CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, January 30, 2006 at 7:06 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Debra Points and Jon Cermin were present. Bill Kersch was absent. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Attorney John Schneider, Police Chief Paul Lindholm, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Debra Points moved to approve the Minutes of the January 9, 2006 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Keith Rediske: a Historic Preservation Ordinance is a great idea and worth the effort to implement.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Police Chief Paul Lindholm presented the Annual Police Report for 2005.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSSIONS AND BOARDS

The January 17, 2006 Plan Commission Minutes were presented for Council’s information.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $76,882.07, Parks & Rec. $11.25, Debt Service $2,523.75, Water $7,059.81,

Sewer $11,689.98, Library $2,734.84

Debra Points moved to approve claims, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Incorporating an Historic Preservation Ordinance as Part of the Update to City Code Ordinances, SCF Historic Society

The Baker Land and Title Building is on the Historic Register, but that alone doesn’t protect the building. The Historical Society has requested that the City adopt a Historic Preservation Ordinance as authorized under State Statute 62.23(7)(em) to regulate and protect historic buildings in the City. A Historic Preservation Board or Committee could be established to review structures and to create a preservation list. Taylors Falls has a Heritage Preservation Commission that reviews buildings thought to be worth protecting, they then contact the owner with the reasons it is being considered and if the owner agrees, it is sent to the City Engineer and the State Historical Society for review, followed by a Public Hearing, a recommendation is sent on to the City Council for consideration of acceptance. If approved, any plans for changing the building would need to be reviewed by the Commission before granting of a permit.

A Historic Committee could be setup to work toward creating an Ordinance to fit St Croix Falls for inclusion with the Code Book update that is being worked on.

Debra Points moved to authorize moving forward with creation of a Historic Preservation Ordinance, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Ordinance Establishing Rates to be Charged by the SCF Fire Department for Re-imbursement of Certain Expenses

The St Croix Falls Fire and Rescue Department has many Special Units, these units have received specialized training and utilize special equipment. The fire Department has been exploring options for raising funds for additional equipment needed. Fire Chief Dale Anderson has been in contact with other Fire Departments that charge for services, was told that most Insurance Co will cover fees up to $500. Most accidents calls are for out of town drivers. Calls on State Highways can be charged to the State for $500 and calls to County Roads can be charged to the County for $200.

Mayor Uhrhammer: concern is with charging residents who already pay taxes to support Fire Dept.

It was noted that most fees would be paid by Insurance Co.

Darrell Anderson moved to adopt Ordinance #01-06, Establishing Rates with Actual Costs up to $500 to by Charged by the St Croix Falls Fire Department for Reimbursement of Certain Expenses, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, one absent, motion passed.

Consider Amendment to Conditional Use Permit for American Tower/Cingular Allowing for an Equipment Shelter and Additional Screening Height to their Previously Approved Plan for a Stealth Communication Antenna – Old Middle School

American Tower/Cingular is requesting to increase the height of the screening to 15’7” and the addition of an equipment shelter on top of the old Middle School to their Conditional Use Permit. The request has been reviewed and approval recommended by the Plan Commission.

Debra Points moved to approve amendment of the CUP for American Tower/Cingular for 15’7” high screening and addition of an equipment shelter, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Request of Dorothy Weinhardt for Forgiveness of Utility Bill, 209 River Street

There was a water line break at 209 River St resulting in a Utility Bill of $3,790.05 for the 4^th Quarter of 2005, it was determined that leaking water did not go down the sewer. Dorothy Weinhardt has requested that the charges be forgiven. Per PSCW rules the City does not have the authority to forgive the water portion of the bill but can consider forgiving the sewer usage charges.

Darrell Anderson moved to deny request to forgive the total Utility Bill and moved to forgive the sewer usage portion of the bill, leaving a balance of $931.86 remaining, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, one absent, motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Jon Cermin moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk