CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 15, 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, December 15, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Brian Blesi and Arnie Carlson were present. Paul Kuhlmann was absent. 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.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Minutes of the November 17, 2008 Regular Council Meeting and Budget Hearing, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the November Fire Dept Report.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the November Police Report.
Sarah Adams: fund raising continues, Library construction plans are out for pre-bid to get idea of full cost.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Debra Kravig: Cemetery Board met, Pat Tepoorten is leaving the position of Sexton, we are looking at options for long neglected maintenance items.
General Fund $51,768.06, Debt Service $402.50, Library Fund $956.64, Library Building Fund $37,131.50, Water Fund $6,663.44, Sewer Fund $14,196.37.
Brian Blesi moved to approve claims with the exception of the Karkela Construction invoice for new Library roof repairs, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Anderson: Xcel is working with School District on possibly burying transmission line along School Dr instead of along Blanding Woods Rd, would be opportunity to put in storm sewer too.
New Library Building: roof is being replaced by Fisher Roofing, with weekend rains leaking was bad, leaking caused a lot of damage to Dr Uddin’s side of building. Dr Uddin needed to take occupancy this year but that will be delayed now. Contractor can’t do anything until adjuster has seen damage. Dr Uddin appreciated the efforts of the Mayor and call to Archer’s Restoration.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayoral Proclamation on High School Food Drive
Darrell Anderson presented the Students of the St Croix Falls School District with a Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts in collecting 8500 items plus $360 cash for the St Croix Falls Food Shelf.
Consider a Resolution Allowing for a Tourist Rooming House as a CUP at 120 Red Fox Trail
Steve Paulson, 120 Red Fox Trail: I have gotten the support of the majority of the property owners in Fox Hills Estates via paper ballot to make an exception to the covenant for a tourist rooming house at my residence, I dropped of a $500 check for road maintenance to the city and am working with Pat Killngsworth on recording the exception. The Plan Commission has held a Public Hearing and has recommended the CUP for a Tourist Rooming House to the City Council.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Resolution #08-23 Allowing a Tourist Rooming House at 120 Red Fox Trail as a CUP, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Rezoning of Part of Outlot 137 as B2 Highway Commercial with Contingencies
Marian and Gordon Fox: property has been surveyed, CSM was delivered today, approximately 5 acres is proposed for re-zoning as Highway Commercial for the purpose of Eric’s Bike and Canoe rental business. Business plan is for small office/shed and 30 parking spaces with space for addition 15 spaces for overflow parking, edge of parking lot would be about 20’ from trail. A visual buffer will be needed between the parking lot and trail there is no plan for overhead lighting in parking lot.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Resolution #08-24, Endorsing rezoning of portion of Outlot 137 from R1 to B2 specifically for Eric’s Canoe Rental with attachment A including landscape buffer, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Ordinance #03-08, Rezoning a Portion of Outlot 137 from R1 to B2, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider an Ordinance Amending Fees Charged by the St Croix Falls Fire Department
When Fire Dept fees were established insurance companies covered the charge, they no longer do so, therefore it is proposed that fees to residents for fire calls be eliminated.
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Ordinance #04-08, Amending Fees charged by the Fire Department, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
Consider Loan for Fire Department Equipment and Clarifying Budget Priorities
The Fire Department is looking at how to fund equipment needs and prioritizing what is needed. Specifically the Department is in need of new SCBA equipment, bank interest is at 4.25% for a five year loan, concerns were expressed at how the loan payment would impact future budgets and the need to do an analysis of such impact.
Brian Blesi moved to table the loan for equipment till January, second Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Master Services Agreement with MSA Professional Services Inc
David Rasmussen, Senior Planner with MSA: is a non-exclusive contract, we only work for you when you authorize us to via a Task Order.
Councilman Blesi requested to see a sample task order for construction oversight, noting that sections 4 through 7 of “Terms and Conditions” protect MSA, and that rates charged are too broad, specific language relating to each task order would be needed.
Brian Blesi moved to table Master Services Agreement with MSA till January 12, 2009 Council Meeting, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution Discontinuing Department of Motor Vehicle Counter Services Within Police Department
The St Croix Falls Municipal Court Clerk has been doing vehicle registration, only about 23% of the registrations in the past year have been for City residents. Registrations require staff time and generate little return, it is a duplicate service in that the Polk County Clerk’s office also does registration and Marketplace Foods does license tab renewals.
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #08-25, Discontinuing Motor Vehicle Services at the Police Counter, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed with Arnie Carlson voting nay.
Consider an Ordinance Amending City Code 12.09 to Limit Number of Dogs
At the Oct 13, 2008 Council Meeting the Council discussed putting a limit on the number of dogs permitted and what that limit should be. The subject was table to allow for public input, there has been little reaction or comments on the subject.
Debra Kravig moved to adopt Ordinance #05-08, Amending City Code 12.09 to Establish a Limit of 3 Dogs per Residential Unit, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider an Ordinance Amending and Renumbering Portions of the Impact Fee Code
The City eliminated Park and Rec in-lieu of fees and established impact fees for residential development when WI State Law was changed to ban in-lieu of fees for parks, WI State Law has now reinstated the use of in-lieu of fees for parks, therefore it is proposed that the impact fee for parks be eliminated and in-lieu of fees be re-instated at the City level. The Park & Rec Committee has reviewed the proposal and recommends proceeding with the changes.
Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Ordinance #06-08 Amending and Renumbering Portions of the Impact Fee Code to rescind Park and Rec Fee, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 3 ayes, motion passed.
Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Ordinance #07-08 for In-lieu of Fees, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.
Consider Appointment of Election Officials for 2009
Debra Kravig moved to approve the appointment of Election Officials for 2009 as listed, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Discuss Allowing Zilmer Park as a Resident Initiated Unleashed Dog Park
Debra Kravig moved to table the discussion of an Unleashed Dog Park, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Access Issues Regarding Portions of Franklin, Missouri, Minnesota, and Hamilton Sts
The Common Council authorized Administrator Emerson to contact the Wild River Marina with a deadline to move boats parked in the street right-of-way, blocking access by neighboring property owners.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kathy Cross, St Croix Tavern: issue with snow removal, Police Officers ask customers to move their vehicles off the street for snow removal at midnight, customers don’t just move cars, they leave, hurting business, then the plow doesn’t even come through till much later. Our customers should be allowed to stay to 2:30am.
Ed Emerson attended workshop, learned that there are no US manufacturers of Solar Powered Street Lights.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk