CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Bill Kersch, and Debra Points were present. Dan Meyers was absent. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney John Schneider, 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 March 14, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSSIONS AND BOARDS

The March 15, 2005 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes and March 9, 2005 Park & Rec Committee Meeting Minutes were presented for Councils’ information.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $11,731.60, Debt Service $20,000.00, TIF District $324.24, Water $68,242.15, Sewer $7,209.19

Bill Kersch moved to approve claims, seconded by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Application for Transfer of Licenses for Sale of Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquor from One Premises to Another: Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart has requested the transfer of their Class A Beer and Class A Liquor Licenses to their new location at 2212 Glacier Dr effective May 17^th, 2005; the new store will open on May 25, 2005.

It was questioned if the area where the alcohol will be kept could be curtained off during no sale hours.

Bill Kersch moved to approve the transfer of Wal-Mart’s Class A Beer and Liquor Licenses effective May 18, 2005, seconded by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Temporary Class “B” License to Sell Fermented Malt Beverages: Wannigan Days Festival

The Chamber of Commerce has applied for a Temporary Class “B” License for Wanngan Days, for the municipal parking lot off Thompson Parkway.

Debra Points moved to grant a Temporary Class “B” License to sell Fermented Malt Beverages to the Chamber of Commerce for July 15 to July 17, 2005, Wannigan Days, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Quotes for a Public Works Ditch Mower

Debra Points moved to remove item 8c, consideration of quotes for a ditch mower from the agenda, seconded by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Letter of Intent: Accepting $200,000 in Federal Section 219 Dollars and Committing $66,700 in Matching Funds

A letter accepting $200,000 in Federal Section 219 Dollars with a commitment of $66,700 by the City directed to the Army Corps of Engineers is needed to accept funds for planning and design of a new Waste Water Treatment Facility.

Darrell Anderson moved to authorize a letter of intent to accept $200,000 in Federal Section 219 Dollars with a commitment of $66,700 by the City for design and planning of a new WWTP, seconded by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Letter Granting Perpetual Right to Install, Use, and Maintain Storm Sewer and Other Utilities Within Hamilton and Massachusetts Streets Right-of-way

In order for the National Park Service to construct and maintain utilities in the street-of-way along Hamilton and Massachusetts St they need a perpetual right to do so from the City.

Debra Points moved to approve a letter granting the National Park Service a perpetual right to install, use, and maintain utilities within the right-of-ways of Hamilton and Massachusetts St, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Mayoral Appointments to Township Issues Sub-Committee

Darrell Anderson moved to confirm the appointments of Lee Uhrhammer, Ed Emerson, and Dennis Neva to the Town of St Croix Falls’ Sub-Committee, seconded by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Approval of Park and Recreation Committee By-Laws

The proposed Park & Recreation Committee By-Laws have been amended to say that members will be appointed by the mayor, that one member will be a Council representative with a one year term, and that members can be re-appointed for consecutive terms.

Debra Points moved to approve the By-Laws for the Park and Recreation Committee, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Authorization of $1,150 of Park and Recreation Funds for Trail Promotional Brochure

A brochure promoting trails around the area has been created by a group of volunteers and will be distributed to the public to increase awareness and utilization of the trails. Cost of publishing 20,000 color brochures is $3,081.00, outside funding was sought, but was not available.

Bill Kersch moved to authorize the expenditure of Park and Recreations Funds of $3,081.00 for Trail Brochures, seconded by Debra Points, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Real Estate Title Search for Old Fire Hall Building

A survey of the old Fire Hall property has revealed that the driveway is partially on Federal land. Obtaining an easement from the Federal Government could take 6 months. The question is could there already be a recorded easement. A call to the Register of Deeds office to check the title to the property did not reveal one. It was thought unlikely that one would be found through a title search.

Presentation to City Council from Firms: River Street Master Plan Proposals

Sanders Wacker Bergly, Inc, Landscape Architects and Planners: have worked on similar public projects in Red Wing, St Paul, Harriet Island, Minnehaha Park, Duluth, Stillwater, and other communities. If awarded the contract they would start with city staff, review site, conduct public workshops, review ideas and suggestions, prepare conceptual site alternatives, meet with public again, and present preliminary plan. Results would be reported in booklet form with analysis, back ground, plans and graphics for a cost of $16,760.00.

Sabongi Consulting Group, Inc, has previous work experience in St Croix Falls, with the histrionic Festival Theatre, downtown revitalization project, overlook deck design, monument entrance sign, and schematic design for the intersection of Washington and Massachusetts Sts. They propose to team up with Cedar Corp for this project. Project would proceed in Phases, 1. Program Development: meet with staff, evaluate area, public meetings, II. Preliminary planning: site analysis, strategic planning, III. Alternative Schematic Designs: preliminary designs, IV. Master Plan: final design and presentation, for a cost of $16,980.00 plus reimbursable costs for printing, about $150.00.

Consider Resolution Awarding River Street Master Plan Contract

Debra Points moved to award the contract for River Street Master Planning to Sabongi Consulting Group Inc for a cost not to exceed $17,130.00, Resolution #05-11, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote: 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Darrell Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk