CITY OF HUDSON COMMON
COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES OF
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2006
Meeting called to order by Mayor Jack Breault in the Council Chambers of Cit
y Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Breault led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Mayor Breault and Alderpersons Randy
Morrissette, Dennis O’Connell, Paul Radermacher, Lee Wyland, Scot O’Malley and
Carah Koch.
OTHERS
PRESENT: Devin
Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Angela Popenhagen, Denny Darnold, Paul Larson,
Marty Jensen, Ed Rankin, Jim Eulberg, Randy Hanson, Mike O’Keefe, Joe
Fitzpatrick, Kelly Hanley, and others.
Mayor Breault presented an award
plaque to Ms. Kelly Hanley in recognition for her services as a City of Hudson
Election Inspector since December of 1980.
Ms. Hanley thanked the Mayor and stated she had enjoyed working with the
election officials.
COMMENTS
AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT: Mayor Breault
called three times for comments and suggestions from citizens present; none were given.
CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Radermacher, second by Wyland, to
approve the following Consent Agenda items:
MINUTES: Approve the Regular
Meeting minutes and Closed Session minutes of 8/21/06.
Final
plat for Red Cedar Canyon Whitetail Ridge, five one-family residential lots and one outlot – Hans Hagen Homes:
Approve the final plat of Red Cedar Canyon Whitetail Ridge, contingent upon
execution of a Development Agreement with Hans Hagen Homes and the City of
Hudson, and with the City Attorney to address the issue of payment of Impact
Fees in the development.
Certified Survey Map, resubdivision of
two existing commercial lots into three, Lenertz Road west of US Hwy 12 in Town
of Hudson (Extraterritorial)
– Howland/Dry Dock: Approve the three-lot Certified Survey Map for lots on Lenertz
Road in the Town of Hudson, as proposed by Mick Howland/The Dry Dock, LLC.
Claims: Approve the following claims for payment:
|
Fund |
Description |
payables |
payroll |
Totals |
|
100 |
General |
94,015.12 |
151,800.71 |
245,815.83 |
|
450 |
Capital Projects |
5,609.47 |
0.00 |
5,609.47 |
|
490 |
Biosolids |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
610 |
Sewer |
6,511.57 |
10,067.46 |
16,579.03 |
|
620 |
Parking Utility |
389,726.10 |
995.29 |
390,721.39 |
|
630 |
Ambulance |
9,451.34 |
21,973.06 |
31,424.40 |
|
|
TOTALS |
$505,313.60 |
$184,836.52 |
$690,150.12 |
Applications for Operator’s Licenses: Approve the issuance of Regular
Operator’s Licenses for the period September 6, 2006 to June 30, 2008 to:
Lynn M. Schultz 4638 Bloomberg Lane Inver Grove Heights, MN
Request for St. Patrick’s annual Fall
Fest 5K Run at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2006:
Approve the annual St. Patrick’s Church Fall Fest 5K Run to begin at
9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2006, with the event to begin at the High
School and end in St. Patrick’s Church parking lot.
Request for barricades for block party
at the end of the cul-de-sac in
Stonepine Court I on Sunday, September 10, 2006 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
Approve the request of Karen Duchow for barricades for a block party at
the end of the cul-de-sac in Stonepine Court I on Sunday, September 10, 2006,
from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS: Place on file the
Quarterly Report of the City Clerk and the Community Access Board minutes of
8/22/06.
Roll call vote, all ayes (6) – MOTION CARRIED.
Request to have former hospital
site surveyed to determine property lines for proposed purchase of property –
City Attorney and Community Development Director: Mayor Breault reported that the
Finance Committee recommended proceeding with the survey. MOTION by O’Connell, second by Wyland to
proceed with a survey to determine the property lines for the former hospital
property site, at a cost not to exceed $4,000.
All ayes, (6), MOTION CARRIED.
Review
Long-term Capital Improvement Plan and financing needs: mayor Breault noted that the
all the Capital Improvement requests were not yet received, and the Finance
Committee recommended holding this matter over until the next meeting. He called attention to a memo from
Administrator Willi that indicated the budget outlook was rather gloomy, and
noted they would make the appropriate changes according to the budget
limitations.
Proposed issuance of $1,050,000 General OBLIGATION
Promissory Notes for purchase of future Park property – Resolution No. 11-06: Finance Officer Betty Caruso
explained that these notes were for temporary financing for the proposed
purchase of future park property. She
reported that this would be a bridge loan until grant money is received. Ms. Caruso noted that she obtained bids from
two local banks and was recommending a three-year loan from First National Bank
of Hudson at 4.75%, with prepayment at any time. If grant funds are not received in three years, permanent
financing could occur.
MOTION
by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to suspend the rules toward adoption of
Resolution No. 11-06. All ayes (6),
MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by O’Malley, second by
Wyland, to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
NO. 11-06
$1,050,000
G.O. PROMISSORY NOTE FOR LAND PURCHASE
(copy on file in Clerk’s
office)
All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.
Review quotes received and consider purchase of speed
monitor display sign: Police
Department Sgt. Marty Jensen explained that he was requested by the Public
Safety Committee to seek quotes for speed monitor display signs, at a cost of
approximately $3,000 per unit. He
reported that he obtained three quotes and was recommending a 16-inch speed
monitor display sign with a battery-operated system from Public Safety
Equipment, LLC. He noted that this
display board could be mounted on posts right below the regular speed signs and
moved to locations throughout the City.
Sgt. Jensen also explained that a two-year warranty was available, with
a one-year warranty for the radar unit.
He noted that because of the size, he was recommending the 16-inch size,
and he hoped to place the order as soon as possible.
MOTION
by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to approve the purchase of two 16-inch
speed monitor signs from Public Safety Equipment, LLC, at a cost of $2,810.00
each, for a total of $5,620.00, and to be funded from the Contingency
Fund. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.
Consider proposed increase in attorney fees for 2007: Mayor Breault and the Council
reviewed Administrator Willi’s memo regarding the proposed increase for
attorney fees. He noted that the
increase was equal to a 2.77% increase, if averaged over the four years since
the last increase. MOTION by O'Connell, second by O'Malley, to approve the 2007 wage increase for the City Attorney. It was noted that
2006 was an unusual year with several investigations that caused increased
legal costs, and this increase would be less than the average cost of living
rate. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.
Proposal for temporary facility for EMS
personnel: Mayor
Breault explained that the Finance Committee recommended that the St. Croix EMS
return with a more detailed proposal and cost information. MOTION by O’Malley,
second by O’Connell to proceed with the proposal and return with a complete
plan and cost information for a temporary, off-site facility for EMS personnel. Mayor Breault
stated that a temporary facility was well within their budget and a per capita
increase would not be necessary. It was
noted that their present quarters were very cramped and they had also recently
lost the sleeping room at the hospital site, as it was reserved for Emergency
Room doctors. All ayes (6), MOTION
CARRIED.
Proposed
ordinance regulating Sexual Offenders/Predators – Ordinance No. 13-06: mayor Breault introduced
Mike O’Keefe and Joe Fitzpatrick who were present to provide the latest sexual
offender information from the Legislature in Madison, as well as a summary
concerning the registry of sexual offenders.
Mr. Joe Fitzpatrick stated that he was a
Sex Offender Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections
and his territory covered northwestern Wisconsin. He explained that his primary responsibilities dealt with
registry issues, answering law enforcement questions, and locating individuals
who are not compliant with Sex Offender Registry requirements. He provided a brief overview of how the Sex
Offender Registry was created and currently operates, noting there were
currently 18,708 in the Wisconsin Registry.
Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that 5,442 were currently in prison and 4,994
were on probation or parole supervision. He stated that 8,272 offenders are no
longer being supervised, but they are required to indicate at least on a yearly
basis their address, employment and/or school information.
Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that the information
on the offenders was placed on a website and made available to the public and
law enforcement, noting that the Law Enforcement website was more comprehensive
and included information on juveniles.
He explained his work with county and local law enforcement, court
procedures, etc. and noted that the violation of the Sex Offender Registry Law
is a Class H felony punishable by up to six years of incarceration. He noted there were 29 different types of
sex offenses that were registerable.
Brief discussion was held concerning offenses, convictions, and
probation and parole supervision requirements.
It was noted that a large number of offenders must register for their
lifetime. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that
Wisconsin currently has an 88% compliance rate, one of the highest in the
nation. He noted that the Department of
Corrections would not provide an opinion on the City’s proposed ordinance at
this time.
Mayor Breault noted that following all the
presentations, it was hoped that the Council could obtain some direction on how
to proceed, as well as learn more about possible State law or regulations.
Mike O’Keefe, Supervisor
for the Probation and Parole office in St. Croix County, reported that a
Legislative Council Special Committee on Placement of Sex Offenders would be
meeting on September 14th with their findings expected in January of
2007. He briefly reviewed that six
sexual offenders were registered in the City of Hudson and supervised by the
Probation and Parole Office, with 10 agents assigned to St. Croix County
covering about 100 persons on parole, and 3 agents covering Hudson and North
Hudson. Another 46 persons with sexual
histories were not registered, but were given the same treatment as sex
offenders. Discussion was held
regarding various situations involving sex offenders and their residences,
potential residences, convictions, etc.
Hudson Police Detective Sgt. Ed Rankin
explained that he and the Hudson Police Department work very closely with Mr.
O’Keefe and Mr. Fitzpatrick to make sure that sex offenders are compliant with
the registry and their addresses are known.
He stated that the District Attorney was also very supportive and
diligent in pressing charges against the offenders. He said that the City’s proposed ordinance would not prevent
offenders in other states from moving here and not registering, unless they
were caught by chance. Sgt. Rankin
noted that he believed that law enforcement and probation/parole, as a team
effort, were doing a pretty good job of knowing the offenders who lived here,
enforcing the law, and taking action.
Mayor Breault again commented that the
Council was interested in reviewing what was occurring today as well as what
was going on in Madison, in order to determine whether a City ordinance would
be in compliance with the State, would need to be changed, or could actually be
enforced. Brief discussion was held
regarding different and similar rules regarding offenders in other states, and
possible loopholes in the City’s proposed ordinance. It was noted that there was currently no similar ordinance in the
State of Wisconsin.
Discussion was held concerning offenders
living with other relatives and a policy consideration that could possibly
deprive offenders of potential rehabilitative environments. Attorney Munkittrick stated she believed
there was quite a bit of supervision, follow-up and monitoring of offenders
right now. She stated that the
rationale was that this ordinance would reasonably regulate sex offenders for the
protection of the children. The reason
for the ordinance was not “Let’s keep them out of our City,” which would be
hard to validate. Ms. Munkittrick noted
that there was currently not a law in Wisconsin and the Legislature was looking
at it and would be making a recommendation.
Mike O’Keefe added that he did not believe
sex offenders could be cured, but merely contained. He stated he believed it would be in our best interests to know
where the offenders lived and worked, and to receive better education as
parents.
Mayor Breault stated he was impressed with
the process and the work of all three individuals. He also noted he was greatly impressed with our local Police
Department and their involvement and vigilance with the offenders. MOTION by Morrissette, second by O’Connell
to table this ordinance until the Legislative Committee has met and more
information was available. Discussion
was held regarding City’s ordinance and the possibility that it could create
extra calls for service and more work for the Police Department and City
Attorney. Attorney Munkittrick
commented that the outcome of the local efforts were not as likely to be as
beneficial as the outcome of the efforts by the Department of Corrections
enforcing the Registry laws, placing people on probation, etc. She also noted the concern for persons
attempting to go “underground” and avoid detection by law enforcement.
Vote taken: All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.
Morrissette questioned whether Council could have another update in October,
after the Legislative Committee has met.
Mayor Breault thanked Mr. O’Keefe, Mr. Fitzpatrick and Sgt. Rankin for
providing the information, as well as for all their efforts on this issue.
Update
on Projects: Engineer
Angela Popenhagen noted that the weeks just prior to Labor Day were pretty
quiet. She noted that the work on the
Hanley Road Storm Sewer Project began today, and the bids were advertised for
the Riverwalk Public Park Shelter. In
response to questions, Ms. Popenhagen stated that the heavy rain on Thursday,
August 24th caused some flooding in the usual areas of Nye and
Aldrich, 4th and 5th
and Elm Street area, and also Fifth Street near the Willow River
Elementary School. Mayor Breault that
the storm water problems were discussed in conjunction with the next
budget. Other flooded areas noted were
Ward Avenue at 13th, and Industrial Street south of Fleet Farm. The Sixth and Walnut Street repairs were
successful and held up well during the rainstorm. O’Connell questioned whether the walking path on Hanley Road
could be extended along with the Hanley Road Project. It was agreed that BRA would look into that possibility.
Ms. Popenhagen reported that at this time
the triple left-hand turn lane (on Crest View Drive to Carmichael Road) was
estimated at approximately $95,000 and included the new mast arm, changes to
the signal system, changes to the median and storm sewer, and striping. Mayor Breault stated that this would be
reviewed further with the list of potential Capital Improvements. Brief discussion was held regarding whether
or not striping was needed for added traffic control at such
intersections. Ms. Popenhagen stated
that the major cost for this project would be the signage and the medians and
changes to the signal system.
In response to questions about a traffic
study on the Vine Street corridor, Ms. Popenhagen reported that they would
begin in another week or so after the traffic patterns have formed and drivers
have settled into their general routines with the school season.
Update on fuel bids/costs for 2006/2007: Administrator
Willi explained that since the fuel bids were received last month, the price of
gasoline has gone down quite a bit.
Public Works Director Jim Eulberg explained that the bid from
Consolidated Energy was basically based on a margin based on current fuel
prices. He also explained that
Consolidated has provided the electronic monitors in the fuel tanks to assure
that we will never be out of fuel. He
stated that regardless of the price of fuel, they make the same margin of
profit. Mr. Eulberg stated that he was
recommending awarding the fuel contract to Consolidated Energy, as they were
doing what they could to keep costs low to the City and the City would be best
served by doing business with them.
Discussion
was held regarding the daily market fuel price and how it was established. MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell to
advertise again for fuel bids with a revised bid form. Mr. Eulberg confirmed that the City’s fuel
tanks were full at this time and Mr. Crosby of Consolidated Energy had
indicated that they would continue to serve us until further notice. Mayor Breault directed Mr. Eulberg to obtain
more information regarding the source of the daily fuel market price, and
samples of other bid forms. All ayes,
(6), MOTION CARRIED.
Request to release access restriction
and from the Development Agreement with Jacob Holdings of Hudson for property
in the northwest quadrant of Hanley Road and Carmichael Road (PIN
236-1975-03-010) – Resolution No. 10-06:
denny
Darnold reported that this release was requested by a title company. He explained that Resolution 10-06 was
basically a housekeeping item to clear up some prior requirements that had been
satisfied. MOTION by O’Malley, second
by Radermacher, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No.
10-06. All ayes (6), MOTION
CARRIED. MOTION by Radermacher, second
by O’Connell, to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
NO. 10-06
RELEASE OF
ACCESS RESTRICTION FOR TAX PARCEL #236-1975-03-010
(copy
on file in Clerk’s office)
All ayes (6), MOTION
CARRIED.
Consider annual recognition dinner for volunteer
members of City Boards, COMMISSIONS and Committees, and establish possible date
for the event: mayor Breault suggested and Council agreed
hold this matter over until the 2007 Budget has been reviewed.
Request for State Legislature to
consider health insurance costs – Resolution
No. 12-06: Mayor Breault explained that other
municipalities have adopted similar resolutions. Administrator Willi reported that some cities would be having
referendums, but he thought sending the resolution to the legislators would
have the same effect. MOTION by
O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to suspend the rules toward adoption of
Resolution No. 12-06. All ayes (6),
MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by O’Malley,
second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
NO. 12-06
HEALTH CARE
COSTS
(copy
on file in Clerk’s office)
All ayes (6), MOTION
CARRIED.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:
O’Connell’s previous request for possibly extending the walkway on
Hanley Road was noted.
Mayor Breault stated
that St. Croix Business Park Corporation was seeking a site for a mail drop box
to be located somewhere in the park. He
stated this would be a great help to the many businesses in St. Croix Business
Park, even if it only had one pickup per day.
Administrator Willi
reminded that a Primary Election would be held on Tuesday, September 12th
with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voters in Districts 1, 4 and 5 vote at City Hall, and Districts 2, 3 and
6 vote in the Community Room in the lower level of the County Government
Center.
CLOSED SESSION pursuant
to §19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats. to discuss resignation of Chief of Police: MOTION by Morrissette, second by Radermacher to convene into
Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats. to discuss the resignation
of the Chief of Police. Roll call
vote, All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED at 8:10 p.m.
Reconvene in Open Session
for possible action re: RESIGNATION of chief of Police: MOTION by
Koch, second by O’Connell, to reconvene into Open Session for possible action
regarding the resignation of the Chief of Police. All ayes, (6), MOTION CARRIED at 8:27 p.m.
MOTION by Radermacher, second by O’Connell to accept
the resignation of James R. Coan as Chief of Police. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Koch, second by O’Connell,
to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. All ayes
(6). MOTION CARRIED.
Nancy Korson, 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