CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2005

Meeting called to order by Council President Scot O’Malley, in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Council President O’Malley and Alderpersons Mike Laatsch, Paul Radermacher, Roger Riedel, and Carah Koch.

ABSENT: Mayor Breault and Alderperson Dennis O’Connell.

OTHERS PRESENT: Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Dennis Darnold, Angela Popenhagen, Mike Wallace, Eric Christensen, Dick Trende, Betty Caruso, Randy Hanson, Gordon Conard, Jim Frye, Amy Coulter, Kirk Johnson, Katie Brokaw, Jenna Evenson, Meaghan Stokke, Billy Scholz, Alysa Keane, Jennifer Kerner, and others.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT: President O’Malley called for comments from citizens three times; none were given.

Proclamations re: Red Ribbon Week and Toastmasters Month: President O’Malley presented proclamations designating October as Toastmasters Month and Red Ribbon Week as October 22-29^th to representatives from the Toastmasters club and from the Community Action organization.

CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Laatsch, second by Koch, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

MINUTES: Approve the Regular Meeting minutes of 10/3/05.

Two certified survey maps creating zero lot line lots at existing two-family lots/residences, 2240/2242 Sacia Lane and 2312/2314 Sacia Lane – Roger and Jane Roenfanz: Approve two zero lot line certified survey maps at 2240/2242 Sacia Lane and 2312/2314 Sacia Lane with the condition that an Agreement addressing the access, repair and maintenance of utilities be executed by the abutting units/owners and filed at the St. Croix County Register of Deeds office.

Final plat for Phase I of Hills of Troy, 62 one-family lots and 8 outlots in the Town of Troy, NE¼, Section 10 & N½ Section 11, T28N, R19W (extraterritorial plat) – Troy Development: Approve the final plat of Hills of Troy (Phase I) residential subdivision, as proposed by Troy Development.

Claims: Approve the following claims for payment:

Fund	Description	payables	payroll	Totals
100	General	238,838.84	110,752.04	349,590.88
280	Park Donations	239.80	0.00	239.80
450	Capital Projects	88,911.89	0.00	88,911.89
610	Sewer	29,809.48	8,961.64	38,771.12
620	Parking Utility	906.78	820.05	1,726.83
630	Ambulance	820.34	5,965.66	6,786.00
	TOTALS	$359,527.13	$126,499.39	$486,026.52

Applications for Operators Licenses: Approve the issuance of a Regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 10/18/05 to 6/30/07 to:

Donald Gene Christoffersen W10833 Woodland Road Bruce, WI

Andrew James Adams 960 Eulaine Circle Hammond, WI

Request for “No Parking” on Foxglove Way: Approve the extension of the “No Parking” section on the east side of Foxglove Way from Trillium Way to 10 feet south of the fire hydrant.

Consider establishing fees for use of public parking lots: Approve the

establishment of a $25.00 fee for use of public parking lots, plus a $100.00 refundable deposit.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: To place on file the Quarterly Reports of the Fire Chief, Building Inspector and Finance Officer, and the Public Utility Commission minutes of 10/11/05.

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

Application of Bordenave Land Holdings, LLC for Class B Beer and Class C Wine license d/b/a Bricks Neapolitan Pizza at 407 Second Street: Prior to the meeting, the applicants requested that this item be removed from the agenda.

Consider January date for Annual Appreciation Dinner for City Employees: The request for the annual appreciation dinner for City employees was reviewed. MOTION by Radermacher, second by Riedel, to approve the Annual City Employee Appreciation Dinner to be held on Friday, January 13, 2006 at the Hudson Golf Club, as presented. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

Request of Onyx Waste Services to add fuel surcharge to garbage/recycling rates: president O’Malley reported that at the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening, they determined that more information would be necessary before Council could make a decision. He stated that Thomas Harrison, General Manager of Onyx Waste Services, would provide the information and return at a future meeting.

Dates for Fall Leaf Collection Program: President O’Malley gave information about the Fall Leaf Collection Program, noting that all leaves must be bagged with no foreign materials, tree limbs or brush allowed. He stated that the drop-off dates would be October 22^nd through November 5^th, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Noon until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. He explained that curbside pickup service was also available to residents at a rate of $1.00 per bag, and must be arranged with Onyx. President O’Malley and Alderperson Laatsch also volunteered to pick up leaves for elderly persons who are unable to deliver the bags to the dropoff site. MOTION by Radermacher, second by Riedel, to approve the 2005 Fall Leaf Collection dates of October 22^nd through November 5^th. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of extending the dates, if needed. O’Malley stated that would not be possible with the current contract. He noted that the issue could be discussed at a future meeting. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

Request for 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, October 22^nd during Red Ribbon Week: MOTION by Riedel, second by Radermacher to approve the 5K Walk/Run event to be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22^nd during Red Ribbon Week. Discussion included information that the route would begin and end at the Hudson High School parking lot on Vine Street. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

Update on projects: Engineer Angela Popenhagen provided an update report that included information that the Grandview Park Parking Lot Expansion Project was moving along well and the gravel base was complete. She noted that Ban Tara project was paved and they were working on final signal modifications that should be active within the next month. O’Malley stated that the Coulee Road Storm Sewer Project would be completed before the end of the year.

Radermacher questioned the drainage situation at the area of Aldrich and Nye Street and what was found to be the cause. Ms. Popenhagen stated that they are currently investigating the scope of the work and are preparing a proposal, including costs. She also noted that there was a similar situation on Fourth and Fifth Streets between Vine and Elm Streets. MOTION by Riedel, second by Koch, to accept and place on file the Project Update report, as presented. MOTION CARRIED.

St. Croix E.M.S. Operations and Budget: St. Croix E.M.S. Chief Eric Christensen explained that the E.M.S. Commission had approved a proposal for 2006 Operations that included adding a fulltime operations supervisor position, upgrading the EMS Clerk to fulltime status, and adding regular part-time weekday EMT coverage. It was determined that no increase in the per capita fee would be needed; the budget impact would be met by increasing the user fees. Chief Christensen stated that the current user rates are still lower than those of other paramedic services in the metro area.

MOTION by Radermacher, to approve the St. Croix E.M.S. 2006 Operations Plan and Budget, as presented; second by Koch, with the condition that during discussion it is determined how personnel services and costs would be allocated. The condition was agreed upon by Radermacher. Discussion included Administrator Willi requesting a breakdown of the salaries and benefits. Ms. Caruso suggested that the full Council could address the matter during the budget process. She stated that if the EMS rates were the same during 2006, and with additional personnel, they could anticipate a $68,000 deficit. She further explained that this was an enterprise fund, meaning that participating communities pay per capita rates through contracts. If the ambulance service goes into a deficit position, the money comes from City taxes; the municipalities don’t share it equally. She reported that was why the St. Croix E.M.S. was considering raising their rates to cover the costs of additional personnel. Ms. Caruso pointed out another concern that all the money collected (from the contracts) used to be placed into a Capital Improvement Replacement Fund, but now part is used for operations. She noted that in the past the entire per capita amount was placed into the Capital Improvement Fund. It is now $2; the rest is used for operations. She stated that there is $100,000 that could be used to cover a shortfall, with the approval of the communities, but there are restrictions on the use of the funds. She recommended that in order to proceed, they should have an increase in user fees and should monitor it closely. If it begins to appear that there would be a shortfall, how to fund it should be addressed immediately.

MOTION AMENDED by Radermacher, second by Koch, to withhold approval of the personnel services portion of the 2006 Operations Plan, as submitted. All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

Review bids and award contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Crack Repair Project: O’Malley reported that more information needed to be provided regarding the bids submitted for the repair project. Angela Popenhagen stated that she would obtain the information for review at a future meeting.

Consider opposing legislation re: national video franchising process and removing cable franchising authority from cities – Resolution No. 16-05: O’Malley explained the background information concerning Resolution No. 16-05. Koch stated that the Community Access Board adopted a similar resolution. She noted that this legislation could take away the franchises on local levels and the franchise fee payments would be eliminated along with the channel and towers. Koch reported that the City of Hudson/Village of North Hudson Community Access Board was requesting Council to adopt the resolution. MOTION by O’Malley, second by Laatsch, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 16-05. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Koch, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 16-05

OPPOSING A NATIONAL VIDEO FRANCHISING PROCESS AND

OPPOSING LEGISLATION REMOVING CABLE FRANCHISING AUTHORITY FROM CITIES

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

Preliminary approval for proposed issuance of $1,725,000 Industrial Development Revenue Bonds for Hudson Hockey Association, Inc. – Resolution No. 18-05: riedel questioned the financial impact for the City. Attorney Munkittrick explained that the bonds would be Industrial Revenue Bonds and none of the taxing powers of the City would be pledged. The bonds would be payable strictly from revenues of the Hockey Association. She explained that the City issued similar tax-exempt bonds for the YMCA and the Christian Community Home. Ms. Caruso stated that if a $5 million borrowing limit was reached, additional arbitrage rules would need to be followed. She stated that this issue would place the City $360,000 short of the $5 million limit. It was also noted that the City was not anticipating any additional need to borrow this year. MOTION by Riedel, second by Radermacher, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 18-05. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Riedel, second by Radermacher, to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 18-05

INITIAL RESOLUTION RECITING A PROPOSAL FOR ISSUANCE OF INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS, GIVING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO THE PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS IN CONNECTION WITH THE HUDSON HOCKEY ASSOCIATION, INC. PROJECT

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

Resolution waiving bidding requirements for the Hudson Hockey Association, Inc. Expansion Project – Resolution No. 19-05: MOTION by Radermacher, second by Laatsch, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 19-05. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Radermacher, second by Laatsch, to adopt the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 19-05

WAIVING BIDDING REQUIREMENTS OF WISCONSIN STATUTES,

SECTION 55.1103(11)(b)(1) FOR HUDSON HOCKEY ASSOC. PROJECT

(copy on file in Clerk’s office)

All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

Appointments to Public Utility Commission and Police and Fire Commission: O’Malley announced Mayor Breault’s appointment of Dave Holt to the Public Utilities Commission and Terrence Gherty to the Police and Finance Commission. MOTION by Radermacher, second by Riedel, to confirm Mayor Breault’s appointments of Dave Holt, 1114 Bald Eagle Road North, to fill the remainder of Geir Friisoe’s five-year term (2001-2006) on the Public Utilities Commission to September of 2006, and Terrence Gherty, 611 Sixth Street, to fill the remainder of Mary Seyer’s five-year term (2005-2010) on the Police and Fire Commission to April of 2010. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: Radermacher requested an update regarding the Strategy1 Consultants assignment – the status of Department Head meetings and the other issues that had been discussed. Administrator Willi stated that Strategy1 is contacting other communities that use the purchase order system and that they plan on having a conference call with ACS for an update.

Administrator Willi reported that the 2006 Budget process was still underway; the current gap between revenue and expenses was down from $512,000 to under $40,000.

Ms. Caruso commented that letters regarding the Lottery Credit were sent to 1,500 residents. She noted that persons who qualify for the credit should send their information to the St. Croix County Treasurer in order to receive the credit on their property tax bills. She also reported that delinquent utility bills and other miscellaneous receivables need to be paid by the October 25^th deadline.

MOTION by Radermacher, second by Riedel, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

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.

Scot E. O'Malley, Council President