CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Debra Points, Bill Kersch and Jon Cermin were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Attorney John Schneider, Public Works Director Dennis Neva, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Debra Points moved to approve the Minutes of the February 13, 2006 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mark Buley: acquiring property on River Street for a new WWTP would remove the properties from the tax roll and affect the esthetics of the river. While I understand looking at the most economical site, that doesn’t make it the best choice.

Dorothy Weinhardt: area along river is old, historic part of town. Acquiring private property reduces tax base and with trap rock you will need to blast. There’s talk of a River Walk, and you would have people walking by a sewer plant. There must be newer options and methods for handling waste.

Ken Pierson: passing by and smelling a treatment plant while walking to the park is unpleasant, takes away from charm of area, its not the first thing you want people to see and smell when they come to town.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSSIONS AND BOARDS

Report of Joint February 15, 2006, Meeting of the Town and City of St Croix Falls was presented for Council’s information.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $138,302.45, Debt Service $82,030.60, Water $3,329.68, Sewer $11,061.20

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

NEW BUSINESS

Update on Wastewater Treatment Plant Options: US Army Corps

Tom Pulse of Ayers & Assoc. presented two revised site plan options for Site B, Plan B-R2 is the smallest, most economical option, it utilizes the existing building for lab, office, storage, and digesting. Two additional new structures would be for screening grit and for reactors. Reduced site layout would require acquisition of two private properties. With Capital costs, land acquisition, Engineering, and contingencies, we are looking at $8 million project. We are also looking at site across the street, and are waiting for verification of whether Lawcon applies to that site. The proposed Plan B-R2 would work on either site. While higher technology could be utilized to treat waste, the cost is too high for a small community. Most odors occur at the head works, where the waste water enters the treatment system, a good working plan smells like wet wood. Standard setback from private residence is 500 ft, will need to apply for variance. We are preparing to submit plan to DNR for review.

Jeff Tabat, State Fish Hatchery: property across street is DNR owned, unsure if Lawcon applies.

Gene Haugen, owner of 3 property, don’t want proposed facility so close to house, bedroom windows would face tanks, tanks indicated for future expansion would be 20 ft away from side of house.

Darrell Anderson: feedback from residents is that we should proceed with most economical option.

Consider Establishment of Tuition Reimbursement Policy

Treasurer Jamie Carlson is interested in taking a Master of Business Administration Course on-line through the University of Wisconsin, it is a 30 credit course at a cost of $16,500 and will take about 3 years to complete. The City doesn’t currently have an education reimbursement policy. It is proposed that a Tuition Reimbursement Policy be established for full time employees to provide tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 a year. Courses must be job related and the employee must receive a minimum of a C- or Pass to receive reimbursement. The Policy will be managed by the Administrator.

Bill Kersch moved to adopt a Tuition Reimbursement Policy for up to $1,000, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Purchase of Workhorse Billing Software

Currently the City office bills for charges manually, with the addition of billing for Fire Department charges it is recommended that a software program that would interact with the accounting program be used. This program would allow for better monitoring of invoices, and allow for printing of reports to track payments and outstanding invoices. The program costs $1995.00 plus $300 for Annual Support.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize the purchase of Workhorse’s Billing Software from the Fire Departments’ Budget for $2295.00, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Sculpture Design: Juliann Stage

Juliann Stage presented a ¼ (28”) tall wax sculpture model of the “River Spirit” The sculpture has been modified to have the eagle perched upon the woman’s shoulder rather than an outstretched arm for a more structurally sound form. The placement location of the sculpture needs to be determined so that final details of the form can be worked out and the full size model can be started. The full size model can be created life size (9’4”) or ¾ life size (7’) and should be placed on a 2’ high base. The sculpture would be attached to the base with stainless steel rods that would be cemented into place. A flatbed truck and crane will be needed to transport and install the sculpture.

Bill Kersch and Jon Cermin noted that they would like to see the full size sculpture done at life size.

Consider Continuing Agreement with Polk County Info Center

This is the same agreement as in past, except that it is now a 2-way agreement between the City and Tourism Council instead of a 3-way agreement.

Debra Points moved to approve continuing the Agreement between the City of St Croix Falls and the Polk County Tourism Council, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Approval of Fire Department By-Laws

Fire Chief Dale Anderson: the Fire Dept By-Laws have been updated to include the charges for services.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Fire Department By-Laws, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Menards Recapture Agreement

Debra Points moved to remove Consideration of Menards Recapture Agreement from the agenda, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Pay Request for Washington St Improvements

Darrell Anderson moved to approve Pay Request #6, McCabe Construction for $114,038.20 for Wilberg Blvd and Washington St improvements, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider a Motion Vacating the Action of the City Council on October 10, 2005 Which Approved a Developer’s Agreement and Planned Unit Development and Setting Conditions for a Condominium Development on N Washington Street with a Pedestrian Path Being a Combined Bike and Walkway, Olmstead Development

Counsel recommended that the Council actions of October 10, 2005 and November 1, 2005 granting approval of a Developers Agreement and Planned Unit Development for a Condominium Development on N Washington St and the over-riding the Mayors’ Veto of said action be vacated.

Debra Points moved to vacate the October 10, 2005 Council Action that approved a Developer’s Agreement and Planned Unit Development and Setting Conditions for a Condominium Development on N Washington St with a Pedestrian Path being a Combined Bike and Walkway, Olmstead Development, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider a Motion to Vacate the City Council’s November 1, 2005 Override of Mayor Lee Uhrhammer’s Veto of the October 10, 2005 City Council Action, Olmstead Condominium Development

Debra Points moved to vacate the City Council’s November 1, 2005 Override of Mayor Uhrhammer’s Veto of the October 10, 2005 City Council Action on the Olmstead Condominium Development, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Mayor Uhrhammer: Tractor Supply is open for business, invitation included $25 gift cards, City Officials can only accept gifts up to $15.00.

Darrell Anderson: card board signs are being put up around town by home builders, are they legal?

“Signs are not allowed within Street or Hwy right-of-ways.”

ADJOURNMENT

Debra Points moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk