CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2, 2009                                                         

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Dean Knudson in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:05 p.m.  Mayor Knudson led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Oath of office for new Police Patrol Officer:  Municipal Judge Susan S. Gherty provided the oath of office to Andrew Wedell as a new Police Patrol Officer.  Police Chief Marty Jensen welcomed him to the Department.

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Knudson and Alderpersons Randy Morrissette, Lori Bernard, Lee Wyland, Scot O’Malley and Alan Burchill.

 

ABSENT:  Alderperson Pam Brokaw was excused.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Betty Caruso, Denny Darnold, Marty Jensen, Gordon Conard, Susan Gherty, Randy Hanson, Chuck Schwartz, Andy and Theresa Wedell and children, Jean and Ron Johnson, Derek Johnson, Mary Yacoub, Mark Vinall, Jason Muenich, and others.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:  Mayor Knudson called for comments and suggestions three times, none were given.

 

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

 

MINUTES:  Approve the Regular meeting and Closed Session minutes of 10/19/09.

 

Renewal of Conditional Use Permit to use 904 Third Street as manufacturer representative/wholesale sales office with two non-resident employees – David Tank:  Approve renewal of the Conditional Use Permit for David Tank to use 904 Third Street as a manufacturer representative/wholesale sales office with two non-resident employees, with the following conditions:

·                     One commercial sign not greater than three (3) square feet in area

·                     No additional signage or lighting for purposes of commercial use identification

·                     Permit is non-transferable

·                     Permit is to be reviewed again in 3 years (2012)

 

 Review and consider extension of a Conditional Use Permit for the storage of flammable or combustible liquids at 2700 Harvey Street, Grammer, Inc:  Approve extension of the Conditional Use Permit to Grammer Inc. for the storage of up to 1,320 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids at 2700 Harvey Street (as identified in their application and as amended per their letter of 7/15/04) for a three year period (review in November 2012)

 

     Review of Conditional Use Permit for a vehicle repair garage at 1300 Gateway Circle – Matt Briggs, Briggs Auto Service:  Approve the Conditional Use Permit to Briggs Auto Service/Matt Briggs for a vehicle repair garage at 1300 Gateway Circle, with the following   conditions:

·         The permit will be reviewed again in two years (Nov. 2011)

·         Tires and junked vehicles need to be kept within fenced area

 

    Claims:  Approve the following claims for payment:

 

FUND

DESCRIPTION

PAYABLES

PAYROLL

TOTALS

100

General

118,248.26

164,961.06

283,209.32

450

Capital Projects

22,589.00

0.00

22,589.00

490

Biosolids

0.00

0.00

0.00

610

Sewer

3,054.91

11,251.37

14,306.28

620

Parking

9,060.37

1,774.79

10,835.16

630

Ambulance

4,670.22

23,762.73

28,432.95

860

Tax Agency

43,869.53

0.00

43,869.53

 

            TOTALS

201,492.29

201,749.95

403,242.24

 

Update to Snowplowing Policy:  Approve the updated Snowplowing Policy with the revised Section 11, Damage to Personal Property, as follows:

     

     “Damage to turf, plantings, landscaping, water services, to include irrigation systems or any other structures located in the city right of way, will not be considered for compensation.

 

     Damage to mailboxes due to excess weight of snow will not be considered for compensation.  Mailboxes damaged by actual contact with City equipment will be inspected and considered for repair or replacement.

 

     The City will provide turf restoration to areas outside the City’s right of way disturbed due to snowplowing.  Restoration will include black dirt, seed, or in some instances, sod replacement.”

 

Review request to take title for Bieneman Farm Outlot 4:  Deny the request to transfer the title for Bieneman Farm Outlot 4 to the City.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, and COMMISSIONS:  Place on file the Quarterly Reports of the City Clerk and Library Director, the semi-annual report of the Community Development Director, and the unapproved Community Access Board minutes of 10/27/09, and Library Board minutes of 9/14/09.

 

Roll call vote:  Ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Certificate of compliance, public building for police dept., library, cable TV and other municipal offices, 700 First Street and 701 Second Street - City of Hudson:  Denny Darnold reported that the Plan Commission recommended approval of the certificate of compliance application for the public ownership of the buildings at 700 First Street and 701 Second Street by the City of Hudson. Information was shared regarding the availability of parking spaces.  It was noted that there would be 69 spaces, which included 17 spaces for the Police Department inside the parking garage in the building.  Mr. Darnold noted there was no set standard for the number of spaces for library parking, and that the current Library parking lot has approximately 30 spaces.  The City Hall lot by the current Police Department also has about 30 spaces.  He shared information about the number of spaces needed for walk-in traffic and Library patrons.  Mr. Darnold stated the Plan Commission discussed off-street parking demands and concluded that the proposal would increase the availability of public off-street parking and offer some parking relief during the evening hours, particularly on weekends when the Library would not be open.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to approve the certificate of compliance for public ownership of buildings at 700 First Street and 701 Second Street by the City of Hudson. 

 

Discussion included the need for the Library Board’s decision regarding the lease of the building, the inspection time period, and the desire to hold a public hearing before a final decision is made about purchasing the properties.  Noise concerns in the neighborhood were discussed.  It was pointed out that the location would be similar to the current Police Department site, which is also near a residential neighborhood.  Mayor Knudson stated he felt that parking at the location was adequate, and noted that the property was zoned commercial and would remain commercially zoned.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Applications for Operator’s Licenses:  Morrissette recused himself.  MOTION by Wyland, second by O’Malley, to approve the issuance of Regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 11/03/09 to 6/30/11 to:

 

     Jennifer L. Gibson         710 10th Street North      Hudson, WI

     James P. Richards          333 5th Street North       Hudson, WI

 

All ayes (4), MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Review proposal for Downtown Flood Improvement: Mayor Knudson stated the Finance Committee recommended approval of the data collection/project management and field survey portions of the proposal.  He noted the three areas to be studied would be on Locust Street from 2nd to 3rd Street, the alley between Vine and Elm Streets from 4th to 5th Street, and the intersection at 9th Street and Pitt Street.  MOTION by Wyland, second by O’Malley to approve the data collection/project management and field survey portions of the Downtown Flood Improvement proposal in the amount of $4,340.00.  Discussion was held regarding the desire to postpone the remaining project items until next year, or a future date.  Burchill noted the Public Works Committee’s desire to try to redirect the storm water and keep it out of basements.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Review engineering schedule and cost estimates for 2nd & Vine Intersection Improvements project:  MOTION by Burchill, second by Wyland to approve using up to $2,000 from the 2009 Public Works operating budget to fund the engineering services (for the Second and Vine Intersection Improvements Project), as recommended by the Finance Committee.  Mayor Knudson stated the City was seeking grant funds for the project and hoped that the work could be done in 2010, with or without the grant.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

          Consider extending lawn mowing contract with Gruber Lawn Care for 2010:  Mayor Knudson stated the Finance Committee agreed with the Public Works Committee to extend the mowing contract.  He noted the amount of mowing was discussed as well as the amount performed by Public Works Department employees.  MOTION by Wyland, second by Bernard to approve the extension of the lawn mowing contract with Gruber Lawn Care for 2010 in the amount of $27,600 to include the parking lots at the boat launch, swimming beach, Williams Park, Lakefront Park, Grandview Park, Weitkamp Park, and Prospect Park as part of the agreement, and to advertise for bids again for 2011 mowing services.  Discussion was held regarding previous issues, satisfactory performance, cost savings, and the possibility of a longer contract. All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider extending lawn mowing contract with Becker Lawn Care for 2010: MOTION by Burchill, second by O’Malley to approve the lawn mowing contract with Becker Lawn Care for 2010 in the amount of $13,956 to include the City buildings, with a possible adjustment to the contract in the event the City purchases another building.  Discussion was held regarding expectations being met, Public Works Department satisfaction, and the working relationship between the parties.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Review proposals and consider awarding Refuse and Recycling Contract:

Alderperson Burchill stated that the Public Works Committee recommended entering into a five-year contract with Veolia Services for refuse and recycling services.  He pointed out the need for the contract to include door pickup service for physically disabled at no charge.  The question of the amount of recycling allowed was raised.  Mayor Knudson shared information regarding container rates, bids received from other providers, and legislative action regarding increased tipping fees.  He noted the contractor had requested a mid-contract increase but was denied; the benefit of having a multi year contract was noted.  MOTION by Burchill, second by O’Malley to approve the five-year contract (1/1/2010 to 12/31/2014) with Veolia  Environmental Services Solid Waste Midwest, LLC for refuse and recycling collections at the following rates:  35 gallon - $11.35; 65 gallon - $12.45; 90 gallon - $13.90; and to remove the charge for door side service for the physically disabled.  All ayes (5) MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Update on Projects:  Bonestroo Engineer Chuck Schwartz stated it was decided to delay the mill and paving of the Coulee Road Project until next year; the contract price will be honored.  Discussion was held regarding desirable conditions for paving projects.  Mr. Schwartz also noted the Eleventh Street project had minor work items remaining, and other road improvement projects were close to completion.

 

     COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR:  Mayor Knudson announced an arrest had been made regarding a recent local bank robbery.

 

     COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  City Administrator Devin Willi provided information regarding the public hearing for the 2010 Budget that was scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on November 16th. He stated copies of the proposed budget would be available in the Clerk’s office on request, and a special Finance Committee meeting would be held on Wednesday, November 4th at 5:30 p.m.

 

ADJOURN:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to adjourn.   All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED at 7:50 p.m.

 

Nancy J. 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 set forth therein.

  

Dean Knudson, Mayor