CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 29, 2007, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, Brian Blesi and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney Brian Nodolf, Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, WWTP Operator Mike Bryant, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the May 14, 2007 Council Meeting and Finance Committee Meeting, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Brian Blesi: Historic Preservation Committee met on May 24^th, reviewed materials and set goals.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $56,895.80, Debt Service $47,232.08, Park & Rec $12,500.00, Library Fund $1,843.85, Water $37,886.18, Sewer $7,504.85

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

OLD BUSINESS

Arnie Carlson: Farmers Market is putting together by-laws, will be opening June 15^th at the Overlook Park.

NEW BUSINESS

Lori Erickson moved to take agenda item 7m, Consider All-Tel Lease Extension & Rate Increase, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider All-Tel Lease Extension and Rate Increase

All-Tel proposes to amend their lease to place additional antennas on the Tower Rd Water Tower, their monthly rent would increase from $1,057.42 to $1,800 per month with an annual escalator and the option to renew the lease for three more five year terms. There is a clause in the lease whereby All-Tel would temporarily remove their antennas during tower maintenance.

Lori Erickson moved to approve the amendment to the lease agreement with All-Tel subject to review of City Attorney, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Temporary Banners, Polk County Fairgrounds and Discuss Cooperative Agreement, Marlin Bailargeon, Polk County Fair Board

The Polk County Fair Board has requested permission to place temporary banners on the fence along their side entry at the south east corner of the Fairgrounds for a period of six months. They are working on activities to increase revenues with the goal of supporting the Fairgrounds without tax moneys.

Lori Erickson moved to approve the placement of banners for six months, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Appointment of Erin Murphy to Police Sergeant

Lori Erickson moved to approve the appointment of Officer Erin Murphy as Police Sergeant, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution: Local Government Insurance Fund

The WI Government Insurance Fund is updating their records and requests a new authorizing Resolution.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-15, Resolving to list the City’s Buildings and other Properties with the Local Government Insurance Fund, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Application for Liquor License – Operators Permit

Darrell Anderson moved to approve an Operators License for Windy Fry, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Plan Commission Recommendation Approving a Variance for Hwy 8 Promotional Sign

A new directional/promotional sign is planned to replace the existing Polk Co Tourist Information sign on Hwy 8, the idea was for a 200 sq ft sign in 3 parts, directing traffic to Historic Downtown, to Information Center, and promoting the Gandy Dancer Trail. The State has ruled that the sign can only be 150 sq ft and that it can not include the Gandy Dancer Trail. A variance is still needed for the 150 sq ft as City Code only allows up to 100 sq ft. The Plan Commission has held a Public Hearing and recommends its approval.

Arnie Carlson moved to grant a variance for a 150 sq ft directional/promotional sign, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Plan Commission Recommendation Rezoning Lots in Block 85, 84, and 76, from B1 Commercial to R1 Single Family, to Reflect Actual Use

Charles Jensen has requested that his property on the east side of Hwy 87 be rezoned from B1 Commercial to R1 Residential. The property currently has one house on it and he is considering moving that house and building a new house. The Plan Commission held a Public Hearing and recommended approval.

Darrell Anderson moved to adopt Ordinance #06-07, Rezoning Property in Blocks 84, 85, and 76 from B1 General Commercial to R1 Single Family Residential, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Pember Pay Request for Louisiana St and Riverwalk Projects

Pay Request #1 for work completed to date on Louisiana St is $356,859.78, of which $137,300 is Xcel Energy’s share. It was noted that Adams St was to be open for access to the Lutheran Church on weekends and that it was not open this past weekend, making it difficult for the elderly to cross street to get to church. It was recommended that there be on-site meetings on Mondays with Pembers and City staff.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve Pember’s pay request for $356,859.78, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Pay Request #1 for Riverwalk Project is $63,038.23. The quote for trenching and laying cable for lighting around statue, flag, and path is $9,748.00.

Lori Erickson moved to approve Pember’s pay request for $63,038.23 and to accept lighting quote for $9,748.00, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Louisiana St and Riverwalk Update and Change Orders

Jeff Nussbaum: sewer and water are installed up to Day Rd. Pember is requesting authorization to allow a 3^rd crew to come in and start installing sewer and water up to Peterson Rd, requiring more traffic control. Proposed Change Orders for Louisiana St include: replacement of valves at $7,500, additional tree removal at $2,112, additional erosion control as required by DNR at $2,300 to $2,500 per week depending on weather/rain, additional water main to provide a loop to connect mid and upper water pressure zone at a cost of about $10,500, total proposed Change Orders: $29,153.00.

Lori Erickson moved to approve Change Orders for $29,153.00, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Warren White: Riverwalk project will need more rock walls than expected. Discussed conduit option with Ed Emerson and am going ahead with installation of electrical conduit to eliminate overhead electric lines at a cost of about $6,800. Need to look at skirting around deck, recommend a woven security fence.

Consider an Ordinance Correcting an Error, Chapter 9, Orderly Conduct

An error has been discovered in Chapter 9 whereby an adopted State Statute was miss-numbered, this Ordinance corrects that number, was adopted as 9.051.16 when it should have been 9.951.16.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Ordinance #6-07, Correcting an Error in Listing of Adopted State Statutes, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Auditors Recommendation to Pursue Inflationary Water Rate Adjustment

The Audit numbers reveal that the Water Utility operated at a loss in 2006, City Auditor Steve Scheidler recommends doing a simplified rate adjustment through the PSCW, City qualifies for a 3.2% increase.

Lori Erickson moved to follow Auditor’s recommendation for a simplified rate adjustment, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Update on Water System Improvements

Mike Bryant: well #11 that is replacing well #8 is being test pumped now, it is being pumped at 93 gallons a minute but is pumping more sand than we like to see. We won’t know results of test pump until tomorrow; recommend that we do the full range of testing. Well #3 is running well at 88 gallons per minute. We are working on a Wellhead Protection Ordinance and updating our discharge permit for WWTP. The Day Rd Reservoir needs structural review and we need to do some maintenance on Booster Pump but are waiting for completion of Louisiana St Work.

Lori Erickson moved to take a break, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Darrell Anderson moved to reconvene, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Committing to Purchase of the Holiday Building for Renovation into City Library Space and Defining Parameters

Sarah Adams: Library was started in 1921, moved to current location in 1972, our Library is a service destination. We are a City Dept and are asking for the City to commit to $650,000, we have hired a professional fund raiser and have already received a pledge for $200,000. A petition was started on Friday in support on a new Library in the Holiday Foods building and has about 100 signatures.

Ed Emerson: City has undesignated funds available, we could draw from undesignated fund to purchase the building for $400,000 plus designate $25,000 for an architect.

Darrell Anderson received 12 calls, mostly from people supporting Library project. Appreciate efforts of Library Board and Steering Committee, however my responsibility to City is fiscal, and while comfortable with $400,000, am not comfortable with $750,000.

Arnie Carlson received close to 20 calls, about 60% in favor of Library project, others not in favor of using the Holiday building and some not in favor of doing anything. We have other infrastructure needs that should be addressed first. Trying to make sense of costs, six different estimates, anywhere from $1million to $5million, should postpone decision until get better numbers.

Brian Blesi received 13 calls, 7 in support, others not for this site. Those in favor of this site preferred it because of access and parking. Library Board has demonstrated need. A site analysis based upon relationship to residential population indicates current site is more centrally located than Holiday building.

Lori Erickson: accessibility is important with aging population and parking is an issue. Holiday building is a blight on our Community, vision is to make it a gateway for City.

Mayor Foss: Library is a learning center and can be a beautiful addition for the City, and is one of my goals for my term in office; in addition, a portion of the building could be used as a business incubator. The Community Survey rated the Library as being a primary concern of responding residents, and 2/3 of respondents supported use of the Holiday site for a Library if matching funds could be obtained.

Virginia Zoncki-Bunker: Library Board and Steering Committee have more detailed information than presented, such as weight bearing construction requirements for upper floors, and installation and maintenance costs for elevator, Holiday site is least expense site to develop, and the Library is community infrastructure.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt a Resolution Committing to the Purchase of the Holiday Building for Renovation Into City Library Space. Motion died due to lack of a second.

Arnie Carlson moved to table Consideration of Committing to Purchase Holiday Building to the June 11 Council Meeting, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, Lori Erickson voted nay, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Rock Wall Replacement: 316 N Washington St

The retaining wall at 316 N Washington St was not replaced at the request of the previous owner when surrounding walls were done, the property is being assessed at the same rate as the neighboring properties that had walls replaced. Current owner Neil Briggs has requested that the City replace the deteriorating retaining wall. The rough estimate to replace the wall is $5,100, plus removal of old wall.

Brian Blesi moved to approve demolition and installation of a new retaining wall at 316 N Washington St for a cost not to exceed $7,500, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Committee Appointments

Lori Erickson moved to confirm the appointment of William Sheehan to the Board of Zoning Appeals, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Darrell Anderson moved to confirm the appointment of Don Anderson to the Revolving Loan Fund Committee, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Brian Blesi moved to confirm the appointments of Troy Desmet, Michelle Carlisle, and Bob Nickels to the Park & Recreation Committee, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider City Goals

Lori Erickson moved to table City Goals, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Becky Styles: one idea to provide more educational options for children is a Charter School with bilingual options. It would be a great opportunity for a Charter School to co-locate with the Library.

Don Anderson: impressed with fiscal responsibility and operations of City’s current Elected Officials.

Warren White: City Crew is doing site prep work for Skate Park, the skate park will be only 45ft to by 75ft to fit within the amount allocated for it; it will be a first class facility with room for expansion to the south.

Darrell Anderson: Wade Reddy and the Good Samaritan are planning a fund raising campaign for staff scholarships. Have received complaint that the City owned lot next to Franklin Square is being used as a dump site, and business owners on main street are not happy about street being closed on Saturday.

ADJOURNMENT

Arnie Carlson moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:12pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk