CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5, 2005
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. OTHERS
PRESENT: Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Dennis Darnold,
Dick Trende, Gordon Conard, Ryan Cari, Brian Zeller, Eric Christensen, Angela
Popenhagen, Randy Hanson, Ron Gagnon, Tom Ryan, Todd Stevens, Mr. Dabruzzi,
Tranquilino Fuentes, Jorge Solis, Ted Carlson, Mark Finneman, Jean Clausen, and
others. COMMENTS
AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT: Mayor Breault
called for comments three times; none were given. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Koch, second by Laatsch, to
approve the following Consent Agenda items: MINUTES: Approve the Public Hearing minutes, Regular
Meeting minutes and the Closed Session minutes of 11/21/05. Claims: Approve the following claims
for payment: Fund Description payables payroll Totals 100 General 156,635.55 130,898.95 287,534.50 230 Wisc DVL/RVL 67.50 0.00 67.50 280 Park Donations 2,375.00 0.00 2,375.00 310 Debt Service 43,409.09 0.00 43,409.09 410 Tax Increment Financing 268.06 0.00 268.06 450 Capital Projects 42,990.44 0.00 42,990.44 610 Sewer 22,566.41 9,435.76 32,002.17 620 Parking Utility 325.54 812.44 1,137.98 630 Ambulance 5,709.62 17,072.77 22,782.39 TOTALS $274,347.21 $158,219.92 $432,567.13 Roll
call vote, all ayes (6) – MOTION CARRIED. Presentation of Development
Proposal – Ron Gagnon and Tom Ryan: Mr. Tom Ryan of RJ Ryan
Construction explained there are parcels of property owned by the Gagnons,
including some on First Street in downtown Hudson and on either side of
Carmichael Road north of I-94. He
stated that they believed the time was becoming right to develop the
properties. The plans are in the
conceptual stages. He noted that some
adjoining property owners may or may not be agreeable with the ideas. Mr. Ryan also reported that it might be
possible to incorporate a new fire station on a Carmichael Road site. Mayor Breault recommended that Council allow them to
work with City Staff and the Plan Commission in order to address the usual
concerns such as parking, traffic, Wastewater Treatment Plant capacity, and
issues concerning the City’s Comprehensive Plan. MOTION by O’Malley, second by Riedel, to refer to City Staff the
concept site development plans of Ron Gagnon and Tom Ryan, for further review
and recommendations by the Plan Commission.
Discussion was held regarding a possible time line
for the First Street parcel south of Commercial Street. Mr. Ryan stated that they believed the
market is ready and construction could begin at any time. Parking considerations were also
addressed. Mr. Ryan reported that there
would be underground parking for the condominiums and parking places that have
been leased by area businesses would not be eliminated by that portion of the
project. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. Consider request of Humane
Society of Pierce & St. Croix for proposed per capita rate for 2006 and 2007: o’malley
stated his concern for the funding request from the Humane Society. He stated that it was clear that the City
could not afford $40,871 in funding for 2006, but he wished Council to consider
authorizing a 17 cent per capita payment.
He emphasized that funds were needed immediately. MOTION by O’ Malley, second by O’Connell, to
approve a 17 cent per capita payment of $1,930.01 to the Humane Society of
Pierce & St. Croix. Discussion was
held regarding the fate of the animals if the facility closed. Additional questions were raised regarding
the contract and the request for additional funds. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. Approve
job description for IT position and authorize proceeding with hiring process: Administrator
Willi reviewed the job description for the IT position, noting that the Finance
Committee had recommended approval. He
called attention to a few minor typos that were corrected and asked Council for
any comments or concerns. MOTION by
Radermacher, second by Riedel, to approve the IT job description, as
submitted. MOTION AMENDED by
Radermacher, second by Riedel, to include authorizing Staff to proceed with
steps to fill the position. All ayes,
MOTION CARRIED. Application of Fiesta LLC
for Class B beer and Class B liquor
Reserve License d/b/a La Fiesta Mexicana at 1801 Ward Avenue, Plaza 94: Tranquilino
Fuentes addressed the Council concerning the application of La Fiesta Mexicana
for a Class B beer and Class B Reserve Liquor license. He stated that they have a chef, menu and
lease in place for the restaurant and noted they would be accepting employment
applications on December 6th.
Mr. Fuentes reported that they intend to have 10 full-time employees and
10 to 15 part-time employees. Mayor Breault requested they submit
in writing the facts and figures about their business, as they pertain to the
liquor license criteria outlined in Chapter 145-11(B) of Municipal Code. He noted that this information was necessary
in order for the Council to review and make an informed decision on the
applications that have been received.
He suggested that this information be submitted as soon as possible in
order to determine whether a Special Council Meeting should be scheduled. Application
of Dennis Lovold for Class B beer and Class B liquor Reserve License for a proposed restaurant at 805 Crest View
Drive: Attorney Ryan Cari addressed Council about the liquor
license application of Dennis Lovold for a future business at 805 Crest View
Drive. His presentation included
information that an up-scale sports bar was in the preliminary stages of
development, and that the land closing would be contingent on securing the
liquor license. He stated that they
anticipate a 5,400 square foot facility that would seat 160 to 200 persons, and
it could be ready by early spring. Mr.
Cari reported that they expect to have 30 to 40 employees, 7 of them being full
time. He also addressed the neighboring
property owners and the potential benefits that this business could bring to
them. He also explained that this
business could include a franchise partner. Mayor Breault again stated
the need for the Council to be able to compare and evaluate the two
applications and reach a decision. A
special meeting would be called, if necessary. Consider increasing license
fees for Direct Sellers, transient Merchants and Solicitors, Ordinance No.
19-05: It was noted that the Finance Committee had
recommended obtaining more information and placing this item on the next agenda. 2006
engineering rate schedule from Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates: it
was noted that the Finance Committee had requested a presentation from
Bonestroo and Associates concerning their proposed 2006 engineering rate
structure. Angela Popenhagen stated
they would present more information on the facts and history of their annual
rate increases. Update on Walnut Street Bridge Project: BRA Engineer Todd Stevens explained environmental issues that
have come to their attention. He stated
that zebra mussels, including the protected Higgins Eye mussels, were found
under the Walnut Street Bridge. A Biological Assessment and course of
action would need to be developed that could add costs of $50,000 to $60,000 to
the project. Mr. Stevens also noted
that some of these costs could be shifted to the construction portion of the
project, which could reduce the amount that the City was required to pay. Discussion continued regarding the mussels
and the relocation process required by the DNR. Mayor Breault requested that Council be kept informed about the
project cost changes and the Biological Assessment Phase. COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR
FUTURE AGENDAS:
Administrator Willi explained that the first Council
meeting in January would be scheduled for Tuesday, January 3rd, due
to January 2nd being as observed as a holiday. Council members acknowledged the change in
date. CLOSED
SESSION pursuant to § 19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats. to review job descriptions and wages for specific
St. Croix E.M.S. positions, and discuss filling Public Works Street Maintenance
position: Mayor
Breault recommended convening into Closed Session. MOTION by O’Connell, second by Radermacher, to convene into
Closes Session pursuant to § 19.85(1)(c),
Wis. Stats. to review job descriptions and wages for specific St. Croix E.M.S.
positions, and to discuss filling the Public Works Street Maintenance
position. Roll call vote, all ayes (6)
MOTION CARRIED at 8:02 p.m. Reconvene
into Open Session for possible action re: St. Croix E.M.S. job descriptions and 2006 wages, and
filling Public Works Street Maintenance position: motion by
Riedel, second by Laatsch, to reconvene into Open Session. MOTION CARRIED – All ayes, 8:30 p.m. MOTION by O’Connell,
second by Radermacher to approve the job descriptions for the St. Croix E.M.S.
Chief, E.M.S. Records/Account Clerk II, and E.M.S. Operations Supervisor
positions. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. motion
by Radermacher, second by Riedel, to approve a 2.5% wage increase for
the St. Croix E.M.S. Chief for 2006.
All ayes, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION
by Radermacher, second by O’Malley to approve the salary for the E.M.S.
Operations Supervisor position at $40,000 per year. All ayes, MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell to offer the Public Works Street
Maintenance Worker position to Joe Meulemans, upon resolution of a grievance
that was filed with the union. All
ayes, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Radermacher, second by
O’Connell, to adjourn the meeting. All
ayes. MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 8:33 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. Jack
D. Breault, Mayor Date approved by Council:
Update
on projects: Engineer Angela Popenhagen verified that the pond was
sealed at the Lighthouse at Hudson Pier development, and noted that a water
main break was being addressed. She
stated that construction was still occurring in the St. Croix Business Park for
the Hudson Gymnastics Center and the Resco facility.