CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, November 12, 2007 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, Treasurer Gail Bibeau, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, WWTP Operator Mike Bryant, Librarian Sarah Adams, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lori Erickson moved to approve the Minutes of the October 29, 2007 Regular Council Meeting, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Fire Chief Dale Anderson presented the October 2007 Fire Department Report. The Dept has received $8,300 from a 50/50 DNR Grant for Wild Fire Gear.

Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the October 2007 Police Dept Report.

WWTP Operator Mike Bryant: #11 Well is being turned on and checked for water quality by DNR, had a Water System Survey conducted over summer, only found two hydrants that were leaking. WWTP passed Toxicity Test. Soil boring conducted around WWTP found no trap rock.

Librarian Sarah Adams: Library raised $8,000 at kick off Fund Raising Event at Chateau St Croix, in the process of applying for grants and 501(c3) status, and building calendar of Fund Raising Events.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Arnie Carlson: Jay Tappen of West Central Wisconsin Planning Commission attended last weeks Joint Planning Committee meeting and provided information and funding options for Boundary Agreements.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

There are two invoices for Church Street on the claims list, the one that had been tabled and a new one. Brian Blesi questioned services received vs services provided. The Council has seen little in the way of what service have been provided. Librarian Sarah Adams noted that the Library Board had approved the invoices to be paid utilizing Act 150 Funds and that the City Council did not have any authority over Act 150 Funds. The Council requested periodic updates on Library Fund Raising progress.

General Fund $105,735.65, Library Fund $14,245.28, Park & Recreation Fund $11.55, Debt Service $555,430.78, Water Fund $8,909.87, Sewer Fund $12,200.17

Darrell Anderson moved to approve claims, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing: Proposed 2008 City Budget

Darrell Anderson moved to open the 2008 City Budget Public Hearing, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

With lateness of adoption of State Budget some State Funding amounts are still uncertain. Employees have agreed to 2% wage increases for next 3 years, and agreed to higher deductibles and co-pays for health insurance in 2007. Our renewal notice for 2008 Health Insurance came this week with a 21.7% premium increase. 2009 and 2010 are anticipated to be flat rate years for new growth.

Administrator Emerson proposed: that a Task Force be created to look into Health Insurance issues; that we put a hiring freeze in place until we know effect of 2009 and 2010 Budget Years; that we investigate early retirement and re-financing of debt to save interest; and that we continue to be creative in finding non-tax revenues.

Lori Erickson moved to close the Public Hearing, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Adoption of 2008 City Budget and Setting of Levy

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-27, Adopting the 2008 City Budget and Establishing the Tax Levy at $873,000, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Mayoral Proclamation

Mayor Foss presented Fire Fighter Beth Anderson with a Certificate of Recognition in appreciation for her contributions in execution of a Memorial Service to Honor Fire Fighters from New York City who were killed on 9/11/2001.

Consider Three Year Police Union Contract and Establishing Uniform Vacation and Personal Time Accruals. Introduction of New Police Officers

Three year contract with 2% annual wage increase, increase in accrual limits for paid-time off, and $50 a year increase in uniform allowance. Officer Dan Peters was introduced as one of the new officers for the City, Jared Cockroft was unable to attend.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve Resolution #07-28, Accepting a Three Year Union Contract with Wisconsin Professional Police Association and Establishing Uniform Vacation and Personal Day Accrual, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Pember Pay Request

Darrell Anderson moved to approved pay request #5 for Pember Companies for $178,752.00 for the Louisiana St project, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Update on Festival Theatre Master Plan Process

Danett Olson, Festival Theatre: approximately 100 people participated in charettes for Master Planning for the Festival Theatre; the Architect will be making a presentation to the Building Task Force, then the Theatre Board, and after their review it will be presented to the City Council. Engineer who inspected building reported that it is structurally sound. In the future we hope to add a 2 ½ story addition to building for an elevator, restrooms, office space, and costume room. Motor Coach Tours started coming to town this year, providing tourism opportunities, we need to think about how we can share our key attributes with the public.

Consider Donation for Governors Fishing Opener

Polk County will be hosting the Governors Fishing Opener in May 2008, the fishing opener will be held at Lake Wapogasset, with meals and banquets will being held at various location around the area. By sponsoring a meal we have an opportunity to have our community highlighted in the program and to have a representative invited to the Governor’s Banquet, this is an opportunity to promote our community to the tourism industry. Council requested additional information on the various events and locations.

Lori Erickson moved to table Consideration of Donation to the Governor’s Fishing Opener, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Approval of Operators Permits

Lori Erickson moved to approve an Operators Permit for Robert A Behun, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Establishing December 17 as the Sole Council Meeting Date in December

December Council Meeting dates were discussed, the third and last Monday both fall on a Holiday.

Arnie Carlson moved to set December 17 as the sole Council Meeting date in December, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Rob Lubben introduced himself to the Council, he is working for Counseling Associates, he was with the Air Force for 26 years, he works with veterans and has a back ground in suicide abatement.

ADJOURNMENT

Lori Erickson moved to adjourn, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed. 9:20 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk