CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, January 29, 2007 at 7:01 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, and Arnie Carlson were present. Jon Cermin called in at 7:42 p.m. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lori Erickson moved to approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2007 Council Meeting, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Darrel Anderson moved to approve the Revolving Loan Fund Meeting minutes, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Lori Erickson: Library staff visited the Frederic Library.

Darrell Anderson: candidates for openings in Police Dept will be interviewed on February 15.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $121,130.18, Library Fund $1,342.27, Park & Rec $13.00, Water $15,737.79, Sewer $16,177.64

Lori Erickson moved to approve claims, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, passed.

OLD BUSINESS

Downtown Action Plan Meeting, Help Build Community, SCF Article in Pioneer Press

Public Forum held last Thursday at the Festival Theatre was attended by 50 to 75 people; a lot of ideas were put forth. The next Forum will be held after surveys have been completed. Intent is to take the ideas and update the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Foss requested that Organizations respond to questions on: unmet needs, how they can be met, and who the partners are.

Waste-Water Treatment Plan Management

The WWTP Project Management Team, comprised of Ayers & Assoc, WI DNR, Army Corp of Engineers, City Staff, and MSA met to look at waste water treatment needs, water needs, construction costs, and population growth, will meet next at the Fish Hatchery to discuss how construction will affect the hatchery.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Revolving Loan Fund Loan for St Croix Plumbing and Heating

The RLF Committee met on January 11, 2007 to review application of St Croix Plumbing and Heating for remodeling their showroom and recommends approval of a loan for $15,000 at 4% interest for 20 years. They will be expanding their hours to be open Saturdays and increasing a part-time employee to full time status.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve a $15,000 RLF Loan for 20 years at 4% interest to St Croix Plumbing and Heating, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider a Conditional Use Permit for RV Sites at Marina

Dean and Sheri Cameron of the Marina and have requested a CUP for 7 to 10 RV sites, sites will be served by utilities and be available from April to October. Maximum stay would be 30 days and RV Park rules would be strictly enforced. Council questioned whether should just say up to 10 units. The Plan Commission held a Public Hearing and has recommended approval of the CUP. Mayor Foss noted that the permit would be for one year, at which time it would be re-evaluated and any police calls reported.

Lori Erickson moved to approve Resolution #07-02 for a Conditional Use Permit for 10 RV Sites at the Wild River Marina on N. Hamilton St, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Approval of Operators Permits

Darrell Anderson moved to approve an Operator’s Permit for Angie Lawson, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Approval of River Spirit Site Plan and Authorize Gaylord Nelson Riverwalk

Warren White: River Walk Trail from Overlook to the NPS Headquarters would follow the alleyway and include a boardwalk across wet land and 12 parking spaces on south side of Deck, public restrooms, and placement of the River Spirit Sculpture. Phase I is the placement of the sculpture, a sidewalk would go from the upper level of the deck and circle down to a location on the north side of the deck for the sculpture and includes space a small stage. Phase II would be the boardwalk and trail from the NSP building to the Overlook. Phase III would be for future public restrooms. Proposal is to do the engineering for Phases I and II for a cost of $12,200. The Park & Rec Committee has reviewed and supports plan.

Arnie Carlson questioned whether the trail would be capable of handling emergency vehicles and what could be done to protect the sculpture from vandals.

It was noted that due to the grade these would not be the best parking spaces. Building trail and boardwalk to handle emergency vehicles would be very difficult and costly, if even possible.

Comments and suggestions from the public included the planting of junipers around the sculpture to discourage vandals, concerns about the overhead power lines in the area, and how the trail through the alleyway would work with plans to develop the Olmstead property.

Darrell Anderson: project should be bid as separate Phases, Phase I needs to be completed even if Phase II would have to be delayed due to other details with development.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the River Spirit Site Plan and authorize engineering for Phase I and II for a cost not to exceed $12,200, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Allowing Option to Purchase Holiday Building to Expire

The option to purchase the Holiday building is about to expire, with the focus being placed on utilizing the City owned property on River St for a new Library, the Holiday building may not be needed.

Lori Erickson moved to let the option to purchase the Holiday building expire, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Ordinance Amending Part of the Licenses and Permits Code for Exceptions to the Class B Liquor License Quota

WI State Statutes were amended in 2006 to allow for an exception to the Class B Liquor License quota for Opera Houses and Theaters for the performing arts operated by non-profit organizations in connection with ticketed performances. This Ordinance updates our Codes to reflect that change.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Ordinance #02-07, Amending part of the Licenses and Permits Code for Exceptions to the Class B Liquor License Quota, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Agreeing to Participate in a Cooperative Boundary Agreement Pursuant to WI Statute 66.0307, with the Town of St Croix Falls

This Resolution would authorize the creation of a Joint Committee to review annexation requests and development proposals. Intent is to forge a relationship with the Town of St Croix Falls and to control growth.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-01; Authorizing Participation in a Cooperative Boundary Agreement, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, Darrell Anderson voted nay, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Warren White: have submitted plans for Skate Park to American Ramp Co and True Ride, waiting for proposals from them, should also look at zoning the property now that it is owned by City.

Mayor Foss: Polk County sent out survey, will be put on future agenda to put together answers.

Don Anderson: Tami Milberg miss-quoted me in article about the Council Meeting, but she wasn’t even here.

Darrell Anderson was very disappointed in how statements were reported in newspapers, part of statement where he said established businesses on main street will survive while new businesses paying inflated prices for buildings will have problems making it, was reported as that businesses on main would not survive, he received numerous calls on that report.

ADJOURNMENT

Lori Erickson moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk