CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Brian Blesi, Lori Erickson and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Fire Chief Wade Sommer, Police Office Erin Murphy, WWTP Operator Mike Bryant, Librarian Sarah Adams, Charlie Jones, Jeff Nussbaum, and Dave Schofield of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the December 17, 2007 Regular Council Meeting, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the December 2007 Fire Department Report.
Police Officer Erin Murphy presented the December and Annual 2007 Police Dept Reports and reported that the 2 laptops purchased in 1999/2000 for the squads can not communicate with the County’s system, and can no longer receive updates for crime star, they have been updated as extensively as possible and are unable to be updated further, the estimated cost to update laptops is $20,000.
WWTP Operator Mike Bryant: WWTP has been running well, surveyors were at plant last week. A aquifer source study is being conducted. Water main break over weekend was in a stubbed line on Pine St.
Librarian Sarah Adams: current Fundraising balance is $86,086.59 which does not include $52,000 in pledges. School children have raised $3,000. We have met with USDA Rural Development, they typically fund 10% of project and offer low interest loans.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Darrell Anderson: Cemetery needs to abandon old well, requires licensed person to do so.
Arnie Carlson: Festival Theatre Building Committee is looking at a phased approach for restoration and improvements to building with goal of creating a destination.
General Fund $385,441.66, Library Fund $9,406.70, Park & Recreation Fund $104.70, Police Drug Seizure Fund $229.70, Debt Service $1,913.14, TIF District $2,154.58, Water Fund $10,251.04, Sewer Fund $14,721.69
Darrell Anderson moved to approve claims, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Darrell Anderson moved to take Agenda Item 7k next, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Bids for New Police Vehicle
The Police Dept received 2 bids, one from Amery Ford for $20,462 plus fees and one from Fiedler Ford for $19,950.00, Amery Ford’s bid included speed control. Police Chief Rydeen recommended accepting the bid from Amery Ford.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Bid of Amery Ford and to authorize $7,000 for a MDC Computer for the new squad, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 3 ayes, Councilman Darrell Anderson voted nay noting that should take the lowest bid, motion passed.
Consider Adoption of Well Head Protection Plan
Mike Bryant: plan would protect wells and surrounding area that the wells draw water from.
Lori Erickson moved to adopt the Well Head Protection Plan, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Financial Update: Sean Lentz, Ehlers & Associates
Sean Lentz updated the Council on the current financial status of TIF District, noting that the TIF District is about 21% of the overall value of the City. The City has used about 50% of its borrowing capacity. Paying off some general obligation debts would reduce annual debt payments. Could also look at refinancing two debts to save interest.
Consider a Resolution Establishing Procedures Relating to Compliance with Reimbursement Bond Regulations Under the Internal Revenue Service: Holiday Building Purchase Reimbursement
This Resolution will allow the City to reimburse itself for project expenditures from future Bonds.
Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Resolution #08-01, Establishing Procedures Relating to Compliance with Reimbursement Bond Regulations Under the Internal Revenue Code, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Lori Erickson moved to take a break, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Darrell Anderson moved to reconvene, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Final Design Plans for State Street Improvements
Design Plan for State St includes 36 ft wide street with parking on north side, replacing sanitary sewer and water mains, enlarging storm sewer and adding inlets, burying of electric and telephone lines, colored concrete along street curbs and in crosswalks instead of brick, decorative fences and lighted bollards at bump-outs. Project would be done in two phases to keep access to hospital open. It was noted that the bump-out on the north west corner of Roosevelt and State St be pulled and that we look at LED option for street lights.
Brian Blesi expressed concern with parking alongside high traffic area. Council discussed placement of flashing speed limit sign at corner with Vincent St to increase drivers awareness of speed.
Darrell Anderson moved to approve State St Design Plan with bump-out at north-west corner of Roosevelt bulled back and minimizing street signage, and reducing number of street lights to 4 – 6 LED Street Lights, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Brian Blesi moved to take Agenda item 7h next, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution Declaring Intent to Levy Special Assessments Pursuant to State Statute 66.0703, State Street Project
St Croix Regional Medical Center has agreed to be assessed a share of the State Street Improvements.
Darrell Anderson moved to approve Resolution #08-02, a Preliminary Resolution Declaring Intent to Levy Special Assessments Under Police Powers Pursuant to Sec. 66.0703, WIS Stats, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider St Croix Regional Medical Center Remodel Report
Lenny Libis of St Croix Regional Medical Center presented architectural renditions of the new State St entrance for the hospital. They are constructing a new three story surgery center and are relocating the main entrance of the hospital to face State St. They are proposing minimal signage for the new entrance. The Hospital has received a million dollar grant from Anderson Foundation for a heli-pad on the roof, this improvement will reduce the time it takes to transport a patient via helicopter to the cities. It will also reduce the cost to the patient as they won’t need an ambulance ride to meet the helicopter. They will be hosting a public forum to show plans to the public.
Consider Pember Final Pay Request
Jeff Nussbaum, Cedar Corp: this is the 6th and final pay request for Louisiana St less retainer of $122,152.04, resulting in a payment of $189,451.49. The project came in $21,842.39 under budget.
Pember has also submitted a pay request for Overlook Park Improvements in the amount of $31,396.74. Resulting in a grand total of $220,848.23.
Darrell Anderson moved to approve pay request #6 for Louisiana St project and pay request #3 for Overlook Park improvements for a total of $220,848.23, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Awarding Asbestos Removal Bid: Holiday/Library Building
The City received three bids for asbestos removal at the Holiday Foods bldg. Cedar Corp recommended accepting the low bid from Asbestos Removal Systems in the amount of $9,152.00. Council requested that an independent company monitor-test to be sure clean up is complete.
Brian Blesi moved to accept bid from Asbestos Removal Systems for asbestos removal from Holiday bldg with additional $848.00 for independent monitoring and testing, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Cedar Corp Topo Survey Task Order: Library Public Plaza
Top Survey would be used to assist and answer Dr. Uddin’s architects questions on location of utilities and ground water and aid in design of public plaza.
Lori Erickson moved to approve Cedar Corp Task Order for Topo Survey, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Agreement with West Central Regional Planning Commission for Development of City-Town Cooperative Agreement
This agreement would provide for the City and Town of St Croix Falls to share the cost of professional assistance in the writing of a Cooperative Agreement. The Town of St Croix Falls has already approved the cost sharing agreement. The actual Cooperative Agreement would still require public hearings and approval by the City and Town of St Croix Falls.
Concerns, comments and suggestions brought up included: incorporating Fire Dept cost sharing based upon percent of runs, extra territorial zoning, concerns expressed by Menards as how restricting development could impact their cost recovery agreement for water loop, sharing of revenues and costs considering cost of services for new development is higher than revenue generated by same, and the need for additional information.
Darrel Anderson moved to deny the agreement, second by Brian Blesi, Darrell Anderson and Brian Blesi voted aye, Arnie Carlson voted nay, Lori Erickson abstained, motion passed.
Consider Tuition Reimbursement for Library Management
Librarian Sarah Adams plans on attending a Masters Course in 2008 and has requested authorization as noted for tuition re-imbursement per the policy in the Employees Manual for up to $1,000 a year for tuition for job related courses. The policy requires pre-approval by the Council before taking the course, the reimbursement is made upon successful completion and passage of the course.
Darrell Anderson moved to approve Sarah Adams request for authorization to attend Masters Course, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk