CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 2008, 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, October 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Paul Kuhlmann, and Arnie Carlson were present, Brian Blesi was present via telephone. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Fire Fighter Mike Dorsey, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Debra Kravig moved to approve the Minutes of the September 29, 2008 Regular Council Meeting, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Fire Fighter Mike Dorsey presented the September Fire Dept Report.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the September Police Report.
Council Person Debra Kravig and Mayor Darrell Anderson presented Annalise Parks with the Grand Prize for her art entry in the Wild and Crazy River Children’s Art and Poetry contest held during Autumn Fest.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Paul Kuhlmann: the Library Board met with the architect and Dr Uddin to discuss roof issues. The Library has received a $100,000 grand from the Anderson Foundation.
Arnie Carlson: the City met with DNR, the Fish Hatchery, Army Corp of Engineers, Ayres, Donohue, and MSA, to go over the Independent Technical Review of the WWTP Facility Plan. A modular approach whereby we would keep the existing facility and add phosphorous treatment was discussed, with slower current growth rate we should be able to meet needs and stay within the $5 million Federal Fund, funds are listed in current Federal Budget but we don’t know if the will remain in the budget and be approved. Will need Council authorization to move forward with Modular approach.
Mayor Anderson read the addition to claims out loud.
General Fund $60,725.85, Debt Service Fund $143,150.00, Library Fund $2,461.28, Library Building Fund $3,000, Water Fund $1,343.31, Sewer Fund $6,408.89.
Brian Blesi moved to approve claims, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Park & Rec Committee Annual Report
Amy Klein presented the 2008 Annual Park & Recreation Committee Report, noting that there hadn’t been a lot funds to work with this year and that they have created an ‘Action Plan’ for future beatification, landscaping, park enchantments, and recreational improvements.
Consider Police Dept Request for Records Management Program Update
The Police Deprt uses a Crime Star program for police records management that was designed for two computers, the department has grown and now uses multiple computers and wireless technology, the current version of Crime Star can not handle the load. The Police Deprt is requesting funding for an updated version of Crime Star with wireless capabilities to handle the increased load.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve request to upgrade Crime Star for a cost of $6,135.00, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider an Ordinance Limiting Number of Dogs per Household in City
In the recent past there was an issue with a resident who had 13 plus dogs, resulting in numerous complaints on noise and dogs running loose, the City does not currently regulate the number of dogs a resident may have in the City, to avoid such issues in the future we are looking at amending the Code and are looking for input on what that limit should be.
Consider Engineer Update on Library Public Plaza and Authorize Pay Request
Warren White: Holiday parking lot lights are down, area has been paved and lines may be painted this week, planting will be done in spring. Pay request #1 is for Chippewa Concrete is for $152,741.38.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Chippewa Concretes’ pay request for $152,741.38 for the Library Public Plaza, second by Debra Kravig, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider State Street Pay Request
Street lights, rain garden, and retaining wall repairs still need to be done.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Pay Request #3 for A1 Excavating for $248,481.19 for the State St project, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Authorizing Steps at Severance Property – Louisiana Street
Joe Severance’s steps at 326 E Louisiana St were mistakenly removed during the Louisiana St project, he has requested that they be replaced. Mike Bryant has cement work experience.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to build new steps at the Severance property on Louisiana St, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Resolution on Community Garden Plots
The City owns 4.2 acres on Louisiana St east of the Fairgrounds that can be utilized for a Community Garden site; it will be named in honor of Rosemarie Braatz at the next Council Meeting.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to adopt Resolution #08-20, Defining Terms for Use of City Land as a Community Garden, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider 2007 Audit Report and Draft of 2009 City Budget
The 2007 Audit Report is complete, page 6 of the Audit reports that the undesignated fund balance as of 12/31/2007 was $851,652. City Auditor Steve Schiedler will attend the next Council Meeting to go over the 2009 proposed budget. At this point it looks as though the City will be reducing the mill rate for the 8th consecutive year. It was discussed if the City should maintain the mill rate instead of reducing it so as to protect future revenues in this uncertain economy.
Consider Amendment of Developers Agreement Allowing for Dr Uddin to Proceed with Roof Repairs, New Library Building Property
Dr Uddin questioned the status of the roof, exterior building design, and Library. His portion of the roof has been patched but rain water is still leaking into the building from the Library side and has stained the new sheet rock and raised concerns about mold. He is supposed to be in the building by Nov 15, but is being delayed and has gotten little or no response to questions from Library’s Architect.
Per the Developers Agreement the City is responsible for the roof for the first 5 years; agreement can be amended to allow Dr Uddin to proceed with his exterior work without coming to Council. City has received some roof quotes, can proceed with roof repairs if Council authorizes it.
Council discussed how doing roof also affects yellow cap around building and the building exterior, need to get awning removed and then do entire roof. Specifications for slopes, roof drains and design are needed to bid out work. Council directed Administrator Emerson to contact Library’s Architect, Brent Norseman, with a deadline of Wednesday to confer with Dr Uddin’s architect and get workable roof plan in place.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Warren White inquired if funds could be budgeted in 2009 for supplying water to the Skate Park.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk