CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 7:01 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Debra Points, Bill Kersch and Jon Cermin were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney John Schneider, Police Sgt Jack Rydeen, 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 April 25, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

The 2005 March Police Report was presented to Council.

The 2005 March Fire Department Report was presented to Council.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General $47,230.67, Park & Rec. $286.27, Library $2,005.67, Debt Service $154,768.08, Water $45,879.13, Sewer $15,142.43

Bill Kersch moved to approve claims, seconded by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Temporary Closure of Hamilton Street near Massachusetts Street

Tom Bradley of the National Park Service was present to request that Hamilton St be temporarily closed to traffic during construction, through September.

Jon Cermin moved to temporarily close Hamilton St through September for construction, seconded by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Approving an all Hazards Mitigation Plan for St Croix Falls

A Hazards Mitigation Plan has been prepared by Polk County with input from City personal to assess the magnitude of hazard risks and develop strategies for minimizing or reducing these risks. The Plan has been reviewed and received preliminary approval from Wisconsin Emergency Management and adopting the Plan will make us eligible for federal grant dollars for hazard mitigation projects.

Debra Points moved to adopt Resolution # 05-13, approving an all Hazards Mitigation Plan, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Quotes for Renewal of City Liability and Auto Insurance

The City received insurance quotes from the League of Wisconsin Municipal Insurance and Community Insurance, while Community Insurance’s proposal was about $1,800 less than the League’s proposal. The City currently carries no-fault sewer backup coverage through the League and Community Insurance doesn’t offer sewer backup coverage. Property Insurance is through the Wisconsin State Insurance Fund.

Jon Cermin moved to accept the bid for Liability and Auto Insurance from the League of Wisconsin Municipal Insurance, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Allocating Undesignated Funds: Hire Additional Police Officer

With growth and new issues facing the Police Department an additional officer is needed to allow scheduling for greater saturation of police coverage and traffic control. It is estimated that $30,000 would cover expenses, wages and benefits for remainder of year for the position, undesignated funds could be allocated to the 2005 budget for this purpose.

Debra Points moved to adopt Resolution #05-14, Allocating Undesignated Funds to the 2005 Budget for an additional Police Officer, seconded by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Establishing a Policy on Teleconference Participation at City Council Meetings

To facilitate the involvement of City Councilpersons at Council Meetings when the Councilperson is absent due to illness or being out of town a Policy on Teleconference Participation at City Council Meetings would need to be established. Currently the City has a Councilperson who travels for work and another who travels for heath reasons. In the past couple elections candidates have run unopposed, the positions need to be made more available and workable for people, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities was contacted and teleconferencing is not prohibited.

Darrell Anderson: when you run for office you are making a commitment to be there at meetings, nor should phone charges incurred for calling in be reimbursed.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #05-15, Establishing a Policy on Teleconference Participation at City Council Meetings, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, Darrell Anderson voted nay, motion passed.

Consider Filing a Legal Claim for Costs Incurred – 209 S River Street

Costs incurred for hazmat handling, police involvement, and expenses incurred by the City, for 209 S River Street were billed to the owner of the property, there has been no response, next step could be to file a lien against the property, it is unknown at this time as to what will become of the house.

Debra Points moved to authorize City Attorney Schneider to pursue options to recoup costs incurred at 209 S River St, seconded by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Awarding of Bids for Wilberg Blvd Construction

The City received three bids for the Wilberg Blvd and Phase III Washington St Project, Wilberg Blvd will be fully assessed to the benefiting properties and Washington St Will utilize Grant Monies. The Bids were: A1 Excavating for $2,054,429.14, F & K Trucking for $2,056,255.19, and McCabe Construction for $1,932,013.29. Chris Strom of Cedar Corp recommended that the City accept the bid from McCabe Construction with the alternative for PVC piping for water mains, with metal prices being high, PVC pipe would save about $50,000, the mains would just need to be buried a little deeper.

Darrell Anderson moved to award the bid to McCabe Const with alternative for PVC piping contingent upon DOT and DNR approvals, seconded by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Rescheduling May 30 City Council Meeting

The regular Council Meeting for the 4 Monday falls on Memorial Day and so needs to be rescheduled.

Debra Points moved to schedule the next City Council Meeting for Thursday, May 26, 2005, seconded by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Purchase of Utility Easement

A $500 Option to purchase a Utility Easement is needed for service to new potential well site, if well site proves viable then the City could pick up the option to purchase the full easement, there is an existing well site that can have a test pump done to determine if it is a viable site.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Option Agreement, seconded by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mayor Uhrhammer: 10 new home building permits for an estimated $1 mill in value were issued in April. The Minneapolis City Pages has listed St Croix Falls as their pick for 2005 best Day Trip.

ADJOURNMENT

Bill Kersch moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk