CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 8, 2006, 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 Monday, May 8, 2006 at 7:01 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Jon Cermin, Debra Points and Lori Erickson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney Scott Cox, Police Chief Paul Lindholm, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Public Works Director Dennis Neva, Charlie Jones, Wendy Sander, and Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press.

All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was noted that there was a typo on the bottom of the last page and that the Chamber of Commerce’s request for closing of Washington St should include “re-imbursement of any overtime”

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the April 24, 2006 Regular Council Meeting with additions, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Darrell Anderson: the Foxs were to be on tonight’s agenda regarding the proposed land swap, but it was removed when one of the parties involved could not be present.

Marian and Gordon Fox: own bluff property on west side of Hwy 35, Developer has a clause in purchase option based on zoning of the property; higher if re-zoned commercial. Then a land swap was discussed between the City and the Developer, bluff property in exchange for City owned property and $110,000. The $110,000 is based on an appraisal done 2 years ago for the Ice Age Foundation. We believe this was suggested so that the Developer would put in a road extension at his own expense, we were not included in any meetings regarding this swap proposal. This deal costs us money because of the reduced price regarding zoning. At this time we probably won’t sell the land to developer.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

Police Chief Paul Lindholm presented the April 2006 Police Report.

Fire Chief Dale Anderson presented the April 2006 Fire Dept Report.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General $54,924.92, Library $771.21, Water $4,628.51, Sewer $15,781.89, Debt Service $138,367.86

Jon Cermin moved to approve claims, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS

The Arts Advisory Committee held it’ first organizational meeting, sculpture placement recommendation may be ready for next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider a Resolution Designating a Professional Services Contract with Cedar Corp

Purpose of contract is to create transparency. Projects over $2,000 would require a work order and Council approval. Some changes in contract language for intellectual property were suggested.

Jon Cermin moved to table Consideration of a Professional Services Contract with Cedar Corp pending clarification of language, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Authorizing Advertising for a Part-time Office Assistant

There is a need for an office assistant for data entry, filing, customer service, and staff support, the position would be up to $9.00 per hour and not exceed 12 hours a week for a total annual expense not to exceed $5,000 a year. If authorized, the position would be advertised, applicants interviewed, and a recommendation made to the Common Council for approval.

Darrell Anderson moved to adopt Resolution #06-10, Authorizing Advertising for a Part-time Office Assistant, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Discuss Draft of City Recycling Policy

This Policy would require all City Offices and Departments to recycle aluminum, paper, and other materials and to use recyclable products when possible. The proposed policy is available for review and will be brought back for adoption at a future meeting.

Discuss Pending Retirement of Dennis Neva, Public Works Director

Public Works Director Dennis Neva: exact date of retirement is not determined yet, wish to use up some vacation time but this is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week job. When I am gone there is no one in charge.

Consider Temporary Appointment of Assistant Public Works Director

Dennis Neva recommended that Scott Brust be designated as temporary Assistant Public Works Director.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the appointment of Scott Brust as temporary Assistant Public Works Director, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Hiring of Part-Time Public Works Position

Dennis Neva: current part-time employee wishes to be done. Recommend that William Nelson, a heavy equipment operator, be hired on a part-time basis for 30 hours per week. Per the Union Contract, part-time employees get 50% of benefits received by a full-time Public Works employee.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the hiring of William Nelson as a part-time Public Works employee, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Allowing for Temporary Parking of Vehicles on City Hall Parking Lot: Transit Service

Ken Pierson wishes to start a shuttle service; people utilizing this service need a location to park their vehicles during transit. He has requested permission to park up to 5 vehicles in the City Hall parking lot. The Police Dept would be notified of vehicles so parked. It was recommended that vehicles be clustered on one location for purpose of snow removal in winter. It would be a one-year trial.

Debra Points moved to adopt Resolution #06-11, Allowing for Temporary Parking of Vehicles in City Hall Parking Lot, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Request to Donate for High School Graduation

The St Croix Falls School District has sent out a request for gifts for the 2006 High School Graduation.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize up to $100 for Graduation Gifts, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Mayoral Appointments

Jon Cermin moved to confirm the appointments of Gerry Lou Hague to the Library Board, Brian Collins and Ken Coutier to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Troy Desmet to the Downtown Development Group, and Arne Carlson to the Technology Group, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Discuss Setting Projects for Expenditure of City Share of Park & Recreation Funds

Park & Recreations Fees are distributed 50% for City share, 40% Park & Recreation Committee share, and 10% for Administration, we have 7 years to expend or refund, there is about $100,000 in City’s Fund, need to set projects to utilize the City’s share. Suggestions for use included improvements to Overlook Park and planting of natural screenings between Hwy 8 and Highview Development. A wish list with cost estimates will be written up.

Consider Community Internship Contract with Al Kruger

Al Kruger is working on his Masters Degree at the University of Duluth, as part of his course work he proposes to do a 90 hour Internship for the City to do “Visioning” for the City, he will explore avenues for funding, design and concept for a cityscape plan, this will earn him 2 credits at a cost of $693.00.

Darrell Anderson pointed out that Al Krueger had submitted a letter to the Editor campaigning for Brad Foss for Mayor and that paying for the cost of this credit course could be viewed as cronyism.

In the past the City has not paid credit costs for Internships.

Al Kruger stated that he was willing to do the Internship without the City’s paying, he is willing to pay the cost of the 2 credit Internship himself.

Debra Points moved to enter into a contract with Al Kruger for an Internship with the City with the provision for the City to pay $693.10 removed from the contract, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Liability & Property Insurance Quotes

The City’s Liability and Property Insurance is up for renewal as of May 15, 2006, The League of Wisconsin Municipalities Insurance is the City’s current carrier and has submitted a proposal for renewal, but did not include the renewal rates. The City budgeted $62,000 for insurance.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve renewing the City’s insurance with the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Insurance for an amount not to exceed $62,000, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Operators Permits

Debra Points moved to approve an Operators Permit for Melvin A Warm, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Cedar Task Order: Menards Construction Observation

Chris Strom, Cedar Corp: estimate visiting the site once a week based upon whether the City requests that something be looked at for a cost of $500 for a full day, less for a partial day.

Administrator Ed Emerson: observations world be at discretion of City, may not be needed every week, costs would be passed on to Menards, Public Works would represent the City in determining when observation is needed.

Jon Cermin moved to approve Observation Services for a cost not to exceed $3,500, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Gordon Fox noted that if the City wanted to beautify the area they should do something about Quest Canoe’s site, property is nothing but a junk yard.

Ed Emerson noted that the owners were directed to clean up the drums in the woods by Dec 31, 2005 and that when they hadn’t they were cited by the Police, drums have since been removed. Pontoon boats stored on property may be out side our authority, personal property may be kept on own property. Attorney Cox will check codes to see if anything can be done.

COMUNICATIONS

Mayor Foss noted that Polk Co is the 5^th fastest growing county in the State and that the largest growing group are the 50 and over. How do we develop infrastructure and services without burdening our property tax payers?

ADJOURNMENT

Darrell Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk