CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Darrell Anderson called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, January 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Brian Blesi, Paul Kuhlmann and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Treasurer Gail Bibeau, Librarian Sarah Adams, Police Officer Erin Murphy, Fire Chief Wade Sommer, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Minutes of the December 15, 2008 Regular Council Meeting with correction of “R2 being B2” Zoning, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the December 2008 Fire Report.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the 2008 Year End Police Report.
Sarah Adams reviewed Library Fund Raising and noted that the Big Read kicks off 1-24-2009 with “Call of the Wild”
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Paul Kuhlmann: Park & Rec discussed dog park, concerns about rare plant life in rock formations in Zilmer Park were raised, committee believes would be best o look at different location.
Darrell Anderson: Cemetery Board is advertising for a new Sexton.
General Fund $37,627.22, Debt Service $2,631.25, Library Fund $2,036.48, Library Building Fund $15,808.60, Water Fund $1,663.68, Sewer Fund $3,383.52. Was Kaplin responsible for clean up around well where he was performing work for City?
Brian Blesi moved to approve claims pending confirmation of Kaplin’s clean up responsibilities in regards to invoiced work, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Fluoride in The Water: Next Steps
Brian Blesi: should explore further if fluoride in water is a benefit to residents, requested that Library do some basic research and forward to Council Persons.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Professional Services Agreement with MSA Engineers
Jim Owns and Joe Samuel of MSA: purpose of agreement is to set up an easy working non-binding agreement utilizing task orders for projects under $35,000. Larger projects would need more detailed contract. MSA agreed to change the “rates effective through April 1” to rates effective through Jan 1 in a one year contract.
Brian Blesi moved to approve MSA agreement as amended, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Arnie moved to take Agenda Item 8j, Consider Waiver of Residency Requirement, next, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Waiver of Residency Requirements for City Treasurer
Treasurer Gail Bibeau lives outside City limits and is considering selling house and moving to the Stillwater area. Council suggested updating the residency code to exclude the treasurer’s position.
Debra Kravig moved to waive the residency requirement for the City Treasurer, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Overview of City Financial & Project Planning
Ed Emerson went over 2008 year end account balances report, Ehlers outstanding GO debt report, 2009-2010 project planning, and economic projections and property values.
Consider Presentation of City Buy Fresh Buy Local Initiative
Arianne Peterson: my goal is to work with local food producers and promote local food use, have applied for a UW Grant to create a list of local food resources, Farm to Community Group working to make it easier to connect producers and users.
Julie Hildebrand: have started a new website scfbuylocal.org with product directory, blog, and events calendar. Buy Local Bucks promotion came about quickly, paid for by Business Improvement District, the Hospital and Good Sam also joined in on the promotion. 473 (37%) of certificates have been turned in so far.
Consider Presentation of City Tourism Marketing Strategy
Melanie Nelson: 3 year tourism strategy started in June 2008, in year one we created focus groups, creating a common vision, and are working on creating a logo, in year two we will continue to do PR and connect people, promote 5 events, and develop a website, in year 3 we will work on strategic marketing and technology. Focus Groups meetings have been held to review and hear comments on logo for tourism promotion.
GTO started in 2006 and joined Circle Wisconsin, Natalie Landgreen has created brochures that have been sent to tour bus organizers.
Consider Festival Theatre 2008 End of Year Report
Dannette Olson: attendance is up, we filled 15,224 seats in 2008, a 13.3% increase over 2007 and we are moving forward with goal of having year round offerings. Although attendance was up, donations and other support were down, ending year the red.
Beth Hartman, Board Chair: Festival Theatre is the only profession theatre in the valley; we’ve added children’s programming in 2008 and have hired a professional to aid us in creating a strategic plan. We need to work together on building and increasing awareness and participation.
Jim Carville: with Dannette Olson as full time Director, we are more professional and better able to analyze data. Question is what are we going to do with the building, #1 is the HAVC, could cost $150,000 and we don’t have the funds to do it. #2 is the lease, current lease is 10 years old with provision for purchase, we can’t afford to own the building, we don’t have the resources to own and maintain it, and we will need a compatible neighbor in the old Library space. We need the City’s help. Our patrons bring money into the community and our money stays local.
Discussion of Fire Department SCBA Options
The Fire Department has evaluated their apparatuses, reviewed equipment need, and started a schedule for replacing equipment at end of its useable life. SCBA equipment has a 15 year useable life per Osha Standards, we currently have 18 SCBAs of four different makes, over half are 15 or more years old, tested 8 SCBA bottles last year, 5 of them failed test. Fire Fighters have to be trained on all 4 types of SCBAs, would be safer for Fire Fighters to have to train to use only one type. SCBAs cost $7,800 individually, if we purchase 13 or more would get a volume discount of $1,000 per unit. The Fire Department had budgeted to purchase two units in 2009. If we borrow money to purchase 15 units the amount budgeted for equipment could pay off the loan in 5 years. It was noted that if 15 units were purchased at one time, they would all need to be replaced again in 15 years, and that the debt incurred by borrowing the funds would affect 5 years of City Budgets. Administrator Emerson will contact DNR Grant Administration about potential grant funding for purchase of SCBAs.
Consider Mayoral Appointment to City Tourism Committee
Brian Blesi moved to confirm the appointment of Jon Cermin to the City Tourism Committee, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Approval of CSM for Fox Property
The CSM detailing that area of Outlot 137 owned by Gordon Fox that has been re-zoned as B2 Highway Commercial along Hwy 35 has been submitted to the City.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve the CSM, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Authorizing Sewer Rate Increase
The Waste Water Treatment Plant has operated at a loss in 5 of the last 6 years, 2005 was the last year that revenues exceeded expenses; the City Auditor has recommended a sewer rate increase to be effective April 1, 2009. Sewer Fixed Fee would go from $9.66 to $10.82 per quarter and the Sewer Usage Fee would go from $3.74 per 100 cubic ft to $4.19 per 100 cubic ft.
Brian Blesi moved to authorize a 12% sewer rate increase effective April 1, 2009, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 3 ayes, Debra Kravig voted nay, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dean Cameron, Wild River Marina requested notice of any action regarding streets around Marina. Had received notice to move boats out of street right-of-way, was told verbally that had till June 1st to comply, would like to get in writing, if can’t get in writing want to be on next meeting agenda.
Donald Anderson: got new appraisal on home, appraised value is now lower than assessed value so property is being over taxed, what are options?
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk