CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 9, 2007, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

                            

CALL TO ORDER                                       

Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on April 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.  Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, Arnie Carlson and Jon Cermin.  Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press.   All joined in the salute to the flag. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the March 26, 2007 Council Meeting with addition of language to the motion on deeding of Parkland, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. 

 

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Fire Chief Dale Anderson presented the March 2007 Fire Dept Report.

Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the March 2007 Police Report.

Mayor Foss: April 21st volunteers will meet at Fish Hatchery to clean up along the river.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Lori Erickson: Library Board met to review proposals for a new facility and voted to pursue the Holiday Foods building.

Arnie Carlson: Tech Committee is proceeding with re-design of City website, discussed City wide Wi-Fi and appears would not be financially viable for City.  Joint Planning Committee met last Wednesday and will be meeting twice a month, all meetings are open to the public and will be posted.

Jon Cermin: Cemetery Board looking to do a spring clean up, and need to create “Transfer” paperwork for sale of cemetery plots.

 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $145,439.81, Library Fund $912.97, TIF $690.40, Water $24,342.00, Sewer $14,251.25, Debt Service $1,000.00

Jon Cermin moved to approve claims, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, passed.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Foss presented Certificates of Appreciation to exiting Councilperson Jon Cermin for his service on the City Council and to Chris Strom who is leaving Cedar Corp for his service to the City.  

 

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing to Consider Amending Zoning Code 17.12, General Commercial, to Create a Downtown Arts, Culture and Historic District

Jon Cermin moved to open the Public Hearing, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Ed Emerson: commercial growth on Hwy 8 and collection of Park & Rec Fees and Impact Fees has lead up to concept of an Arts, Culture and Historic District for the downtown and utilization of some of the fees collected for Branding of the City, setting up of a Renovation Grant, a Library Grant, and funding the creation of an Arts District Coordinator.

Mayor Foss: idea is to make wider use of fees collected from Development for the benefit of the City.

Jon Cermin questioned how funds used for Renovation would be recouped for reuse, how would the Coordinator position be filled?

James Shoop: applaud effort to create Arts and Culture District, one issue raised by local artists was help with rent for low income business/households.

Howard Blanding: how does Historic District in 17.161 relate to Arts, Culture and Historic District, are they the same committee?  I would like to see downtown stay historic.

Jeff Peterson: there is a lack of communication between Polk County Board and local government.  Polk County has received a Planning Grant for Comprehensive Planning for the County.  However, funding of the City’s Arts and Culture District relies on collecting funds from big box development.  Big Box Stores impact more than just the City, urge you to think about what is good for entire County.

Danette Olson: we need to do some planning to make Arts District viable, we need to know more about what residents love and want to preserve before Branding town.

Darrell Anderson: concern is spending money we don’t have yet, there are other needs around town besides Arts and Culture, such as infrastructure.

Arnie Carlson: updating the B1 Code doesn’t take anything away, except bus stops, just adds a few things.  Money talked about is “non tax” dollars, while not here yet, is good to plan who will be used.  In process of planning we need to prioritize what needs to be done first.  Impact of big box stores on other communities is valid.

Lori Erickson: would like to see some funds used on improving park properties.

Darrell Anderson moved to close the Hearing, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider a Resolution Providing for the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of $1,500,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007A, of the City of St Croix Falls, WI; Establishing the Terms and Conditions Therefore; Directing their Execution and Delivery; Creating a Debt Service Account Therefore; and Awarding the Sale Thereof

Sean Lentz, Ehlers & Associates: proposed Bonds are for financing Louisiana and State Street reconstruction.  The City has gotten an A3 Rating from Moody’s Investor Services, this is results in lower interest rates and is due to the City’s location and fiscal health.  Bonds were bid out today and 10 bids were received.  The Low bid was from Northland Securities of Minneapolis MN. 

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #07-10, Providing for the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of $1,500,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007A, of the City of St Croix Falls, Wisconsin; Establishing the Terms and Conditions Therefor; Directing their Execution and Delivery; Creating a Debt Service Account therefore; and Awarding the Sale thereof, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider a Resolution Designating Public Depository and Authorizing the Withdrawal of City Funds and Formally Swearing in Gail Bibeau as City Treasurer

Gail Bibeau was sworn in as City Treasurer by Clerk Bonita Leggitt.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #07-11, Designating Public Depository and Authorizing Withdrawal of City Funds, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider a Resolution Setting the Terms of Historic Preservation Committee Appointments and Authorizing the Committee to Begin Designation Criteria

Durand Blanding will be the Chairperson but not have a vote on the committee, Brian Blesi will replace Lori Erickson on the Committee.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #07-12, Setting the Terms of Historic Preservation Committee Appointments and Authorizing the Committee to Begin Designation Criteria, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Status Report of Louisiana St Project and Pre-Construction Meeting

Chris Strom: the Pre-Construction meeting was held last week and was well attended, there were a lot of issues to discuss with this project with the School and Nursing Home.  We are waiting for a DNR Erosion Control Permit to begin work, the DNR has concerns about life on river.  

 

Consider Approving the Use of the City Overlook Deck on Saturday June 30 for the Third Annual Amateur Psychologist Convention

Darrell Anderson: the first year event was held there were complaints on noise and language, second year complaint on anti-Christ talk, not in favor of a third year event.

Mayor Foss: could put conditions on event. 

Darrell Anderson moved to deny approval.  Motion died due to lack of a second.

Lori Erickson moved to table Approving the Third Annual Amateur Psychologist Convention, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed, Darrell Anderson voted nay. 

 

Consider a Resolution Designating Project Mitigation Fund Dollars for Reimbursement of the Gaylord Nelson Riverwalk Extension Project

Xcel Energy has agreed that improvement projects constructed prior to the release of the Mitigation Funds can still qualify under the agreement if the City of Taylors Falls agrees on the project.  The City of Taylors Falls will consider the matter at their meeting. 

Council discussed if class 5 could be used instead of pavement, would it be less likely to breakup from frost heaves, would it support emergency vehicles, would it be a good path surface?

Chris Strom: how well the path stands up to frost and vehicles would depend on who well the area drains, can be re-enforced to support vehicles.

Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Resolution #07-13, Designating Project Mitigation Fund Dollars for Reimbursement of the Gaylord Nelson Riverwalk Extension Project Costs, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider Accepting Polk County Foreclosure Property for Bluff Land Preservation

Polk County has foreclosed on some lots on the west side of North Washington St for back taxes, and the Polk County Land Committee has recommended offering the lots to the City.  The lots are steep.

Jon Cermin moved to accept the Lots for preservation, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jon Cermin: being on the City Council has high and low moments, but has been a good experience. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Jon Cermin moved to adjourn, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.  9:05 pm.

 

Brad Foss, Mayor                                                                                    Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk