CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 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 27, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Brian Blesi, Arnie Carlson and Paul Kuhlmann present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Minutes of the October 13, 2008 Council Meeting, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
Mike Bryant: in September the WWTP ran 7 B.O.D. and 8 T.S.S., our third month of single digit numbers, we pumped 9,262,000 gallons of water in September, Well #7 will be pulled for warranty work and we are looking at installing phase meters in additional wells.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Arnie Carlson: Tourism Committee is looking at new logo for City, the D.O.T. will be updating the City on the intersection of US Hwy 8 and 208th St, looking at Traffic Signals and Round Abouts, there will be a Public Meeting regarding these two options at 5:30 pm on November 6th.
Brian Blesi: Fire Department is concerned about the fees that are charged for responding to residential calls, insurance companies are no longer covering the fees charged.
General Fund $28,485.77, Library Building Fund $27,106.50, Library Fund $843.10, Water Fund $4,523.29, Sewer Fund $4,203.83
Brian Blesi moved to approve claims, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Recognition Naming 4.2 Acre Parcel on Louisiana St, Park Rosemarie, Honoring Local Historian Rosemarie Braatz
Durand Blanding gave a brief history recognizing Rosemarie Braatz’s contributions over the years. In recognition the City named the community garden site on Louisiana St ‘Park Rosemarie’.
Mayoral Proclamation Recognizing Mike Bryant for 20 Years of Service to the City as Waste-Water Operator
Mayor Darrell Anderson presented Mike Bryant with a Proclamation recognizing his 20 years of service to the City of St Croix Falls as Waste Water Operator.
Brian Blesi moved to take Agenda item 7h next, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Plan Commission Recommendation Allowing for Purchase of 25 Acres of Pfaltzgraf Property and Construction of Horse Barn
Tom Desmet is interested in purchasing 25 acres from Pfaltzgraf and would like to construct a horse barn for his grandchildren who live adjacent to the property. The Plan Commission has recommended approval of the use; the property is Zoned Rural Development.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the use of the 25 acres for a horse ranch, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to take Agenda item 7f next, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Update on Library Project Including Fundraising, Status of Roof, and Plaza Construction
Librarian Sarah Adams: Fundraising continues; we need another $300,000 to meet projected need.
We have submitted application for another grant and are advertising for roof repair bids. April 2009 is kickoff for the second round of $50,000 Fundraising Matching Grant Challenge. It was questioned who was paying for roof repairs. Library feels that if the Library is paying that the Library Board should be making the decisions.
Consider a Resolution Naming the Wert Family Nature Preserve Advisory Committee
Council questioned if City has adopted action plan, Resolution for Advisory Committee should include reference to action plan and eliminate items a and b under guiding principals.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to table naming of advisory committee, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed, Debra Kravig voted nay.
Consider a Resolution Declaring Louisiana St Storm Water System a Public Emergency Requiring Immediate Repairs and Awarding Bids for Lining and Asphalt Repairs
No bids were received for lining of storm pipe as contractors were not able to meet time line requested, line work should be done before repaving of street, there are no signs of pavement cracking at this time. Inlets have been sealed and that should mitigate further damage to sub-base of street. New bids will be requested without 10 day time frame for review at November meeting.
Consider Awarding Scope of Services Contract to MSA to Prepare Cost Estimates for “Modular” Approach to Waste Water System Improvements
Dan Greeve, MSA: Independent Technical Review of Amended Facilities Plan for reuse of existing site has been completed and the plan found do-able, but there are cost and environmental concerns, most of the environmental concerns would be dealt with during construction planning, in light of changed economic times and reduced load from Strauss Knitting, may want to look at designing for lower population projection which could result in a more economical plan. If we base our plans for the facility on D.O.A. projections of a population of 2500, then would have time to purchase additional land, and in case of a sudden growth spurt those additional lands and impact fees may be able to meet that increased demand. If we plan on putting a garage and office on adjacent site, Army Corp would aid in acquisition of that site.
Debra Kravig moved to award Scope of Services Contract to MSA with a population projection of 2500 for a cost not to exceed $25,000, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, passed.
Consider Plan Commission Recommendation on Amending CUP for Increasing Tenants at the Butterfly House
Original CUP was for 4 adults, allowing for kids, turns out there is little or no demand for kids, request is to amend CUP for 8 adults. The Plan Commission recommends amending the CUP for 8 adults with annual reports to Council.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to accept the Plan Commission’s recommendation and increase the CUP to 8 adults, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution Setting the Dates for November and December City Council Meetings
It was noted that Brian Blesi would be available the last week of December to review claims for end of year payment.
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #08-21, setting the Council Meeting Dates for November 17th and December 15th, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Debra Kravig: concerns have been raised about fluoride in our drinking water, new research indicates that sufficient fluoride is gathered from other sources and is no longer needed in drinking water.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk