CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

                                                JUNE 11, 2007, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

 

At 6pm, prior to the regular Council Meeting, Mayor Foss, Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Brian Blesi, Arnie Carlson, and Lori Erickson, Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Warren White, and the press met at the Overlook Deck as noticed to review the progress of the Park Improvements and Riverwalk Project, and view under side of Overlook Deck in preparation of discussing fencing options, Change Orders, and project completion.   

                             

CALL TO ORDER                                       

Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on June 11, 2007 at 7:05 p.m.  Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, Arnie Carlson and Brian Blesi were present.  Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press.   All joined in the salute to the flag. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lori Erickson moved to approve the Minutes of the May 29, 2007 Regular Council Meeting with correction of Brian Blesi making the motion to confirm appointments to Park and Rec Committee, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed. 

 

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

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

Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the May 2007 Police Report.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Lori Erickson: the Cemetery Board did not have a quorum for their last scheduled meeting.

Mayor Foss: the UW Extension is offering monthly meetings where new business start ups can have their business plan reviewed and get advice at no cost.  The Development Group will be hosting a symposium in mid September.

 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $68,713.80, Library Fund $6,234.72, Park & Recreation Fund $14,259.01, Water Fund $12,575.99, Sewer Fund $5,545.64

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

 

NEW BUSINESS

City Goal, Objectives, and Recent Accomplishments  

Mayor Foss reviewed recent achievements in the City; preservation of Simonson Woods, the opening of Menards, the Hospital expansion, creation of Arts and Culture District, opening of Farmers’ Market, the River Sculpture, Park Improvements, overhauling of Water System, saving of money by opting to upgrade existing WWTP, and pursuit of Resort Tax.  Thanked all the Community Volunteers.

Goals and Objectives previously submitted by Council have been combined into one list; copies will be made available at City Hall.

 

Consider a Resolution Approving the 2007 Alcohol and Cigarette Licenses and Consider Approval of Operators Permits

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-16, Approving 2007 Alcohol and Cigarette Licenses with Issuance of Class A Liquor Licenses being contingent upon the Applicant Meeting the Requirement to Lock Away Liquor Products During Non-sale Hours, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Lori Erickson moved to approve Operators’ Permits as listed, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Tech Committee Recommendation: City Web Page Design

Arnie Carlson: lowest bid received for Web Design was $10,000, the Tech Committee has decided that the cost is too high and recommends putting off until a better alternative can be found.     

 

Consider a Resolution Committing to Library & Community Space Architectural Design and Development Services

Proposed new Resolution commits the City to the hiring of an architect to review, supplement, and summarize top three options for Library by July 31st.  Items of discussion included whether minimum 100 year life expectancy was realistic, whether options to be submitted should be for the Holiday Site alone or for three various sites, and whether there should be a cap on cost of proposed design.  It was noted that the Library Board had reviewed the proposed Resolution and supported its adopting under the understanding that it would be for three options for the Holiday site.

Darrell Anderson moved to adopt Resolution #07-17, Committing to Library and Community Space Architectural Design and Development Services with the removal of 100 year life expectancy and concentrating on Holiday Site for a cost not to exceed $35,000, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed. 

 

Consider Fencing Options for City Overlook Deck Area and Evaluate Project Change Orders & Final Design Completion

The Council discussed screening the underside of the Overlook Deck and requested price quotes for 2” wide slat filled chain link fencing and for landscaping options to hide underside from view.

Ivan Bowen (Traprock) has donated the rock used for retaining walls in Overlook Park and along the riverwalk extension to the NPS Headquarters.   It was recommended that the City owned chain link fence along the north side of Overlook Park be left in place until more is known about what will happen with the Olmstead property but that the barb wire along the top of the fence be removed.  A Change Order to authorize the burring of conduit to allow the removal of power poles in Overlook Park out to the bridge in the new trail for a cost of $6,800 was approved by the administration and will result in the removal of 4 power poles.  A Time Capsule has been suggested to be placed within the base of the Sculpture; items for the time capsule will need to be in place by July 13th.

 

Consider Approval of CMAR Report: Waste Water Treatment System

The CMAR Report grades the Waste Water Treatment System on 9 criteria, the City received 8 A ratings, but failed the Influent criteria as more sewage is coming into the plant than the plant was designed for and is the driving factor for expanding the facility’s capacity. 

Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Resolution #07-18, approving the 2006 Compliance Maintenance Report, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Committee Appointments

Lori Erickson moved to confirm the appointments of Paul Kuhlmann and Al Krueger to the Board of Zoning Appeals, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

It was pointed out that Ken Mettler had already agreed to be on the Board.

Lori Erickson moved to amend the appointments to Paul Kuhlmann and Ken Mettler to the BZA, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mayor Foss noted that there have already been a couple orders placed for Sculptures.    

 

ADJOURNMENT

Lori Erickson moved to adjourn, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.  8:45 pm.

 

Brad Foss, Mayor                                                                                    Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk