Malley, to approve the bid from Consolidated Energy Cooperative, 1088 County Road A, Hudson, in the amount of $2.241 per gallon for premier diesel oil, and $2.1738 per gallon for no-lead gasoline provided to the City for the period of 9/1/05 to 8/31/06.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Compliance with Homeland Security Directive re: National Incident Management System – Resolution No. 13-05:  st. Croix E.M.S. Chief Eric Christensen spoke about the Homeland Security directive regarding the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  He stated that all federal state and local municipalities were required to adopt the NIMS approach and jointly respond in the event of a major incident.  He also noted that in order to qualify for federal funding for future emergency operations, the City would have to adopt the resolution.  All public safety agencies, including chief elected officials, would be required to complete a NIMS training course.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 13-05.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by Radermacher, second by O’Malley, to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 13-05

DESIGNATING THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS)

AS BASIS FOR ALL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF HUDSON

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Use of Lakefront Park for Gopher to Badger Race and St. Croix Valley Triathlon:  Jim Eulberg, Director of Parks and Public Works, reported that the Gopher to Badger race was held on Saturday, August 13th.   He noted that Final Stretch, Inc. of Nerstrand, MN had also requested using Lakefront Park for the St. Croix Valley Triathlon on September 3rd and 4th.  He noted that the triathlon has taken place here since 2001 and he recommended approval.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Koch, to approve the St. Croix Valley Triathlon, Short and Long Course, to be held Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4, 2005, with both events to begin and end at Lakefront Park.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Expansion of parking lot at Grandview Community Park: jim Eulberg presented the preliminary plans to expand the parking lot at Grandview Park and add an outdoor hockey rink in the winter. He stated that the recommendation from the Park Board and staff was to proceed with the process.  MOTION by Radermacher, second by Laatsch, to proceed with the plans and specifications and advertise for bids for the Grandview Park Lot Expansion and Hockey Rink Project.  During discussion, Mayor Breault stated he was aware of an idea for the warming house.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Update on projects:  engineer Angela Popenhagen of Bonestroo and Associates, presented the update on current projects.  She noted that the bituminous wear course was completed in the Heritage Greens development, 1st and 2nd additions.  She stated that the Ban Tara development was moving ahead quickly and street and utility modifications would begin soon at the First Presbyterian Church on Vine Street. 

 

O’Malley stated that a recent issue of the Minneapolis City Business newspaper included a promotion of development in western Wisconsin; it also featured a picture of Mayor Breault. 

 

            Jim Eulberg shared with Council pictures of the storm sewer problems on Coulee Road, and stated the need to get the project underway as soon as possible.  He anticipated that the costs could be between $250,000 and $300,000.  Mayor Breault stated that they would await the recommendation from Bonestroo for review by the Council, and he would direct the Finance Officer to help determine a source of funding, and the project would then be advertised for bids.

   

Compliance with Statewide Voter Registration System – Resolution No. 14-05:  Clerk Norvold gave a brief summary of the Statewide Voter Registration System, the technology involved, and the resolution indicating City support.  Attorney Munkittrick recommended adding a sentence indicating that expenditures not provided in the budget would need prior Council approval.  The revised draft of the resolution was presented for review.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Riedel, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 14-05.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Riedel to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 14-05

SUPPORTING AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CITY AND WI STATE ELECTIONS BOARD

RE:  USE OF STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

Appointment to Police and Fire Commission:  mayor Breault stated he was still considering an appointment to the Police and Fire Commission.  He noted that a few names have been recommended to him as candidates, and he would welcome more suggestions from Council, if they wished to do so.  He stated he hoped to have a selection by the next Council meeting.

 

     REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, & COMMISSIONS: REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, & COMMISSIONS:  It was noted that the quarterly report from the Police Chief would be presented at the next Council meeting.  Assessor Mike Wallace explained that work is beginning on the 2006 revaluation process.  He announced that residents should be aware that staff from Bowmar Appraisals Service would be taking digital photographs of all City properties beginning August 17th through August 24th.  He stated that the pictures would be integrated into the computer records as part of the revaluation process.  Mr. Wallace stated that all staff would be carrying the proper identification.

 

     COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  koch noted her concern for the siren system and requested the Public Safety Committee to check and make sure they are functioning properly.  Jim Eulberg responded that a circuit board needed to be fixed, and it has been repaired.  Discussion continued on how the countywide system was used.  Chief Trende recommended having a representative from the County Dispatch Center attend a Public Safety Committee meeting to provide an explanation of the system.  Mayor Breault suggested that the public access television could place an explanation of the siren system on Channel 15.  Radermacher was directed to coordinate the effort.

 

     Administrator Devin Willi handed out copies of Equalized Evaluation information.  He stated that more information was needed to determine the amount that would be allowed to increase the levy, based on new construction.  He stated that the budget process should be under way by the end of the week.  Information on TIF Districts was also shared.   Mr. Willi also reminded that the next Common Council meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 6th.

 

CLOSED SESSION pursuant to §19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats., to discuss performance review and compensation for the city clerk.  motion by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to convene into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats. to discuss compensation issues for Police Department Administrative staff.  Roll call vote, all ayes, MOTION CARRIED – 7:41 p.m.

 

Reconvene in Open Session for possible action re: compensation for police department administrative staff:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by        Laatsch, to reconvene into open session.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED – 7:52 p.m.   

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:52 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