CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

NOVEMBER 14, 2005, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 7:03 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Bill Kersch, Jon Cermin and Debra Points were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Attorney John Schneider, Police Chief Paul Lindholm, Public Works Director Dennis Neva, Charlie Jones, Wendy Sander and Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Bill Kersch moved to approve the Minutes of the November1, 2005 Regular Council Meeting with the addition of “Debra Points spoke to four Plan Commissioners and Darrell Anderson regarding a moratorium”, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

The October 2005 Police Report was presented by Police Chief Paul Lindholm.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS

The minutes of the October 19, 2005 Park and Recreation Committee meeting and November 10, 2005 Revolving Loan Fund Committee meeting were presented for Councils’ information.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General $54,317.68, Park & Rec. $5,035.75, Library $2,403.07, Water $1,460.89, Sewer $3,242.71

Bill Kersch moved to approve claims, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider a Motion Approving Police Department Office Upgrade

The Police Department proposes to replace existing desks, chairs, and file cabinets with workstations. The cost for workstations and filing system is $7,097.31, 6 chairs for $1,302, and the price quote for upgraded phone system and voice mail for police and court is $1,820. The Police Dept has $5,431.80 and the Court has $1,812.00 available to for the upgrade.

Bill Kersch moved to approve upgrading the Police Dept Office for a cost not to exceed $10,100 utilizing $3,000 in undesignated funds, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider a Motion Approving Recapture Agreement with Menard, Inc

Menards will install a water line loop from Wilberg Blvd to Hwy 8, and then down the right-of-way along the north side of Hwy 8 to connect to the existing main for an estimated cost of $358,215. The loop is needed to provide sufficient water flow for fire protection. The Recapture Agreement provides for Menards to recoup costs for installation of the loop from potentially benefited properties as they tap into the extension, with such costs assessed on a per frontage basis. Potentially benefited properties identified by Parcel Identification Number will be incorporated into the agreement.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Recapture Agreement with Menard Inc, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Electric Bids for City Shop Garage

Northern Electricians submitted a bid of $6,560 with a 200 amp service and Andrie Electric submitted a bid of $3,395 with a 100 amp service for the new garage. Public Works Director Dennis Neva stated that a 100 amp service was adequate and recommended accepting the bid of Andrie Electric.

Jon Cermin moved to accept the bid from Andrie Electric for $3,395 utilizing undesignated funds, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Reimbursement: Straus Knitting Mills Water Bills

A secondary water meter that monitored consumption by Kroy when they were leasing a portion of the building was not removed when Kroy left in February 2000, resulting in an over charge to Straus Knitting.

Jon Cermin moved to reimburse Straus Knitting Mills for $4,543.18 in over charges, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Reimbursement: Jeremy Fossum, Sewer Billings

Jeremy Fossum has been charged for both water and sewer service, however he resides in an area of the City that doesn’t have sewer service (North Star Lane). Sewer charges amounted to $1,207.68.

Darrell Anderson moved to reimburse Jeremy Fossum for $1,207.68 in sewer charges, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 3 ayes, Bill Kersch voted nay, motion passed.

Consider Speed Zone Sign, Eastbound Louisiana Street

The Polk County Fair Board has cleared the property on the southeast corner of the Fair Grounds, opening up visibility in the area. Residents in that area have since complained of higher traffic speeds. Police Chief Lindholm recommended installing additional speed zone signs on East Louisiana St.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve installation of speed zone signs on E Louisiana St, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Impact Fee Analysis Report: Cedar Corp

Cedar Corp is preparing an Impact Fee Analysis Report for the City of St Croix Falls, proposed fees are used to pay for costs of improvements needed to serve new growth, future improvement cost estimates are made based upon anticipated growth projections. The Army Corp of Engineers is using a 1.9% growth rate. The City’s Comprehensive Plan anticipated at 2.4% growth rate. If growth is under estimated too little is collected in fees, if overestimated too much is collected. Any fees collected but not used for their designated purpose must be refunded. Before any fees are imposed there will need to be a Public Hearing on the proposed fees. The consensus of the Council was to go with the 2.4% growth rate as indicated by the Comprehensive Plan.

Consider Update on City Water Well Drillings

A soil boring has been completed at the site that the City has a purchase option for, it is the most promising site tested to date. Water samples have been sent in for testing and those results will be used to determine if the purchase option should be picked up.

Consider River Street Master Plan: Sabongi Consultants

Fred Sabongi: planning started with numerous public meetings where sites along River St were reviewed and analyzed. Recommendations for improvements to backs of buildings, creation of park spaces, pedestrian and bike trails, parking and other public enhancements were suggested. These recommendations have been incorporated into a Master Plan for use as guidelines.

Debra Points moved to accept the River St Master Plan, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Application for Festival Theatre on National Register

Warren White, in the past the Festival Theatre was unable to get on the Historic Register due to the addition on the front of the building, that addition has been removed and a court yard put in its place. If the Theatre can get on the historic register it becomes eligible for restoration funds and grants, and becomes subject different (less stringent) set of building codes, it would also add status to the community. The Festival Building Committee would submit the application on behalf of the City and requests that the City pay the $1,500 cost of preparing the application.

Debra Points moved to authorize $1,500 for application to the Historic Register for the theatre building, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing City Funds for Fire Department Ventilation Grant

The Fire Department has received a FEMA Grant for a vehicle ventilation system, the cost of installation of the system is $94,000, of which the City’s share would be $4,700.

Bill Kersch moved utilize $4,700 of undesignated funds for the City’s share of a vehicle ventilation system for the Fire Department, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Text of Gaylord Nelson Historic Marker

The State has written the text for a historic marker for Gaylord Nelson, Council questioned the accuracy of the mileage stated between Clear Lake and St Croix Falls and whether it should say “found” or “founded” Earth Day, and whether “herbicide” should be “pesticide” DDT.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize the text with verifications, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Agreement Leasing City Hall Parking Lot Space to Eric’s Canoe Rental

The City recently purchased the parking lot in front of City Hall, Eric’s Canoe Rental has rented space in the parking lot for the last two years. The Lease Agreement would be for 5 years.

Jon Cermin moved to approve Lease Agreement with Eric’s Canoe Rental, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Motion Accepting $1,000 Payment in Lieu of Tree Planting at 790 S Washington St

Chuck Morris has suggested a payment of $1,000 instead of planting trees at 790 S Washington St, property doesn’t have sufficient room for more.

Jon Cermin moved to accept $1,000 in lieu of tree planting at 790 S Washington St, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Request of Wal-Mart to Replace Brick Pavers with Asphalt Pavers Matching the Downtown Crosswalks

Wal-Mart has torn up a portion of their parking lot to correct a drainage issue and has requested authorization to replace imprinted concrete pavers with imprinted asphalt pavers; they’ve received complaints on roughness of concrete.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the replacement of the imprinted concrete pavers with imprinted asphalt pavers, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Approval of BID District Assessments

The total amount of BID District Assessments to be collected is the same as in the past, no increase.

Debra Points moved to approve the BID District Assessment of $10,164.44, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Revolving Loan Fund for St Croix Culinary Institute, Wild River Goose Restaurant

Dennis Nee and John Nash currently operate the St Croix Culinary Institute in Somerset and propose to relocate to St Croix Falls, they hope to open in December and start classes in January. Classes would be held during the day and the restaurant would be open to the public in the evening. The RLF Committee has recommended at $12,000 loan at 4% interest for 7 years.

Jon Cermin moved to approve a RLF Loan of $12,000 to St Croix Culinary Institute, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mayor Uhrhammer: the 2006 Budget Hearing will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2005.

ADJOURNMENT

Darrell Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk