CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 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 Mike Laatsch, Paul Radermacher, Roger Riedel, Scot O’Malley, and Carah Koch.

 

     ABSENT:  Alderperson Dennis O’Connell.     

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Catherine Munkittrick, Devin Willi, Dennis Darnold, Dick Trende, Dan Roeglin, Dean Knudson, Betty Caruso, Roland Becker, Nate Skoog, and others.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:   Dean Knudson expressed his thanks to theCity Staff for the work done during the recent visit of President Bush.  He noted that the work of the City employees was very impressive, and he had received many citizen comments regarding the efficiency and great job done by the City employees.  He also noted that the visit was a great opportunity to showcase Hudson, as the event received national attention.  Mr. Knudson stated that we should be very proud of the city of Hudson.

 

COsts for August 18th Presidential visit:  Mayor Breault called attention to the report prepared by Parks Superintendent Dan Roeglin and Police Chief Dick Trende.  The costs imposed by the City for labor ($9,378.17) plus materials and supplies ($1,686.88) totaled $11,065.05.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to approve sending a bill of $11,065.05 to the Republican Party for President Bush’s August 18th Campaign visit.  Discussion followed.  Riedel brought forth recent published information regarding the payback for costs associated with presidential candidates, and noted that all payment requests are not honored.  Chief Trende further noted that the City has not received any billings for police overtime costs from other entities.  He stated that the costs incurred by the Hudson Police Department have not caused their 2004 budget to be exceeded.  

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

 

MINUTES: Approve the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting minutes of 8/16/04 and the Closed Session minutes of 8/16/04.

       

Review of Conditional Use Permit for use of 904 Third Street as a manufacturer representative/wholesales office with two non-resident employees – David Tank:   Reapprove the Conditional Use Permit for David Tank at 904 Third Street for a manufacturer representative/wholesale sales office with two, non-resident employees, with the next review scheduled for August of 2007.

 

Final Plat for Hudson Estates – 18 one-family residential lots north of Badlands Road/east of USH 12 in the Town of Hudson (Extraterritorial Review) – Grand Properties, LLC:  Approve the Final Plat of Hudson Estates for 18 one-family residential lots located in the Town of Hudson, as proposed by Grand Properties, LLC. 

 

     Claims:   Approve the following claims for payment:

 

Fund

Description

PAYABLES

PAYROLL

Totals

100

General

198,693.63

254,222.97

452,916.60

280

Park Donations

822.00

0.00

822.00

410

Tax Increment Financing

6,751.09

0.00

6,751.09

450

Capital Projects

67,167.83

0.00

67,167.83

610

Sewer

16,219.66

17,205.59

33,425.25

620

Parking Utility

21,563.39

1,674.80

23,238.19

630

Ambulance

655.24

11,979.62

12,634.86

 

                 TOTALS

$311,872.84

$285,082.98

$596,955.82

 

 

Applications for Operator’s Licenses: Approve the issuance of Regular Operator's Licenses for the period 9/8/04 through 6/30/06 to:

 

Mary Jane Mack             1450 S. Wasson Lane, #106       River Falls, WI

Crystal Marie Edwards      706 E. Fourth Street, #2        New Richmond, WI

Matthew James Baumgartner 500 Hunter Hill                 Hudson, WI
Jamie Renee Palesh         760 E. Highway 12               Hudson, WI

 

Loading zone request near 422 Second Street:  Approve the installation of a 10-minute or less loading zone in the “Harbor Lot” south of 422 Second Street, upon completion of the First Street Parking Project.

 

Request for Ten Minute Take Out/Pick Up Parking stall on 2nd Street at Walnut Street:  Approve the creation of a 10-minute takeout/pick up parking space in the western-most stall on the east side of the alley on Walnut Street, upon completion of the First Street Parking Project.

 

Request for block party in alley of 600 block between Wisconsin and Commercial Streets:  Approve the use of barricades to block the alley between the 600 blocks of Wisconsin Street and Commercial Street for a block party in September.

 

Animal Control Contracts:  Approve the renewal of the Animal Control Contract with Kathleen Pelnar for the period 9/1/04 to 2/28/05; and renewal of the 2005 Animal Shelter Member Agreement with the Humane Society of Pierce St. Croix Inc. for the period 1/1/05 to 12/31/05, with member rates the same as 2004, and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the documents.

       

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  To place on file the

quarterly reports of the Police Chief and Public Works Superintendent/Engineer, and the Community Access Board minutes of 8/240/04, and the St. Croix E.M.S. Commission minutes of 8/23/04.

 

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

 

Sale of punch-card voting machines:  motion by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to authorize Pat Dotseth, with assistance of Dan Roeglin, to set up an account on eBay for the sale of 16 punch card voting machines and related items, with a minimum bid of $19.95, plus shipping and handling, with the deadline and other details of the sale to be determined by Ms. Dotseth and Mr. Roeglin, and proceeds of the sale to accrue to the Elections Budget.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

St. Croix E.M.S. write-offs:  MOTION by Laatsch, second by Koch, to approve the St. Croix E.M.S. write-offs in the amount of $12,399.01, as recommended by LifeQuest following Phase III of their collection procedures.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Bids for 2004 Sidewalk and Curb and Gutter Replacement Project:  motion by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to approve the bid Option A in the amount of $56,325.50 from Pember Companies, Inc., with the contractor to perform the total project including removal and restoration.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider increasing pay rates for Chief Election Inspector and Assistant Inspector from $6.50 per hour to $7.50 per hour:  motion by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to approve increasing the wages for the Chief Election Inspector and the Assistant Chief Inspector from $6.50 per hour to $7.50 per hour.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

State Trust Fund Loan for new fire truck – Resolution No. 10-04:  finance Officer Betty Caruso explained that after reviewing other options for financing the new fire truck, she recommended obtaining a $400,000 loan from the State Trust Fund for a period of ten years at 4% interest.  She reported that utilizing the State Trust Fund would allow the City to levy for an annual tax to pay the interest and principal.  The loan would be dispersed to the City in two installments, approximately $160,000 in November and the balance when the City accepts delivery of the truck in May of 2005.  She stated that interest would only be charged on the amounts that have been drawn.

 

Ms. Caruso also noted that while bonding might provide a slightly lower interest rate, the legal and financial consulting costs would increase the rate to beyond the 4% being charged by the State.  She explained that local financial institutions were unable to provide a better rate, and leasing was a closed-end agreement at a higher rate.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch,  to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 10-04.  MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 10-04

STATE TRUST FUND LOAN FOR NEW FIRE TRUCK

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Tax Collection Agreement with St. Croix County:  motion by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to approve the Tax Collection Agreement with St. Croix County at a cost of $.75 per parcel, or an estimated cost of $4,125, for collection of 2004 taxes for the City of Hudson.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

 Residential Parking Permit – Ordinance No. 12-04:  Attorney Catherine Munkittrick reviewed the wording on the zone designation areas that were requested by the Public Safety Committee.  Radermacher further explained the areas of Zone A and Zone B.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to also add Zone C to §235-40 Residential Parking Permit Zone Designation, with the designation of Fourth Street between St. Croix Street and Myrtle Street.  Radermacher explained the discussion that was held at the Public Safety Committee meeting and why it was not included in the ordinance at that time.  Vote taken:  Ayes, O’Malley, Laatsch and Koch; Noes:  Riedel and Radermacher.  MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by Radermacher, second by O’Malley to approve the following ordinance, (as amended to include Zone C):

 

ORDINANCE NO. 12-04

AMENDS CHAPTER 235, ADDS ARTICLE III

RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT SYSTEM

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

UPDATE ON PROJECTS:  Mayor Breault referenced the Update Report, since Mr. Postler was not available at the meeting.  No further questions were raised.

 

Sidewalk Replacement Program Special Assessments – Preliminary Resolution

No. 9-04:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 9-04.  All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 9-04

PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION DECLARING INTENT FOR

SIDEWALK, CURB & GUTTER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

 

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

     All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Hiring of Janitor for Municipal Building:  Administrator Devin Willi reported that he, Jim Eulberg, and Debbie Andrews had interviewed the candidates for the part-time janitor position, and it was their recommendation that Kelly Smolinski be hired.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to offer the part-time Janitor position at the Municipal Building, to Ms. Kelly Smolinski at $13.75 per hour for the first three months, $14.25 for the next three months, and $14.75 per hour, or the current union rate, upon completion of the six-month probationary period.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Signatures required for Revolving Loan Fund documents – Resolution No.                 12-04:  motion by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 12-04.  MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 12-04

AUTHORIZES SIGNATURES FOR REVOLVING LOAN FUND DOCUMENTS

 

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

     MOTION CARRIED.

 

            APPOINTMENT TO ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:   No action at this time.

           

            Proclamation re: Constitution Week:  Mayor Breault read the Proclamation declaring the week of September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week, which marks the 217th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention.

 

            COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  Alderperson Koch requested Council consider placing on the next agenda the purchase of two additional light-blocking shades for the Council Chambers.   She noted that the Community Access Board had approved purchasing two shades, but two additional shades were needed to complete the job of blocking the light and improve the tapings of meetings held in the Council Chambers.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Riedel, to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 7:32 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