April
14, 2008 page
CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 14, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Brian Blesi, Lori Erickson and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Charlie Jones and Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Lori Erickson moved to approve the Minutes of the March 10, 2008 Regular Council Meeting with correction of who moved to adjourn, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen reported that the new squad car is in and will be picked up tomorrow.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Brian Blesi: Park & Rec Committee met and reviewed Library Public Plaza plans, worked on National Trails Day events for June 7 and a River clean up on June 8, and are working on Community Garden.
Arnie Carlson: Joint Planning Committee met last Thursday, winter storm prevented Jim Tappen from attending, they have been receiving a lot of feed back from property owners along Hwy 8. Festival Theatre is working on a list of needed updates for the building.
General Fund $114,250.14, Library Fund $159.44, Library Building Fund $2461.52, Park & Rec Fund $60.00, Debt Service $97,782.29, Water Fund $3,910.39, Sewer Fund $5,772.21. Brian Blesi noted that a portion of the City Attorney's invoice that dealt with the Holiday Building was to be shared with Dr. Uddin. Darrell Anderson moved to approve claims, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Golden Anniversary Proclamation – Indianhead Chorus Week
Mayor Brad Foss presented representatives of the Men’s Indianhead Chorus with a proclamation for the Chorus’s 50th anniversary. Their Barber Quartet preformed 2 songs at the Council Meeting.
Consider Authorizing Library Public Plaza Plans to Public Bid
Brent Norsman, Architect: project will be bid out as four parts in conjunction with the State St project. Cemstone has submitted cost estimates for concrete include two crosswalks, estimate is probably higher than bid will be. Recommend that a mock-up of the project be put together, at a cost of $1,400, to provide a visual criteria for workmanship and give people a better idea of the project. Roof top fans for HAVC will run $40 to $50 thousand plus another $60 to $65 thousand for Geothermal system, there are rebates available for geothermal, could put well drilling for geothermal in as a bid option.
Charlie Jones: paving the parking lot would cost about $27 thousand compared to concrete at $50 thousand, there is less maintenance on concrete if it is done well, but concrete, but salt is hard on concrete. Plan calls for 5” thick concrete, recommend 6”. Snow removal is an issue with using different material (concrete) for crosswalks, chance that plow can hit edge and rutting of street, could use color treatment on pavement.
Mayor Foss: in earlier talks with Cemstone they would give us a better price on concrete to showcase that option. Can bid for concrete and paving of parking lot and then decide based upon actual costs.
Lori Erickson moved to authorize bidding of Public Plaza Improvements and to authorize $1,400 mock-up of project, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Pember Final Pay Request: Louisiana Street Project
City staff and Cedar Corp met with Pembers to discuss closing of project for a $90,000 letter of credit. Charlie Jones: Pembers has submitted an agreement for the letter of credit, there are concerns about a some points in the agreement, such as releasing of project bonds and retainage before issuance of letter of credit, the City Attorney should review agreement before acceptance. Recommend approval of final pay request contingent upon attorney review and review of last falls’ punch list. Difference between holding retainage and a letter of credit is how long it will take to close out project and get grant money. If we are unable to close out project and submit for Block Grant re-imbursement we can use liquidated damage clause in contract to collect interest on $500,000 Block Grant we are waiting for. Another issue is the other outstanding costs such as damages to private property along the project.
Consider Authorizing National Trails Day Events
The City has received a request to allow a Mountain Bike Race in conjunction with the City sponsored National Trails Day Events on June 7th.
Brian Blesi moved to authorize Bike Race, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Brad Foss and Lori Erickson were each presented a Certificate of Appreciation for their public service to the City as Mayor and Council Person.
Leif Bjornson: thanked Public Officials for their service, spoke in favor of planning and building well for future of Library, appreciates efforts to preserve Simonson Woods Property. Noted that his two vehicles were towed during snow removal this winter, he had moved them from the street to public parking lot and while he was at a meeting, the two vehicles were towed from lot, believes he should have been called to move them and be reimbursed for the $200 towing charge.
Brad Foss gave a farewell address, listing accomplishments and goals for City, his final comment was “have hope”
Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk