CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 17, 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, November 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Paul Kuhlmann, Brian Blesi and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Treasurer Gail Bibeau, Librarian Sarah Adams, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Fire Chief Wade Sommer, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve the Minutes of the October 27, 2008 Regular Council Meeting and Budget Hearing, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the October Fire Dept Report. Annual Meeting will be Jan 17, 2008. Fire Dept would like to cease charging for residential calls/runs, Insurance Co no longer paying charges.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the October Police Report. Have received complaints about ‘blind spot’ at intersection of State and Adams St due to new parking spots along north side of State St, one option would be to eliminate one spot and designate other three as car only, no trucks or SUVs.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Paul Kuhlmann: bid for replacing roof on new Library is $195,000, work will start this week. Project manager was not determined by Library Board, but by City, so who is paying $12,500 cost?
Arnie Carlson: Tourism Committee reviewed Statutes on Room Tax and are working on 3 year plan.
General Fund $75,558.23, Debt Service $469,752.27, Library Fund $28.00, Library Building Fund $66,703.82, Water Fund $3,092.38, Sewer Fund $8,796.74.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to approve claims, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearing for 2009 Budget
Brian Blesi moved to open the Budget Hearing, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote motion passed.
Brian Blesi moved to close the Budget Hearing, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Approval of 2009 Budget and Set Levy
The City had less than 1% growth in 2008, employees will receive 2% pay increase; and we have switched health insurance to save money. A tax levy of $874,000 would be $1,000 higher than last year and results in a 0.11% levy increase. Council discussed impact on future budgets of not utilizing the 2% increase allowed.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the 2009 Budget and set the Levy at $874,000, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Approval of 2008, Payable 2009, BID Assessment
The Business Improvement District Board has approved their BID Assessment for 2008 payable in 2009 in the amount of $9,754.49 and submitted same to the City Council for approval.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve the 2008 Business Improvement District Assessment, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Operators Permits
Brian Blesi moved to approve Operators Permits for Crystal Holland, Dennis Christner, Thomas Morarchik, Chasidy Bushweiler, Christine Sellman, and Cindy Carufel, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Class B Beer and Class C Wine Licenses for Grecco’s on the St Croix, Restaurant
Paul Kuhlmann moved to approve a Class B Beer and Class C Wine License for Roman Anthony Restaurant Group LLC, Grecco’s on the St Croix, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Presentation of Chamber of Commerce Annual Report
Terri Schaffer, President of the SCF Chamber of Commerce and Shelly Staeven, Chamber Director: Our Chamber will be joining forces with Taylors Falls Chamber of Commerce in 2009. Proposed events for 2009 include Taste of the Valley, Motorsports Madness, Art Tour, Autumn Fest, and Holly Days. 50th Anniversary of Wannigan Days cost $17,000, City and Hospital each contributed $5000, Chamber is still paying on remaining balance. We need to know if City can contribute to Wannigan Days, band cost $5500, advertising cost $1000 per add, Chamber shouldn’t get stuck with majority of costs, Wannigan Days is a community event, shouldn’t be a Chamber event, Chamber is supposed to support businesses. Council requested financial report and list of expenditures for Wannigan Days.
Consider Final Pay Request for Pember Co for Louisiana St Project
Brian Blesi moved to approve the final payment of $115,806.93 to Pember Co for the Louisiana St project, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Award of Bid for Pipe Lining of Louisiana St Storm Sewer
The City received on bid for lining the Louisiana St storm sewer pipe from Viet & Co for $43,961.00.
Brian Blesi moved to award the bid to Viet & Co for $43,961.00 contingent upon getting warranty on materials and workmanship, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Park & Recreation Committee Appointments
Brian Blesi moved to confirm the appointments of Tom & Lisa Mangelson to the Park & Rec Committee, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Resolution Naming Wert Family Nature Preserve Land Management Group
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #08-22, Adopting the Action Plan for the Wert Preserve and Naming the Wert Preserve Land Management Group, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, passed.
Consider Quote for Updating City Utility Base Maps
Cedar Corp has submitted a Task Order to update the City’s Utility Base Maps for $7200. It was suggested that an engineering student may be interested in updating the maps as a summer project, or could be bid out for engineering firms utilizing interns.
Brian Blesi moved to table updating of utility base maps pending research of other alternatives, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Discuss Fluoride in City Water
Fluoridation of public water started in the 1960’s as a way to fight tooth decay, some 60% of public water sources are fluoridated. Today fluoride is found in many products, including toothpaste. Research points out that excess fluoride may affect health and recommends that infant formula be made with non-fluoridated water. Many cities are stopping the use of fluoride. Fluoride is available in drops and tablets for those who need it. Most fluoride in public water goes down the drain.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Warren White has a Change Order for Public Plaza that removes un-needed items, will bring to next meeting as an agenda item.
Arnie Carlson: new path lights in Public Plaza are too bright, could different type of bulb reduce glare, or install colored lenses, once area is planted lighting may not seem so bright.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk