May
12, 2008 page
CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 12, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Darrell Anderson called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Brian Blesi, Paul Kuhlmann and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Fire Chief Wade Sommer, Charlie Jones and Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Minutes of the April 28, 2008 Regular Council Meeting, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented EMT Josh Rau and Officer Jared Cockroft with certificates of appreciation for their efforts in the successful resuscitation of a drowning child at the Holiday Inn swimming pool on March 9, 2008. He then presented the April 2008 Police Report.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the April 2008 Fire Dept Report, the Fire Dept would like to get a capital equipment plan in place and suggested that a Councilperson be assigned as a representative to the Fire Dept meetings.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Brian Blesi recognized the kids who cleaned up the Cemetery, Library site, and parks last Friday.
Arnie Carlson: WWTP Task Force met with DNR and MSA, we are half way through planning and scheduling, MSA is amending the Facilities Plan for re-furbishing the existing plant, the Plan will then be submitted to DNR and Corp for review, estimate starting of construction in 2010. , City needs to decide what we want to do with the Festival Theatre Building.
General Fund $51,605.06, Library Fund $1,121.10, Library Building Fund $5,420.25, Debt Service $1,454,443.13, TIF Fund $135.12, Water Fund $3,972.90, Sewer Fund $24,675.89. Brian Blesi moved to approve claims, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Leif Ruona: Farmers Market with three venders received a lot of positive feed back last season. Have eight venders signed up so far for this season. Farmers Market will be open Thursdays from 3 pm to 6:30 pm starting the third week of June.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Bids for Library and State Street Construction Projects
Charlie Jones: City received one Bid from A1 Construction, bids for Library public improvements came in higher than expected and no bid was received for the geothermal portion of the project, need to evaluate project and get costs down, may need to re-bid. Recommend that award of bid for State St be tabled so that we can negotiate bid for parking lot portion of Library project, could then be added to State St project as a change order.
Arnie Carlson moved to table Bids and to authorize Cedar Corp to negotiate bid for parking lot through a change order and to authorize seeking quotes to perform a conductivity testing for geothermal at the Library site for a cost not to exceed $7,000, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, passed.
Consider Agreement with Chamber of Commerce and Release of $5,000 in Budgeted Funds
The Chamber is updating services, with member assistance and monthly financial reports, is working on Wannigan Days and a Craft Fair, and request that City release the $5,000 in funds budgeted.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and to release the $5,000 budgeted, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Cedar Task Orders on Construction Management
Task Order for added services on State St Project, including: LED Street Lights alternative; design, specs, and staking for decorative fencing and columns along Hospital; design, specs, and staking for underground conduit for phone and cable services; traffic calming feasibility; specs for repairing parking lot retaining wall and decorative railing. Work has already been completed, cost for added scope of work is $12,300.00.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Task Order for additional work on State St for $12,300.00, second by Paul Kuhlmann, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Task Order for Library Public Plaza engineering design to prepare for bidding, cost: $17,800.00.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Task Order for the Library Public Plaza for a cost of $17,800, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Report on River Spirit Sculpture Sales
Brian Blesi moved to removed from the Agenda, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, passed.
Consider Sponsorship of SCRMC Golf Classic - $250.00
The St Croix River Medical Center is holding their annual Golf Fund Raiser, sponsoring a hole would create good will, and support the good working relationship the City has with the Hospital.
Arnie Carlson moved to sponsor the SCRMC Golf Classic for $500 utilizing Room Tax Funds, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Report on City Sponsorship of Governors Fishing Opener
The City sponsored the Friday Night Banquet for the 2008 Governors Fishing Opener; the event was well attended and covered by local and state newspapers, and TV crew, resulting in good press and recognition for the City.
Consider a Resolution to Vacate a Portion of Georgia Street
Harold and Lori Erickson and Camille and Jacob Bevens have petitioned to have the undeveloped road right-of-way of Georgia Street located between Lot 12 of Block 23 and Lot 1 of Block 17 vacated. There is a manhole in the right-of-way where the alley that runs through those two blocks intersect Georgia Street, the right-of-way is needed to access that man hole. It was also suggested that the right-of-way could be utilized for a trail to make a connection from Main Street to the Esker Trail. The neighboring property owners can utilize the right-of-way for landscaping.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to deny consideration of a Resolution to Vacate a Portion of Georgia St, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Update on City Tourism and VISTA Positions
Ed Emerson: have concluded interviews and offered the City Tourism Coordinator position to Melanie Nelson, a contract for independent contractor will be drawn up and the position funded by Room Tax. The position could be structured to expire in Dec 2009, then we could evaluate the effectiveness. We have been approved for two VISTA positions, one for a Farm Aspect and one for a Business Aspect, these positions are Federally Funded.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ken Coutier: City should consider a permanent odd/even watering ban for lawns and gardens, would aid in protecting the City’s water table levels, by maintaining water tables will have better water reserves for emergencies.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk