CALL TO ORDER

Council President Debra Points called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, July 11, 2005 at 7:02 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Debra Points, Jon Cermin and Bill Kersch were present. Mayor Uhrhammer was absent. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney John Schneider, Police Chief Paul Lindholm, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Bill Kersch moved to approve the Minutes of the June 27, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

Police Chief Paul Lindholm presented the June 2005 Police Report.

Fire Chief Dale Anderson presented the June 2005 Fire Department Report.

REPORTS OF COMMITTIES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS

The May 10, 2005 Cemetery Board Minutes were presented for Councils information.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General $58,609.53, Park & Rec. $130.77, Library $3,955.11, Debt Service 2,451.88 Water $8,195.24, Sewer $5,013.93

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

NEW BUSINESS

Consider an Ordinance Amending Part of the Adult Oriented Establishments Code

Created in 1999, it is time to update the code to meet pressures that may be brought on due to growth. Changes include increased setbacks and additional language relating to location.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Ordinance #04-05, amending part of the Adult-Oriented Establishments Code, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Upgrade of City Mechanical Tornado Siren to Radio Activated

The emergency siren located on the Festival Theatre building is manually controlled; someone has to physically turn it on and off in coordination with the other two sirens in the City. Installation of radio controls would permit the siren to be activated simultaneously with the other sirens in the city. The Fire Department has received a quote of $1,560.00 for a radio receiver, timer, decoder and whip antenna. If the sirens contactor box is located on a lower level of the building additional coaxial cable and placement of a ground plane antenna may be needed for an additional cost of $135.00.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize the radio activation upgrade per quote received from Federal Signal Corp for a cost not to exceed $2,000, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Acceptance of Fire Department Grant for Grass Rig and Agreeing to Provide Match Money not to Exceed $8,000

The Fire Department has been awarded a $12,000 DNR Wildfire Grant to be used towards the purchase of a new grass rig; required matching funds will come in part from funds raised by the Fire Department. The Fire Department is requesting that the city authorize additional funds, up to $8,000, to cover the $25,500 purchase price of a diesel fueled 2003 Ford F350 Super Duty truck from Forrest Lake Ford.

Bill Kersch moved to authorize use of City funds up to $8,000 for purchase of a Ford truck in conjunction with the DNR Wildfire Grant for a grass rig, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing the Execution of Design Agreement Between the Department of the Army and City of St Croix Falls for the Design of the Wastewater Infrastructure Project

At earlier meeting the Council authorized the City’s 25% share of funding of WWTP Facility Planning in conjunction with allocation of $350,000 in Federal funds. As planning will utilize Federal Funds a Design Agreement with the Department of the Army Engineers is required whereby the Army Engineers will have control of the project. Any costs overruns will be the responsibility of the City.

Debra Points moved to authorize the Execution of Design Agreement between the Department of the Army and the City of St Croix Falls for the Design of the Wastewater Infrastructure Project, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Bid of Legacy Solar for Installation of a Street Light: Aspen Drive

Legacy Solar has submitted a bid proposal to install a solar street light on Aspen Dr at a cost of $5,930 to determine if solar power is a viable alternative to electrically powered street lighting. It was questioned whether the high purchase cost and installation of a solar powered street light was an effective alternative opposed to cost of an electricity powered street light.

Darrell Anderson moved to secure a quote on an electrically powered street light before proceeding with a solar powered street light, second by Jon Cermin. Upon further discussion Darrell Anderson withdrew the motion and Jon Cermin withdrew his second.

Darrell Anderson moved to table the consideration of a solar street light, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Approval of Operators Licenses

Debra Points moved to approve an Operators License for Setenay Yener, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Contracting for Voter Registration Services

Voter registration in Wisconsin is required to be in place by January 1, 2006. One part of the process is the entering registrant’s information into a State maintained database. Polk County proposes to provide technology services for voter registration for interested municipalities for a fee. Fees are comprised of a $25.00 base fee plus an amount based upon voter turn out, using numbers for voter turn out in 2004 it is estimated that the cost for technology services would have been $175 for 2004. A memorandum of understanding between the City and County is needed to confirm the arrangement.

Jon Cermin moved to contract for voter registration services with Polk County, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Authorizing Application for a State Historical Marker Honoring Gaylord Nelson and the St Croix Riverway

In honor of Gaylord Nelson’s involvement with establishing the St Croix River as a protected scenic river, the City of St Croix Falls proposes to apply to the State Historical Society for a Historic Marker honoring Gaylord Nelson to be placed in the parkway near the National Park Service Headquarters. Congressman Obey’s office has expressed an interest in State involvement in wording or the marker. The City appropriates $3,800 for such marker, if needed additional funds shall be raised locally.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #05-26, authorizing application for a historical marker to honor Gaylord Nelson for a cost not to exceed $3,800 in Park & Rec Funds, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Contract with Ehlers & Associates for Continuing Disclosure Services

The latest Bond Issue triggered continuing disclosure requirements. Ehlers & Associates is the City’s financial advisors for Bond Issues and has offered three options for handling continuing disclosure.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize a Contract with Ehlers & Associates for Continuing Disclosure Services utilizing option 1, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Approval of CSM Showing Wilberg Blvd Right-of-Way Dedication, Ficek Parcel

Debra Points moved to approve the CSM for Wilberg Blvd right-of-way dedication across Ficek property, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jon Cermin has been videotaping at the National Park Service project, builder not comfortable with his presence on the work site, would like to set up on closed off street for training session for students.

COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Bill Kersch questioned if a street sign for Glacier Drive could be placed on cross beam of traffic lights at intersection of Hwy 8 and Glacier Drive.

ADJOURNMENT

Jon Cermin moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk